| tuscaloosa | 15 Feb 2015 6:52 p.m. PST |
In the ACW, soldiers used blankets. Even in WW2, memoirs note that U.S. soldiers were issued wool blankets, at least in some cases. At what point were armies first generally issued sleeping bags? I note that Wikipedia says the Russian Army was one of the first purchasers of sleeping bags after they were developed in the 1880s, but I've never seen figures with sleeping bags on their load. I've seen lots of WW2 pictures, like everyone else on TMP, but I've never seen a picture from WW2 showing sleeping bags in use. |
| Privateer4hire | 15 Feb 2015 7:21 p.m. PST |
On another Great War forum, there is discussion of some British officers using 'blanket bags' and mention/posting of some ads for these items (that I can't open because I'm not a forum member). Blanket bags were apparently an original term for sleeping bags? |
| Major General Stanley | 15 Feb 2015 7:55 p.m. PST |
During the Trent Affair, 1862, There is a reference to British soldiers having blankets sewn into blanket bags |
| rmaker | 15 Feb 2015 10:42 p.m. PST |
Blanket bags also appear in the Crimean War. |
| Martin Rapier | 16 Feb 2015 12:12 a.m. PST |
A blanket bag is just a blanket sewn up. My educated guess for sleeping bags in the British Army was at the same time 58 pattern webbing was introduced, as the 58 pattern pack has integral straps for securing the bag. Not many places to put a sleeping bag on 37 pattern. |
ScottWashburn  | 16 Feb 2015 6:42 a.m. PST |
US troops in WWII were issued sleeping bags as well as blankets. I have one in my collection. |
| tuscaloosa | 16 Feb 2015 7:51 a.m. PST |
Interesting, all. ScottW, what does it look like? |
| Martin Rapier | 16 Feb 2015 9:02 a.m. PST |
Ah, I completely forgot about the British Denison 'sleeping' bag – used to keep paras warm in their transport planes. link |
| ScottWashburn | 16 Feb 2015 10:42 a.m. PST |
The US Army Sleeping Bag looked like this: auction In 1945 they introduced a much greener color bag. There was also a more insulated model for arctic troops. I've used the one I have at reenactments and it's reasonably warm and comfortable. It comes with a cloth liner which I believe was to help keep it clean when a mud-covered GI crawled into it without taking off his outer clothing--or even his boots. |
| tuscaloosa | 16 Feb 2015 2:36 p.m. PST |
Very enlightening, thank you. |
| zoneofcontrol | 16 Feb 2015 7:34 p.m. PST |
Scott-
Looks similar in shape to the "mummy bag" sleeping bag I used for camping/backpacking in the 70s & 80s. Obviously different shell material and filler but same shape. The mummy shape kept the body heat closer to the occupant. And I too had a removable linen liner sleeve to climb into. As you mentioned, worked to keep the bag interior clean (cleaner?!?), also added a layer to help with warmth. |
| ScottWashburn | 17 Feb 2015 5:20 a.m. PST |
One interesting thing to keep in mind about the US system of field gear. There was a set of 'combat gear' which basically consisted of your ammo and enough food for a few days, plus your canteen, entrenching tool, and gas mask. You might be able to include a blanket and an extra shirt in the haversack (knapsack) but that was about it. All your extra stuff: clothing, personal items, sleeping bag, tent, etc. was kept in a duffel bag back with the quartermaster trucks. If you were lucky, that stuff would catch up to you when you needed it, but more likely, it wouldn't. So, veteran soldiers began loading themselves down with a lot more stuff than the regulations called for. If you see photos of GIs on the march, they'll be carrying extra bags and bundles all over their persons. |
added anti-tank elements to his NATO forces in WWIII: Team Yankee.
