A Beginner's Guide to 1944 Pattern WE Part I - Reenacting Tips

A look at some of the basics of the 1944 Pattern web equipment with a focus on how components evolved through its service life.
/ riflemanmoore
/ riflemanmoore
www.karkeeweb.com/1944main.html

[@andrewjohnston4127]

I've still got the 44 pattern waterbottle and pouch I bought in the very early 90s. Got it in duboras in Aldershot . It was a relatively common thing to add to your 58 pattern gear just to make things a bit easier to use. Plus it was the thing to be seen with by us young kit fashion conscious squaddies at the time, that and a roll pin belt

[@RiflemanMoore]

Absolutely! Definitely a nice bit of kit to have on your belt, practical and fashionable. Regarding the roll pin belt I plan on making a video on its origins in the near future.

[@keithorbell8946]

Andrew Johnston allyness saves lives😉 I did that in the OTC. Being super ally (OTC=Walt?) I had four of them, two for bottles and two instead of kidney pouches! Yes, I was “all the gear and no idea”!

[@bazbarovic9201]

'44 Pattern mugs were very sort after item; masking tape around the edges to stop you from burning the lips. Right up until when the army started to issue us the issued metal mugs.

[@behindthespotlight7983]

James Bender over on Waypoint Survival built an outstanding survival kit w/ one of the ammo pouches. He uses a bread baking tin as the base. Offering a unique field pan that does all the utility of a skillet or pot but is also a baking vessel

[@campbellbrand8038]

The 44 pattern water bottle pouch was also good for the US mess tins. Didn’t like 58 kidney pouches and used many 58 pattern water bottle pouches instead but they wouldn’t take U.K. or US mess tins so it was a 44 for US mess tins for scran and the 44 Metal mug for brews.

[@wingaard]

I used 2 '44 pattern ammo pouches in place of the awful kidney pouches. They take the smaller mess tin and because of the loops never they came off. (Very few people actually noticed as the pouch lids are similar.)I had a 44 pattern water bottle pouch either side of these as we carried two water bottles as SOPs.

[@TonyBelas]

hi, I was issued with 44 pattern twice, in 1972 as a junior soldier (first pattern) and in 1977 in Belize (2nd pattern) I though it to be better than ''womans' pattern 58 as its possible to reclose the ammo pouch one handed on 44 pat - not really possible on 58 pattern...try it and you will see! Yes, the rucksack was too small but at least it had a plastic lining. Love your videos it has answered so many unanswered questions, often when struggling to use something you have no choice but to use you think 'why on earth is it like that' and no I have at least some of the answers!

[@WWIIUK]

Will you be covering the clothing items associated with the 1944 pattern? a very helpful video.

[@RiflemanMoore]

I do hope to in the future yes, hopefully alot of the other acoutrements too!

[@WWIIUK]

splendid I look forword to seeing them.

[@blueband8114]

@@WWIIUK Me as well.

[@MichaelR58]

Thanks for sharing, I really like the jackets . What pattern are they ?

[@RiflemanMoore]

The one on the right-hand mannequin is part of the late war jungle uniform intended for use in the continuing war with Japan but it was never worn in action before the end of hostilities. The one on the left-hand mannequin is a 1950 Pattern aertex bush jacket with the belt removed. There will be some further details on these in the next part of the 1944 Pattern series.

[@MichaelR58]

@@RiflemanMoore thank you, I'll be watching for it .atb

[@KTM-xz9qj]

I have my 44 pattern mug and water bottle holder. Think it's still got the tape on. RSM going ape shit about sharing mugs and " that gopping tape".

[@andrewmangum4247]

When can we expect to see you on Cold War Conversations?

[@RiflemanMoore]

I'm not sure when the interview will be posted, it will be hearing only, not seeing, of course!

[@sander7165]

I don't know if you are the right person to ask but I am trying to built up a mannequin with the kit from a canadian soldier from the lincoln and welland regiment during operation elephant /battle of the kapelsche veer in January 1945. Would it be common for a canadian /commonwealth soldier to carry a lightweight respirator bag?

[@RiflemanMoore]

Canadians were definitely issed the Light Anti Gas Respirator so I would assume that they would carry them in the specific situation you mention but I would recommend looking at photos, if you can find them, to make sure.

[@sander7165]

@@RiflemanMoore there are no "real" pictures but only pictures made during the training they did with kayaks a week before the operation but they don't wear complete kit : no helmets , no entrenching tool and no small pack. So this isn't accurate for the operation since they definitely dug trenches (which is written in a good scource/book) But thanks for the help! I guess I will use the bag as it was a piece of basic kit.

[@RiflemanMoore]

I've had a look at some photos and it is difficult to say. Men seem to be wearing musketry order plus lifebelts, they don't have the shoulder strap of the respirator haversack but it may be worm on the back of the belt, of course.

[@sander7165]

@@RiflemanMoore was wearing the respirator bag on the back of the webbing common?

[@RiflemanMoore]

It was certainly done but it was more commonly carried on the shoulder strap.

[@MRDPG59]

did any units wear the 44 pattern with serge battle dress? I think I have seen photos of some British troops in German wearing it with the battle dress..also I think I have seen battle dress with 44 pattern at the start of the Korean war? any photos or links of these be helpfull for me (if it is the case that they did wear the 44 with battledress ) thanks all keep up the great work Mr Moore LOVE the Channel!

[@RiflemanMoore]

Watch my recent videos on 29 Brigade in Korea!

[@MRDPG59]

@@RiflemanMoore coool thanks I must have missed this one when it was posted

[@andrewhaddock7996]

Watch the monty python film 'and now for something completely different '.

[@carltonbraxton5399]

what does MECO mean on your shirt?

[@adamnwhat]

6:27 I thought that loop for attachment machete.

[@smudd71]

What pair of plebs down voted this ?🇬🇧

[@RiflemanMoore]

It happens.