Romanian Military Loadout. Ruck, Haversack, Accessories pre 1990

A glimpse at the Romanian military loadout during the Socialist/Communist regime. Warsaw pact commonalities and similarities.
The Haversack or Bread bag is slightly different and larger to accommodate different needs and requirements.
The tarp used by the Romanians was modeled after the Soviet or Russian Plash Palatka and served as a tarp, poncho or shelter half.
The mess kit was pretty similar to what everybody else used, most likely modeled after the German one.
Keywords:
Romanian military
MApN
RSR
Comunism
Era comunista
Socialism
Epoca de aur
Ceausescu
Communism
Iron Curtain
Warsaw Pact
CCCP
USSR
URSS
NVA
East German
Czech
Czechoslovakia
Poland
Bulgaria
Hungary
M39 Dutch Helmet
sac de merinde
haversack
rucksack
ruck march
plash palatka
tarp
poncho
shelter half
foaie de cort
canteen
mess kit
wool blanket
soldati
gamela militara

[@scottrichards2640]

My good friend: 1-the bayonet was used as a knife and can opener (not very efficient, but it worked), 2-the number of magazines carried was different depending on the mission, 3- they were utensils like forks and spoons, the fact they are not on the market means nothing

[@dixy2k]

Actually utensils were not issued. Everyone had to get their own.

[@ZvZd]

Do you happen to have a packing list for the Rucksack and Haversack?

[@dixy2k]

@@ZvZd No. I was told by some Romanian Army veterans they kept ammo inside the haversack and some food. For the ruck, they had some NBC gear and some change of clothes. Nothing official that I could find.

[@dandondera2618]

You would receive one fire unit (o unitate de foc) which consisted of ten Akm magazines with 30 bullets each (300 bullets).

[@dandondera2618]

@@dixy2k Yes they were. Knife, fork and spoon.

[@camojoe83]

I think you're right on all 3 things: the haversack is meant to have the mess kit hung on it (think german bread bag), the ruck with a bedroll would only be good to carry without wearing the helmet, so if you do have to take that and hoof it somewhere, you'd want to carry the helmet on it. Also, it's plain as day it's meant for the helmet because of the brim tab on the flap. If you've dropped your ruck/disembarked from transport for action, you'd be down to the haversack and belt and wearing the helmet because that's what you do in shrapnel land.

[@manofconstantgold]

Not sure if you're still reading comments here, but I am absolutely certain that the D ring which slides on the belt is intended to carry the canteen. When a soldier is wearing the bread bag, the canteen should clip onto the D ring on it instead. The mess kit in indeed carried on the outside of it as well, since there is space on the outside of the mess kit for the middle strap to sit. Romanian military, especially in the 80s, did not receive particularly exceptional training given the conscription period and lack of good NCOs so it is possible they were not given or simply ignored the official manuals if they existed. Unfortunately Romanian People's Army manuals or documentation are really scarce unlike the Soviet, Yugoslav, NVA, Czechoslovak, and Polish ones. The purpose of strapping the helmet to the backpack is that you can wear a cap and relieve the strain on your head when you are marching on the road. Since the Romanian land forces were not very well mechanized when this equipment was introduced, it made sense to ease the strain on the soldier for long rucksack marches in the Infantry brigades.

[@dixy2k]

Thanks for the info. It would only be logical to be done the way you described, but since the information I received from some Romanian Vets was different I can only describe what they said and maybe interject my opinion here and there.

[@dandondera2618]

Yes the Romanian Army was totally mechanized from the late '50s. However, in the Army (especially in the infantry) you march a lot. But you would wear you helmet (and your gas mask, but that is another story). The thing is that the regulation would state that during training, on fireing range, on guard duty, you would wear your helmet, the rest of the time you would wear your normal headgear.

[@RAYANDERS-w4t]

THANKS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@turtlewolfpack6061]

I was hoping to see the shelter sheet in more detail, the Romanian one is pretty rare for the most part despite that I have heard it is similar to the Russian and East German. Even those have some significant differences.

[@dixy2k]

It's square, about 69 inches per side, heavy duty canvas material. I'll probably shoot another video with some different setups and include some footage of that tarp. I don't know how waterproof it is, but it was meant to be worn as a rain poncho.

[@turtlewolfpack6061]

@@dixy2k the plash palatka is usually pretty waterproof, the East German ones that I own are lighter material, very water resistant and take wax very well. The Polish ones I have I sadly haven't got much time with so can't comment but I love the design.

[@dixy2k]

Here is the promised video. kzbin.info/www/bejne/mIrEgZemaat_jpI

[@Roadieguru]

Very good video thank you!

[@cristitanase6130]

Romanian Army during Ceausescu time was extremely harsh with punishments for divulging secrets, and had a zero policy on speaking anything about the armament or the equipment that you get to use. So there's no wonder that former soldiers refuse to say how much ammo they got, because that was a Court Martial offence during that time, and quite a bit time after the fall of communism until the rules changed. Same goes for everything "sensitive", like the unit mission, the deployment, and much more. If you got to a polygon and fired your weapon, each single bullet casing fired had to be accounted for! Yes, there was punishment for losing empty cartridges! And if God forgive you actually damaged your kit, you're in a world of trouble. So those guys had a very rough time, and they never forget that time for the rest of their lives, and I understand them. Wanna know more? Get them drunk, they will slowly open up.

[@johnfranta6937]

Hello, I e-mailed not long ago with a question about the Romanian canvas bread bag. I now have purchased the Romanian canvas backpack. I hope that you can help me figure out how to attach the shoulder straps to the bottom of the pack. I think that the rings hook into the black clips on the bottom of the pack. The only thing is the rings on the one I have are too small to fit on them. Is this normal, or am I missing something? I’m thinking on getting some bigger rings to put on, but I like to ask someone first. Thanks!

[@johnfranta6937]

Hello, I’ll admit that you are the second one that I have ask this question too, but have seen a Romanian bread bags on Epic Militaria that look different than the run of the mill Romanian bread bag. The top flap of the bag is straight, then drops almost straight down the back of the pack. What’s more, at the back of the flap where it meets the back of the pack, it goes straight up for about an inch then stops. Would you know anything about this type of bag?

[@dixy2k]

No. I just looked at it. I think it is a newer variation of the old one. Not sure what the purpose of that design is. It could also be an export version. Their export magazine pouch looks different than what they used internally. I want to say it could be something developed in the 90's. The straps are different too.

[@jasonmacdonald1892]

It's about the same as the German set up i think you are right about the set up for the mess kit and canteen

[@willsieruta]

Do you know what the real blanket looked like? I see some green striped Romanian wool blankets have appeared on the market recently, wondering if this is correct.

[@dixy2k]

I have no idea. I faintly recall someone say they were Blue, but don't quote me.

[@dandondera2618]

If it isn't blue it isn't army blanket.

[@pauloando4432]

Did you treat the leather straps if so what with?

[@dixy2k]

No. They seem to be in good shape and still soft.

[@pauloando4432]

D. Alex Oprea ok thanks for reply mine are much lighter in colour but also in good shape thanks 🙏

[@erkkikarvinen1783]

The helmet must be at hand in front. Not tied somewere back.

[@dixy2k]

It makes a lot more sense to have the mess kit there instead of the helmet. All ex military guys I talked to insisted that's where the helmet would go.

[@DevoWray]

Shovel goes in the pocket