In the Canadian Army in WW2, the practice was to have the large pack stay with the B echelon, which was the battalion's trucks and only carry the small pack, or not even that if the unit was "dug in " in a defence role.

Belt kit was water bottle, bayonet frog, ammo pouches, and first aid kit, plus personal stuff like smokes, lighter chewing gum and sweets , and spare socks, along with a folding knife and a pocket novel , yes something to read.

When you look at WW2 photos, it is easy to make out the old pros, versus the newbies. The old pro isn't carying anything that isn't essential, while the newbie is still carrying everything that he ever signed for at the QM stores.

Jim B. Toronto.