Greenjacket...

Ravenn,

Just about any large pack used by the British Army is called a Bergan.

Regards,

Ed
 
edmosis, is right, "bergen" can be used for any type rucksack. Recently it mainly refers to a soldiers large pack which contains a sleeping system, rations and spare clothes: home from home. They are the largest issue pack and have zip off pockets to make a "jump pack" or patrol/daysack. Its big; as you have probably seen on TV as carried by our Royal Marines.

There has been some effort to lighten the burden by the greater use of smaller patrol packs. However, everytime this aguement seems to be gaining ground we seem to be deployed where you have to carry everything because of a lack of transport. A few years back a new webbing system was issued to integrate more fully into armoured infantry tactics. The large bergens didn't fit into the Warriors, the new APC, bins so a small arms pack was made. If you weren't issued Warrior and still patrol training you could have starved. The infantry bergen still has to remain cavernous so that infantry can play mule. Infact the Mule corps was only recently, last 20 yrs, cut. Maybe its time for mules, four legged, to return. Chindit might recall General Slim's use of mules, plus air drops, in Burma to defeat the Japanese in WWII.

A British soldier with bergen, webbing and rifle can be deployed anywhere, anytime. That and a cup of tea ;)
 
Thank you, Edmosis, and GreenJacket. Working at Ft. Knox , Ky for the last 26 years, I,ve followed the evolution of load bearing gear/carrying systems closly from the standpoint of "anything that works well for them, can be adapted by me for outdoor use." Modular pack systems have come and gone in the active army over he years. The advent of nylon in construction has succeded in lightening the equipment itself, therefore saving weight on the backs of the folks that have to carry it. As I have "aged" I find that other than the use of a small military ruck sack (French or German) as a day pack, the rest is too cavernous and heavy for me on a three day trip to the woods.
Many Thanks Again!
 
Greenjacket,

Many thanks for the explaination on the bivi sacks question. I have a double hooped bivi set up from Penrith Survival that may be similar to yours and made of grortex.

FYI, it was indeed in Burma that they used the Mules and the last units that had them were the British Army/Gurkha Units in Hong Kong till they were cut from the army. I was too youg to be there but the Chindits under Orde C. Wingate used the Mules in Burma behind the Japanese lines. I have an original Chindit badge from a veteran and picture with those mules as he was one of the Chindit soldiers from 16 Brigade under Bernard Fergusson.

Warmest wishes,

Oliver
 
Other than daysacks, military sacks are not that great. They are made to carry over webbing order so don't have a decent hip belt. Too big? yes but you can fill them with air. They are not just for personal kit but all the other military stuff than needs taking up the hill. No one on holiday would carry equipment weighing 120-150 unless they were paid :rolleyes: No one is that dumb? ;) :D

Civilian packs are healthier for you. I still carry the bivi system over a tent unless there is snow and I'm with friends.

Chindit. The Penrith bivi is probaly the same as I use. Mine is getting a little long in the tooth.
Ravenn. SASS sell the Patrol Pack which is a good tuff large daysack, though it rides high. Probably tougher than some of the US top military style brands.
 
Actually, I think the term "bergen", is derived from the Bergans brand rucksacks. I`ve heard people from England, that were in no way related to the armed services, use the term. Many many years ago (way before I was even born), Bergans was just about the only quality brand of rucksacks available in Europe.

Nils
 
I can remember the small arms rucksacks with dread they were aweful. We used to call them hand bags due to the large handles on either side.

Green Jacket: I use the double hooped bivi as well I bought it back in 1990 and it's still works well, although I have two down sides, one you can't cook in it in foul weather the other I spent 30 minutes trapped in it when I first got it, you know how it is you have to try these things out before going into the field. Because it was so dark inside teh bag I couldn't find the right zip to open the front. I kept zipping up the mossey net. I was at my Nans house at the time and she started to panic and threatened to get a knife and cut me out. The hundred and fifty quid flashed before my eyes. Rest assured I got out and now I have a piece of orange material attached to the correct zip.



:eek:
 
Ravenn, the Aussie pack you refer to was the old 'Nam' pack. They were still on issue into the eighties. They were comfortable except you couldn't carry much gear. Two side pockets, a top and bottom compartment. Nice to hear you thought the 'diggers' were good blokes:)
 
tac45..thanx for the info...loved those rucks, alway figured we carried way too heavy. That Ausie ruck was tops. Yes..Ausie troopies were the
tops in Jungle warfare. Had plenty of old hands from the Malaya days teaching them. Great folks in a punch up...and down right nice to talk to. Leaned the hard was at the tender age of 19...don't try and keep up with them while drinking beer!!!
 
I was just reviewing this old post and it occurred to me... What does "gash" mean - in reference to a "gash bag?"
 
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