US M1944/45 combat field pack

[USMA79]

Yesterday I picked up a M1944 combat field pack which had been modified to the M1945 combat field pack configuration. It is in excellent condition for its age and appears to have never been issued. I'm looking for information regarding two straps which were attached to the pack, apparently for use instead of M1945 suspenders. The straps look like what some folks call vehicle equipment tie down straps. They are about 30" long, OD7 cotton, with a D tip at one end and a spring-loaded clip at the other. As you can see from the photos, the straps are slightly mismatched with respect to color and length. My question is whether this was a standard practice (I can't find it referenced anywhere), or more likely someone's improvisation? Thank you.

[Aragorn243]

These were designed to be part of a two bag system with a larger bag slung underneath this one. I wouldn't think this would be an approved modification for combat use but you never know. It looks like two straps have been cut off on the bottom. I don't believe I have one of these so I can't dig it out and look. I do have the bottom bag, didn't realize it was part of a two part set until now.

Now I have to find the upper bag like this one.

I do have several of the USMC sets, both top bag which is similar and bottom bag which is not anywhere close. Late war the marines went with a bag that didn't have the fold down top, just a large extended bag that folds closed and over. Looks awful but was probably a lot more practical and waterproof.

[USMA79]

Thank you for your feedback. You are correct that straps were cut off on the bottom. Four straps which originally held rectangular metal loops in place for the M1944 cargo pack were removed as part of the conversion to the M1945 configuration. The M1945 cargo pack attaches to the combat pack differently, which required the addition of the two cotton webbing loops on the bottom of the pack, and the two D rings to the left and right of the entrenching tool tie down strap. I've attached a scan of an extract of Change 1 to FM 21-15, Individual Clothing and Equipment, dated April 1945. The change was published in June of 1946. It shows a comparison of the M1944 and M1945 pack systems.

[jond41403]

It may be impossible to tell if it was done by government personnel or civilian. I have the m1945 set but I am not very familiar with m1944. The only thing M1944 I have are the combat suspenders