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Ask any army veteran who served between 1939 and 1960 and they will
remember the famous/infamous"sandpaper suits". On their introduction in 1937,
they were issued to all commonwealth armies, starting with units that were to put the
uniform to it's first test with the BEF in 1939. In it day the battledress was a radical
design, conceived for mechanised warfare and being economical with cloth. The design
involved a short blouse with high waisted trousers, and made with karki wool serge and
drill cotton lining. The first pattern was issued with concealed button and stand and fall
collar. Later the buttons were exposed and in the 1950's an open collar was introduced. In
the battledress a multipurpose uniform for all arms and services was found. Troops had one
set for field use and one "dress"set for formal wear. Often the battledress in
the field was devoid of all insignia were as the spare carried as much insignia as
possible. New Zealanders reaching the theatre of war traded in their 08 tunics for
battledress. The battledress was not a perfect design and if not sized correctly could
make a soldier look like a baggy arsed potato sacks in formation. New Zealand troops often
upsized their uniforms, all the better to hide bottles of beer back at camp. Headgear was
either the field service cap or later the general service cap/ beret. the battledress was
not glamorous, but it was practical. Today its direct descendant can be seen on any street
in the form of denim jackets. |
