Bag, Sleeping, Wool

  In an attempt to minimize the amount of gear a soldier carried on the line, the Quartermasters developed a sleeping bag that was supposed to be more effective and more compact than two wool blankets. The bag conformed to the human body, requiring less material and allowing a thicker wool to be used. It had a hole for the head to resemble a mummy enclosure. A zipper that ran from the neck to about halfway down the bag facilitated access.

  By 1944, some troops were receiving the new bag. There were mixed reviews. Soldiers enjoyed the convenience of having one bag to take the place of two blankets, which made things more convenient when carried. However, veterans of the line didn't appreciate getting trapped inside a bag when he had already found an effective way of keeping warm by layering with blankets which could be thrown off in a hurry.

  The wool sleeping bag is a nice addition to your collection, provided you have the other more important items. It is a tad bit warmer than a regular wool blanket and rolls up easily. However, this should be lower on the list of things to buy, if you are interested in buying it at all.

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