BACKGROUND: The standard issue M31 haversack, commonly referred to as the "bread bag", was based on the M1887 haversack and was adopted by the Wehrmacht, (Armed Forces), as well as a wide variety of uniformed and non-uniformed political and paramilitary organizations on March 23RD 1931. The main variation in bread bags used by political and para-military personnel as opposed to Wehrmacht personnel was the coloration. The bread bag was designed to carry rations, eating utensils and other assorted personal items. The M31 bread bag was originally issued with a removable carrying strap although regulations dictated that the bread bag was to be worn suspended from the equipment belt. This resulted in the bread bag carrying strap seldom being used for its original purpose though it was utilized for a wide variety of improvised functions. Production of the bread bag carrying straps was discontinued sometime during the war. The M31 bread bag was utilized through-out the war although a simplified version was also produced starting on November 20TH 1944. Following the old adage that, an army runs on its stomach, the M31 bread bag must be considered one of the most important of all personal equipment items. Of Note: Regulations authorized each combat soldier a daily food ration which was most commonly prepared in the field by a units mobile field kitchen and distributed to the front line troops but this wasn’t always possible in combat situations. As a result, front line combat soldiers were to be supplied with assorted canned rations and some bread to be carried individually in the event that food from the field kitchen couldn’t reach their positions. Although regulations dictated the daily quantity of rations issued to each soldier it became more and more difficult to meet the requirements as the war continued and any food became a valuable commodity.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Olive drab, water repellent, canvas construction bread bag with leather, steel and alloy fittings. All buttons are present and the straps are complete.