Rolling pack inspection, 1st Battalion, 139th Regiment, Infantry, American Army camp

Rolling pack inspection, 1st Battalion, 139th Regiment, Infantry, American Army camp

Pack inspection at an American Army camp

V19224

As far as your eyes can see these doughboys of the 139th Infantry are trying to get all the necessary things into a regulation and symmetrical bundle that Uncle Sam's officers term a "pack." These two men nearest you have completed rolling the blanket and shelter half and one of them is kneeling on it while trying to fit spare underwear, stockings and toilet kit into the space that is left at the top of the pack. The soldier beside him has one other thing that space must be found for, a bacon can, His towel, toothbrush and paste are still at the top of the pack, just as they were laid out for the inspection. Underneath the towel you can see the handle of his trench shovel and beneath the middle of the pack you can see the end of this soldier's cartridge belt. During inspection all of these things must be laid out in such a manner that they are visible to the eye of the inspecting officer. These soldiers are not usually pleased with an inspection for it means dirt in everything especially on a dry field such as this. if you look at this mess kit you will see the results, –sand. Having had their packs inspected open, these men have been ordered to roll them when they will be inspected once more. Then will come the order to shoulder those rifles that you see stacked in the distance and march back to the barracks for dismissal and probably a half holiday, for inspections are usually held Saturday mornings.­

1 stereograph : b&w

1 gelatine silver print stereograph (8 x 15 cm) mounted on card (9 x 18 cm)

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World War through the stereoscope