BATTLE DRESS

Evening Star, Issue 23527, 16 March 1940, Page 12

BATTLE DRESS

DOMINION SOLDIER’S NEW UNIFORM MORE COMFORT AND DURABILITY TUNIC LIKE LUMBERJACKET [Per United Press Association.] WELLINGTON, March 16. Working to Government specifications, New Zealand firms have started to make Army uniforms to the pattern of the British battle dress. It is intended to equip all members of the Third Echelon of the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force with this uniform. _ ' “We have already gone into production with this battle dress,” said.Mr Jones, Minister of Defence, to-day. “The Government has placed orders for enough for the whole of the Third Echelon, and we will continue to manufacture them for all subsequent drafts. As soon as the supplies of battle dress are available, the present serge uniform will no longer be issued. “ The battle dress,” said , the Minister, “is the result of a number of years of research to secure comfort and durability. It also includes facilities to carry soldiers’ small personal possessions. Instead of the betterknown khaki tunic with stocklike collar, there is a belted blouse, rather like a lumberjacket, with soft buttoned collar, buttoned cuffs, and two fair-sized latch pockets on * the chest. The trousers are also very different from the familiar ‘ stove pipes ’ of the present New Zealand, uniform.

“Said to resemble ski-ing trousers, they are of .anjde length and wideband have a deep patch pocket on the front of the; left thigh, and another on the back. They can be secured over the boot with either a strap or an-anklet. “ Khaki is still'the,colour, but another notable difference is the absence of glinting brass buttons,) thus relieving the soldier of the present monotonous task of polishing and (what is more important) rendering him less conspicuous in action. “ New Zealanders will retain their distinctive hats.

“ Regimental officers are to be issued with the same type of uniform as the men. This is a development of . the practice inaugurated in the Great War .after it had been found that the distinctive uniforms of the officers made, attractive targets for snipers. “On embarkation for overseas, New Zealand soldiers will in future take with him one suit of battle dress, one suit of khaki drill and one suit of working dress or denim.