WINTER UNIFORMS

Greymouth Evening Star, 15 September 1945, Page 2

WINTER UNIFORMS

OCCUPATION TROOPS IN JAPAN MANILA, August 26. A new Winter uniform is being issued to occupation troops to avoid weather casualties in the treacherous, wet, cold Winter climate in Japan, Korea and Manchuria. Troops who have been fighting in the Tropics are being taught how to acclimatise themselves. The new uniform was battle-tested in Italy last Winter, and resulted in a 70 per cent, reduction in trench foot casualties, which had claimed 46,000 casualties in the Winter of 1942-43. It discards the .traditional wool outer garments in favour of a windproof, water-repellent outer shell. It is based on the layer insulation priciple, whereby heat from the body is prevented from escaping in cold weather. As the weather gets warmer, layers of undergarments are peeled off to keep the body temperature comfortable while still providing the maximum of protection. Footwear includes a new type of combat boots, particularly for cold weather. Gloves, interchangeable to either hand, have a woollen inner shell beneath a weatherproof leather mitten. All the woollen garments together weigh less than the old woollen overcoat.