Field pillow

[2ndbat2]

Interesting story.  An issued item originally designed for the USMC was a small 14" x 10" rubberized bladder with an inflation tube and canvas tie straps.  These were issued as flotation devices for troops or equipment but were distributed without instructions to Marines and GIs in the ETO during river crossings.  Curiously both commonly hung onto them and used them as field pillows or supplemental canteens.

[hardslack]

Interesting. Do you have one of these items?
Sounds like what is discussed in this sample of a book written by the guy who developed jungle boots and all sorts of other special equipment during and after ww2. From the sample he spent some time helping make equipment for the Vietnam war as well, but from his remarks it was more like the same equipment from WW2, reissued to late to do much good.
While the writing strikes me as a bit, unpolished/eccentric, the first hand perspective and unique material is completely fascinating. I'd like to read the book but haven't got around to getting a copy.

Jungle Snafus and remedies, by Cresson Kearny:
FLOTATION BLADDERS/COLLAPSIBLE CANTEENS, OTHER LIFE-PRESERVING INFLATABLES, AND WATERPROOF BAGS

[2ndbat2]

I actually had about a half dozen of them that I bought simply because they were OD and had WW2 dates on them (mostly 1943 and 1944). probably 20+ years ago for a couple bucks each. I kept a few and without knowing the history used them to puff out backpacks and you guessed it as a pillow. I listed one on Ebay and got a private message from an Ebayer lurker with all the additional information which I found fascinating.

[2ndbat2]

Incidently they brought a lot of money on Ebay (relative to what I paid for them!). $22.00 to 24.00.

[hardslack]

Very cool!

[2ndbat2]

I absolutely have kept one for my own use.