fm 31-70 basic cold weather manual

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FM 31-70D E P A R T M E N T O F T H E A R M Y F I E L D M A N U A L

BASICCOLD WEATHER

MANUAL

H E A D Q U A R T E R S , D E P A R T M E N T O F T H E A R M Y A P R I L 1 9 6 8

This copy is a reprint which includescurrent pages from Change 1.


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CHANGE

No. 1

FM 31-70, 12 AprilPage 53, paragraphchanged to read

FM 31-70C l

HEADQUARTERSDEPARTMENT OF THE ARMYWASHINGTON ,D.C., /7December /968

BASIC COLD WEATHER MANUAL

1968, is changed as follows:3-51 b, In line 16 (LOW) is(LAW or Lubricant, Semi-

Fluid, MIL--L--46000A(LSA)).Page 165, paragraph D-2 a. In line 10 (LOW)

is changed to read (LAW or Lubricant, Semi-Fluid, MIL-L-46000A(LSA)).

Page 166, paragraph D-3a (2). In line 21 LOWis changed to read "LAW or Lubricant, Semi-Fluid, MIL-L-46000A(LSA).

Page 166, paragraph D-3 a (3), In lines 3 & 4LOW is changed to read LAW or Lubricant,

Semi-Fluid, MIL-L-46000A(LSA).Page 166, paragraph D-3 b (4). In line 7 LOW ischanged to read LAW or Lubricant, Semi-Fluid, MIL--L-46000A(LSA).

Page 170, paragraph E2 a. In line 14 Cap, ColdWeather is changed to read Cap, Insulting,Helmet Liner-Helmet.

Page 171, paragraph E 2c. Entire page 171 isdeleted and the following is added:

E-3. Type LoadThe loads shown below are type loads which could

be worn during moderately cold weather (approxi-

TAGO 649ADecember 340-470c63

68

mately 15 F to 15 F). The term moderatelycold is used only as a descriptive term. What istermed as moderately cold to one person, may beextremely cold to another. The windchill factormust also be considered, a moderate cold couldchange momentarily to extreme cold by the addi-tion of high winds. Therefore, the commandershould use the type loads for planning only andshould adjust them accordingly to fit a given situa-tion and temperature condition.

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c. Supplemental Existance Load. The followingare items of clothing not immediately needed bythe individual during moderately cold weather.These items are normally carried in the duffle bagon unit transportation and should be available tothe individual when needed:

Undershirt, 50/50Drawers, 50/50Socks, Cushion Sole (3 pr)

Trousers, Cotton Nylon, WRShirt, Wool Nylon, OGParka, Cotton NylonLiner, Parka, Nylon QuiltedMitten Set, Arctic

Page 184, paragraph G-6a. In line 1 (LOW) ischanged to read (LAW or Lubricant, Semi-Fluid,MIL-L-46000A(LSA)).

By Order of the Secretary of the Army:

Official:

KENNETH G. WICKHAM,Major General, United States Army,The Adjutant General.

W. C. WESTMORELAND,General, United States Army,Chief Of Staff.

Distribution:To be distributed in accordance with DA Form 12-11 requirements for Basic Cold Weather Manual.

TAGO 649A


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CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

1-1. Purpose and Scopea. This manual is designed to prepare the

individual soldier and small unit commanderto conduct military operations for extendedperiods of time under the most severe andvarying cold weather climatic conditions. Thedoctrine and techniques in the manual areapplicable in any area that has cold weatherand snow with their accompanying opera-

tional problems. Troops properly trained inthis doctrine and these techniques will be ableto fight; live; and move in any cold weatherarea of the world.

b. The provisions of SOLOG Agreement 23R,Arctic Doctrine are implemented in thismanual.

c. The material contained herein empha-sizes that cold, with its attendant problemsaffects military operations but does not pre-vent them. The proper use of authorized equip-ment and field expedients will, to a major

degree, overcome any problems encountered asa result of the cold. It is the commandersresponsibility to train his men so they canmake the environment save military opera-tions, not hinder them. The material presentedherein is applicable, without modification tonuclear and nonnuclear warfare, employmentof, and protection from, chemical, biological,and radiological agents, and internal defenseand development operations.

d. Throughout this manual reference ismade to the additional time required to con-duct various tasks in cold weather operations.This requirement cannot be overemphasizedand must be included in all planning. In addi-tion to the increased amount of time con-sumed in actual movement, allowance must bemade for other time consuming tasks that arenot present in temperate zone operations.

AGO 8641A

These include, among others, erecting andstriking tents, performing maintenance, con-structing roads, starting and warming engines,movement of supplies, and hundreds of othersmall tasks that must be performed whilewearing bulky cold weather clothing.

e. Insofar as possible illustrations used inthis manual reflect Standard A items of cloth-ing and equipment. However, because of non-

availability of some items at time of publica-tion, some illustrations show Standard B or Citems of clothing (para 2-7).

f. Measurements in this manual to the ex-tent practicable, reflect both the Metric andU.S. systems; however, in some cases figureswill show only the U.S. system. For ease intransposition, meters have been converted toyards on a one for one basis. For more exactmeasurements use the conversions shown inappendix H.

g. Users of this manual are encouraged tosubmit recommendations to improve its clarityor accuracy, Comments should be keyed to thespecific page, paragraph, and line of the textin which the change is recommended. Reasonsshould be provided for each comment to insureunderstanding and complete evaluation. Com-ments should be forwarded direct to Com-manding General, United States Army, Alaska,APO Seattle 98749. Originators of proposedchanges which would constitute a significantmodification of approved Army doctrine maysend an information copy, through commandchannels, to the Commanding General, United

States Army Combat Developments Command,Fort Belvoir, Virginia 22060, to facilitate re-view and followup.

1-2. Relation toThis manual is

tion that normal

Other Manualsprepared with the assump-individual and basic unit

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training have been completed. The manual beyond the treatment given in this manual onshould be used in conjunction with the basic the operation and maintenance of equipmentfield manuals of the arms and services as well during cold weather operations. Appendix Aas FM 31-71and FM 3l-72. Appropriate tech- contains a list of supplementary manuals andnical manuals contain detailed information references.

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CHAPTER 2

INDIVIDUAL CLOTHING AND EQUIPMENT

Section 1.

2-1. Basis of Issuea. As used in this manual, individual cloth-

ing and equipment are those items issued orsold to a soldier for his personal use, and in-clude certain organizational equipment utilizedby the individual. The basis of issue of coldweather clothing and equipment may be foundin TA 50-901. Mandatory items of personalclothing are listed in AR 70084001.

b. The U.S. Army, through continuous re-search and development, endeavors to main-tain the best clothing and equipment in theworld. When properly fitted and properly util-ized this clothing will provide adequate pro-tection from the elements and will enabletrained, well disciplined troops to carry outyear-round field operations under cold weatherconditions, wherever they may be encountered.

c. To utilize fully the protection afforded bythe present standard cold weather clothing and

equipment, it is necessary to understand theprinciple involved and the correct function ofeach item. This chapter covers basic principlesand provides general guidance on the purposeand use of cold weather clothing and equip-ment.

2-2. Commander's Responsibilities

a. Many factors will influence the command-ers decision as to what items of clothing andequipment his troops should wear or carry.These include the weather, mission at hand,actual duties to be performed, overall physical

condition of individuals and their degree ofproficiency. If a movement is involved he mustconsider the distance to be traveled, themethod of travel, and how the troops will befed en route, if applicable. If the movement ison foot, he must bear in mind that under nor-

AGO 8641A

GENERAL

mal winter conditions, 65 to 70 pounds is themaximum weight a man can normally wearand carry and still be effective on reaching hisdestination.

b. The weight of individual clothing andequipment is covered in appendix E. Com-manders should give particular attention toadditional organizational equipment requiredfor a given operation. Some of the more com-mon items are also listed in appendix E. Sincethe individual soldiers combat load in coldweather operations exceeds that of a temperateclimate load by more than 20 pounds, theseorganizational items (such as binoculars, com-passes, radios and batteries, pioneer tools, crewserved weapons, etc. ) become major consider-ations and must be included at all levels ofplanning.

c. In addition to the individual combat load,another 45 to 55 pounds of clothing and equip-

ment is required for the protection and com-fort of each individual under conditions of ex-treme cold. Transportation must be providedfor this additional load whenever possible.

d. The commander must take positive actionto insure that a balance exists between whatthe individual is wearing and what he isrequired to carry in the way of equipment. Hemust also insure that troops dress as lightlyas possible consistent with the weather inorder to reduce the danger of excessive per-spiring and subsequent chilling. The completecold-wet or cold-dry uniform for the applica-ble environmental conditions must be readilyavailable. A large proportion. of cold weathercasualties results from too few clothes beingavailable to individuals when a severe changein the weather occurs. Because of the differ-ences in individual metabolism, commanders

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must not be arbitrary in delineating strictuniform requirements, but must allow somepersonal choice of undergarments.

2-3. Cold Weather Conditions

The use of cold weather clothing is affectedby two types of weather conditions: wet anddry. These conditions are amplified by humid-

ity coupled with temperature and wind veloc-ity; high humidity (wet conditions), lowhumidity (dry conditions).

a. Wet Conditions. Cold-wet conditions occurwhen temperatures are near freezing and vari-ations in day and night temperatures causealternate freezing and thawing. This freezingand thawing is often accompanied by rain andwet

2-4.a.

snow, causing the ground to become

Section II.

Purpose of ClothingProtection of Body Against Climatic

CLOTHING

Factors.(1)

(2)

If the body is to operate efficiently, itmust maintain a normal temperature.The body attempts to adjust itself tothe variable external conditions itencounters. These attempts are evi-denced by the need for more food toproduce additional heat during colderweather, by perspiration to increaseremoval of heat during hot weather,and by the gradual darkening of theskin as protection against extendedexposure to the rays of the sun.Proper clothing, correctly worn, willassist the body in its adjustment toextreme climatic conditions. Theclothing does this by holding in thebody heat, thereby insulating thebody against the cold outside air. Theproblem of protection becomes acutewhen freezing temperatures are in-volved. To understand this problemrequires a knowledge of the methods

by which the body resists the effectsof climatic changes.b. Balancing Heat Production and Heat Loss.

The body loses heat at variable rates. This heatmay flow from the body at a rate equal to orgreater than the rate at which it is produced.

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muddy and slushy. During these periods troopsshould wear clothing which consists of awater-repellent, wind-resistant outer layer andinner layers with sufficient insulation to pro-vide ample protection in moderately coldweather (above 14F.).

b. Dry Conditions. Cold-dry conditions occurwhen average temperatures are lower than

14F. The ground is usually frozen and snowis usually dry, in the form of fine crystals.Strong winds cause low temperatures to seemcolder and increase the need for protection ofthe entire body (windchill) (fig. F-1). Duringthese periods, troops should have availableadditional insulating layers of clothing. This isparticularly true when entering static situa-tions form a period of strenuous exercise.

When heat loss exceeds heat production, thebody uses up the heat stored in its tissues, caus-ing a rapid drop in body temperature. Exces-sive heat loss can result in shivering. Shiveringuses body energy to produce heat which atleast partially offsets the heat loss and slowsthe rate at which the body temperature willdrop. Shivering is an important warning tostart action to rewarm, either by adding moreclothing, by exercising, by eating some food,or by entering a warm shelter, or by anycombination of these actions. In freezingtemperatures it

adjust clothinging as it is toloss.

is as important to remove and

to prevent excessive overheat-add clothing to prevent heat

2-5. Principles of Clothing Design

Certain principles are involved in the designof adequate cold weather clothing to controlthe loss of heat from the body, to facilitateproper ventilation, and to protect the body.

a. Insulation. Any material that resists thetransmittance of heat is known as an insulatingmaterial. Dry air is an excellent insulator.

Woolen cloth contains thousands of tiny pock-ets within its fibers. These air pockets trap theair warmed by the body and hold it close to theskin. The principle of trapping air within thefibers or layers of clothing provides the mostefficient method of insulating the body against

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heat loss. Fur provides warmth in the sameway; warm, still air is trapped in the hair andis kept close to the body.

b. Layer Principle.

air. If this gives too much ventilation, only theneck of the garment should be opened to allowwarm air to escape without permitting com-plete circulation.

(1)

(2)

(3)

Several layers of medium-weightclothing provide more warmth thanone heavy garment, even if the singleheavy garment is as thick as the

combined layers. The effect resultsfrom the several thick layers of airwhich are trapped between the layersof clothing, rather than one or twolayers of large volume. These layers,as well as the minute air pocketswithin the fibers, are warmed by thebody heat.The layers of clothing are of differentdesign. The winter underwear is mostporous and has many air pockets.These air pockets trap and hold the

air warmed by the body. To keep thecold outside air from reaching thestill inside air that has been warmedby the body, the outer garments aremade of windproof, water-repellentfabric.The layer principle allows maximum

2-6. Winter Use of Clothinga. Basic Principles of Keeping Warm.

(1) Keep clothing Clean.(2)Avoid Overheating.

(3)Wear Clothing Loose and in layers.(4) Keep clothing Dry(5) Remember C-O-L-D to keep warm

in winter.

b. Application of Basic Principles.

(1)

freedom of action and permits rapidadjustment of clothing through awide range of temperatures and ac-tivities. The addition or removal oflayers of clothing allows the body tomaintain proper body heat balance.

c. Ventilation. Perspiration fills the air-spaces of the clothing with moisture laden airand reduces their insulating qualities. As per-spiration evaporates, it cools the body just aswater evaporating from a wet canteen covercools the water in the canteen. To combat theseeffects, cold weather clothing is designed sothat the neck, waist, hip, sleeve, and anklefastenings can be opened or closed to provideventilation. To control the amount of circula-tion, the body should be regarded as a houseand the openings in the clothing as windowsof the house. Cool air enters next to the bodythrough the openings in the clothing just ascool air comes into a house when the windowsare open. If the windows are opened at oppositeends of a room, cross-draft ventilation results.In the same way, if clothing is opened at thewaist and neck, there is a circulation of fresh

AGO 8641A

Keep clothing clean. This is alwaystrue from a standpoint of sanitationand comfort: in winter, in additionto these considerations, it is neces-sary for maximum warmth. If clothesare matted with dirt and grease,

much of their insulation property isdestroyed; the air pockets in theclothes are crushed or filled up andthe heat can escape from the bodymore readily. Underwear requires theclosest attention because it will be-come soiled sooner. If available, lightcotton underwear may be worn be-neath winter underwear to absorbbody oils and lengthen the time inter-val between necessary washings ofthese more difficult to clean and dry

garments. Winter underwear (Armyissue is a 50/50 cotton/wool blend)and cushion sole socks (Army issuesocks are 50 percent wool, 30 percentnylon, 20 percent cotton) should bewashed in lukewarm water, if avail-able. Hot water should not be usedbecause it is injurious to the woolfibers and causes shrinkage. Syn-thetic detergents are more solublethan soap in cool water and also pre-vent hard-water scum, and are there-fore recommended, if available. When

outer clothing gets dirty it should bewashed with soap and water. All thesoap or detergent must be rinsed outof the clothes, since any left in theclothing will lessen the water-shed-ding quality of the clothing. In addi-tion to destroying much of the nor-

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mal insulation, grease will make theclothing more flammable. All outergarments of the Cold Weather Cloth-ing System are washable and havelaundry instruction labels attached.If washing is not possible for clothingthat would normally be washed withsoap and water, dry rubbing and

airing will rid them of some dirt andaccumulated body oils.

(2) Avoid overheating. In cold climates,overheating should be avoided when-ever possible. Overheating causesperspiration which in turn, causesclothing to become damp. This damp-ness will lessen the insulating qualityof the clothing. In addition, as theperspiration evaporates it will coolthe body even more. When indoors, aminimum of clothing should be worn

and the shelter should not be over-heated. Outdoors, if the temperaturerises suddenly or if hard work is be-ing performed, clothing should beadjusted accordingly. This can bedone by ventilating (by partiallyopening parka or jacket) or by re-moving an inner layer of clothing, orby removing heavy mittens or bythrowing back parka hood or chang-ing to lighter head cover. The headand hands, being richly supplied withblood, act as efficient heat dissipators

when overheated. In cold temperatureit is better to be slightly chilly thanto be excessively warm. This pro-motes maximum effectiveness of thebody heat production processes.

(3) Wear clothing loose and in layers.Clothing and footgear that are tootight restrict blood circulation andinvite cold injury. Wearing of moresocks than is correct for the type offootgear being worn might cause theboot to fit too tightly. Similarly, afield jacket which fits snugly over awool shirt would be too tight whena liner is also worn under the jacket.If the outer garment fits tightly,putting additional layers under it willrestrict circulation. Additionally,tight garments lessen the volume of

8

trapped air layers and thereby reducethe insulation and ventilation avail-able.

(4) Keep clothing dry.(a) Under winter conditions, moisture

will soak into clothing from twodirections-inside and outside. Drysnow and frost that collect on the

uniform will be melted by the heatradiated by the body.

(b) Outer clothing is water-repellentand will shed most of the watercollected from melting snow andfrost. The surest way to keep dry,however, is to prevent snow fromcollecting. Before entering heatedshelters, snow should be brushedor shaken from uniforms; it shouldnot be rubbed off, because this willwork it into the fabric.

(c) In spite of all precautions, therewill be times when getting wet can-not be prevented and the drying ofclothing may become a major prob-lem. On the march, damp mittensand socks may be hung on the pack.Occasionally in freezing tempera-tures, wind and sun will help drythis clothing. Damp socks or mit-tens may be placed, unfolded nearthe body, where the body heat willdry them. In bivouac, damp cloth-ing may be hung inside the tent

near the top, using drying lines orimprovised drying racks. It mayeven by necessary to dry each item,piece by piece, by holding beforean open fire. Clothing and footwearshould not be dried to near a heatsource. Leather articles, especiallyboots, must be dried slowly. If bootscannot be dried by any other meth-od, it is recommended that they beplaced between the sleeping bagand liner. Heat from the body will

aid in drying the leather.2-7. Components of Cold Weather Uniforms

The items of clothing below are Standard Aas listed in SB 700-20. It should be borne inmind however that procurement may or maynot have been started on some of the items

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V

I C

I I

H

1 i '

Figure 21. Basic components of cold-wet uniform.

and upon requisitioning some Standard Bclothing may be issued. Although not shown asbasic items of the cold weather uniforms, light

cotton underwear may be worn under thewinter underwear (para 2-6 b (l)).

a. Cold-Wet Uniform. The basic componentsof the cold-wet uniform are illustrated in fig-ure 2-1 unless otherwise indicated.

(1) Undershirt Mans. 50 Cotton 50 Wool,Full Sleeve.

(2) Drawers Mens. 50 Cotton 50 Wool,Ankle Length.

(3) Socks Mens. Wool Cushion Sole, OG408, Stretch Type.

(4)

(5)(6)

(7)

(8)

(9)

(10)

(11)

AGO 8641A

Suspenders Trousers. Scissors Back

Type.Trousers Mens. Wool Serge, OG 108.Shirt Mans. Wool Nylon Flannel, OG108.Trousers Mens. Cotton Nylon, WindResistant Sateen, 8.5 oz, OG 107.Boot Insulated Cold Weather. MensRubber Black (or Boot Combat:Mens Leather Black 8" high withOvershoe: Rubber Mans HighCleated 5 Buckle).Coat Man. Cotton and Nylon Wind

Resistant Sateen, 8.5 oz, OG 107,with integral hood.

Liner Coat Mens. Nylon Quilted 6.2oz, OG 106.CapInsulating, Helmet Liner-Helmet.Cotton Nylon Oxford, OG 107.

(12)

(13)

(14)

Glove Shells. Leather Black withGlove Inserts; Wool and Nylon Knit,OG 208, or Mitten Shells; Trigger

Finger Leather Palm and Thumbwith Mitten Inserts; Wool and NylonKnit, OG, Trigger Finger, or MittenSet Arctic; Gauntlet Style Shell withLeather Palm (fig. 2-5).

Hood Winter. Cotton and Nylon Ox-ford, OG 107, with drawcord and fur.Poncho. Coated Nylon Twill, OG 207(not illustrated).

b. Cold-Dry Uniform. The basic componentsof the cold-dry uniform are illustrated in fig-ure 2-2

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

(5)

(6)

(7)

(8)

(9)

unless otherwise indicated.

Undershirt Mens. 50 Cotton 50 Wool,Full Sleeve.Drawers Mens. 50 Cotton 50 Wool,Ankle Length.Socks Mens. Wool Cushion Sole, OG408, Stretch Type.Suspenders Trousers. Scissors BackType.Shirt Mans. Wool Nylon Flannel, OG108.Trousers Mens. Cotton Nylon, WindResistant Sateen, 8.5 oz, OG 107.

Liner Trousers. Nylon Quilted, 6.2 oz,OG 106.

Boot Insulated Cold Weather. MensRubber White, w/release valve.Coat Man. Cotton and Nylon WindResistant Sateen, 8.5 oz, OG 107.

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J

10

(10)

(11)

(12)

(13)

(14)

(15)

(16)

(17)

Figure 2-2. Basic components of cold-dry uniform.

Liner Coat Mans. Nylon Quilted, 6.2oz, OG 106.Parka Mans. Cotton and Nylon OxfordOG 107, w/o hood (not illustrated),

Liner Parka Mans. Nylon Quilted, 6.2oz, OG 106 (not illustrated).Cap, Insulating, Helmet Liner. Cot-ton Nylon Oxford, OG 107.

Hood Winter. Cotton and Nylon Ox-ford, OG 107, w/drawcord and fur.Glove Shells. Leather Black with

Glove Inserts; Wool and Nylon Knit,OG 108, or, Mitten Shells; TriggerFinger Leather Palm and Thumbwith Mitten Inserts; Wool and NylonKnit, OG, Trigger Finger, or, MittenSet Arctic; Gauntlet Style Shell withLeather Palm (fig. 2-5).Poncho. Coated Nylon Twill, OG 207(not illustrated).Gloves Cloth. Work Type (not illus-trated).

(b)

constructed so that circulation andventilation are not restricted.Suspenders. The scissors-type sus-penders are worn over the under-shirt. The drawers and all succeed-ing layers of trousers are supportedby the suspenders. The use of sus-penders allows the drawers andtrousers to be worn loose at thewaist so that neither circulationnor ventilation is restricted.

(2) Intermediate layer. The intermediatelayer consists of the wool OG shirtand trousers which provide excellentinsulation against the cold. The shirtis worn outside the trousers for bet-ter control of ventilation. The wooltrousers and shirt are not designedto be worn as outer garments underfield conditions since they lose theirinsulating qualities if they becomewet or matted with dirt. When en-gaged in strenuous activity, care must

2-8. Description and Wearing of the be taken so that the wool material

Uniform Components will not come in contact with thea. Cold-Wet. skin, thus causing possible irritation

(1)Inner layer. and discomfort.

(a) Underwear. The underwear is loose (3) Outer layer.fitting and is made of 50 percent (a) Coat. The coat ensemble is made upcotton and 50 percent wool. It is of a shell and a detachable liner.

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Figure 2-3. Cap insulatng helmet and helmet liner.

(b)

The coat has a combination slide,snap and touch-and-close fastenerfront closure. The sleeves have ad-

justable cuffs with a hand shieldextension. A lightweight hood is anintegral part of the coat. When notbeing used the hood is secured un-der the collar and is concealed bya slide fastened enclosure. Thedetachable liner is made of quiltednylon and is extremely light andwarm. The liner has a collar, open

underarms, and buttonhole tabs forattachment to the coat.Trousers. The trousers are made ofsmooth, light, wind resistant sa-teen. They have extra closures andadjustments. to provide for ventila-tion and better fit.

(4)Headgear.(a) Cap. The insulating helmet liner

cap (fig. 2-3) is close fitting,visorless, and of helmet style. It hasa combined one-piece earlap and

neck protector, and utilizes anoverlap touch-and-close fastener.The cap is designed to be worn un-der the steel helmet or under thewinter hood. When worn as anouter headpiece, the lower flap por-tion of the cap may be folded up

(5)

(6)

(b)

around the top with the touch-and-close fasteners crisscrossed in thefront (fig. 2-3).

Hoods. The winter hood (fig. 2-4)is a one-piece covering for thehead, face, and neck. It utilizestouch-and-close fasteners and canbe worn over the steel helmet. Amalleable wire inside the fur ruffmay be shaped as desired for visi-bility or greater protection of thehead and face. Unit commanders

must enforce hood discipline, es-pecially while men are on sentryduty or on patrols. The winterhood and the cold weather capwith flaps down will greatly reducea mans hearing capabilities. Whenthe temperature or wind does not

.

require the use of heavier head-gear, the cold weather cap and thelightweight hood should be worn.Hoods should be removed beforethe head starts to perspire. Breath-ing into the winter hood causesmoisture and frost to accumulateand should be avoided as much aspossible. Accumulated frost shouldbe removed frequently.

Handwear. See c below.Footwear. See d below.

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b. Cold-Dry.(1) Inner Layer. Same as cold-wet.(2) Intermediate Layer. The wool OG

shirt is worn as the basic upper bodygarment. The wind resistant sateentrousers with the quilted nylon linerare worn as the basic lower body gar-ment. In extreme cold weather, the

(8)

coat with detachable liner, used as

an outer layer in the cold-wet uni-form, may be worn as an inter-mediate layer in cold-dry conditions.Outer Layer. Depending on tempera-ture the outer garment may consistof the coat with detachable liner, theparka, with detachable liner, or both,

12 AGO 8641A


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The parka is a three-quarter length,unlined coat with adjustable cuffs.It has a combination slide and snapfastener front fly closure, waist andhem drawcords and a split lowerback. The parka has a detachablequilted nylon liner.

(4) Headgear. Same as cold-wet.

(5) Handwear. See c below.(6) Footwear. See d below.c. Handwear.(1) Gloves.

(a) Standard black leather gloves areworn in mild weather or whenwork must be done that requiresmore freedom of finger movementthan can be acquired with heavierhandwear. In colder weather thesame gloves are worn with wool in-serts (fig. 2-5). Gloves may beworn with either the cold-wet orcold-dry uniforms when theweather is not cold enough to re-quire the use of mittens.

(b) Personnel engaged in delicate fin-ger operations, such as instrumentadjustment may be issued light-weight cotton work gloves. Thesegloves allow for finger dexterity,have leather palms, and preventthe skin from sticking to coldmetal. They will provide protectionagainst cold for only a very short

period.(2)Mittens.

(a) The trigger finger mitten shells(fig. 2-5), are worn with wool trig-ger finger inserts during periods ofmoderate cold. The mittens may beworn with either the cold-wet orcold-dry uniform. Figure 2-5shows the Standard B mitten. TheStandard A item, although identi-cal in outward appearance has hadthe trigger finger loop deleted andis lined on the inside upper surfacewith lightweight quilted nylon.

(b) During periods of extreme cold thearctic mitten set is worn (fig. 2-5).The mitten has a liner, a leatherpalm, a cheek warmer and a fast-

ener on the back. A neck strap isattached to both mittens to preventloss. The neck strap permits themittens, when not required forwarmth, to be conveniently carriedsnapped together behind the back.The arctic mitten set is carriedwhenever there is the possibility of

the onset of severe cold weather,regardless of the mildness of theweather when setting out.

(3) Utilization.(a) The general rules concerning the

use of clothing apply also to hand-wearkeep it clean, avoid over-heating, wear loose in layers, andkeep it dry.

(b) The outer shells should always beworn with the minimum insulationnecessary to provide protection,thus avoiding perspiration. Insertsshould never be worn by themselvesbecause they wear out quickly andprovide little warmth alone. Trig-ger finger inserts are designed tofit either hand. Changing them toopposite hands frequently will in-sure even wear.

(c) Tight fitting sleeves should beavoided. They may cut down cir-culation and cause hands to be-come cold.

(d) When handling cold metals, the

hands should be covered to preventcold burns (immediate freezing ofthe flesh in contact with coldsoaked metals).

(e) To keep hands warm when wear-ing mittens, the fingers should becurled (inside the mittens) againstthe palm of the hand, thumb under-neath the fingers, or flexed insidethe mitten whenever possible to in-crease the blood circulation. Handsmay be exercised by swinging thearms in a vertical circle. Frost-bitten hands can be warmed byplacing them next to the skin un-der the armpits.

(f) An extra pair of mitten insertsshould be carried.

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d. Footwear.(1) General. The feet are more vulner-

able to cold than are other parts ofthe body. Cold attacks feet most oftenbecause they get wet easily (both ex-ternally and from perspiration) andbecause circulation is easily re-stricted. Footgear is therefore one of

the most important parts of coldweather clothing.

(2) Principles.(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

The rule of wearing clothing looseand in layers also applies to foot-gear. The layers are made up bythe boot itself and by the socks.Socks are worn in graduated sizes.The instructions pertaining to fit-ting of footgear, as outlined in TM10-228, must be carefully adheredto. If blood circulation is re-stricted, the feet will be cold.Socks, worn too tightly, mighteasily mean freezing of the feet.For the same reason: AVOIDLACING FOOTGEAR TIGHTLY.Since the feet perspire more read-ily than any other part of the body,the rules about avoiding overheat-ing and keeping dry are difficult tofollow. Footgear is subjected to be-coming wet more often than areother items of equipment. The in-sulated boots with release valve

(white, cold-dry and black, cold-wet) are designed to contain pers-piration within the interior of theboots. A change of dry socks shouldbe carried at all times. Wheneverthe feet get wet, dry as soon aspossible and put on a pair of drysocks. Also, the inside of the bootsshould be wiped as dry as possible.Footgear should be kept clean.Socks should be changed when theybecome dirty. Socks and feet shouldbe washed frequently. This washing

will help keep feet and socks ingood condition.The feet should be exercised.Stamping the feet, double-timingsfew steps back and forth, and flex-ing and wiggling toes inside the

(e)

(3) T(a)

boots all require muscular action,produces heat, and will help keepthe feet warm. The feet should bemassaged when changing thesocks.

Boots are designed to permit at-tachment to individual oversnowequipment (skis and snowshoes).BINDINGS MUST BE AD-JUSTED CAREFULLY. If theyare too tight, the circulation ofblood is restricted and feet will getcold. Improperly adjusted bindingsmay soon chafe feet or badly wearand tear the boot.

ypes.Boot, insulated, cold weather:mens, rubber, black. These boots(l, fig. 2-6) are particularly useful

in snow, slush, mud, and water(cold-wet conditions), but are notadequate for prolonged wear intemperatures below 20 F. Theyare specifically designed for com-bat personnel who may not havethe opportunity to frequentlychange to dry socks. Insulatingmaterial is hermetically sealed intothe sides and bottoms of the boots.The insulation takes the place ofremovable innersoles and the sec-ondary layer of socks worn in other

types of cold weather boots. Pers-piration from the feet and waterspilling over the tops of the bootscannot reach the insulating mater-ial because it is sealed-in and al-ways remains dry. Moisture fromoutside sources or from perspira-tion may make the socks damp;this dampness is not harmful tothe feet, provided they receiveproper care such as frequent dry-ing and massaging. If socks are notchanged and feet dried regularly(at least twice daily) the skin be-comes softened and is more readilychaffed or blistered. These effectsare occasionally mistaken for su-perficial frostbite. Only one pair ofcushion-sole socks are worn with

14 AGO 8641A


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(b)

thenot

boots. Additional socks shouldbe worn as the feet may become

cramped, resulting in restrictedblood circulation and cold feet.Boot, insulated, cold weather:mens, rubber, white, w/releasevalve. The insulated white boot (2,fig. 26 ) is designed for wear incold-dry conditions and will pro-tect the feet in temperatures as lowas 60 F. The boots have a seam-

less inner and outer carcass, sealedinsulation, and an outside air re-lease valve used to compensate forair differentials. The white bootsare worn over one pair of cushionsole socks. The air release valveprovides airborne troops a meansof equalizing external and internalair pressures when undergoing ex-treme changes in altitude. Thisvalve must remain closed at allother times to prevent the possi-bility of introducing any amountof moisture into the insulation ofthe boot and rendering it perma-nently unserviceable.

2-9. Nose and Cheek Protectors and Masks

a. The Mask, Cold Weather may be issued

AGO 8641A

for use during severe windchill conditions. Themask must be removed at intervals to checkfor frostbite.

b. A certain amount of protection can begained by covering as much of the face aspossible with a wool scarf. It may be adjustedfrom time to time, and should be rotated whenthe section opposite the mouth and nose be-comes covered with frost. The frozen endshould be left outside the coat or parka. Thescarf, like the mask, must be removed at in-tervals to check for frostbite.

2-10. Camouflage Clothing

a. Winter camouflage clothing (overwhites)consists of white trousers and lightweightparka with hood. White covers are also issuedfor the rucksacks.

b. Camouflage clothing provides a means ofconcealment and camouflage from the enemyboth from the ground and from the air-in winter conditions. Use of the white cam-ouflage clothing is, however, dependent on the

background; generally speaking, on vegetationand the amount of snow on the ground. Thecomplete white suit (fig. 6-26) is worn whenterrain is covered with snow. Mixed clothing(fig. 6-27 )white parka and dark trousers,or vice versais used against mottled back

15


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grounds. The correct use of camouflage cloth-ing is extremely important (para 6-22).

c. Overwhites may become frosty and icyafter use. As with all clothing, the frost andice must be removed to expedite drying. Soiledcamouflage clothing will lose its effectiveness;therefore, care must be exercised when han-dling stoves, digging in ground, and perform-

ing similar tasks. Avoid scorching or burningthe garments when drying or when lying downby an open fire. The clothing should be washedor changed frequently. When changing, cloth-ing should be checked to insure that it fitsover the basic garments without restrictingmovement.

2-11. Maintenance of Clothing andEquipment

a. Footgear.(1) Boots. The leather in boots should be

treated with approved agents. Nor-mally, the insulated boot can be re-paired with ordinary tire patching orair mattress patching material. Ifthese items are not readily available,friction tape or even chewing gummay be used temporarily to plug upthe hole and prevent moisture fromdamaging the insulation. If the dam-age cannot be repaired, the bootsshould be removed, airdried, and

SECTION III. EQUIPMENT

2-12. Sleeping Equipment

a. The complete sleeping bag for use in coldclimates consists of three parts: a case, ofwater-repellent material; an inner bag (moun-tain type), of quilted tubular construction,filled with a mixture of down and feathers;and an outer bag (arctic bag), of the samematerial as the inner bag. Insulating air mattress and ainto which the sleeping bagsissued.

b. When temperatures are normally above14 F., only one bag is used. It is placed in and

addition, an in-waterproof bagare packed are

laced to the cover. When temperatures are be-low 14 F., both bags are used. The inner bagis placed inside the outer bag and secured at

16

(2)

turned in for replacement as soon aspossible. The inside of the bootsshould be washed at least once amonth with a mild soap, and rinsedwith warm water.

Caution: Do not clean with abra-sive materials. Also do not applypolish or paint to any part of the boot

as it will result in deterioration ofthe rubber.Socks. Socks should be washed daily,using lukewarm water to avoid ex-cessive shrinkage. After washing,they should be wrung out andstretched to natural shape beforedrying. Holes in socks should be re-paired as soon as possible, takingspecial precautions to avoid bunchingor roughness of the mended area. Itshould be noted that proper repairsunder field conditions are almost im-

possible and that blisters should beexpected if field mended socks areworn.

b. Handgear. Holes should be mendedpromptly. Gloves or mittens should not bedried too near an open fire.

c. Headgear. Headgear should be washed asrequired to remove perspiration, dirt, and hairoils. When drying, normal care must be exer-cised to avoid scorching or burning.

the foot with the loops and tie straps providedand the cover laced over the outer bag.

c. When the bag is used, it is first fluffed upso that the down and feather insulation isevenly distributed in channels, thus preventingmatting. Since cold penetrates from below,and the insulation inherent in the bag is com-pressed by the weight of the body, additionalinsulation is placed under the bag wheneverpossible. Added insulation can be obtained byplacing ponchos, extra clothing, backboards,fiber ammunition or food containers, orboughs between the sleeping bag and theground. The insertion of a waterproof cover,such as a poncho, between the sleeping bagand air mattress will prevent the mattressand bag from freezing together at very cold

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temperatures. This is caused by condensationon the mattress due to the difference in tem-peratures between the lower side touching theground and the upper side touching the rela-tively warm sleeping bag. Care must be takento prevent puncturing the mattress or damag-ing sleeping bags. In general, the more insula-tion between the sleeping bag and the ground,the warmer the body.

d. If the tactical situation permits, individ-uals should avoid wearing too many clothes inthe sleeping bag. When too many clothes areworn they tend to bunch up, especially at theshoulders, thereby restricting circulation andinducing cold. Too many clothes also increasethe bulk and place tension upon the bag, thusdecreasing the size of the insulating airspacesbetween layers and reducing the efficiency ofthe insulation. In addition, too many clothesmay cause the soldier to perspire and result in

excessive moisture accumulating in the bag, acondition which will likewise reduce the bagsinsulating qualities.

e. The sleeping bag is equipped with a fulllength slide fastener which has a free run-ning, nonlocking slider. In an emergency, thebag can be opened quickly by grasping bothsides of the opening near the top of the slidefastener and pulling the fastener apart. As asafety precaution, bags should be tested atfrequent intervals to insure that the slide fast-

ener operates freely and will function properly.f. The sleeping bag should be kept clean

and dry. It should be opened wide and venti-lated after use to dry out the moisture thataccumulates from the body. Whenever possi-ble, it should be sunned or aired in the open.The bag always should be laced in its water-repellent case and carried in the waterproofbag to prevent snow from getting on it. Thewarmth of the body could melt the snow dur-ing the night and cause extreme discomfort.Individuals should avoid breathing into thebag. If the face becomes too cold it should becovered with an item of clothing. Sleepingbags should be drycleaned at least twice ayear. As a safety precaution, bags should bethoroughly aired prior to use to prevent possi-ble asphyxiation from entrapped drycleaningsolvent fumes.

AGO 8041A

2-13. Manpack Equipmenta. Rucksack-Nylon, OG 106 (fig. 2-7).

(1) The nylon rucksack consists of thefollowing:

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

(e)

(f)

A lightweight aluminum alloyframe to which all other compo-nents are attached.

A lightweight aluminum alloycargo support shelf provided as op-tional equipment for attachment tothe frame when the frame is usedas a packboard.A pouch fabricated from 4-ouncenylon fabric.Nylon left and right shoulderstraps. The left shoulder strap hasa quick-release device designed tofacilitate rapid doffing of the ruck-sack. The right shoulder strap hasa rapid adjustment buckle forlengthening the strap which allowsthe wearer to fire his rifle while inthe prone position. The two strapsare interchangeable to accommo-date left-handed soldiers.A nylon webbing waist belt de-signed to prevent the rucksackfrom swinging to either side orbouncing during body movements.A rifle carrier consisting of a riflebutt pocket, constructed of nylonwebbing, with a double hook and

a rifle strap.(2) The nylon rucksack is the normal

pack equipment used for operationsin northern areas and replaces therucksack, with frame (Standard C).It should be noted that this item maybe issued in lieu of the nylon ruck-sack. It should also be noted that theplywood packboard may be issued inlieu of the nylon rucksack. The sol-dier using the rucksack can carry ex-tra clothing and rations in the nylonpouch and can also carry one sleep-ing bag (in waterproof bag). Whenthe nylon pouch is removed and cargosupport shelf attached, the rucksackmay be used as a packboard for car-rying loads weighing approximately50 pounds (TC 10-8).

17


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18 AGO 8641A


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% 1 b o 4 e r u t * . t .

b. Suspenders and Belt, Individual Equip-ment. The suspenders and belt of the M-56standard load-carrying equipment is worn be-neath the nylon rucksack to carry ammunitionpouches, first aid or compass case, and theentrenching tool. The suspenders and beltshould be adjusted to fit loosely over the coldweather clothing, to allow for proper ventila-

tion. The suspender belt combination is de-signed so that the belt can be worn unbuckledwhile on the march, if additional ventilationis required.

2-14. Miscellaneous Equipmenta. Sunglasses, Sunglasses always should be

worn on bright days when the ground is cov-ered with snow. They are designed to protectthe eyes against sunglare and blowing snow.If not used, snow blindness may result. Theyshould be used when the sun is shiningthrough fog or clouds, A bright, cloudy day isdeceptive and can be as dangerous to the eyesas a day of brilliant sunshine. The sunglassesshould be worn to shade the eyes from therays of the sun that are reflected by the snow.Snow blindness is similar to sunburn, in thata deep burn may be received before discomfortis felt. To prevent snow blindness, sunglassesmust be used from the start of exposure.Waiting for the appearance of discomfort istoo late. The risk of snow blindness is in-creased at high mountain altitudes because theclear air allows more of the burning rays of

sunlight to penetrate the atmosphere. Whennot being used, they should be carried in the

AGO 8641A

protective case to avoid scratching or breakingthe lens. If sunglasses are lost or broken, asubstitute can be improvised by cutting thin,3 cm (l) long slits through a scrap of woodor cardboard approximately 15 cm (6) longand 3 cm ( 1 ) wide. The improvised sun-glasses (fig. 2-8 ) can be held on the face withstrips of cloth if a cord is not available.

b. Canteens.(1)

(2)

Canteen, water; cold climatic (fig.2-9), This canteen is a vacuum-in-sulated canteen of one quart capacitywith an unpainted dull finish steelexterior. The inner and outer stain-less steel vessels are welded togetherat the top of the neck. A nonmetallicmouthpiece at the neck prevents lipsfrom freezing to the metal neck. Aplastic cap seals and protects themouthpiece. A nesting type metal cup

with a capacity of one pint is pro-vided for eating and drinking bever-ages. The canteen with cup is carriedin a canvas cover which fastens tofield equipment in a manner similarto the conventional canteens. Caremust be taken to insure that themouthpiece or cap are not lost. Asharp blow to the canteen may resultin denting or rupture with conse-quent loss of insulating capabilities.Conventional metal and plastic can-teens. Conventional canteens are car-

ried in a fabric carrier; however,this will not keep the liquid in thecanteen from freezing in extremecold. When possible, the canteenshould be carried in one of the pock-ets or wrapped in any woolen gar-ment and packed in the rucksack. Ifavailable, warm or hot water shouldbe placed in the canteen before start-ing an operation. During extremecold the canteen should never be filledover two-thirds full. This will allowroom for expansion if ice shouldform, and will prevent the canteenfrom rupturing. Insure that the gask-ets are in the cap at all times. This isan important precaution and will pre-vent the liquid from leaking out anddampening the clothing in the ruck-

19


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' I

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

i u s . t

sack. Conventional thermos bottles

will keep liquids hot, or at least un-frozen for approximately 24 hours,depending on temperatures. If can-teens or thermos bottles freeze, theyshould be thawed out carefully to pre-vent bursting. The top should beopened and the contents allowed tomelt slowly.

c. Pocket Equipment. There are severalsmall items that should be carried in thepockets so they will be readily available foruse. Having these items when they are needed

will contribute to the well-being of individualsand help prevent injuries. A good sharppocketknife is an essential item. It is useful forcutting branches, in shelter construction, inrepairing ski bindings, and numerous othertasks. Waterproof matches should be carriedand kept in the watertight matchbox and usedonly in an emergency. They should never beused when ordinary matches and lighters willfunction. Sunburn preventive cream will pro-tect the skin from bright, direct sunshine,from sunrays reflected by the snow, and fromstrong winds. The chapstick will prevent lipsfrom chapping or breaking due to cold weatheror strong winds. The chapstick should be pro-tected from freezing. The emergency thonghas numerous uses, such as lashing packs, re-placing broken bootlaces, and repairing skiand snowshoe bindings.

20

d. Emergency Kit. It is recommended that

all personnel carry an emergency kit for usein individual survival. With this kit, an indi-vidual can survive off the land by trappingand fishing and can procure the minimumamountstrength

(1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7)

(8)(9)

(10)

of-food necessary to maintain his

for a short period of time.1 each emergency thong.1 each sharp pocketknife.Single-edge razor blades.Waterproof matches.Safety pins.Fishing line.Fire starters.

Salt tablets.High protein candy bars.Bouillon cubes.

2-15. Steel Helmet

The steel helmet may be worn during warmperiods in cold areas in the same manner as inmoderate climates. During cold periods it isnormally worn over the Cap, Insulating Hel-met Liner-Helmet. The helmet may also beworn under the winter hood.

2-16. Protective Mask

a. The Mask, Protective, Field, M17 is theArmy standard protective mask. Informationon this mask can be found in TM 3-4240-202-15. TM 3-4240-202-15, describes thewinterization measures for the M17 Mask. Inaddition to the wearing of tinted antiglare

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outserts for the plastic lenses, this kit pro-vides for winterization inlet and nosecupvalves together with an ice prefilter. This al-lows the standard mask to be worn at tem-peratures down to 50 F. with the M6A2hood.

b. The protective mask may be worn in

moderately cold weather in the same manneras in moderate climates. When the mask isused in extreme cold, the rubber facepieceshould be warm enough to make it pliablewhen it is adjusted to the wearers face. Onemethod of keeping the mask warm is to carryit inside the outer garments and next to thebody. It is also recommended that the mask bekept inside the sleeping bag during the night.On removing the mask, any moisture on theface should be wiped off immediately to pre-vent frostbite. After drying the face, the face-piece of the mask should be thoroughly dried

to prevent freezing of moisture inside themask. The rubber cover of the outlet valveshould also be raised and the valve, surround-ing area, and the inside of the cover wiped dryto prevent the outlet valve from icing.

c. If it becomes necessary to wear the maskfor protection against chemical agents duringextreme cold weather, troops must be advised

that the facepiece of the protective mask willnot protect the face from the cold and that,in fact, the opposite is true. The danger offrostbite increases when the mask is worn.

d. The three automatic atropine injectionsof 2 mg each, carried as accessories duringmoderate temperature conditions, are carriedin a pocket of the protective mask carrier. Incold weather (40 F. and below), the injectorswill be removed from the carrier and placedin the inside of the right-hand pocket of theOG shirt, where body temperature will pre-vent freezing.

2-17. Body Armor

Standard issue body armor may be wornwith either of the cold weather uniforms.When worn with the cold-wet uniform it isworn over the OG shirt and under the coatand liner. When worn with the cold-dry uni-

form it is worn over the OG shirt and underthe coat and liner or the parka and liner. Al-though the body armor is worn primarily forprotection against shell and mortar fragments,it may provide additional environmental pro-tection for the user; however, because of theweight, armor should be worn only for itsprimary purpose and not for additionalwarmth.

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CHAPTER 3

SMALL UNIT LIVING

Section 1.

3-1. Characteristics of Operations in ColdWeather

Unlimited space and a sparse, widely scat-tered population are dominant features of mostof the colder regions of the world. Such condi-tions permit unrestricted maneuver for troopsproperly trained and equipped for cold weather

operations. Warfare under such circumstancesis characterized by, widely dispersed forcesoperating at great distances from other unitsor their parent organization. Units must behighly mobile and have the ability to sustainthemselves while carrying out independent op-erations over extended periods of time.

3-2. Composition of Units

a. Small units (squad, gun crew, tank crew,wire team, etc.) form the basic working group

GENERAL

for cold weather operations. Under normal op-erating conditions they will work together,cook and eat together, and share the same tentor other shelter. These small units should beformed at the beginning of training and, ifpossible, kept intact. The standard to beachieved is a unit which can make or breakcamp quickly, efficiently, and silently under allconditions; one in which each man knows thetasks to be completed and does them withouthaving to be told.

b. Small units operating in cold weathermust be thoroughly familiar with the specialequipment required and the techniques in-volved in living away from their parent orga-nization for extended periods of time. Equip-ment, and the techniques of using it, are dis-cussed in this chapter.

Section II. TENTAGE AND OTHER EQUIPMENT

3-3. GeneralA considerable quantity of various types of

special equipment is required to maintain smallunits in cold weather. Permanent shelters areusually scarce in northern areas of operationsand heated shelters are required. Special toolsare necessary for establishing bivouacs, break-ing trails, and constructing temporary winterroads and battle positions.

3-4. Need for Sheltera. In order to conduct successful military op-

erations in cold weather and maintain a highlevel of combat efficiency and morale, heatedshelter must be provided for all troops. An in-dividuals ability to continue to work, live,move, and fight under extreme climatic condi-

22

tions depends upon adequate shelter. Tents andstoves, therefore, become a vital part of coldweather equipment.

b. In cold weather, tents should be placed asclose as practicable to the scene of activity,whether the activity be combat or administra-tive. By so placing the tents, rotation of menfor warmup is possible and maximum conti-nuity of effort can be maintained.

c. Tents vary in size and shape, depending

on their purpose. Small units such as a riflesquad, artillery section, or similar type unitare normally equipped with one 10-man arctictent. During combat, fewer tents will beneeded, as part of the personnel are always onguard detail, occupying positions, or perform-ing similar missions. It may become necessary

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for the unit, temporarily, to use only one-halfor one-fourth of its tentage; i.e., one 10-mantent per platoon, with the men sleeping on arotation basis. Reduced numbers of tents andstoves will decrease the requirement for logis-tical support, such as fuel and transportation.

d. Elements smaller than the rifle squad(tank and SP artillery crews), which require

less shelter space, are normally equipped withthe 5-man tent (FM 31-71).

e. Normally, small reconnaissance patrolsare not equipped with tents, as tents tend tohamper the mobility and speed of the patrol.Strong combat patrols and long-range recon-naissance patrols may be equipped with tentsand stoves if sufficient transportation is avail-able to move the extra weight. When speed isof the essence, patrols will improvise sheltersbuilt from local materials at hand. For semi-permanent base camps, portable type frameshelters may be erected for increased com-fort of the troops.

3-5 Description of Tentagea. General. Tentage issued for use in cold

weather is designed on the same layer prin-ciple as cold weather clothing. It is, however,made of only two layers. The outside layer ismade of strong, tightly woven fabric. It iswater repellent and impervious to rain andsnow. The inner layer is much lighter inweight than the outer layer. The liner is fas-tened by toggles to the tent and provides an

airspace the same as in clothing. It is de-signed to provide insulation against the cold.It also prevents frost from forming on the in-side of the tent. Heat is provided by stoves(normally the M-1950 Yukon stove).

b. Tent, Artic, 10-Man (fig. 3-1). The six-sided, pyramidal tent, supported by a telescopicpole, normally accommodates ten men and

their individual clothing and equipment. It willaccommodate additional men by leaving in-dividual packs and equipment outside the tentovernight and by lowering the telescopic poleto spread the sidewalls to cover more groundsurface. It may also function as a commandpost, aid station, or as a small storage tent. Thetent has two doors; this permits tents to be

joined together, with access from one to theother, when additional space is required. Asnow cloth is attached to the bottom of thesidewalls for sealing the tent to the ground.This is accomplished by piling and packingsnow on the snow cloth. If the tent is used interrain where there is no snow, sod or othermaterials may be used to seal the bottom ofthe tent. Flexible plastic screen doors are pro-vided and may be attached front and rear ofthe tent for protection against insects. The tentis ventilated by four built-in ventilators onopposite sides and near the peak of the tent.Four lines are provided for drying clothingand equipment. Total weight, to include thepins and tent pole, is 76 pounds. The tent isheated by an M1950 Yukon stove.

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c. Tent, Hexagonal, Lightweight (fig. 3-2).This tent is also six-sided, pyramidal, and sup-ported by a telescopic tent pole. It is designedo accommodate four to five men and their in-

dividual clothing and equipment. Under emer-gency conditions one tent may provide shelterfor a rifle squad or other similar unit whenrucksacks are placed outside the tent. The tenthas one door; ventilation is provided by twobuilt-in ventilators located on opposite sidesand near the peak of the tent. Three lines areprovided for drying clothing and equipment.Total weight of the tent, including the pinsand center poles, is 48 pounds. The tent isheated by an M1950 Yukon stove.

d. Tent, Frame-Type, Sectional (James-way). This 16 by 16 frame-type tent (fig.3-3) is a lightweight unit that offers protec-ion for one squad. It has wooden floor units,

a frame, a rounded roof, and comfortable headclearances along the centerline of the shel-er. The roof and ends of the tent are fabri-

cated from insulated, coated, fabric blankets.The structure is fastened to the ground withent pins or snow with improvised devices. An

optional vestibule may be erected at one orboth ends. Additional floor sections may beadded to each other lengthwise for creatingarger buildings. Extra end sections may benstalled along any rib as interior partitions.t weighs approximately 2,250 pounds and is

4

heated by one tent stove M1941. The heavierweight of this tent restricts its normal use topermanent or semipermanent base camps. Itcould bestabilized

used for forward elementsconditions.

under

e. Tent, General purpose, Small (fig. 3-4).This tent is a six-sided pyramidal tent fabri-cated of cotton duck cloth. A liner is availableto insulate the tent furing cold weather. Thetent is equipped with slide fastener doors,

screened doors, screened ventilators, and stove-pipe opening. It has a front and rear entrance,each with a lacing flap arrangement to permitattachment of the vestibule or erection of tentsin tandem. The tent is supported by eight ad-

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justable aluminum poles around the eave lineand a standard telescopic magnesium pole atthe peak. The tent is used for command posts,fire direction centers, battalion aid stations, orfor any general purpose use. Although similarin appearance to the Tent, Arctic, 10-man,the tent has an eave height of 152.40 cm (60)compared to 91.44 cm (36) for the 10-mantent. The complete tent, with liner, pins andpoles weighs 186 pounds.

3-6. Pitching and Striking Cold WeatherTents

a. With proper training, small troop unitswill be able to pitch tents in 15 to 30 minutes.Additional time will be required to completethe camouflage of the tent. Pitching and strik-ing of the tents are performed in a routinedrill manner in accordance with instructionscontained in FM 20-15.

b. The following must be considered when

pitching or striking the tents in snow or onfrozen ground:(1) Whenever possible snow should be

cleared to the ground surface to ob-

AGO 8641A

tain a lower silhouette and gain ad-vantage of ground temperatureswhich are generally warmer than airtemperatures. Coniferous boughs orsimilar material should then beplaced on the ground for insulationand comfort. When it is impracticalto remove snow to ground level, anadequate tent site may be made bypacking the snow with skis or snow-shoes until a firm base is providedfor pitching. In this case, the tentpole is placed on a log or other suit-able support to keep the pole fromsinking into the snow. Support is alsoneeded for the stove under similarconditions.In open terrain, with a strong wind,it may become necessary to build asnow wall on the windward side ofthe tent to protect it from the wind.

The snow wall also makes it easierto heat the tent and less likely thatthe tent will blow down. The tent ispitched with the entrance 45 down-

25

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wind (fig. 3-5). Variable winds mayrequire construction of a windbreakat the entrance. High winds in cer-tain cold areas necessitate anchoringthe tent securely. When the tent isset up, the snow cloth should be flat

on the ground outside the tent.Stones, logs, or other heavy objectsshould be placed on the snow cloth inaddition to the snow to assist inanchoring the tent. If this is not done,the tent will be drafty and very diffi-cult to keep warm.

Tents may be pitched rapidly andanchored securely by attaching thetent lines to trees, branches, logs orstumps whenever possible. If thesenatural anchors are not available,suitable holes are dug into the snow

for the purpose of using deadmen.This is accomplished by digging ahole into the snow large enough toinsert a pole or log approximately onemeter (3') long with the tent line at-tached. The hole is then filled withsnow, well packed, and in a short pe-riod of time the packed snow freezesand the tent will be securely anchored(a, fig. 3-6). Driving metal pins intofrozen or rocky ground should beavoided when excessive force is re-quired. On rocky ground, tent linesmay be tied around heavy rocks andthen weighted down with other stones(b, fig. 3-6).

Tents are also occasionally pitched onice. When the thickness of the ice isnot excessive, a small hole is chopped

through the ice. A short stick or polewith a piece of rope or wire tied inthe middle of it is pushed through andthen turned across the hole under-neath the ice (c, fig. 3-6). If the iceis very thick a hole 30 to 60 cm (1' to

2') deep is cut in it, the deadmaninserted and the hole filled with slushor water (d, fig, 3-6). When the slushor water is frozen, an excellent an-chor point is provided. When thedeadman is placed underneath orinto the ice, a piece of rope or wireshould be fastened to the rope or wireafter the deadman is secure. Thismay prevent the tent line from beingaccidentally cut or damaged when be-ing removed from the ice.

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(5) When striking the tent in winter itnormally will be covered with snowand ice which must be removed orthe tent may double in weight. Snowand ice can be removed easily byshaking the tent or by beating it witha mitten or a stick. If the snow clothis frozen to the ground, the snow and

ice around it must be carefully re-moved by chopping or shoveling inorder to avoid damage to the mate-rial. One method of accomplishingthis is to ease the shovel between thecloth and the ground and gently prythe cloth away from the ice.

c. The vestibule attached to the basicframe-type tent (Jamesway) helps reduce heatloss when the door is frequently used. Themain door of the tent opens inward, and thuscannot be blocked by drifting snow if the oc-cupants are equipped with a shovel or impro-vised digging equipment. However, the vesti-bule door opens outward and can be blocked bydrifting snow during a violent storm. A safepractice is to install the vestibule only at oneend facing the prevailing wind and to use novestibule on the more leeward end wheredrift will probably accumulate. Rapid exit incase of fire or other emergency is then assured.Where severe winds are expected the tentshould be sited crosswise to the anticipatedwind direction since the curved roof toleratesthe wind load better than the flat ends, and

buffeting is reduced. A vestibule should not beused on a tent intended for aid station use,since a standard litter cannot negotiate theright angle turn required in the short vestibule.

3-7. Ventilationa. Tents are pitched to protect-occupants

from the elements and to provide necessarywarmth and comfort. When the bottom of thearctic tent is properly sealed and the doors arezipped shut, moisture will form on the insideof the tent and accumulate on clothing andequipment, thereby causing dampness and

hoarfrost. In addition, carbon monoxide, car-bon dioxide, and fumes from the stoves maysoon accumulate to a dangerous degree. Tooffset these factors, the built-in ventilatorsnear the peak of the tent must be kept open.

b. To improve ventilation, a draft channel

AGO 8641A

may be constructed by forming a pipe withgreen logs (fig. 3-7). The channel is buriedin the floor and has an opening under thestove. The draft of the stove draws fresh airfrom outside the tent into the channel.

3-8. Heating Tents with Stove, Yukon,Ml950, 60,000 BTU

a. General. The Yukon stove (1, fig. 3-8) isused to heat the 10-man, 5-man, and GP Smalltents. In addition to providing heat, the topsurface of the stove and, to a small degree, thearea beneath the stove, may be used to cookrations or heat water. The Yukon stove utilizesstandard leaded motor fuel as its normal fuel,but may also be operated with white gasoline,kerosene, light fuel oil, naptha, or JP-4 fuel,without modification (2, fig. 3-8). During lowtemperatures the stove will burn five gallonsof gasoline every 8 to 12 hours. When solid

fuels (wood, coal, etc.) are used, the stove mustbe modified by removing the oil burner fromthe top of the stove, closing the opening wherethe burner was installed, and turning over thewire grate so that there is space below thegrate for draft and ashes. A piece of plywoodslightly larger than the base of the stoveshould be carried as part of the tent groupequipment. The plywood is covered with alumi-num foil and is used to provide a firm basefor the stove and to prevent it from meltingdown into the snow.

b. Operating Procedures. The compact, light-

ly constructed, 33-pound Yukon stove permitsall accessory parts to be packed within thestove body for convenient portability in a sledor on a packboard. A draft diverter is issuedas a component part of the stove. It shields thetop of the stovepipe from the wind and pre-

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vents a backdraft from forcing smoke or gasesinto the stove and tent. Three, 4.5 meter (15')guylines tied to the draft diverter serve toanchor the stovepipe in strong winds. Theseguylines must be anchored to the tent or tentropes, not to the ground or nearby trees. Asimple method of erecting a tripod for the fuelcan is to obtain three poles about 2 meters

28

(6') in length; the poles are tied about two-thirds of the way up using wire from rationcases, string, rope, or emergency thong, andthen spread out to form a tripod. The fuel canshould be at least one meter (3') higher thanthe stove. The lowest part of the inverted gaso-line can should be a minimum of 30 cm (1')above the level of the needle valve of the Yukon

stove. It should not be higher than 1.50 meters(5') if the valve is to operate smoothly. Ifthe fuel can is wobbly or if there is some windthe can must be tied to the tripod for addi-tional protection. Make certain that the canis tilted so that air is trapped in the upper-most corner. The stove is assembled, operated,and maintained in accordance with TM 10-735.

c. Precautions. The following precautionsmust be observed when the Yukon stove isused:

(1)Burning liquid fuels.(a).

(b)

(c)

(d)

(e)

(f)

(9)

All stovepipe connections must betight and necessary tent shields ad-

justed properly.Stove must be level to insure thatthe burner assembly will spread aneven flame within the stove.The fuel hose must be protected soit cannot be pulled loose accident-ally. If necessary, a small trenchmay be dug and the hose imbeddedwhere it crosses the tent floor.The fuel line must not be allowed

to touch the hot stove.When adjusting the fuel flow, thedrip valve lever must be turnedcarefully to prevent damage to thethreads.Rate of fuel flow must be checkedat regular intervals. The rate offlow will change as fuel supply leveldrops and will require some ad-

justment. The stove should neverbe left unattended. Maintaining ahotter fire than necessary maycause the stove body to becomeoverheated and warp.If the flame is accidentally extin-guished, or if the fuel can is beingchanged, the drip valve must beclosed. When the stove has cooled,any excess fuel inside the stove

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(h)

must be wiped up and 2 or 3 min-utes allowed for gas fumes to es-cape before relighting the burner.The burner must be cool before re-lighting stove. If stove lit beforeburner is cool, the fuel will vaporize

prior to ignition, causing an explo-sion.

All fuel supplies must be kept out-side the tent. Spare cans of gaso-line or other fuel should never bestored inside the tent. Fuels usedin combat areas in the north arenormally low temperature fuelswhich will flow freely.

(2)Burning solid fuels.(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

(e)

Fuel should be fed a small amountat a time until the bed of coals isburning brightly.Stove should not be allowed to

overheat.Oil or gasoline should not be pouredon the fire.Ashes should not be allowed to ac-cumulate below the grate.Clinkers should be removed to pre-vent grate from becoming blocked.

3-9. Heating of Semipermanent Tents WithTent Stove, Ml941

Stoves of this type normally are used to pro-vide heat for the semipermanent, frame-type,sectional tent. The stove may be operated with

wood or coal or with various types of oil andgasoline. This stove has the same general char-acteristics and safety features outlined for theYukon stove in paragraph 38.

3-10. Fuel EconomyThe minimum daily fuel consumption per

Yukon stove approximates five gallons of gaso-line per 8 to 12 hours of operation. The M1941

Tent Stove will burn five gallons in 3 to 4hours. Prior planning must be accomplished toreduce the number of stoves required, espe-cially for operations that are some distancefrom a road net. Wood should be used as fuelwhenever possible. Cooking and heating arecombined and, when extra heat is required todry clothes, all individuals should dry clothes

at the same time, when possible.

3-11. Lighting Tents

Candles will provide light in forward areas.In rear areas, gasoline lanterns or lightingequipment sets may be used.

3-12. Toolsa. Handtools are needed by small units for

several purposes such as erection and strikingthe tent, building ski and weapon racks, build-ing field latrines, chopping firewood, etc. Toolsare also needed for trailbreaking, preparationof positions, and similar tasks. Because en-trenching tools are lightly constructed, theyare of little value for work in heavy timber orfrozen ground. The following tools are neededby squad sized units to accomplish routinetasks in cold regions, regardless of the seasonof the year:

(1) One axe, chopping.(2) One saw (Buck or Swede).(3) Two machetes with sheaths.(4) One shovel, general purpose.

b. Tools must be kept sharp, clean, oiled and

in good condition. Care must be taken to pre-clude small tools and items of equipment frombeing left in the snow or thrown aside wherethey may become buried and lost in the snow.Particular care must be exercised while wear-ing gloves because ice or frost may form on thegloves and cause the tools to slip from the usershands, resulting in injury to nearby person-nel and/or loss of equipment.

Section III. IMPROVISED SHELTERS

3-13. Requirement for Improvised Shelters open for long periods unless they are moving.The requirement for improvised shelters maya. There are many occasions when tents or

arise for several reasons, e.g., vehicles carry-other regular shelters are not available. In ing tents may be unable to reach the troops duesummer, if the weather is mild, individuals to difficult terrain or enemy action. In case ofmay need protection only from insects. In emergency, each individual must know how towinter, however, individuals cannot stay in the protect himself from the effects of the weather.

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b. If suitable natural shelters such as cavesor rock shelves are available, they should beused. If natural shelters are not available, atemporary improvised shelter must be estab-lished.

c. The type of improvised shelter to be builtdepends on the equipment and materials avail-able By the proper use of materials available,some sort of shelter can be built during anyseason of the year. In open terrain a sheltercan be built using ponchos, canvas, snowblocks,or other materials. Snow caves, snow trenches,or snow holes may be constructed in the win-ter if the snow is both deep and well-com-pacted. In the woods, a lean-to is normallypreferable to other types of shelter. In north-ern areas, nature provides the individual withthe means to prepare a shelter. His comfort,however, greatly depends on his initiative andskill at improvising.

d. A shelter should always provide adequateprotection from the elements, retain heat, havesuitable ventilation, and provide drying facil-ities.

3-14. Poncho SheltersA poncho is a part of an individuals uni-

form. It is a multipurpose piece of equipmentthat may be used as a rain garment, a water-proof bedcover, a ground sheet, or a shelter.The simplest type of shelter can be made bymerely pulling the poncho over the sleepingbag. For addit

fm 31-70 basic cold weather manual

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