M1956 LCE

The M1956 load carrying equipment (LCE) was set to improve on and replace the M1944/45 LCE of world war two design. To update the M1944/45 LCE, which its self was a development of load carrying equipments dating back to 1910, the M1956 system was to address some key problem with the earlier systems. All items were of a heavy cotton canvas construction; this made it durable and hardwearing. Also Dura snaps were used instead of the larger lift the dot fasteners.

The main improvements were the elimination of the different belts and/or pouches for each weapon in the Army’s inventory by standardising a single belt and pouch. Also, the pouches were held on the belt by metal slide fasteners’ so pouches would not bang round on the hips like the old M1910 wire hangers and could be removed easily with out removing other items.

The M1956 LCE consists of:

Belt, which came in medium (under 30-inch waist) and large (30-inch waist and over), adjustable from both ends. The original type was horizontal weave; a vertical weave was introduced in 1966 and was know as the M1966 belt. The Davis Corporation developed a quick release buckle, which was limited issue from 1967

Suspenders were a padded adjustable H shape. Because they were designed not to have loose straps they came in three sizes: Regular, Long and X-Long. Again the suspenders were updated, in 1961 the 1st pattern suspenders 4 wire hooks where replaced on the 2nd pattern by stamped metal hooks on the front and clip hooks on the rear. The last variation was replacement of the cotton covering on the strap padding with nylon in 1973.

Universal ammunition pouches, these where designed to hold either a bandolier of 6 x 8 round En-bloc for the M1 Garand, 2 BAR Magazines or 4 x 30 round M1 carbine magazines. They also held 2 M14 magazines or 4 x 20 round M16. To fasten the pouch there was a webbing, closing strap that passed though a metal loop. Webbing loops and clips on each side could hold a grenade. A supporting strap that clipped to the metal loop on the suspenders on the back along with two slide clips. The earlier pattern had a re-enforcing panel in the front and an eyelet on the closing strap were as the post 1961 pattern the re-enforcing was in the sides and the eyelet was deleted.

M16 ammunition pouches, for the 20 round 5,56mm magazines were developed as the universal pouches were to long for M16 magazines, making removing a magazine awkward. They are a short version of the universal pouch and issued in 1968. Production only ran for 1 year as the M1967 MLCE came into production.

Canteen cover, designed for a 1quart metal or plastic canteen and a canteen cup. It had two flaps with a snap two secure the canteen around its neck and two slide clips on the rear. The felt lining of the first version was replace in 1961 with a synthetic fur and in 1967 the final version had nylon-trimmed edge.

Entrenching tool carrier designed to carry the M1951 combination entrenching tool but will also take the M1943 e-tool. It used a single snap closer and two slide clips to secure it to the belt. Also on the front is had two eyelets and a strap to fit a bayonet. The design of this never changed.

Field dressing/ compass pouch. A small pouch to take either a Field dressing or a compass. Had a single snap closer and single slide clip. Late version had a full trimmed edge and a draining eyelet in the bottom.

Sleeping bag carrier. Not a popular item as it was awkward to use and had the nick name “spaghetti straps”. As rucksacks became standard issue these fell out of use. These were designed to carry a sleeping bag, but worked with a poncho and liner. It was two 1” long straps connected together with two straps that ran over the shoulder and fastened to the
D ring on the suspenders and two narrow straps running under the armpits to the ring on the front hooks of the suspenders. Later issued ones used thinner webbing.

Combat field pack. Known as a butt pack, it was designed to hold a single day's C-Rations as well as other personal items. The was typically worn on the back of the belt, attached with two slide clips and a pair of eyelets at the top of the pack for attaching the suspenders to keep it upright and help distribute weight to the shoulders. Two long straps secured the packs flap; two more ran underneath to carry a poncho or similar item. It also featured a small carrying handle, a plastic cardholder and side webbing for attaching standard slide clip fixture equipment. The pack flap also had a row of eyelets that could be used for attaching M1910 hook items.
A second version was standardised in 1961, which was known as the combat field pack M1961 this had a larger capacity and a rubberised collar to stop water seeping into the pack.

Combat field pack adaptor. This was a set of straps to mount the butt pack onto the shoulders, in a similar way to the sleeping bag carrier. Not a very popular or wide used item, as it tended to destabilized the suspenders.

Article by Sp4 Rob Brown