@rampant54

9 months ago

Also as late as the late 1970s to early 1980s. the British Army issued a "Large pack" as their main load carrying pack for their 58 pattern webbing. It was basically a canvas pack that had no supports, really pants, especially when it got wet. There were certain units that got issued with "SAS Bergens" and "Para Bergens" but for the greater majority you only got the large pack. Then, Bergaus brought out an army green coloured Bergen called "The Rock" it had an internal frame for support, and was a massive improvement in load carrying and durability. An instant hit with the Brits. I was infantry and nearly everyone in my unit ended up buying it. Wherever I went I could see them. In 1981 or 1982 Berghaus released the "Centurion" which had large side pockets which were permanently attached and also "Crusader" which had the large side pockets detachable and could clip together to form a type of day sack. The Crusader was released just as there was a huge NATO exercise in Germany called Crusader. I personally had bought the Centurian which lasted for years of hard use. The Crusader became the meta of military Bergens for the Brits. So many bought them as the issued large pack was so bad. Over the next few years various models and designs came out but I think the Centurian was the mainstay. Other pack manufacturers by this time were also selling militarised versions of their packs. Eventually, in about 1989 ther Britsh Army finally issued the Personal Load Carrying Equipment (PLCE) in Olive Green colour. It's backpack was called a Bergen and it had many of the features of the Berghaus Bergens except that it had a shorter height length to allow it to sit on top of the pouches in the belt kit. To this day I have a lot of confidence in Berghaus Bergens and packs and still own one.

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