3RAR 1950

The uniform consists of the economy pattern service dress (first adopted in 1943) with the signature slouch hat, though other headwear such as berets and MkII helmets were also worn. They had black ankle boots adopted in 1948 (most of these were brown Second World War ankle boots stained black) with the Aust Pattern 1944 gaiters. Equipment consists of the Pattern 1937 webbing with Aust large pouches substituting the standard MkII or III pouches, though these were used as well in limited numbers. They carried with them all their equipment for living in the field including a haversack for rations, a shovel or pick for quick entrenching and blankets and ground sheets rolled on the back.

As the bitter cold of the Korean winter set in, the UN forces were in a full retreat to the south. Many units were caught with little to no winter equipment, and 3RAR was one of them. The battalion relied entirely on American surplus stocks to equip the men and shortages were rampant. By late November, M1943 US field gear had begun to be issued in earnest. This provided some protection from the wind, but the bitter cold still got through. By December, US over boots were issued helping to protect the men’s feet and provide a little more warmth. Lastly, many soldiers switched their Australian slouch hats for the M1943 US pile cap with Alpaca fur lining. These hats were often worn with the brim flap up bearing an Australian rising sun badge.

Title image: 3RAR ready to move across the 38th parallel to take their place with the British Brigade in the vanguard of the UN Forces. October 1950. Australian War Memorial Collection