(Period 1940-1944) > item #97130 + (Postwar Period) > item # becomes 9-602-865

1 X Strap, Cantle Ring M-1932 (item #97065)

1 X Pouch, Canvas M-1932 (item #97085)

(remark: since the Officer only carries a SINGLE pouch, there is no need for the required Suspender, hence subject pouch could be worn with Strap, Litter, Carrying (item #97080), Strap, Carrying, OD, Bag, Canvas, Field (stock n° 74-S-333), or Strap, Carrying, General Purpose (stock n° 74-S-333-50)

2 X Bandage, Muslin, 3-in x 5 yds (item #2-008-000)

1 X Cotton, Absorbent, 1 Oz. (item #20130) - (item #2-013-000)

1 X Gauze, Plain, Compressed, 36-in x 1 yd (item #20240) - (item #2-024-000)

1 X Sterilizer, Needle, Boiling Type, Fuel Heated, ¾ x 11/16 x ½ in (item #99515) - (item #7-084-945)

1 X Set, Hypodermic, Tablet, Veterinary (item #8-082-720)

1 X Set, Retainer, Foot Dressing, Veterinary (item #8-105-000)

1 X Set, General, Operating, Veterinary, in canvas Case (item #98050) - (item #8-112-150)

1 X Syringe, Hypodermic, Quitman Type, 10 cc (item #8-116-000)

1 X Thermometer, Clinical, Veterinary (item #8-127-000)

1 X Container, Metal No. 1 (item #97675) + 12 x Iodine Swabs (item #91120) - (item #9-144-000)

1 X Pencil, General Writing, Black Lead, Medium Soft, w/ Eraser (item #53-P-30004)

1 X Book, Emergency Veterinary Tag (DA AGO form 8-137) containing 20 identical tags

NOTE:: the above contents are from the Armed Services Catalog dated July 1949, courtesy of Daan Meyer, via Alain Batens – only some of the items have been traced to their WW2 origin, I have however no identification for the majority of items contained in this Kit, and since I do not possess a 1944 itemized list – the above listing may not be entirely correct – therefore, any additional information is most welcome – thanks for your help

(since some Army units still used horses and mules in the ZI as well as in certain Theaters of Operations (1940=Army authorized animal strength 16,800 horses & 3,500 mules), there was naturally a need for qualified medical i.e. Veterinary personnel – Mountain Divisions, Cavalry Divisions, the Philippine Division, as well as certain units in the ETO, Pacific and CBI Theaters were still using animals for obvious practical reasons, and the need for same was still indicated in T/Os as far late as November 1944 – while in 1941 Cavalry and Field Artillery took the majority of riding horses, the later mechanization and large-scale dismounting influenced its procurement, and closure of some depots in 1942, there was however a slight increase in demand from the Coast Guard in 1943 for mounted shore patrol units, but demand nevertheless further declined, this however did not prevent the Army to continue its horse breeding program – pack mules were utilized initially in Tunisia during the 1942-43 winter, and continued when the fighting moved over to Sicily and later Italy in 1944, where over 15,000 mules would be used, animal pack outfits were also used in the rugged wild mountain and jungle terrain of the CBI Theater, especially during combat operations in Burma)

Nice to know: horses & mules procurement throughout WW2 numbered following quantities

        HORSES                 MULES

1941                      23,546                      4,279

1942                         2,859                      1,699

1943                               4                      10,217

1944                               0                       5,129

1945                               0                        9,199

of which only 7,800 mules were shipped to US Forces overseas + 3,500 mules provided to the UK under Lend-Lease, additional pack mules were locally procured, processed and trained, or captured from the enemy, or hired from civilians …

(cost Jan 1941 = $ 28.31 - cost Mar 1944 = $ 31.00)