Luftwaffe M31 Rucksack

Luftwaffe M31 Rucksack – individual field equipment pack

The Luftwaffe M31 rucksack was an item of individual carrying equipment associated with German air force personnel during the Second World War. Compared with the traditional Tornister, which was more rigid and often fitted with a fur-covered exterior, the M31 rucksack had a softer, more practical and more flexible construction. It was used for carrying personal belongings, spare clothing, rations, small service accessories and other field items required during movement.

The Luftwaffe version is recognizable for its blue-grey canvas, a colour strongly associated with many textile equipment items used by the German air force. The body of the rucksack was made from sturdy canvas, suitable for repeated use, abrasion and field conditions. Leather trim, straps, metal buckles and fastening points reinforced the areas most exposed to wear.

Its layout included a large main compartment for bulkier contents and two external front pockets for smaller items requiring separate storage or quicker access. This arrangement helped organize personal equipment, allowing rations, accessories, tools or private belongings to be carried apart from the main load.

The Luftwaffe included far more than pilots and aircrew. Its personnel also covered mechanics, ground staff, logistics services, anti-aircraft artillery units, security detachments, training formations, field divisions and parachute units. A strong and roomy rucksack could therefore be used in many settings, including airfields, Flak positions, mobile units, training schools and transfers between operational areas.

From a technical perspective, the M31 rucksack offered a more adaptable carrying solution than rigid packs. Canvas construction allowed the pack to conform more easily to its contents, while the outer pockets improved practical organization. Historical variants could differ in shoulder straps, reinforcement details, leather fittings and attachment systems, depending on the maker, production period and field modifications.

Collector’s note: one detail often observed on surviving examples concerns the shoulder straps. Not all M31 rucksacks used the same strap configuration; in some cases carrying systems were locally completed or adapted by unit saddlers or cobblers, using leather, canvas or webbing.