A dispatch case or a map case is a special bag for command personnel. Officers, warrant officers and sergeants kept maps and writing tools in such bags, as well as an officer’s ruler, compass and curvimeter. The officer’s ruler is a plastic rectangle with stencils and a protractor — it helped to map a war plan. With the help of the curvimeter, it was possible to measure the length of curved lines on the map and calculate the distance of the route. A map case was usually carried on the back, on the left side.
In Red Army, the map case became part of the command personnel’s equipment in the fall of 1923. During the Great Patriotic War, bags and map cases were made of cowhide leather, usually of dark brown color. They were worn in two ways: with two shoulder straps or with one strap.
After the end of the war, map cases were often used for other purposes — children were glad to use them as a convenient school bag.
In Red Army, the map case became part of the command personnel’s equipment in the fall of 1923. During the Great Patriotic War, bags and map cases were made of cowhide leather, usually of dark brown color. They were worn in two ways: with two shoulder straps or with one strap.
After the end of the war, map cases were often used for other purposes — children were glad to use them as a convenient school bag.
