The Pattern 83 Grootsak
The Pattern 83 Grootsak is the rucksack used by the South African Defence Force in the 1980s. “Grootsak” means “big bag” in Afrikaans, while “Pattern 83” clearly refers to the year it was adopted.During the 1980s, South Africa was involved in several conflicts against communist-backed armed movements operating in Angola, Zambia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Mozambique.At that time, South Africa was under an international arms embargo, making it impossible to purchase military weapons and equipment abroad. As a result, the country…