The rucksack is named after its Norwegian designer Ole F. Bergan and it was used by glider pilots and in some cases gliderborne infantry (e.g. medical orderlies). It is often called the Bergen. Late 1943 all glider pilots had to hand in their large and small packs for the Bergan. It allowed them to carry large amounts of clothing, rations, equipment and ammunition.
Two small straps were attached to the shoulder straps to fix a set of utility pouches, two long narrow straps were fitted at the bottom for fixing equipment, on either side sidepockets were placed and on the inside of the lid was a zipped pocket.

Wartime manufacturers: Bagcraft, Gykewear Ltd, Ballymena, Bryand Ltd London, Waring&Gillow, C.B.Co Ltd.
Wartime variations: The D-day beach landings prooved the Bergens were not sufficiently waterproof and from September 1944 the MkII was issued with a black rubberised lining. They come in tan or green canvass.
Postwar modifications: Unknown.
Note for the collector: postwar Belgian Bergens have green webbing belts; otherwise they are much alike.