Weird British web-gear?

[cyclone]

Actually, I don't know if this web-gear was actually ever fielded aside from in this movie, or even if it was British, but... what are those pouches above the belt in this picture?


Actual Thompson-related pouches?

 

[Grizzly Adams]

Sten mag pouches, probably work for 30 rd. Thompson as well

Grizz

 

[Komodo]

got a couple myself. I think they were kind of a catch all . They hold sten mags and also fit the Bren mags. Heck I was even issued them in the reserves using the old 53 pattern webbing but in OD green

 

[chofo]

http://www.mapleleafup.net/forums/showthread.php?t=13036

My old man said they were for Bren mags... I remember we had a few around the house that he used for tools and hardware and stuff. They were khaki, like the pictures.

 

[Beater]

bren mag pouches

 

[flashman2]

What? Really? Weird?

They're 37 pattern universal aka basic pouches. They held Bren mags, hand grenades, rifle grenades, .303 bandoleers and for the Mk III pouch ONLY, Sten mags. There was also a separate Sten mag bandoleer.

Far from weird, they're seen on every rifleman's 37 pattern webbing. Also frequently with officers who didn't wish to get themselves sniped for being conspicuously armed with only a pistol. If you've seen any photo of a Commonwealth soldier with 37 pattern webbing, you've seen those pouches.

 

[m39a2]

Everybody carried Bren mags for the Bren Gunner.
Scott

 

[Juster]

 

[acq.away]

Everybody carried Bren mags for the Bren Gunner.
Scott

This....

 

[Cottage Hill Bill]

Flashman - there's actually a difference between basic pouches and universal pouches. Basic pouches are pictured above. Utility pouches were slightly larger than basic pouches, came in pairs with a yoke strap and a waist strap that was attached to one of the pouches. Utility pouches were worn over the top of regular P37 gear with one pouch in front and one in back and the yoke over one shoulder. See link below.

http://www.karkeeweb.com/patterns/1937/1937_pouches.html

 

[Grizzly Adams]

Infantry soldier. Pack mule with a gun.

Grizz

 

[bogusiii]

Infantry soldier. Pack mule with a gun.

Grizz

Yes, but a smart looking, clean shaven pack mule with spit shone boots and polished brass.

There's a similar photo dating from the war that has prices attached to the various pieces of kit. I think all in the government spent something like $49 per man.

 

[TheTooner]

Infantry soldier. Pack mule with a gun.

Grizz

The British Army had rules for mules, including a weight limit you were allowed to load them expressed as a percentage of their own weight. No such rule for an infantryman.

 

[sail32]

We were happy when Pattern 51 web gear was issued, no Blanco was needed.

http://www.canadiansoldiers.com/equipment/loadbearing/1951pattern.htm

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blanco_(compound)

 

[Mk VII]

They will hold the XX Thompson magazines but will not close on the ### ones. The British wanted to keep the XX magazine in production rather than accept the ### one for this reason. Eventually the Mk.3 pouch (longer for Sten mags) removed the difficulty.

 

[Cottage Hill Bill]

There was also a much longer version for Lancaster 50 round mags.

 

[tula]

Have a few of those myself actually. Yes bren mag pouches.

 

[Joe D]

And the salty looking fellow on the right is wearing an American M1936 belt.

 

[Mk VII]

It's Cliff Robertson, who, for box office reasons, is supposed to be an American officer taking part in this stunt.

 

[Ganderite]

Fellow on left has a #4 and a very long bayonet. ??