German Combat Equipments 1939–45 by Gordon L. Rottman

Author:Gordon L. Rottman
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: German Combat Equipments 1939–45
ISBN: 9781472805287
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing

WEAPONS-RELATED EQUIPMENT

Ammunition pouches, other than those for the Kar.98k carbine and its substitutes, were issued with the weapon. Other equipment items under this category, e.g. pistol holsters, grenade bags, and pouches and carriers for weapon accessories, were also usually issued with the weapon.

MP38/MP40 magazine pouches

The MP38 and MP40 9mm machine pistols, commonly known as the ‘Schmeisser’, were widely issued to squad and platoon leaders as well as some other NCOs and officers in rifle companies and reconnaissance units. They would of course be found in the hands of some enlisted men and within other types of combat units.

The machine pistol magazine pouches (Maschinenpistole-Magazintaschen) were issued in matched pairs. There were two wartime versions, both made of canvas and similar in design, with three pockets, each holding one 32-round magazine (MP28/II magazines and those of some other machine pistols would also fit). Each pocket was closed by a stud-secured strap, its end retained by a loop. On the lower outside edge of the left pouch was a small pocket for the magazine loading tool. On the back were two angled belt loops; when worn on the belt the pouch tops angled inward to the wearer’s middle, though it was not uncommon for them to be mistakenly worn reversed. Fitted on each pouch, at or near the outer upper corners, was a ‘D’ ring to attach to the belt support straps. The more common olive green and light tan (late war) canvas model had leather flap straps and retaining belt, and support strap loops; some had leather flaps as well. All leather components were black. The short belt support loops protruded at 90 degrees from the outer sides.

Another version was made with the leather components entirely replaced by webbing; originally designed for tropical use, they were also issued elsewhere. The support strap ‘D’ rings were fitted at the upper outer corner. These are found in reed green and olive green. A black all-leather model saw very limited pre-war issue; it was similar in construction to the first model described above, but with the stud-closed magazine loading tool pocket on the front of the left pouch. Due to wartime shortages it was not uncommon for only one to be carried, or even for magazines to be carried in tunic skirt pockets. (This applied to other weapons’ magazines and pouches as well.)

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