Mag pouches

[Steiner]

Looking through my FJ on Crete book, I was surprised to find not one example of the 6-mag MP40 pouch, despite there being a lot of men armed with them. There is one pic of a guy with the 2 x 3 pouches, but it's impossible to tell if they're in blue or green.

Regarding K98 pouches, there are only bandoliers in evidence. Brian Davis' 2nd book has a picture of a Fallschirmjäger with traditional leather K98 pouches - how common would that have been ?

[carentan]

I've seen a few photos of the six mag pouch in Crete, can't remember which book but I'll check to make sure it was Crete.

For the traditional leather k98 pouches you're looking at a more late war use.

Cheers

[Steiner]

I've just seen a photo in Martin Pöppel's book of a guy with two 3-mag pouches strapped to his shins, prior to jumping!

[paulmfjr2]

That would be Sicily or Monte Retundo if he is in tropical kit. As Darren says you do see some in Crete. In fact I think I know of one which is pre September 1939. The standard leather K98 pouches you tend to find in use in Russia, Italy and Normandy/Europe until the end of the war.

[Steiner]

Nope, as quoted, he's in the same kit he wore in Norway - definitely prior to the Crete jump.

[Steiner]

Here's the pic - excuse the quality - it's a small picture and I'm a rubbish photographer!

[carentan]

Soldat Vol 8 has some interesting info on development and use of the 6 mag pouches. Hints at them being produced for assault troops and not just made for FJ, Heer assault troops as well. But I can't say I've ever seen photographic evidence of Heer troops using them.

[Steiner]

Mmm... very interesting.

I can't understand why they don't republish the Soldat series - there would be big demand for it.

[West-Front]

Griechenland, Kreta, Kondomari.- Ermordung von griechischen Zivilisten (Männer) durch deutsche Fallschirmjäger; PK 690

[Hans Gowert]

there just the standard 3 cell pouches