for what it may be worth...
I first saw these pouches in the Osprey title: "British Infantry Equipment 1908-80" Men at Arms series no 108 published in 1980. This was written and illustrated by Mike Chappell who had served many years in the British Army.
The image in the colour plates in the centre shows the auxiliary pouches worn around the neck.
Can someone provide photographic evidence of them in use in WW2?
I guess it is a bit like entrenching tools. The 'book' descibes the item provided, yet photos of Kiwi infantry in Italy clearly show Bulldog brand GS shovels and picks carried instead.
Rob
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