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#1
12-02-10, 12:15
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Keyan,
I'll send you a PM tonight as I have some of the Bren Gun Bra Yokes. I should be able to get you some for the ZLT 1940 stamps.
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Jordan Baker RHLI Museum, Otter LRC C15A-Wire3, 1944 Willys MB, 1942 10cwt Canadian trailer 
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#2
12-02-10, 17:21
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Re: Utility (Bren Gun) Pouches (aka-Bren Gun Bra)
Good Morning All!
In reference to edstorey's last post: The naming of these pouches. He is correct on this matter to a certain extent. The "Actual Military Name" for these pouches (either when used as a set; or just the Front Pouch) is the "Utility Pouch". The other commonly referred to names used here refer to the specific use by specific military personnel; namely, Bren Gun Crews. We all know that these pouches can each hold 3-30 round Bren Gun Magazines. Right? That's a given. Therefore, from a Bren Gunner's perspective, comes one of the given common names, the "Bren Gun Pouch". The "Bren Gun Bra" name is derived from the way these Utility Pouches are worn and used by the Bren Gun Crews. All other military personnel would simply call these pouches the "Utility Pouch" when worn or used differently. (See my earlier posts.) In this manner, the Front Pouch is found in its usual location-Left Chest Area; and the Rear Pouch is found on the Right Chest Area. The Yoke Strap is slung over the wearer's neck, while the Waist Strap is wrapped around his torso. This method somewhat resembles a woman's undergarment ... the bra. Therefore, from the Bren Gunner's perspective, comes the other common name for these pouches, the "Bren Gun Bra". This format allows quick and easy access to the Bren Gun Magazines for the Bren No. 2 (the person who loads and unloads the magazines from the Bren Gun, normally a Private) from both the Bren Group Leader (the person in charge of the Bren Gun Crew, a Lance-Corporal) and himself; while the Bren No. 2 (the person who carries and operates the Bren Gun, normally a Private) concentrates on firing the Bren Gun on enemy targets. For the Bren Gun Crews in the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion (aka-1st CanPara) this method was standard; not only in combat and training exercises, but in Parachute Jumping as well. This allowed the jumping Bren Gun Crews to carry all the necessary Bren Gun Ammo to complete their mission, while wearing a parachute on their backs and jumping out of an aircraft. To make a long story short ... we are both correct in the names of these pouches. It's just the matter of context of how they were used and by whom. Finally, I take no offence to edstorey's comments in his last post. Nor do I intend the same to him or any other member of this forum in this one. Infact, I find edstorey's posting informative, useful and very well laid out. My soul intention was to clairify all the terminology used in this subject; and by no means imply that I know all if it.  Keep up the good work! Rgs... Pte. Keyan Noble Rifleman, Dutch Ressistance Member & Unit Weapons NCO Maritimes world War 2 Re-Enactment Unit 
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If you live by the sword ... you will die by the bullet! - me
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#3
13-02-10, 07:38
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Two Things
Keyan:
Are you currently in the military? If not, then please do us all a favour and stop signing your posts with your re-enactment rank. Your attempt to explain terminology from a 'Bren Gunner's perspective' only muddies the water and is I suspect based on re-enacter information and not facts from 70 years ago. Your 'given common names' are not correct and nor are we 'both correct' as you state, but far from it. You are in fact incorrect in using made up names in order attempt to give a name to a piece of web equipment that already has an established official name, that being Utility Pouches. If you wish to compare web equipment to ladies undergarments or make up pet names for the pieces then go ahead and enjoy yourself, just stop trying to convince everyone else that these names are correct or somehow fit into their use during the Second World War. Have a look at a copy of the Fitting Instructions for 1937 Pattern Web Equipment and you will learn not only the correct terminolgy for the individual pieces, but also how they were to be used.
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#4
13-02-10, 10:43
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Quote:
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#6
14-02-10, 07:55
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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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#7
14-02-10, 16:35
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entrenching tools:
Quote:
When we started the HLIofC group here in Cambridge (about a million years ago) we had an interesting problem - couldn't find enough entrenching tools. We did have a few and at an early display for the Vets, we apologized for not having enough to go round. The vets emphatically advised us that they chucked that usless tool, and prefferred to dig in with real tools.
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Charles Fitton Maryhill On., Canada too many carriers too many rovers not enough time. (and now a BSA...) (and now a Triumph TRW...)
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#8
14-02-10, 17:03
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Quote:
My take on it is that if there was a mechanic, then there was a truck, and if there was a truck, then there was a real shovel.
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Hybrid Mode
