Pattern '37 Bren Mag pouches

[kajn65]

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