1937 Pattern Basic Pouches Versatility

[@cammobunker]

Back in the 1990s there were tons of sets of Patt 37 equipment sold off as surplus here in the US. I bought a set, and the entire set I got was completely unissued and every single piece was MEC and either 1943 or 1944. It was also the large belt and long straps. All of it was unissued, and the only thing not included was the entrenching tool with carrier. It even came with a brand new enamel canteen (covered in wool, of course) and skeletonized carrier and a new synthetic helmet net. The whole set was bundled into the large pack and was ready for issue as a single unit.

[@kevthedev9541]

As a re-enactor with the old WW2 BRA during the late 80s, we had many vets who were more than happy to share what and how they carried kit into the field during the war including my late Dad who was an infantryman from 1939 until 1950. The general layout for ordnance load bearing by the infantryman was thus, the left hand pouch would contain 2 x magazines for the section LMG, the right pouch would contain 1 x bandolier of 50 rounds of 303 on clips and 2 x Mills or similar 1 x Mills below the bandolier and 1 x above for ease of access. Every man, including the LMG No1 & 2 would be issued with 2 x bandoliers of 303 (as well as their own load for the LMG) to maximise the ammunition supply taken into the field. Doesn't seem to feature much in ACIs of the time but I certainly would never argue the point with a vet! Keep up with the vids...they're excellent!

[@gorbalsboy]

I served as an infantry soldier in the eighties (recce pl 1 RHF) when on field firing we would carry as much ammo as we could (the standard was 4 mags x20rds 50 rnds of link 2x grenades) the platoon Sgt would carry a bergen of link, ball as well as a 2inch mortar😊in contrast whilst on active service in paddy land we would only carry 60rds😊

[@carzy6073]

Hi, would be interested to hear of any information regarding how and when a helmet's scrim would be applied, whether it be during a designated fieldcraft lesson, during the guy's free, personal time almost like how he'd maintain his boots or webbing or whether itd be done say on the boat over to France or wherever, thanks

[@Timeslip1960]

Thankyou for this👍 An upload about the Auxiliary Units during WW2 "The Stay behind's" would be very interesting.

[@andrewsteele7663]

Great video, just love those pouches for tools etc. Cheers

[@Landsturm]

I wonder if the carrying of rifle charger bandoliers in the pouches during battle was as wide spread as you suggest. The reason that I'm asking is that there is a photo of a dead Commando, killed in the Dieppe Raid, and from his open pouches you can see the contents spilling out. All were loose 5 round rifle chargers.

[@gorbalsboy]

Most likely he removed them from the bandolier for quick access

[@johngreen-sk4yk]

I remember in the 90's anchor surplus at Ripley having large wire stillagers full of ex army cadet 37 pattern webbing for about 50p an item . You could make up a set of webbing for about £5 ! How times have changed

[@alancranford3398]

Britian's 1937 pattern web gear influenced America's M1956 and ALICE webbing. Thanks for this informative video,

[@geodkyt]

There is a reason most Western nations ended up adopting the same basic setup of braces, belt, and fairly generic rectangular pouches as the basis. I totally disagreed with the switch from the highly customizeable and versatile ALICE to the completely fixed LBV which (like WWI gear, or WWII US gear) was *very* specific to one "textbook" loadout for a *particular* set of weapons.

[@watchdog8891]

I've a 37 pattern Sten Gun pouch, not a convert lanchester one, its been blanco'd in RAF blue. No date or manufacturer markings that i can see. Nice piece

[@paulthompson3190]

I've got a very early war infantry manual, which mentions carrying 2" Mortar rounds in the basic pouches, I've got a feeling that the manual suggests that three or four riflemen from a platoon would carry them if a 2" mortar was being carried.

[@geodkyt]

Or in auxiliary pouches. And of course, para units devolved the 2" mortar all the way down to the *section* level, requiring the squaddies to figure out how to carry enough Bren magazines and mortar bombs, just for section support weapons.

[@kanumartin1195]

Would you consider doing a video about reenactment groups, your experiences and maybe talk about the Monty’s Men event and what it is? Love your videos, very informing. 👍

[@CDNR711]

There’s evidence that the PAT 37 was manufactured into the late 70’s-early 80’s. Plus they were able to carry belted ammo.

[@highdownmartin]

Have you thought of doing a video on the Bren pouch? Grained leather bags with a tee bracket riveted on the back to hook inside the Bren carrier or universal carrier. I believe they were bale out bags with ammo in so if the carrier got wrecked the gun and the men could be picked up by others and little delay. I have quite a few, with detail differences on the top flap and the two inner flaps and one had an internal steel plate. I’ve a couple as panniers on my 54 triumph. Excellent bags and train drivers used to use them as mess bags, very common in the fifties and sixties, I still use one that an Eastbourne driver gave me, he used it on the steam and right through his juice career as well. Here’s hoping!

[@davidbrennan660]

A video about 37 pattern equipment is a good way to start a day… even for a “ Head”…. Thanks Simon. I believe a piece of plain thin card board was normally between the chargers when in the bandoleer, please to correct me .

[@zulfadlitahar2442]

Would be interested in the interwar webbing for P08 and what was carried