For the Bundeswehr lover in all of us...

[Klaus1989]

TJ:
Thanks for taking time to identify the canteen. Maybe I should post and see TR guys say about as well.

My early BGS cap could be one of the caps in the photo too

Albert:
Danke schön für die Informationen! Das war genau, was ich wissen wollte.

Specifically, I am looking to put together display of Jäger NCO, c. 1980-1986. Mind a few more questions? From what I understand, you did carry Brotbeutel before 1987. What were typical contents of Rucksack? Were did units that relied more on foot than pzgr carry canteen? I also cannot figure out which model Rucksack was used then. Obviously I need to buy myself an old copy of Der Reibert!

regards
Klaus

[Albert]

...
Albert:
Danke schön für die Informationen! Das war genau, was ich wissen wollte.

Specifically, I am looking to put together display of Jäger NCO, c. 1980-1986. Mind a few more questions? From what I understand, you did carry Brotbeutel before 1987. What were typical contents of Rucksack? Were did units that relied more on foot than pzgr carry canteen? I also cannot figure out which model Rucksack was used then. Obviously I need to buy myself an old copy of Der Reibert!

regards
Klaus

Klaus,

I was not in the Army before 87 so I don't know. I was a "Jäger", first 4/112 (4th Co. was Light Infantry with M113 instead of Marder), later in several security platoons. We didn't have a bread-bag but we had the small combat butt-pack (kleine Kampftasche). From my experience, combat units did not wear the whole canteen set on the belt. This would have defeated the whole purpose of "Geräuschtarnung". We always wore as little as only possile.

Speaking from memory, we would usualy have the following in the rucksack; well, depending on the duration of the exercise:

- shelter-half, sleeping bag and isolation mat
- G3 cleanng kit
- mess tin, esbit cooker, rations (if issued), "silverware"
- gloves
- foldeable shovel (if there was still room for it)
- hygene items, towel
- spare cloths, esp. socks

An NCO, squad or platoon leader, might have in addition:

- Compass
- Map case
- Holster
- Radio
- flashlight

Hope this helps a little

Best,
Albert

[Albert]

Here is a shot from my NCO training at Jg.Ausb.Zentr. 56/4, Wildflecken. Posing with an MG3 in front of a cammoflaged Unimog. The cammoflaged helmet is strapped to the gas mask bag:

[Klaus1989]

Albert:
Thanks for the help! By breadbag, I meant kleine Kampftasche. Alot of sellers over here get them confused.

regards
Klaus

[Guardian 5]

Klaus - Here's a sketch of a circa 1978 Bundeswehr harness to further aid your quest. It was taken from "World Army Uniforms 1939 to the Present" by Mollo, McGregor, Smith and Chappel.

TJ

[Guardian 5]

Klaus - While there is no substitute for the knowledge supplied by BW vets like Albert & Uwe, I've found this book to be very helpful. It came out in 1991, and you may still be able to find it if you dig enough. The author's name is Michael Jerchel.

It's loaded with great color photos of "grenies" in the field along with lots of good vehicle photos as well.

Happy hunting,

TJ

[Guardian 5]

Klaus - Here's rear view of a late 1980's MILAN team in action.

Note the wear of the flak jacket, old style entrenching tool, and the names painted on the rear of the abc mask carrier.

This picture is from Jerchel's book.

TJ

[Guardian 5]

Klaus - Another rear view, this time of a greni in the prone supported fring position.

Note newer model tri-fold e-tool and flare gun holster. This image was also taken from Jerschel's book.

TJ

[Gordon Craig]

Klaus,

I second TJs comments on the book. Good pictures of soldiers in the field who don't always wear things the way the manual lays them out! You might find some useful pictures here http://www.panzergrenadierbrigade16....fotoalbum.html

Try JgBtl 66. Nothing startling but you never know what you might find!

Cheers,

Gordon

[Klaus1989]

I ordered a 1987 copy of Der Reibert from Germany awhile back but still waiting on it to come. I have some new stuff including couple 1960s BGS tunics and another BW helmet that I will post in the coming weeks.

My BW collecting has slowed because BGS and Polizei items distract me, so my project should be closer to completion than it is. Stahlhelm 1A1 Modifiziert is hard to find (I only have 1A1 w/ FJ60 liner and 1A1 w/ I60 liner). So far I have the following items:
- Schiffchen
- Feldjacke
- Feldhose
- Y-straps (finally got 1980s ones from Germany)
- M65 Gas Mask w/ bag
- kleine Kampftasche
- Kochgeschirr
- Taschenkocher

regards
Klaus

[Klaus1989]

Some of my new additions. The kleine Kampftasche is dated 1986, the "M62" Stahlhelm (1A1) is from1968 and net is original to helmet, pair of hard-to-find 1980s Koppeltragehilfe and M65 gas mask with bag. Oddly, the gas mask is date 1964 and made by Auer, not Dräger.

regards
Klaus

[weka]

Has any got an idea what the sling pictured below was for? I think its BW as the clips have the same marking as those on the olive ww2 like y-straps.
Cheers.

[Guardian 5]

I'm stumped - but as we all know, that is not difficult to do....

I checked my gun books and it's not for the Walther MP-L, MP5 or Uzi.

Could it be for a map case or flare gun holster?

How long is it?

TJ

[Guardian 5]

Weka - Do you think it could be a cross strap for a belt? This one is East German and is currently offered on Manion's International Auctions.

TJ

[Guardian 5]

Another East German model, also on Manion's.