Ok, lets try another.... can either of you tell me if you ever had a leather belt to wear for everyday dress (the brown belt with the brass buckle) - instead of the fake Lenin-only-knows-what-its-made-from belt ;-)
In one book I have it suggests that soldiers could buy real leather belts from what the American's would call a PX or Brits the NAFFI.
Is this true? Or are the leather belts simply the older style belts?
Ok, lets try another.... can either of you tell me if you ever had a leather belt to wear for everyday dress (the brown belt with the brass buckle) - instead of the fake Lenin-only-knows-what-its-made-from belt ;-)
In one book I have it suggests that soldiers could buy real leather belts from what the American's would call a PX or Brits the NAFFI.
Is this true? Or are the leather belts simply the older style belts?
The leather belt where used by old served soldiers, and this is true, that it was bought or traded for something else. it was very fashionable item, and could be in use only by second year soldiers. In the case of recieving the leather belt by young soldier- it will be immediately confiscate by old soldiers...
I have a friend of mine's book which is called "inside the Soviet Army", no not the cheezy Suronov book, this one is written by an American woman in the last year or so of the Soviet Union and she was given access by the Ministry of Defence to write an astonishing book, full cooperation and pretty much access all areas.
It was her who said about buying the belts, but your explanation sounds more real to me... i guess she was given a sanitised version of that truth ;-)
Its a rather good book, lots of good stuff and some lovely photos.
Next question for you both...
The WW2 style respirator, when you wear it how do you avoid getting tangled in the hose? Do you shorten the strap and wear it high on your body? Possibly even as high as a British WW2 one?
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