THE ALL HIGH ORDER OF GEAR QUEERS

"Impressive. But can the *$^&*#* thing move???"

After examining Infantry Overload, I was reminded of the German Maus tank of WWII. I
believe it was one Adolph’s personal brain storms, most likely an electrical storm at that.
The Maus was 33 feet long and 12 feet high. Armor thickness was up to 9-1/2 inches.
The main gun was a 128-mm with a 75mm co-ax!! While virtually invulnerable to any
Allied guns, and packing truly awesome firepower that could kill any Allied tank out to
ranges of 3,500 meters, there were a few small problems.

Mainly, of course, mobility. The thing weighed 185 tons, as much as a diesel railroad
freight locomotive. They couldn’t find a motor big enough to allow the damn thing to
move at more than a crawl. Top speed, downhill on pavement with a tailwind, was 8 mph
or less. Extensive work had to be done on the suspension to keep the weight from
crushing it. The tracks were a full meter wide to keep it from sinking into the earth. It was
too wide for many tunnels; it was too heavy for almost all bridges. A full tank of 713
gallons of diesel would only allow it to waddle about 38 miles under ideal conditions, a
whopping 0.05 miles per gallon. A special 14-axle railroad transport car had to be
designed to move it by train.

As we titter at Hitler’s obvious idiocy, however, we [American civilian and military

leaders] apparently don’t see any problem whatsoever in expecting a 140-pound kid to
throw on a 120-pound ruck and chase the Taliban up and down some of the highest
mountains in the world.

I have set myself a personal maximum weight limit of 40 pounds. Trust me, that’s
waaayyy less than 1/3 of my body weight. After climbing up and down mountains with
my dog all last weekend, lugging the FAL, I’m starting to consider lowering that. I am
almost starting to believe in that global warming crap. It seems like the only reasonable
explanation why my pack keeps getting heavier, and the air thinner, and the trails steeper.

I found it interesting, because I apparently have too much time on my hands, to look into
the soldier’s load throughout modern history.

Right or wrong, the United States Marine Corps fought a series of counter-insurgencies in
the Caribbean and Central America between the world wars, collectively known as The
Banana Wars. From this experience, they developed The USMC Small Wars Manual,
which advised this packing list:

A young Marine by the name of Puller cut his tactical teeth in the
counter-insurgency in Nicaragua.
Clothing and accessories carried in the pack.—The following articles are considered
reasonable quantities to be carried in the pack or roll of each individual with a patrol
operating in a warm climate;
1. A shelter half, poncho, or light native hammock, depending upon the nature of the
terrain, the season of the year, and the personal decision of the patrol leader. The shelter
half can be dispensed with if materials are available in the field for the construction of
lean-to shelters. In this case, the poncho is utilized as a cover for the pack or roll. The
poncho is primarily useful as protection from the damp ground while sleeping at night. It
interferes with movement of an individual if worn on the march, and is a distinct
impediment if worn in combat. The hammock has many advantages, but it is bulky and
adds considerable weight to the pack or roll. During the rainy season, two of these
articles may be desirable. If the shelter half is carried, the tent pole and pins are included
when necessary.
2. One blanket.
3. A mosquito net is desirable in malarial countries. It is bulky and quite heavy. Some
combat patrols in past operations in tropical countries did not carry the net in the field
and did not incur any apparent harmful consequences.
4. One change of underwear.
5. At least two pairs of woolen socks; four pairs are recommended, if the patrol is to
 operate for 2 weeks or longer.
6. One change of outer clothing.
7. Toilet articles: soap, small bath towel, tooth brush and powder or paste, comb, and
mirror. A razor, shaving brush, and shaving soap may be carried, although they are not
considered essential items.
8. Tobacco, as desired.
9. Toilet paper, a small quantity by each individual, the remainder with the mess
equipment.

A Marine officer on Guadalcanal laid out this list from his experiences during that long
campaign.

For patrols from 1 to 10 days duration, I suggest a pack whose contents are as follows:

The top half of our present pack to contain:

Dehydrated rations and type “D” rations for the period expected.
1 or 2 canteens, depending on the terrain in which you are operating.
Medical kit containing: bandaids, sulfa, atebrine, salve for protection against skin
infection, tablets for the purification of water of a squad’s canteens.
1 cake of soap.
1 pair extra socks.
1 pair shoe laces
1 shirt, flannel or woolen
All above in rubber bag.
1 poncho
1 can of oil and cleaning gear for weapon where such is not part of the weapon you carry.

The following equipment:

Good field for all leaders down to sergeants in rifle units, and to squad leaders in
weapons squads.
Compass—same distribution
 Bush knife 12” blade made of good steel for all hands
Helmet for all
Camouflage net for all helmets
Mosquito net, head, for all
Entrenching shovel for all

We need a rubber bag which will keep everything dry and can be used for floating
contents across streams. Must be light and rugged.

Officers and men must be in identical uniforms.

Another Marine officer added: “Travel light. For example, to hell with the mess
equipment! We used our mess cup and spoon for the first 15 days here and enjoyed our
chow. You don’t have to live like a gentleman in jungle warfare. Our mess equipment is
too bulky for this type of warfare and makes noise.”

An American observer noted this about the British Commandos of WWII:

What blasphemy is this, you Brits!?!? Allowing a Commando to

make up his own packing list!?!? What next? Allowing them to
make their own tactical decisions in combat?
"The men were taught to live on concentrated rations during these exercises, to take care
of themselves in the field under all conditions of weather and climate, and to maintain
themselves in a 'fighting condition'...Each man wore battle dress, carried his own: arms,
and kept all his rations and ammunition in his rucksack. Every effort was made to keep
the weight of the load down to a minimum; the pack usually averaged about 35 pounds.
As one instructor expressed it: 'I tell them the job to be done; the number of days we will
be out; the arms and ammunition required; and leave to the individual to decide what he
will carry for his own personal comfort. As each man carries his own load, only the bare
necessities are taken along.'"

British, Anzac, and Gurkha forces operating in the successful counter-insurgency in

Malaya worked hard to keep the weight an infantryman bore down to reasonable levels

"Even though the individual and small unit effectiveness of the British and their allies in
the jungle was excellent, these men were not asked to endure unnecessary hardships.
Careful study indicates that British, Gurkha, and the new Malaysian soldiers functioned
well in the jungle environment when provided with a kit that allowed comfort. Individual
equipment in Malaysia weighed slightly more than 50 pounds.

A black nylon overall and a pair of sneakers-entirely satisfactory for night combat—
bedding according to habits of individual soldiers, medical supplies, drinking water, and
various tools for use in the jungle were all carried in a comfortable harness. Mosquitoes,
leeches, wet feet uncomfortable sleeping arrangements, poor food, and exposure can
contribute to poor health and morale and increase the problems of warfare. The soldier
was equipped to combat these problems, and yet was not burdened with so much
equipment that he became immobile." [Hint, hint].

The Japanese soldier in WWII

The pack normally contains extra shoes, socks, and breech clout. Towel, soap, and other
miscellaneous toilet articles are carried, as well as a first-aid packet and a sewing kit. A
shelter half, although only 4 feet 10 inches by 2 feet 5-1/2 inches, is very serviceable. It is
used as a ground sheet, or to roll up in. When the tent ropes are properly roved through
the eyelets, the shelter half makes an excellent poncho and, because of its superior rain-
shedding quality, Japanese soldiers prefer it to the issue raincoat. A blanket or overcoat
may be rolled in inverted U-shape and tied around the edges of the pack. A raincoat,
shelter half, and camouflage netting are placed across the top, and the mess kit is strapped
to the back of the pack. When caps are worn, the steel helmet is secured over the mess
kit.

Canteen, slung from a leather strap across the left shoulder, ammunition pouches, and gas
mask and carrier complete the combat gear normally carried by the Japanese soldier.
Ammunition is carried in pouches strung on the waist belt.

German regular infantry in WWII.

Officers and enlisted men wear the same steel helmet.

Pack.—The pack (Tornister) is a heavy square-shaped canvas bag with leather binding. A
blanket, a camouflage cover, (which sometimes serves as a raincoat), and also at times
the overcoat, are rolled and strapped around the pack. For mountain troops, the pack is
replaced by a rucksack, a form of which, originally adopted by the Afrika-Korps, is
coming to be used extensively throughout the Army.

Other equipment.—Other equipment carried by the individual includes leather cartridge

pouches, a shelter-half with ropes, a canteen and mess kit, a haversack, a gas mask, a gas
cape (an impregnated cloth cover for protection against gas), entrenching tools, and side
arms. Officers wear brown belts (sometimes with the strap of the Sam Browne type), and
enlisted men black belts.

German mountain and ski troops said, “The amount of rations, bivouac, signal and
orientation equipment, pioneer and medical supplies, as well as ski repair equipment,
depends mainly on the expected duration of the action. Prepared, nourishing foods, rich
in fat (which, moreover, do not occupy much space and are not affected by weather
conditions) will, if possible, be taken along as rations. Every third man is to be equipped
with cooking gear.”

“Bivouac equipment will always be taken along if bivouacs in the snow, outside villages,
are expected. Although tents which retain heat weigh more, they are preferable to those
which do not. For actions in terrain without vegetation or inhabitants, fuel must be taken
along. In his pack every man carries blankets and warm, windproof, and water-repellent
clothing.”

“Carried on person.-

Shoes, semi-waterproof and large enough so that 2 or 3 pairs of socks may be worn.
 Fur-lined leather mittens (1 pair, worn over gloves).
Wristlets and knee protectors.
Socks (2 or 3 pairs).
Woolen underclothing.
Winter combat suit (quilted trousers, fur-lined jacket, fur cap).
Skis and ski poles (1 pair of each).
Sheath knife (1 each).
White camouflage suit.
First-aid packets (2 each).
Gloves (1 pair).

(2) Carried in rucksack.-

Shelter half.
Rations for 1% days (additional rations for one-half day on handsled)
Woolen socks (2 pairs).
Personal cooking and mess equipment.
Portable gasoline cook stove (1 for each squad).
Newspaper.
Candies and matches.”

These guys need to add a minimum of 100 more pounds of gear if they are to
pursue, overtake, and destroy terrorists.

The Selous Scouts of the Rhodesian Bush Wars did not have an official uniform. Water
and ammunition were the two most important items they carried, and in the largest
quantities. Favored footwear consisted of rubber-soled hockey boots known as “tackies”.
Originally equipped with British Pattern 1958 standard web gear, the Selous Scouts soon
developed their own Rhodesian vest that provided light weight, mesh ventilation, and
multiple pockets, which was later copied around the world in various forms as the Load
Bearing Vest.

HOW MUCH AMMO?

Ask any two soldiers “How much ammo?” and you will no doubt get at least three
different answers. Indeed, like the soldier’s load, it is almost an unanswerable rhetorical
question, like, “Which came first, the chicken or the egg?” or, “How could over half the
voting public be that stupid?”

I’ve been as guilty as anyone in the mania for the more is always better crowd, at least in
the past. This mania for “all you can physically carry plus one round in the chamber” is
made much worse by the theory of suppressive fire, aka spray n pray, and all the other
quantity over quality thinking.

This balancing act has been going throughout military history since soldiers were first
issued with muskets. Despite all our technology, all the different calibers and weapons
and ammo carrying systems, the act still goes on, and it hasn’t gotten any easier.

Colonel Paul Emil von Lettow-Vorbeck was a rare tactical genius who conducted a
brilliant guerrilla campaign in German East Africa for the duration WWI, but he didn’t
have all the answers either.

“One of the first items that Lettow-Vorbeck focused on was the physical fitness of the
soldiers and their marksmanship, a principle that he continually encouraged and trained
to perfection. After war was declared, Lettow-Vorbeck began to institute a series of small
patrols for the Schutztruppe for the sole purpose of increasing morale and confidence
within his soldiers. He knew that the terrain would force his army to travel light if they
were to remain mobile and this required meticulous attention to detail and planning.
However, as the German army remained light and fleet of foot the loss of weight directly
impacted on the strength of their firepower. The more they carried, the heavier the
firepower, the lighter the load the less the firepower. Therefore, Lettow-Vorbeck planned
a series of raids on the British railway system to test and develop the Schutztruppe's
capabilities.”

In studying history, I was sometimes surprised at just how little ammunition was actually
carried and needed. At the other end of the spectrum, the ammunition loads carried by
American troops in Vietnam were staggering and utterly ridiculous.

This was from the 5th Marines on Guadalcanal.

“The tendency is to overload the infantrymen with ammunition. It seems to be the

standard practice to start out with a belt plus two bandoleers. We soon found out that 25
rounds was enough for two or three days if you do not have targets to shoot at. (Note:
Our infantrymen approaching Buna in the jungles of New Guinea were carrying 40
rounds.)"

That was just one opinion and it sure seems pretty slim to me. If you read through the
personal accounts of Marine and Army veterans of both WWII and Korea, the load most
often cited is the former, a full belt and two bandoleers. The OD green canvas ammo belt
for the M1 Garand had ten pockets, each holding an 8-shot enbloc clip. Bandoleers had
six pouches and held 48 rounds. This made for a grand total of 176 rounds of .30-06
ammunition, and seems to be the most typical load for a man armed with an M1 Garand.
Probably about what I would have carried if I had been a rifleman in those days.

The following load comes from the USMC Small Wars Manual, written from experience
fighting guerrillas in the Caribbean and Central American Banana Wars of the 1930’s.

Ammunition.—In past small war operations, the average expenditure of small arms
ammunition for a single engagement has seldom exceeded 50 rounds for each person in
the patrol. There have been a very few instances where the expenditure has slightly
exceeded 100 rounds per person. It is believed that the following is a reasonable basis
for the quantities of ammunition to be carried for each type of weapon with infantry
patrols assigned a combat mission in small war operations:

(1) On the person—the full capacity of the belt or other carrier issued to the individual.
(2) In the combat train—1/2 unit of fire.

These quantities should be modified as dictated by experience or as indicated by the

situation confronting a particular patrol.

There they go again! Allowing on-the-ground tactical commanders to make decisions

without a satellite video teleconference with a 4-star general and a Power Point
demonstrating the rationale for the decision. What were they thinking?

The regular Japanese Army infantryman of WWII had a belt and ammunition pouches, of
leather or rubberized canvas, for his Arisaka bolt-action rifle. Two small pouches in front
held six 5-round stripper clips each, and a larger pouch in the rear held 12 clips, for 120
rounds total.

For the Wehrmacht rifleman and his KAR-98 Mauser, ammunition was carried in 2
leather ammunition pouches attached to the belt, which held 60 rounds in 5-round clips.
Additional rifle ammunition could be carried in cloth bandoleers similar to the U. S. type.
We will see that just about every soldier around the world increased his load of
ammunition when TSHTF. It is probably reasonable to assume that Axis soldiers did the
same thing.

Gebirgsjaeger mountain troop patrols, often cut off from normal supply channels,
stressed "fewer arms, more ammo" concept. They carried 100 rounds per rifle and 256
rounds in 8 magazines per 9mm MP40 “Schmeisser” machine pistol. Twenty extra rifle
rounds per rifleman and 128 extra rounds per sub-machine gunner were carried on the
supply hand sled.

The small British and Commonwealth infantry patrols in Malaya did not want to reveal
their location to the enemy via air supply. Those armed with the SLR (FAL) carried one
20-round magazine in the rifle and eight loaded spares, for a total of 180 rounds. As the
conflict wound down, with only a handful of starving guerrillas avoiding contact at all
costs, some units carried only 60 rounds.
The standard Pattern 58 web gear used by British, ANZAC, Canadian, and other
Commonwealth forces equipped with British gear had two magazine pouches, in which
they usually carried only two 20-round magazines per pouch, for 80 in the pouches and
20 in the SLR, a total of only 100 rounds. After the first firefight in the Falklands War,
the round count went up considerably.

It took me all of 30 seconds to figure out that placed vertically instead of horizontally as
viewed looking down, each pouch can quite nicely fit three magazines per pouch rather
than only two. Either way, the pouch is a tad bit deep for FAL magazines, but either mag
pulls or placing something underneath the mags in the pouch takes care of that handily.
Thus, one can instead carry 120 rounds in the LBE and 20 in the gun.

In Malaya, riflemen armed with the SLR started out with 180 rounds of .308 ammo.
Doing without helicopter resupply to give away their position, they carried enough to just
about any contingency. As the conflict wound down and the terrorists were reduced to
ragged half-starved ill-armed refugees who avoided contact at all costs, only 60 rounds
were carried.

The heavy canvas British Pattern 58 webbing, with ammo pouches that can carry
either two or three 20-round FAL magazines.

The Edwards Patrol of the British SAS during counter-insurgency operations in the
Radfan Mountains, seeking mobility, packed only four spare magazines of 7.62 NATO
for their SLR’s, a 50-round bandoleer for reloads, and 200 rounds apiece of .303 ammo
for the patrol’s Bren gun. Despite an all-day firefight and two hasty ambushes during a
nighttime withdrawal, they husbanded their ammo and none of them actually ran
completely out of ammunition.
Rhodesian Security Forces, such as the Rhodesian Light Infantry, carried 7 or 8
magazines for their South African-made R1 FAL’s, supplemented with a few extra 20-
round boxes of ammunition for reloads.

Most peacetime load-outs for countries equipped with 7.62x51mm battle rifles were
about the same. Both the German Bundeswher and the Swedish Army had H&K G-3
rifles in the 70’s and 80’s. The Germans carried, at one time, only two spare magazines in
their single plastic pouches. The Swedish issue war load was four spare 20-round
magazines.

It was the same for the Australians when they went to Vietnam. After their first major
engagement at Long Tan, ammo loads increased to “Buckets of bullets” as one Digger
veteran recalled, though nowhere near as outrageous as the American load-outs.

The Aussies also fought in Vietnam, emphasizing small, stealthy, and minimally
equipped patrols.

The required minimum M16 load for a grunt in Vietnam, in many units, was 20 loaded
20-round magazines for four hundred rounds. One veteran noted, “after the first firefight,
most riflemen were soon carrying 30 or 40 loaded 20(18) round magazines in ammo
pouches, claymore bags, and cotton bandoleers that originally held cardboard boxes with
loose 5.56mm ball rounds. Extra ammo was also carried in the pockets of the jungle
fatigue shirt, and the pants cargo pockets.”
There was a very good reason why the PRC-77 radio was referred to as the "Prick-
77".

Colonel David Hackworth recalls the riflemen of the battalion he took command of
carrying 600 rounds of 5.56mm ammo and four frag grenades.

The theoretical load for modern American troops is 210 rounds, six 30-round mags (just
about everybody loads 1-3 rounds less to increase reliability) and one in the gun.

Grunts going into the streets of Iraq or the mountains of Afghanistan, of course, add to
that official load-out. These are recent quotes from soldiers and Marines serving overseas
as to what they carried.

"I carried 10 x 30 rd magazines with another 6 loaded in my bail out bag. 3 x 15 rd

magazines for my pistol with 2 additional loaded in my BOB. I wore 2 x m67 grenades
and 2 x M18 HC smoke grenades on my gear and carried another smoke grenade and a
thermite grenade in the pack as well."

“[For] day ops carry load on LCE was 7-30rd magazines, in assault pack 3+ magazines,
in rucksack(left on truck) remaining magazines to total 30.”

“I carried 12 mags on me, one in the gun for my M4. My M9 had three extra mags, then
two frags, a smoke, a CS and an anti-pursuit mine (the spider mines). In my BOB I had
an extra 6 mags and in the vehicle I had a fat 50 can full of mags and another of frags
and smoke.”

So, exactly how little is too little? How much is too much? Beats the hell outta me.