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I'm curious if the bottom straps were actually tied during the jump phase for those carrying an M1A1 in the holster. As it extends below the knee, wouldn't act like a splint and restrict a successful PLF or otherwise cause injury if falling on that side? Anyone know?
In parachute landing the feet and knees are supposed to be together and extended. The weapon was in fact running down the leg and that was always a drawback to carrying your weapon that way. Imagine the 1919 Browning MG for instance? Many paratroops dismissed the idea of having their weapon tied up and carried it "ready to fight" in a manner they prefered. Other countries started using the lowering rope so the US forces adopted it also. It too has drawbacks but I would prefer not to land with equipment. Yes, you can get injured that way. Remember, the days of Airborne troops was just in it's infancy and many things needed to be ironed out. It would be better than landing and going to hunt the door bundle your weapon(or any weapon for that matter) was in to arm yourself while under fire on the drop zone.
The lower tie down on the M1A1 jump case was intended to be fastened to the paratrooper’s leg to prevent the case from grabbing air on exit and spinning the soldier. Having it fastened also helps eliminate catching the door frame upon exit. Even with the lower strap fastened it doesn’t prevent flexing of the knee and doesn’t hinder the landing. Having landed hundreds of times with an M-1950 case running down my left side landing on it was no big deal either with or without the lower leg tie down fastened.
I forgot about the airsteam thing. A friend of mine jumped with a mortar plotting board once and he was wound so tight in his risers that they looked like a rope.