11 Oct 2021 Garand Picture of the Day

[Mark in Rochester]

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[Gil Boyd]

So, So, difficult in WW2 as men found their own way of packing on the pounds. Some placed their rifles under the chest straps as we did here in the UK, but, unless you have jumped, you'll know how much hurt that can cause, especially toting a rifle, in a really bad roll.
Stens were used by many under the chest straps, but once that chute opens and tightens around those areas that make you sing like an angel, you don't do it again!!!

It was found that a separate container dropped with sticks, was counter productive under fire, as men clutched out for any weapons they could get their hands on when it was opened on the DZ. Hence the personal container dropped 15 feet below you on a rope that you kept all your kit and weapon together.

[Bob Womack]

The son of a friend was in the 82nd Airborne. During a training jump, a friend of his had his rifle under the straps, barrel down. When he landed, the butt was shoved up under his ribs, rupturing his heart. Gone, just like that.

Bob

[Gil Boyd]

Bob,
Sadly so many tales like that during WW2 where we lost some tough brave young souls to stupid ill conceived ideas on carrying weapons in ALL weathers, which was often the killer on landing!