Belt carrying frame
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A coupling support frame is similar to a suspender of leather or webbing on which belt-like coupling a uniform fixed and supported by means of strap over the shoulders.
It enables equipment, knapsacks or combat bags to be carried and prevents the belt, which is usually heavily draped, from sliding down. On the coupling, for example, magazine pockets and pouches , pistols holster (belt holster), feldspars , canteens , NBC protective mask bag , bread bags and small combat bag or polybag, bayonet , hand grenades , Kampfmesser attached and the like. The belt carrying frame is eyelets using snap hooks, plastic or metalconnected to the paddock. In some models it can be removed from the belt and can be adjusted individually depending on body length and waist circumference . When carrying it, make sure that the equipment attached to the paddock is properly seated and arranged so that the weight is evenly distributed during the march and in combat and no equipment restricts the soldier's freedom of movement.
Germany
Belt frame M39
The first modern belt support frame in the German Reich was introduced in 1939, initially in two different versions. Both original models were made entirely of heavy leather and had aluminum hooks, eyes and snap hooks. In the original design, the leather trimmings and seams were fastened with strong threads made of natural gut. The belt carrying frame, also known by collectors as the "Y-strap", could be used with two chest straps to stabilize the standard equipment worn on the belt. The leather chest strap, which tapers downwards, ends in shortened metal carrying hooks that could be hooked into very different pockets pushed onto the belt itself, as required. On the back, below the neck area, there was a metal ring to which the two chest straps that fell forward were attached. A single leather strap, also sewn to this ring, ran along the spine to the level of the belt worn over the tunic. A carrying hook was attached to this strap, which stabilized the belt and the carrying frame on the back. Until the introduction of the M39 belt support frame, eyelets were embroidered in the tunic and metal hooks were pushed through to absorb the weight of the belt equipment. Special equipment such as the knapsack , the rucksack or the M39 (A-frame) carrying frame required for attaching the storm baggage could be hooked into this belt carrier.
In contrast to this version, the second version of the coupling support frame did not have the option of attaching special equipment. The leather straps were also made narrower. This carrying frame supported, among other things, the carrying of the side rifle, the holster or the binoculars.
With the introduction of the belt carrying frames, the shoulder strap for the belt for officers of the field army up to the regimental commander fell away with immediate effect in accordance with an order of September 20, 1939. The carrying frame introduced for the rifle companies of the infantry regiments with the possibility of attaching luggage was also given to the unridden lieutenants and first lieutenants, while the other officers up to the regiment commander were given the belt carrying frame with the narrower strap. This support frame was first introduced for the cavalry. With an order of November 29, 1939, the shoulder strap for all officers and Wehrmacht officials in the officer rank of the field and reserve army was dropped after a few days.
With the entry of the German Empire into the African theater of war, models were also made from woven belt instead of leather. The further the war progressed, the more belt support frames made of webbing were issued for economic reasons. In addition, the parts previously made of aluminum gave way relatively quickly to the cheaper, painted iron versions. Despite fixed specifications, the details of the coupling frame differed from manufacturer to manufacturer.
The basic principle of the M39 belt support frame was adopted by the early Bundeswehr in a revised weaving belt design. In the army of the Austrian Armed Forces, however, a very robust version made of leather and with shoulder pads was introduced. Other armies in Europe, including the Army of Czechoslovakia , also adopted the M39 paddock support frame almost identically after the war.
Belt support frame of the Bundeswehr
As the magazine Wehr und Wirtschaft reported in 1958, a belt carrying frame was developed for the Bundeswehr, which had been set up since November 1955 , "to which your backpack, ammunition, NBC protective mask, canteen, folding spade, etc. can be attached." The belt carrying frame presented after the introduction existed Made entirely of webbing and dyed yellow olive. The metal parts were made of aluminum, and pads were sewn on at shoulder height. A major difference to the M39 coupling frame lies in the fact that all the mounting options between the Bundeswehr and Wehrmacht modules are not made compatible. Where the older model has eyelets, the Bundeswehr version has hooks and vice versa.
Components of the new type of belt carrying system used by the Bundeswehr after 1990 are two double magazine pouches for the G36 or G3 assault rifle , a folding spade pouch and a multi-purpose pouch as a small combat pouch for weapons and small equipment. Additional pockets were available for the SEM-52 radio . The NBC protective mask was still carried personally in the shoulder bag of the NBC protection kit, mask bags for the belt carrying frame were self-procured. Other self-procured bags are used to store hand grenades, smoke-throwing bodies, pocket knives, combat knives, flashlights and compasses.
There are versions for combat suits as well as for going out and parade uniforms , the representative leather white coupling gear (mostly with only one shoulder strap worn crosswise) for the formal service of honorary formations (such as the guard battalion at the Federal Ministry of Defense ).
Belt support frames of the National People's Army
A belt carrying frame was also introduced in the National People's Army (NVA), based on the experience with the model introduced in 1939. In the very early versions, this support frame was based very closely on the later versions of the previous model. The four straps that fell forward were made of yellow-green webbing and were sewn to a round metal ring under the soldier's neck area. In the chest area, the straps were combined using the older riveting technique. In addition, a square seam around the rivet button prevented it from tearing out. The strap that fell down on the back was made of undyed leather. It was adjustable in size and could be hooked into the belt. Instead of the ring-shaped metal eyelets for hooking back luggage to the lower end of the front straps as in the 1939 model, the early NVA versions had hooks made of metal wire.
Later the construction was simplified significantly. Now the support frames were made entirely of gray webbing. The four straps that fell forward were now combined in the chest area with the modern rivet system; no additional sewing was required. The metal wire hooks had again been dispensed with, and ring-shaped metal eyelets had been replaced. Instead of the round metal ring that summarized the belt system on the back of the soldier, there was now a double-sided round dart made of blue-gray synthetic leather. This support frame was in use until the end of the GDR.
Historical precursors
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- Schnell / Karst / Seidel: "Handbook for Conscripts" 13th edition, Walhalla and Praetoria-Verlag, Regensburg, 1962
Remarks
- ↑ Adolf Schlicht, John R. Angolia: The German Wehrmacht, Volume 3: The Air Force. Motorbuch-Verlag, Stuttgart 1999, ISBN 3-613-02001-7 , p. 426.
- ^ Rudolf Absolon: The Wehrmacht in the Third Reich, Volume 5: September 1, 1939 to December 18, 1941 . Boldt, Boppard am Rhein 1988, ISBN 3-7646-1882-5 , p. 323.
- ^ Wehr und Wirtschaft , Stuttgarter Verlagkontor, 1958, p. 114.