I was just looking at my Purnell's 2WW magazines, and in particular the invasion of Norway. I'm afraid I can't find a better pic of the cover than this:
I can't see any white on the shoulderboards, so I'm hazarding a guess these could be Pioniere. Now, if you can see - look at the straps on their shoulders, and the bags on their backs. Any idea what these are ?
You've got nothing to ein, zwei, drei, vier
Your photo isn't working.
just guessing, 'cos can't see posted iamge...
If they're pioneer it could be that the straps on the shoulder are the leather straps pioneers would fix to thier shoulder boards to support the long handled pioneer spade that was attached to the belt.
As entertained as I am by responses on a specific picture being given without being able to see said picture at all 
try copying this into a browser
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Hard to tell isn't it?
The NCO's 'bag' might just be the gas mask cannister.
Also if he was a pioneer would he not have the pioneer saw or wire cutters on his belt? Only a bayonet is visible.
Aw... it was working earlier on. I shall try and find it again. [edit] There you go. If you click on it, it will magnify also.
You've got nothing to ein, zwei, drei, vier
Hard to tell isn't it?
The NCO's 'bag' might just be the gas mask cannister.
Also if he was a pioneer would he not have the pioneer saw or wire cutters on his belt? Only a bayonet is visible.
The picture I have on the cover of the magazine is of a much larger size and better resolution. There is absoloutely no other colour visible as Waffenfarbe on the shoulderboards, so I can only conclude it must be Pionier.
And the straps are clearly not leather. The big square buckle on the Unteroffizier is most unusual.
You've got nothing to ein, zwei, drei, vier
Staps could be the one of the carrier frame rucks for the 5cm granatawerfer!?
Schutz at the front has an mg34 with assault drum so could well be sturmpioniere.
“I wanted to come to the Volga at a specific location at a specific city. By chance it carries the name of Stalin himself. So don’t think I marched there for this reason – it could carry another name – but because there is a very important goal... this goal I wanted to take – and you know – we are very modest, we have it already."
Adolf Hitler, November 1942
"Comrades, Red Army men, commanders and political workers, men and women guerrillas! It is on your perseverance, staunchness, fighting skill and readiness to discharge your duty to the country that the defeat of the German-fascist army and the liberation of the Soviet land from the Hitlerite invaders depend! We can and must clear the Soviet land of Hitlerite vermin."
Joseph Stalin, November 1942
That's a great shout, Neil. 
Let me know if you see on for sale at W&P!
Yes, the pic on the cover of the magazine is wider, and shows the K98 man's rifle in it's entirity, with bayonet fixed. Also, it shows most of the MG34 barrel.
You've got nothing to ein, zwei, drei, vier
Could it not be just the frame mentioned above but with MG34 ammo,demo charges etc on it as this could be the MG squad, my limited knowledge would lead me away from thinking they are carrying 2 support weapons in a small section.
Again my knowledge is limited so not sure who carries what but the kneeling soldier's strap on left shoulder does look as if it is a one shoulder strap as it looks tight to the back of neck/shoulder, so could it be a sight box strap or the like.
Armoury: AGM MP40, AGM Sten MkII, K98K/vsr and Maruzen P38.
Not great detail on the pic, I think the visable straps on the first 2 are differant. The MG gunner could have a double drum mag bag slung over his shoulder.
Not great detail on the pic, I think the visable straps on the first 2 are differant. The MG gunner could have a double drum mag bag slung over his shoulder.
I think you've solved it
Without getting a good look of there back I'd say Tim's hit the nail on the head there. The guy in the middle, the one strap on his right has the buckle and looks the same colour. The guy on the left seems to have the same
JD
Not great detail on the pic, I think the visable straps on the first 2 are differant. The MG gunner could have a double drum mag bag slung over his shoulder.
I never knew those existed - good find again, Tim. And from looking at the shape of the load on the Unteroffizier's back, it certainly looks more bag-like than box-like.
I've learned another lesson, too - no need to take questions like this to a reenactment forum; well done everybody!
You've got nothing to ein, zwei, drei, vier
just guessing, 'cos can't see posted iamge...
If they're pioneer it could be that the straps on the shoulder are the leather straps pioneers would fix to their shoulder boards to support the long handled pioneer spade that was attached to the belt.
Does anyone have more detail on this strap? (sorry for the off-topic, but this is the first time I have come across a mention of this)
The MG gunner could have a double drum mag bag slung over his shoulder.
I never knew those existed
I dont think they did in wartime Germany.
They dont look German if you know what I mean. Outside of the vendor selling them I can find no other reference to a 'bag' for the Gurttrommel 34 being made or used by the Germans. I dont think the vendor says they are wartime German either. The Germans carried two drums like this;
http://www.gdrecon.co.uk/images/MG34/Gu ... ger-34.jpg
Post war, the Yugoslavians carried them like this;
http://www.collectorssource.com/media/c ... rier_1.jpg
So, they cant be what the MG34 gunner is carrying in Norway?
What are the straps? If you look at the large format photo and examine the detail fo the strap worn by the NCO you will see details that look more than similar to this;
Identical to this?
These were the days before the widespread adoption of Y straps. Heavy belt kit was not easily carried on the internal suspenders of M36 and M40 tunics. A couple of breadbag straps make reasonable braces. Clip to the loops on the ammo pouch and who can say at the back. A D ring on the leather loop? Thats what I'd use.
aka Stigroadie
AFRA
better by design
"Truth is a shining goddess, always veiled, always distant, never wholly approachable, but worthy of all the devotion of which the human spirit is capable. "
