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Oh for gear I like the German way in which it was on there belt for easy access. As Adler pointed out though, it would hurt to fall on it.
Actually speaking from experienceOh for gear I like the German way in which it was on there belt for easy access. As Adler pointed out though, it would hurt to fall on it.
Actually speaking from experience
it doesn't really hurt at all. The belt kit you are most likely to fall on are your magazine pouches and magazines are usually long enough and broad enough to distribute their pressure across a large area of your lower abdomen. Bear in mind the lower abdomen, in a typically fit soldier, is protected by the abdomenal muscle groups and the hips. You also have the structure of the pouch itself along with the supporting belt behind it to muffle some of the load.
You can go down fast (hard) on some pretty unforgiving surfaces without even small injury. Worst places for injury are usually elbows and knees - areas where there is no sign of belt kit.
German uniforms were early in the war a bit too tight and "smart" a bit too much thought had been given to the parade appearance but Germans moved during the war towards British style and IMHO especially Waffen-SS uniforms were very practical.
Juha