Unknown unit in Reichswald

Discussion in 'NW Europe' started by selig33, Jan 21, 2021.

  1. selig33

    selig33 Member

    Could someone identify this unit? Comes with the series of photos taken in the Reichswald by the Time/Life photographer.
     

    Attached Files:

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  2. stolpi

    stolpi Well-Known Member

    My best guess is Highland Division
     
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  3. Bedee

    Bedee Well-Known Member

    Highland Division..... Black Watch or Gordon highlanders.

    My question in this is what is the special padding they wear around their shoulders ?

    Reichswald.JPG
     
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  4. selig33

    selig33 Member

    My guess is its for carrying mortars, the US Army had something similar, though im probably wrong
     
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  5. AB64

    AB64 Senior Member

    I thought Vickers related (and general heavy equipment) but cant see it on Richard Fisher web pages, hopefully Rich can add a bit more info
    P1010703.JPG
     
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  6. Wapen

    Wapen Well-Known Member

    Guess work here. It does look like the kind of thing that would help you carry a MMG tripod and the cleaner-looking greatcoat guy could be the photographers liaison/minder. (I would have said tam-o-shanter guy but I'm betting it's a more niche bonnet and don't want to look silly.)
     
  7. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

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  8. AB64

    AB64 Senior Member

    I had noticed that one but not sure if its a correct description or just an assumption of purpose, as mentioned above I checked Rich's site and while he has the WW1 cape Load carrying equipment – The Vickers Machine Gun (vickersmg.blog) he doesn't seem to have this and lets be honest if Rich doesn't show it as for the Vickers it probably isn't (unless he has it somewhere else and I've just missed it) - I think I got mine from World Wide Arms ages ago and they were describing them as for the Vickers but that could just have been a sales ploy
     
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  9. Richard Fisher

    Richard Fisher Machine Gunner

    Morning,

    It's not for the Vickers. It's part of the load carrying harness for the 3-inch mortars. Catalogue code M1/CM 6797. The attached image shows it in use with the frames from the same set (items 9 and 39). Given that the 3-inch mortars were in use in the infantry battalions, whereas the Vickers was not, this is why it's more readily available and frequently seen and I've not seen a photo of it in use with a Vickers-armed unit at all.

    You haven't missed it on the site Al, it's not there but it's such a common question, perhaps I ought to add things that are NOT Vickers and mark up what they really are.

    Rich
     

    Attached Files:

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  10. AB64

    AB64 Senior Member

    Cheers Rich, I knew I could rely on you - for VERA displays we always had one with the Vickers (but then we also did quite a few of the other reenactorisms you have addressed - oops)
     
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  11. Wapen

    Wapen Well-Known Member

    Thanks Rich. There had to be an upside to carrying mortars (arguably the most cumbersome inf kit until they invented Milan) and it seems shoulder pads were it.
     
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