German Rifleman Ammo Count Incorrect

[LukeFF]

As shown by the 3D model in the game, German riflemen armed with the K98 historically were issued two sets of ammo pouches. Each individual compartment could hold 15 rounds, so each set could carry 45 rounds. With two sets of ammo pouches, this is of course 90 rounds in total.

However, BF has assumed that each compartment can carry only 10 rounds, so a German K98 rifleman starts out with 65 rounds (5 of those rounds being loaded in the gun at the start of a game). So, to make things right, German K98 riflemen should be starting off with 95 rounds (90 in reserve, and 5 loaded into the rifle).

[Mehlsack]

There was a big ammo pouch (introduced befor WW1) and a small one that was used mostly during WW2. While the big pouch could hold in fact 45 rounds, the WW2-models took only 30 rounds. So everything is fine.

Some interessting pictures at:

http://www.k98k.info/index.php?p=products&area=1&action=showproduct&id=22&name=patronentaschen

[dieseltaylor]

T

he leather German Karabiner 98 (K98) rifle ammunition pouch or Patronentaschen 98K was one of the most widely produced field gear items of World War II and was designated the M1911. Its predecessor from the First World War was the M1909 which could hold a total of forty five rounds. Each of the three pouches of the M1911 could hold two - five round 7.92mm K98 rifle clips. This gave each pouch a total capacity of thirty rounds. With each soldier having been issued two pouches (one for second line personnel), the number of pouches produced was quite large and as a result, required many manufacturers. These suppliers were in many locations throughout Germany and its occupied territories. It is unknown exactly how many manufacturers there were, but the numbers were easily in the hundreds. The Patronentaschen 98K was produced for the Heer (Army), Kriegsmarine (Navy), Luftwaffe (Air Force), Polizei (Police), DRP (Deutsche Reichspost) and the combat arm of the Schutzstaffel (Waffen-SS).

P

roduction of the K98 ammunition pouch changed during the Third Reich years 1933-45. It was produced in three general variations or patterns; early, transitional, and late. The early pattern used all aluminum fittings and had two open style belt loops. This style of loop was machine stitched and/or riveted to top of the pouch back, and the end would fold under the pocket bottom to be secured over an aluminum post. The wearer could attach the pouch without having to remove the belt. Early pattern pouches are found stamped with the years 1933-1942. During 1940, a transitional pattern began to appear that used a combination of aluminum and steel (or all steel) fittings with the open style belt straps. Transitional pattern pouches are found dated as late as 1944. The late pattern pouch appeared in 1941 with a closed style belt loop and steel fittings used throughout. This style of belt loop was fastened to the top of the back as the early style, but was permanently fastened with rivets at the lower edge of the back. This effectively "closed" the strap and forced the wearer to remove his belt to get the pouches on and off. Late pattern pouches are generally found dated 1942-1944 with 1941 dated pouches being rare. Only two manufacturers of the late pattern pouch are known by the author for the year 1941, these being "Lederwerke Windelen K.G." of "Heinsberg/Rhld." and "FR. OFFERMAN u. SOHNE" of "BENSBERG". Pouches dated "45" are rare and are known to exist from only two manufacturers, "dmb" and "0/0378/0005". Both of these pouches were made in the late pattern. Various methods of lid strap attachment and pocket bottom contruction was used during the entire production of the K98 pouch. Stitching was used for early pattern pouches, riveted and/or sewn for later. The stitch direction on the lid straps was usually horizontal, but vertical stitching was also used, even with the addition of rivets. Most K98 pouches that were destined for service in the Luftwaffe are made of dark brown thread. All other pouches used thread in an off-white color.

and much more at:

http://www.stinch.com/militaria/k98_pouches.shtml

[LukeFF]

Yep, you guys are right. I was sourcing my information from Backbone of the Wehrmacht, which obviously got it wrong. The photos from the links above make it obvious that only 10 rounds could be stored per compartment.