Number of rounds carried.

[kingkaiser]

How many rounds was the standard load carried? Some sources state 90 rounds, while others state 120 rounds. While it's a tight fit, four 5-round stripper clips will fit into each ammo pouch section.

I've seen this question brought up from time to time. It would be neat to finally have the definitive answer!

[cplcampisi]

The Italian kit has the same problem. Some sources imply four clips per pouch, but in practice it seems to have just been three. In the pre-war period there was an attitude of piling as much ammo as possible on the soldier, and at least in writing would state the very maximum, even if it was never carried in practice.

[1886lebel]

The French made it EASY ....
The theoretical ammunition issue for the poilu carrying the Fusil de Infanterie Modèle 1886 Modifié 1893 dit ‘Lebel’ was 88 cartridges in 11 packages of eight cartridges, four packets were carried in the two front pouches and three packets in the rear pouch. An extra four packets were carried in either the pack or in the pockets of the overcoat, making a total of 120 rounds.
For the poilus using the Fusil de Infanterie Modèle 1907-1915 they carried 66 cartridges in 11 packages of 2 enblocs per package (6 cartridges), four packets in each of the front pouches and three packets in the rear pouch. An extra four packets were carried in either the backpack or in the pockets of the overcoat, making a total of 90 cartridges.
For the poilus carrying the Fusil de Infanterie Modèle Modifié 1916 they carried 110 cartridges in 11 packages of 2 enblocs per package (10 cartridges), four packets in each of the front pouches and three packets in the rear pouch. An extra four packets were carried in either the backpack or in the pockets of the overcoat, making a total of 150 cartridges.
Patrick

[Hoffmann]

The "Handbook of the German Army 1918", a contemporary publication by the Allied General Staff, states that each ammo pouch contained 45 rounds, that the typical soldier also carried 30 rounds in his breadbag, and there are two pockets in the Tornister flap that each contained a box of 15 rounds for a total of 150 rounds.

[cplcampisi]

Yeah, the handbook for the Italian army (British - 1913), states that 96 rounds were carried in the pouches, and 72 in the zaino. It appears to be derived from official Italian sources, but it doesn't make any sense in practice. In the Italian army rounds were issued in boxes of three clips. An entire box fits neatly within a pouch. Which would make for 72 rounds in the pouches. I'm not familiar with the particulars of the German equipment, but there may be reason to be skeptical of the higher number.

[Larry Dunn]

Well, might as well chime in for the Dual Monarchy--The standard M95 dual-cell pouch holds 20 rounds (2 x 5-round packets), so 40 rounds carried on the belt, and an additional 100 rounds in the small ammunition pack worn below the tornister, for a total of 140 rounds. When the rucksack replaced the tornister, ammunition was moved to the two outside pockets of the rucksack (50 rounds per pocket).

-Larry

[kingkaiser]

I also posted this question on The Trench Line Forum, and received the following information in a response. According to at least two reputable reference books, four five-round stripper clips were supposed to be placed into each section of the M1909 ammo pouches. So, with two pouches, that gives a total of 120 rounds. An additional 60 rounds were supposed to be carried in the tornister, giving a grand total of 180 rounds per soldier.

[1886lebel]

It looks like all the belligerents carried alot of cartridges when going to the field and on campaign.

Patrick