In a hundred years of focused thinking, I never would have come to that conclusion. I trust you, so I know that is the correct answer.https://www.warrelics.eu/forum/discussions/m65-trousers-244906/?s=2dc58dc359009ecbc268bbd705ae2a5d
The strings/ribbons are intended to tie to your leg to stop heavy loads in the pockets swinging excessively when you walk.
Ok, so I have a couple pairs of surplus military pants. One is probably 1980s or 90s vintage, OD green. It has what amounts to giant shoelaces inside the cargo pockets. The other has GWOT era desert camo, are made from heavier cloth, and has what I would call "tapes" in the cargo pockets. They are about 1/2" wide, attached to the leg of the pants at the top of the pocket. One is about a foot long, the other is close to three feet long.
So I understand it's to secure cargo, but it's meant to go around the leg, outside the pants? I never knew that. I was physically disqualified from serving so I have no clue about how the military would use them. I only wear them for hiking, hunting, or sometimes for working. I doubt I'll ever need to secure anything in those pockets but it's nice to know about...
Hanging rolls of toilet paper. JK, I have no idea.Also, on the desert camo pair, there are 2 loops on the crotch of the pants. What are those for?
OK........this is JUST a guess. I have FILSON coats that are designed to take liners. And the set up looks like that. My guess is the loops MIGHT be for an "over garment" or much warmer pants that attach to the pants you have. The loops likely attach to the crotch of the winter over pants crotch. Which would keep the crotch are from being like a diaper bunched up in that area.This is the crotch of the pants, with my fingers in the two loops. There are other loops inside the waist, along with suspender buttons and what I assume is a watch pocket. The tag says "Trouser, Combat, 3 Colour Desert" with both American and NATO size.
Possible. I just did a quick search, it said they were for the tapes from the pockets. You run the long one around your upper thigh, through the crotch loop, and back to the short one. Then tie it tight, and whatever is in the pocket stays tight to your leg. They can also be used for a safety harness.OK........this is JUST a guess. I have FILSON coats that are designed to take liners. And the set up looks like that. My guess is the loops MIGHT be for an "over garment" or much warmer pants that attach to the pants you have.
The Brits used a different desert camo pattern that is much more "busy" that the US 3 color. I have a couple British desert camo shirts that I got dirt cheap for fall hunting season. They're actually fantastic for cornfield hunting. I'm trying to find images for the tags. I wonder if these are maybe NATO surplus, instead of US surplus...The spelling of the word colour tells me that those are British.
And with the Brits anything is possible.
Except for hand grenades.I'm sure Hardcalibres is correct, and I admittedly have no military training, but from what I have read and seen critical gear should be tied to your person or to the bag you keep it in to make sure it is secure. As you said, things can fall out of your pockets, or get dropped while in use. Tieing them to something helps to not lose it.
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