Michael Dorosh
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The standard TO&E authorized the number of mags (and pouches). I'm sure there were individual variations but the equipment was assigned according to the role. Squad leader was to carry both pouches for the MP38/40 according to Büchner's INFANTRY HANDBOOK. They were manufactured in left and right pairs. Note that at the time, my understanding is that all Germans were trained to be right handed beginning in school, so the design wasn't to accommodate lefties.As for 70 rounds for an MP-38/40, the magazines held 32, though often only loaded to 30 due to a slight risk of jamming. The standard MP pouch held 3 magazines and I'd be surprised if one was not already in the MP. That gives a total of 4 magazines for 120-128 rounds. 2 such pouches would bring that to 7 magazines for 210-224 rounds, though it's rareish to see 2 MP pouches in photos.
Note also though that front line infantry were not the only ones to be issued with weapons, so the photos of one pouch may be from soldiers in other roles. In the Security Divisions, for example, riflemen armed with the K98 only had one ammunition pouch rather than the usual two. Similar situation with the MP - junior officers, military police, security troops etc. may only have been issued a single pouch.
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