[Lang]

In keeping with the British having the worst webbing of the mid-20th Century we have this "How to wear your equipment" official photo.

What idiot came up with this idea? What numerous idiots allowed it to become official? The soldier would have to remove his pack and shovel every time he sat down. Every time he climbed a fence the handle would catch on the wire and send him A over T. Who will clean the handle after he dropped his trousers and squatted? Every time he lay down the shovel would smack him on the back of the head. The shovel would prevent him craning his neck to observe his front properly while laying down. The jingle of his helmet against the shovel (that cover would be lost in 5 minutes) would delight the enemy. You can imagine how uncomfortable it would be with the pack pushing the handle into your shoulder blades.

Other photos are how the soldiers improvised some sensible way to carry a shovel without any help from the Army Research Establishment.