- MoD said shovels like MPL 50 were likely tools used for hand-to-hand combat
To a prepared mind, anything can be used as a weapon, I’ve read. And certainly something built to withstand Russian snow and Russian mud would have to be be sturdy, indeed. But adding shovel fighting to marching and basic gunnery seems a bit much to demand of the green soldiers who came to the front straight from Basic Training.
- Usage of shovel as weapon 'highlights brutal fighting come to characterise war'
A standard-issue MPL 50 shovel has the mythologised reputation in Russia of being particularly lethal. The shovel design hasn't changed much since its first introduction back in 1869. It is small and just 50cm (20in) in length.