Pullups? Had infantry combat training in 1944. Had to walk/run 20 miles with full field pack, rifle, steel helmet in combat boots but no pullups. It was legs and endurance.
In the 70s, it was slightly more than 20 miles, but we also had a PT test that included situps, pushups and a few other gyrations.
Everything else was ok, but the mile run almost killed me.
“Pullups? Had infantry combat training in 1944. Had to walk/run 20 miles with full field pack, rifle, steel helmet in combat boots but no pullups. It was legs and endurance.”
From US Army WWII Fitness Manual ....
TEST 1: PULLUPS
This event requires a horizontal bar. This may be made of a pipe or gymnasium horizontal bar, or other rigid horizontal support which is not over 1½ inches in diameter. The bar should be high enough to permit the performer to hang at full length without touching the ground. A height of 7 feet, 9 inches to 8 feet is recommended.
Starting Position. Hanging at full length from the bar with arms straight. The forward grasp is used with the palms turned away from the face.
Pullup
Movement. Pull up until the chin is above the level of the bar. Then lower the body until elbows are completely straight. Continue for as many repetitions as possible.
Instructions. The men should be told that it is permissible to raise the legs and flex the hips when pulling up but not to kick or execute a jerking motion with trunk or legs. The body must be kept from swinging. The chin must be raised above the bar. The arms must be completely straight at the bottom of the movement.
Administration and Scoring. Each time the performer pulls his chin above the bar in correct form, he is given credit for one pullup. He is not credited with a pullup if he fails to raise his chin above the level of the bar or if he stops to rest. If the performer does not straighten his arms at the bottom of a movement, if he kicks or jerks, only half a pullup will be counted. If there are four half-pullups, the performer should be stopped and retested later. If the performer starts to swing, the judge should stop the swinging with his hands. Some such aid as a resin-bag or a cake of magnesium carbonate should be available to prevent the hands from slipping.
Ok, no test for upper body strength? Push-ups? Legs are only a portion of the equation.