History | Soldier Systems Daily Soldier Systems Daily

Archive for the ‘History’ Category

Blast From The Past – Coyote’s Rules

Saturday, January 4th, 2025

Many of the men I learned from during my term of service were personally mentored by one of the most brilliant men I have ever met. Everytime I heard him speak, I learned something.

Coyote aka GEN Peter Schoomaker not only commanded SOF elements from the small unit level all the way up to USSOCOM, but he was also called back to active duty from retirement to serve as Chief of Staff of the Army, early in the war on terror.

His set of rules are a simple example of his leadership philosophy. I hope you gain from them as much as so many others have.

Posted in History, Profession of Arms | 1 Comment »

The Multi-Component Boot System

Thursday, January 2nd, 2025

Yesterday, I was way down the rabbit hole of reviewing the library of photographs taken by Natick Soldier Systems Center over the years when I ran across this photo. I knew immediately what it was and it got my mind to racing.

I had read an article on a boot system used by the Rangers over 30 years ago in Infantry magazine. In fact, I adopted some of the concept as my own during my time at Bragg.

I did a little online research and found the article in the online Infantry magazine archive at Fort Moore’s website. It was in the March-April issue of 1989 but I know I didn’t read it until at least Fall of 90.

Unfortunately, the older issues are all PDF scans and whoever did it didn’t do a very good job. Consequently, the pages I’m going to share aren’t the best. For instance, one of the pages was scanned upside down. I have tried to rectify them as best as possible, and hopefully you can read the article.

I had recalled that one of the authors was a physicians assistant with 2/75, and at the time they were Warrant Officers, and not commissioned officers like today. When I went back and reread the article, the co-author really stood out: CPT Peter E Blaber who at the time the article was written was the XO of A Co, 2nd Bn, 75th Ranger Regt. Yeah, that Pete Blaber. Obviously, the name would not have resonated with me in 1990, but COL Blaber definitely made his mark on the Army during the ensuing years.

But I find even more remarkable is that he took the time to write an article about footwear and foot care for Infantrymen.

Now, on to the meat of this trip down memory lane: the Multi-Component Boot System. The article lays out a project undertaken by Natick and 2/75 for a boot system based around the popular OD Green Jungle Boot which could be accessorized with various socks and a GORE-TEX gaiter to increase the temperature and climatic range of the boot so that the Soldier could rely upon a single pair for a mission which takes place during varied environmental conditions. There article also offers some great advice discussing foot care and boot sizing. As far as I know, no other units ever adopted the system.

I won’t steal anymore of the authors’ thunder except to say that it made a significant impression my me as young Sergeant, influencing my equipment choices, and it educated me that that metal foot size gizmo is called a Branock Device.

Enjoy!

Posted in Boots, History | 8 Comments »

Boots on the Ground: Modern Land Warfare from Iraq to Ukraine by Leigh Neville

Saturday, December 28th, 2024

In February 2025 Osprey Publishing will release Boots on the Ground: Modern Land Warfare from Iraq to Ukraine by Leigh Neville.

Written by a renowned expert in modern conflicts, this fully illustrated book provides an examination of ground warfare over the past 20 years and looks ahead to the future.

Available for pre-order on the Osprey Publishing website.

Posted in History | Comments Off on Boots on the Ground: Modern Land Warfare from Iraq to Ukraine by Leigh Neville

WWII US Army Training Film – Ski Equipment

Thursday, December 26th, 2024

This 1942 US Army training film is a great snapshot in time, depicting various clothing and equipment issued at the time to ski troops, specifically members of the 10th Light Division.

Posted in History, Mountaineering | 1 Comment »

Merry Christmas from Bu Dop Special Forces Camp (A-341) December 1969

Wednesday, December 25th, 2024

Bu Dop Camp was located some four kilometers south of the Cambodian border in South Vietnam and far from any friendly forces. Deep in enemy-held territory, A-341 was under constant attack and the only access to the camp was from the air. It was manned by a Green Beret A-Team from 5th Special Forces Group and a force of CIDG troops (indigenous Nungs and Montagnards).

Bu Dop was also home to a top-secret team of Army Security Agency Green Berets from the 403rd Special Operations Detachment (SOD) who monitored and collected communist communications for its intelligence value. The ASA men were fully-qualified Special Forces soldiers and required to fulfill their Green Beret duties in addition to their intelligence duties.

Photograph: Christmas at Bu Dop – 1969 – On the left is Lt. Dietz (aka Santa Claus), 5th SFG, and on the right is Gary Lamberty of the 403rd SOD. (© thespecialforce.com now defunct)

Posted in History | Comments Off on Merry Christmas from Bu Dop Special Forces Camp (A-341) December 1969

You Won’t Believe What General McAuliffe Said To The Nazis

Sunday, December 22nd, 2024

Imagine it’s December 22, 1944 and you are in the 101st Airborne Division, surrounded by the Germans at Bastogne, in what would later be called the Battle of the Bulge. You’re cold, hungry, and it’s almost Christmas.

Acting Division commander Brigadier General McAuliffe, receives a message from German General Heinrich Freiherr von Lüttwitz delivered under flag of truce.

It says:

To the U.S.A. Commander of the encircled town of Bastogne.

The fortune of war is changing. This time the U.S.A. forces in and near Bastogne have been encircled by strong German armored units. More German armored units have crossed the river Our near Ortheuville, have taken Marche and reached St. Hubert by passing through Hompre-Sibret-Tillet. Libramont is in German hands.

There is only one possibility to save the encircled U.S.A. troops from total annihilation: that is the honorable surrender of the encircled town. In order to think it over a term of two hours will be granted beginning with the presentation of this note.

If this proposal should be rejected one German Artillery Corps and six heavy A. A. Battalions are ready to annihilate the U.S.A. troops in and near Bastogne. The order for firing will be given immediately after this two hours term.

All the serious civilian losses caused by this artillery fire would not correspond with the well-known American humanity.

McAuliffe responds with a single word that forever guarantees his place in history:

To the German Commander.
NUTS!
The American Commander

For a more in-depth version of this event, including some feather colorful language used to amplify the message to the Germans, visit www.army.mil/article-amp/92856/the_story_of_the_nuts_reply

Posted in History | Comments Off on You Won’t Believe What General McAuliffe Said To The Nazis

“Le Combat de L’Infaterie”

Sunday, December 22nd, 2024

“Le Combat de L’Infaterie” or Infantry Combat, is a 1972 Swiss documentary in French which details how Swiss Infantry forces would would have fought at the time in the event of an invasion. No dount, much of the tactics would remain the same based upon Switzerland’s terrain. This version has English subtitles.

Posted in Cold War, History | Comments Off on “Le Combat de L’Infaterie”

Kommmandostore Launches Niemoller Webbing Pre-Order

Wednesday, December 11th, 2024

Whether you’re a fan of the history of load carriage systems or a student of the wars in Africa, Niemoller Webbing has legendary status.

Niemoller webbing gets its name from its designer, Johann Niemoller. He served as a member of the South African Defence Force’s Recces, a special forces unit that conducted deep reconnaissance and raids into enemy strongholds.

Niemoller wasn’t satisfied with the 70s-era kit he had been issued, so like many of us, he modified what he could but eventually crafted a unique load carriage harness. Other operators saw what he had done and asked for their own. Before he knew it, everyone was wearing one of his rigs.

Unfortunately, his original design was dumbed down a bit once the SADF adopted it for general issue. Eventually, Niemoller founded the company Adro during the 1980s which served as a military outfitter.

Original Niemoller webbing can go for high prices on the collector’s market so few want to use them for training or operations.

Kommandostore made it a goal to reintroduce the design and tracked Johann Niemoller down to make it happen. They’ve re-introduced this design under their North Equipment Collection.

I don’t want to call these reproductions because these are the genuine article, just of new construction, Made in South Africa, using South African materials from the company that originated the design.

Now available for pre-order. To order, and for a much more in-depth discussion of this project, visit kommandostore.com/products/sadf-niemoller-recce-webbing.

Posted in History, Load Carrying | 4 Comments »