Archive for the ‘History’ Category
The USAF Parachutist Insignia 1956-63
Sunday, February 8th, 2015K-Rats: It’s What’s for Breakfast
Friday, February 6th, 2015
Blame the Army Air Forces for its development, but the precursor to the First Strike Ration was initially used by WWII paratroopers because it could eaten on the go.
Learn more at www.usarmymodels.com/ARTICLES/Rations/krations.
Congress Honors Historic Devil’s Brigade with Medal of Freedom
Tuesday, February 3rd, 2015Today, the US Congress presented the Congressional Gold Medal in honor of members of the First Special Service Force.
Founded during WWII, the First Special Service Force was a combined US/Canadian commando unit. Shortlived, the unit was formed in 1942 at Fort William Henry Harrison near Helena, Montana and disbanded in 1944 in France after suffering significant casualties. The casing of the unit’s colors is honored annually by US Army SF and Canadian units during Menton week which commemorates the location of the disbanding at the village of Menton, France.
Initial unit cadre were trained in light infantry tactics, parachuting, hand-to-hand combat, demolitions and skiing. Unit members also familiarized with enemy weapons. Once deployed, they fought in the Aleutian Islands as well as in the ETO in both Italy and France, earning the nickname, “Devil’s Brigade”. Their German adversaries referred to the Forcemen as “Black Devils” because the used boot polish to camouflage their faces during nighttime raids.
I consider the First Special Service Force to be one of America’s initial Special Mission Units with specialized training, weapons and equipment including the M41 Johnson Machine Gun, V42 combat knife and Weasel amphibious vehicle.
As for the sticker, these were placed on enemy casualties and equipment by Forcemen. It depicts the unit patch and the German; “Das dicke Ende kommt noch,” which means “The Worst is yet to Come”. Talk about an effective psyops campaign.
Anyone who has served in SOF has much to owe these trailblazers who did Canada and America proud. In fact, do a little research about this great unit and you’ll learn a lot about your heritage.
Now, This? This Is Cool
Monday, February 2nd, 2015
Commemorative patch for participants of Operation “Storm Cloud”.
“Aids to Scouting, for N.-C.O.s & Men” : The Book That Inspired A Movement
Monday, February 2nd, 2015Authored by Lieutenant General Sir Robert Baden-Powell (pronounced “Poe-well”), “Aids to Scouting, for N.-C.O.s & Men” was one of many pamphlets he wrote based in his experience as an officer in His Majesty’s Army abroad.
Intended as a training guide for use by other professional Soldiers, the book was adopted by boys across England who began to practice the skills contained therein. Eventually, BP as he was known, retired from his post as a General and founded the Scouting movement, adapting his earlier works for his new youth movement.
Fieldcraft is the foundation of a successful Soldier. A modified version of this skill set, called appropriately enough, “Scoutcraft” is also what Scouting is all about. While some tasks don’t translate directly from one to the other, there is enough overlap that this book inspired the Scouting movement over a century ago.
Read “Aids to Scouting, for N.-C.O.s & Men” at www.thedump.scoutscan.com
SHOT Show – Winkler Knives
Friday, January 23rd, 2015The Ranger and Ranger Breaching axes share a very distinctive feature. The shape of the axe head is based on an original hatchet used by a member of Roger’s Rangers in the early 1700s. It was found Fort Wentworth in New Hampshire.
The steel is 80CRV2 and they are available in any of Winkler’s finishes such as the Tan Micarta on the Breaching or the rubber on the Ranger. Naturally, the Breaching element of the breaching model is a distinct element.
So “Hanoi Jane” Fonda Wants To Open A Dialogue With Viet Nam Veterans?
Tuesday, January 20th, 2015I hear that Jane Fonda wants to open a dialogue with Viet Nam Veterans. In July of 1972 “Hanoi Jane” Fonda visited America’s enemy, North Viet Nam in their capitol city of Hanoi. She yucked it up with the locals and manned this anti-aircraft gun not far from the infamous Hoa Lò Prison, known colloquially to the American captives as the “Hanoi Hilton” where they were tortured and demeaned. Those brave men were forced to provide propaganda for the Communist regime but Ms Fonda offered it up with a smile.
That isn’t all of Jane Fonda’s transgressions. She also made other propaganda for the Communist North Viet Namese including this radio broadcast. To add insult to injury, she called our returning POWs liars that hasn’t been tortured.
Jane Fonda’s conscience is now getting the best of her in her old age and she wants to “open a dialogue with Viet Name Veterans.” I hope those men never forget her traitorous acts. I was just a little kid when these events transpired and really learned about their implications as I grew older, but I’ll never forget.
John Wayne Visits Hurlburt Field
Saturday, January 17th, 2015Here’s one from the AFSOC archives.
