This Cold War-era map from Poland reportedly depicts war plans to interdict a NATO attack on the Warsaw Pact. Those red clouds indicate nuclear response. One can only imagine that their offensive plans were just as ruthless.
Archive for the ‘History’ Category
Lariat Advance!
Thursday, January 28th, 2016Troy Industries Introduces GAU-5/A/A Reproduction Carbine
Monday, January 25th, 2016Absolutely, the most exciting firearm announcement for me at SHOT Show 2016 was from Troy Industries. Owner Steve Troy and I first met in 1998 while serving in the Air Force while we were both deployed to Ali Al Salaam Air Base in Kuwait with different units. And, it’s in the Air Force that we both used GAU-5 and GUU-5 carbines.
The GAU-5/A/A was employed by participants in Operation Ivory Coast during 1970’s daring raid on Son Tay prison in North Viet Nam.
The attention to detail is fantastic and you can tell this was a labor of love for Steve Troy. I can’t wait to order mine. They’ve even included the old-style buttstock and pistol grip. Troy Industries has also created a GAU-5/P (below) with its more modern accessories.
Here is Troy’s press release:
In partnership with The National League of POW/MIA Families.
The GAU-5/A/A is the United States Air Force version of the XM117E2 Commando Carbine. This firearm historically replicates the weapon used by The Son Tay Raiders in the largest rescue attempt of American POWs. 45 of the 56 Special Forces troopers were equipped with the GAU during the night raid on the Son Tay prison camp. The GAU-5/A/A was highly desired by Commando Forces for its compact size, fire power, high reliability and reduced signature.
In partnership with The National League of POW/MIA Families, we offer this limited edition, historically accurate GAU-5/A/A with modern manufacturing excellence. Portions of the proceeds will go directly to support their sole purpose: “to obtain the release of all prisoners, the fullest possible accounting for the missing and repatriation of all recoverable remains of those who died serving our nation during Vietnam.”
Availability of this collector’s item is limited, pre-order yours today at myservicerifle.com.
Dog Faced Soldier
Tuesday, December 29th, 2015I served in the US Army’s 3rd Infantry Division from 1988-1990. The Marne Division has a song, “Dog Faced Soldier” dating from WWII l, as well as a mascot named Rocky, created in 1965 by none other than Walt Disney, for just $1. Rocky’s name hails from WWI, where 3ID held like a rock during the second Battle of the Marne River. This distinguished service also earned the Division its motto, the French “Nous Resterons La” (English – We Shall Remain Here).
I find it rather unfortunate that the song “Dog Faced Soldier” written by two Infantrymen, was altered after the Division moved to Ft Stewart to make it gender neutral. Here is the version we sang. If you attended PLDC at the 3ID NCO Academy in Kitzengen, you had to learn and sing it as well, regardless of which unit you served with. This often led to altered lyrics that weren’t so flattering for us ‘Dog Faced Soldiers.’
I wouldn’t give a bean,
to be a fancy-pants Marine
I’d rather be a dog-faced soldier like I am.
I wouldn’t trade my old O.D.’s
for all the Navy’s dungarees
for I’m the marching pride of Uncle Sam.
All the posters you see say the Army builds men,
Well, they’re tearing me down to build me over again.
I’m just a dog-faced soldier
with a rifle on my shoulder
and I eat raw meat for breakfast every day.
So feed me ammunition, and keep me in the 3rd Division
For your dog-faced soldier boy’s O.K.
Protect & Survive
Sunday, December 27th, 2015“Protect & Survive” are a series of Government short Public Information Films that citizens of Great Britain are glad they never had to see. Designed to educate the public about the dangers of nuclear attack and fallout, they were to be shown in the event that things began to turn badly between East and West.
“Nuts” A Christmas Tale
Friday, December 25th, 2015
December 22 1944 – Encircled by German forces at the Battle of the Bulge, the 101st Airborne Division, under acting commander Brigadier General McAuliffe received a message from German General Heinrich Freiherr von Lüttwitz delivered under flag of truce.
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.
His response was perfect.
To the German Commander.
NUTS!
The American Commander
Back to the Source – Historical European Martial Arts
Wednesday, December 23rd, 2015Check out this interesting documentary on Historic European Martial Arts.
If you’re interested in taking up HEMA as a practice, check out www.hemaalliance.com.
AIRBORNE!
Wednesday, December 16th, 2015A great recruiting video from the early days of the VOLAR. Men running in boots and that awesome soundtrack.
Jungle SNAFUs…And Remedies
Tuesday, December 8th, 2015Friends often ask me what I use for historical reference. Well aside from a failing memory, I own a lot of books. With the recent interest in Jungle clothing and equipment, I highly recommend the book, “Jungle SNAFUs…And Remedies” by Cresson H Kearney Maj, USA (Ret). It tells the story of WWII jungle warfare development.
The book has a website with sample chapters.
