Some Interesting Military Data

[Timerover51]

I just found a dandy one on OSS Weapons from June of 1944. Anyone interested in that one?

 

[mike wightman]

Yes, always.

 

[Drew]

My son completed what the US Army refers to as BCT or basic combat training late in 2011 and went on to become a Cavalry Scout. His personal experience was a surprise to me. I asked him about bayonet training and he explained that it has been removed from the US Army by TRADOC. The explanation provided was that trainers and drill sergeants requested the change so they could focus on training that was likely to be useful.

As a former US Marine, after getting over the shock that one of my children had enlisted in the US Army, nothing else he could say after that really surprised me.

When I was trained back in 1984 we benefitted from bayonet training both from a combat training aspect and a physical fitness/team building aspect.

When I was an LT in the old Canal Zone in 1978-1980 on the Atlantic side, we practiced with fixed bayonets (without scabbard) in our riot training for the turnover of the Panama Canal. We would "practice" against other units in the Battalion and/or Brigade. We did have several deaths on the drill field which led to the mandatory use of scabbards on our bayonets. I was a prior enlisted Marine and was able to get pugil sticks for training of my platoon(s). I used the pugil sticks as a crude disciplinary exercise with several individuals who were involved in barrack fights. I told my Platoon Sergeant to draw the items from the supply room, grab a medic, and take the men to a remote location to "settle" the dispute, while I made myself scarce. Needless to say, there were just a few incidents afterward.

 

[Timerover51]

Here you go, Mike. The poster takes no responsibility whatsoever as to the use which individuals who download this manual may make use of the material in the manual.


You can find the manual here as it is too large to post.

World War II Operational Documents

This illustrated document details personal weapons, harassing agents, incendiaries, automotive attack, explosives, firing devices, and accessories.

cgsc.contentdm.oclc.org

 

[kilemall]

The hollow charge antitank mines strike me as very much a Traveller player must have.

 

[coliver988]

it does make to for interesting reading! and I now know what a smatchet is A Traveller Blade!

 

[whartung]

A smatchet is a short, heavy fighting knife 16.5 inches in overall length. It was designed by William E. Fairbairn during World War II.

From Wikipedia.

 

[Timerover51]

The following comes from the official history of the Army Air Force during World War 2, Volume 6, Men and Planes. It give the aircraft strength and manning requirement for AAF combat groups in early 1945.
It is not the easiest image to read, and I will try to post a better PDF file.

 

[Timerover51]

Can you read the above chart okay?

 

[mike wightman]

It's a bit blurry but i can read it.

 

[Dulinor]

I can't. My eyes are too old.

 

[Timerover51]

I can't. My eyes are too old.

Okay, I will work on getting a better one posted this week, in a larger PDF format.

 

[Dulinor]

Thanks in advance!

 

[Timerover51]

Here is a much better copy of the combat group organization of the AAF in World War 2. It is taken from The Army Air Forces in World War II, Volume 6 Men and Planes. It can be downloaded here: https://media.defense.gov/2010/Nov/05/2001329891/-1/-1/0/AFD-101105-019.pdf

The volume covers the production record for the AAF beginning with Chapter 10, on page 331, and includes the production numbers and the average cost by year of the aircraft. It actually is interesting reading. I have uploaded a PNG image and also the same thing in PDF format for downloading. I will see what I can do for earlier organization as of 1925, and also for the World War One period. It just takes time.
Feedback is always greatly appreciated.

 

[MarcPolo]

My ancient eyes thank you for the value added

 

[Dulinor]

Ditto.

 

[Timerover51]

Ditto.

The two of you do not have the only ancient eyes on the forum. Check my post on status.

 

[Timerover51]

I was looking at this for a totally different game thread, Civ3 Fanatics Creation and Customization thread, and I thought that this would be good to post here, as I view it as the most dramatic parachute drop during all of World War 2, the parachute attack on Corregidor in February of 1945.

HyperWar: US Army in WWII: Triumph in the Philippines [Chapter 18]

'US Army in World War II--War in the Pacific: Triumph in the Philippines

www.ibiblio.org

 

[Dragoner]

I was looking at this for a totally different game thread, Civ3 Fanatics Creation and Customization thread, and I thought that this would be good to post here, as I view it as the most dramatic parachute drop during all of World War 2, the parachute attack on Corregidor in February of 1945.

HyperWar: US Army in WWII: Triumph in the Philippines [Chapter 18]

'US Army in World War II--War in the Pacific: Triumph in the Philippines

www.ibiblio.org

Yes, that is an excellent read, thanks.

 

[Timerover51]

I finally got my explosive blast radius data for various explosives and here it is. Amatol was used heavily by the British in the early part of World War 2 as it could be produced in larger quantities than straight TNT. The US, having much greater resources did not use it much. Torpex became the standard torpedo loading, having twice the blast effect of TNT.




Here is the data in both PDF and PNG format for downloading. If you use it in something, I would appreciate being credited.