tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post6813970691565608423..comments2024-03-28T04:51:43.723-07:00Comments on Chant du Départ: "Nothing in life is so exhilarating as to be shot at without result." - ChurchillOldAFSargehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15935839956936191547noreply@blogger.comBlogger54125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-43235547560421174632018-04-28T17:30:17.627-07:002018-04-28T17:30:17.627-07:00Most days.Most days.OldAFSargehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15935839956936191547noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-60918995804018388652018-04-28T15:43:48.214-07:002018-04-28T15:43:48.214-07:00Not so much booby trapping them, but using them to...Not so much booby trapping them, but using them to transport stuff on the HCM Trail without human leadership. Seems some agency somewhere in the USA developed an interesting human detector. There is some bug that only reacts to human presence, and said agency glued contacts to bugs, bugs to radio transmitters and dropped radio transmitters all over the HCMT. So air strikes would be directed at areas where bug transmissions (how "Starship Troopers"...) After a while, the VC figured out ways to move stuff on The Trail without human directors. Thus, elephants loaded down with war materials. But us dirty Americans figured out that an elephant with boxes strapped to it was a valid target. So more airstrikes. So VC tried to camouflage one elephant with another. Which worked, until really strange Americans figured out that elephants don't have suspicious box-shaped lumps under their skin.<br /><br />One of those fascinatingly horrifying yet kinda funny when you think about it moments in time. Just like eating eggplant, someone had to be the first to shoot the mumpy elephant. <br /><br />Some days the world is too weird for me.Beanshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15293778848879361153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-42239906527047353972018-04-28T12:46:27.980-07:002018-04-28T12:46:27.980-07:00Well, that was enough, but booby trapping elephant...Well, that was enough, but booby trapping elephants? Beyond the pale!OldAFSargehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15935839956936191547noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-52778632139533488212018-04-28T10:34:01.977-07:002018-04-28T10:34:01.977-07:00What? Them being idealistic communist/socialists ...What? Them being idealistic communist/socialists wasn't enough?<br /><br />(I find that those that look at the Viet Nam war as a pure political fight are somewhat lacking in reality. Something about the northern tribes hating the southern tribes for like forever, and everyone hating the Montagnards, had nothing to do with the hate between everyone.)Beanshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15293778848879361153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-13719297337082306562018-04-28T07:06:48.353-07:002018-04-28T07:06:48.353-07:00Dang!
(Another reason to hate the VC.)Dang!<br /><br />(Another reason to hate the VC.)OldAFSargehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15935839956936191547noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-22649836512755626782018-04-28T07:06:12.704-07:002018-04-28T07:06:12.704-07:00Angus?Angus?OldAFSargehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15935839956936191547noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-63823063781661536492018-04-28T07:05:33.155-07:002018-04-28T07:05:33.155-07:00Mortars and rockets, ouch!Mortars and rockets, ouch!OldAFSargehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15935839956936191547noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-65867868812514419102018-04-27T21:41:08.938-07:002018-04-27T21:41:08.938-07:00Having been stationed @ DaNang, and been thru the ...Having been stationed @ DaNang, and been thru the TeT offensive we saw our fair share of incoming arty fire. IIRC mortars created a <i>WHUMP</i> sound, while 120mm rockets produced a distinctive loud metallic <i> BLANG!</i>.virgil xenophonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14577165785872035948noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-12941270255254254592018-04-27T21:38:22.855-07:002018-04-27T21:38:22.855-07:00Something about using an AF 20mm mounted on some w...Something about using an AF 20mm mounted on some weird man-portable thingymabob to shoot at... elephants. Seems the wonderful VC would skin an elephant, then load another elephant with all sorts of explody thingys and then cover the whole thing with skin of 1st elephant. 2nd and other elephants being trained to walk HCM trail by their lonesome. Thus some strange people from USA shoot up said elephants, and watch all the secondaries, teriaries, quadraries and such. <br /><br />This same guy was wearing full plate armor while riding a hog one day (where the hell on a Harley are you going to strap an armor bag?) and someone pulls out in front of him. He lays his bike down and goes skidding across the road in a shower of sparks. Except from some contact burns from hot rivets he was okay. And then there was the time he was again in armor and a bunch of Warlocks pull up next to him, look him over, give that 'you're cool' head toss, and ask him what gang he rides for...<br /><br />Very interesting friends...<br /><br />Then there was the lady who was doing a Scottish sword dance and just about cut off her foot...<br /><br />I have never seen a big drunken Mick standing on a shield in a huge fire taking chunks out of said shield with an axe one handed...<br /><br />Then there was the Rainbow Bridge...Beanshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15293778848879361153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-41039876973568731192018-04-27T21:27:08.217-07:002018-04-27T21:27:08.217-07:00Yes, yes there are... I've never seen anyone ...Yes, yes there are... I've never seen anyone pinned to a tree with a padded spear to the cup, no, never seen that or did that. Or there was the time I... hehe.<br /><br />Hey, Angus McThag. I canna evah comment on your blog. Do you have it somehow blocked for most users or am I just dumb? Do I need a secret squirrel password? And thanks for fighting for us Florida gun owners. (which is why I've been trying to comment on your page, but it doesn't give me any selections to choose from.) Beanshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15293778848879361153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-85528183087104253222018-04-27T20:48:37.230-07:002018-04-27T20:48:37.230-07:00Hahaha!
I can write all day and talk all night fa...Hahaha!<br /><br />I can write all day and talk all night face to face. Get me on a telephone and I'm nearly mute.OldAFSargehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15935839956936191547noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-84880805115067850652018-04-27T20:47:12.444-07:002018-04-27T20:47:12.444-07:00You have some interesting friends!You have some interesting friends!OldAFSargehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15935839956936191547noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-21942064141099082582018-04-27T20:46:17.543-07:002018-04-27T20:46:17.543-07:00Sounds like some interesting stories concerning th...Sounds like some interesting stories concerning the SCA.<br /><br />(Hint...)OldAFSargehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15935839956936191547noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-84972819677182557552018-04-27T20:19:22.647-07:002018-04-27T20:19:22.647-07:00Y'all are gonna make me blush, or stutter (yet...Y'all are gonna make me blush, or stutter (yet another reason I prefer interacting over the internet vs actually talking to someone.)Beanshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15293778848879361153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-74457845720805634472018-04-27T20:18:04.105-07:002018-04-27T20:18:04.105-07:00The only actual bayonet training I ever received w...The only actual bayonet training I ever received was from an ex-recon Marine (Viet Nam era) He showed me how far you could drive the butt of a wood-stocked rifle through someone's gonads. I was very impressed, once I got my breath back and the twins came out from hiding behind my kidneys. Good thing I was wearing my cup that day. He said to the effect that if the enemy is lying on the ground moaning like a sissy (his actual words) then they are easy to finish.<br /><br />Okay, he was kinda a weird dude. Never saw anyone chuckle about watching elephants walk before, as he recited a funny story about his time in-country (one that would horrify PETA or Greenpeace or any other eco-friendly group.)(Okay, one should never get secondary explosions from an elephant hit by artillery fire. Really weird and funny story...)<br /><br />As to sharp shovels, the Spetsnaz practice throwing sharpened entrenching tools as their signature take-down move. (Whereas US SpecForces practice their signature take-down move of using a silenced pistol firing sub-sonic ammo, or a nice throat-slice...)<br />Beanshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15293778848879361153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-45336529602240797092018-04-27T20:00:14.073-07:002018-04-27T20:00:14.073-07:00I usually pushed a large shield in my unit, and wa...I usually pushed a large shield in my unit, and was the 'shield end' or file closer. I really found my worth was when I 'died' my fat body and shield could stop a whole unit charging. Ha. Fat guys rule, even when dead!<br /><br />Though there was the time the knight of the previous administration (long long story there) assigned me to some other household known for running (and dying, like, well, Joe-bots die.) Me not ever run well. In fact, my 'speed' was a joke kingdom wide. So there the unit goes haring off with me struggling to keep up, I gas out, do the bend over and breath movement, stand up, join up with the unit that is now on my right, and keep going (fortunately they were walking...) So, not recognizing these guys, I look to my right, see The Royal Surcoat next to me. Royal Surcoat of the other side. Me being friendly and glib, say, "Hi, your Majesty." He looks at me, I ding him betwixt the eyes and boot scoot boogie out of there (okay, I can run fast when chased.) The subsequent beat down by the royal guard was well worth it. (Really nice that he, the Royal Surcoat, congratulated me on being a sneaky bastard, too) (Of course, one must wonder how I got hooked up with a bunch of scruffians in Yellow with a Black Star when me own royal peeps wore Blue with a White triskele.)(bonus points to anyone who gets the correct players...)Beanshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15293778848879361153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-58377639631805475642018-04-27T17:47:46.777-07:002018-04-27T17:47:46.777-07:00Sometimes enthusiasm can get one in trouble. Quick...Sometimes enthusiasm can get one in trouble. Quickly.OldAFSargehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15935839956936191547noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-62247412853253930332018-04-27T16:46:46.597-07:002018-04-27T16:46:46.597-07:00SCA... There was one event where I got my fangs ou...SCA... There was one event where I got my fangs out and got out ahead of my line... Just like you say I was "dead" in short order.Angus McThaghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09295013525738248801noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-22358082023254482322018-04-27T15:34:54.024-07:002018-04-27T15:34:54.024-07:00Yup, problem solving smart.
😉Yup, problem solving smart.<br /><br />😉OldAFSargehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15935839956936191547noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-74943560704537277732018-04-27T15:34:27.897-07:002018-04-27T15:34:27.897-07:00Good points Andrew.Good points Andrew.OldAFSargehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15935839956936191547noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-46929980999877533052018-04-27T15:33:34.352-07:002018-04-27T15:33:34.352-07:00In Army ROTC back in '72 we learned bayonet dr...In Army ROTC back in '72 we learned bayonet drill.<br /><br />Germans in WWII would sharpen one edge of their entrenching tool, very nasty weapon. I have one, wouldn't want to get hit with one, let alone a sharpened one.OldAFSargehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15935839956936191547noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-64528126006733917982018-04-27T15:31:17.351-07:002018-04-27T15:31:17.351-07:00I liked The Eagle, a lot.I liked <em>The Eagle</em>, a lot.OldAFSargehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15935839956936191547noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-28668928608537104002018-04-27T15:30:25.894-07:002018-04-27T15:30:25.894-07:00Yeah, exactly.Yeah, exactly.OldAFSargehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15935839956936191547noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-297049761701708192018-04-27T14:15:44.990-07:002018-04-27T14:15:44.990-07:00See, I told y'all that our Andrew is one of th...See, I told y'all that our Andrew is one of the smart ones.<br /><br />Thank for the post.<br />Paul L. QuandtAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-75348478721014395002018-04-27T13:25:23.309-07:002018-04-27T13:25:23.309-07:00I know several who are thrilled at angry gunfire. ...I know several who are thrilled at angry gunfire. Real violence makes them feel, well, real. There are always a certain percentage of the population who charge into the sound of the guns, a smaller percentage who charge with a smile on their face.<br /><br />Like the video of the female Pesh-merga sniper who cranks off a shot, then the wall above her head is struck, she looks up and breaks out laughing. <br /><br />One of the guys I know actually quivers like a lab puppy in anticipation when he hears gunfire. He lives near a range, says it keeps him happy. Maybe not the best example of a stable person, but he's got a long-lasting marriage, his kids are smart and squared away, and it keeps him calm so he doesn't have to actively be on the front-lines all the time.<br /><br />Right in the head? Lots more 'right in the head' than those who deny the existence of violence, especially those who deny violence by committing violence.<br /><br />There's a stupid lefty phrase: "Know War, No Peace. No War, Know Peace." Which is utter bullscat. It should be: "Know War, Know Peace. No War? No Peace!"Beanshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15293778848879361153noreply@blogger.com