Favourite WW2 story

[bleachit]

The book also goes to great lengths to show just how much superior the elite formations, such as the 82nd and 101st, were to normal units. I didn't realize it, but the those units excelled even when used as elite infantry, as opposed to being used in their intended roles, and performed at a level far ahead of conventional infantry units.

"Band of Brothers" anyone?

[bleachit]

I already pointed out his error. And it was Taranto, unless Italy had a fleet moored in Canada that I don't know about

yeah, I was a little confused there...

maybe that is where all this animosity for Canada comes from... They were amassing an Italian fleet in Lake Ontario preparing to Invade NY.

[TheDuelist]

My wife's grandfather was an officer in the Army in Europe. During an artillery barrage he had a shell land in his foxhole that didn't explode. The next day some EOD guys cleared out the unexploded ordinance and found a letter from Polish workers placed inside instead of the explosives. It was essentially a "your welcome" from them since they were forced to work for the Germans and tried to get back at them anyway they could.

This is one of my favorites since it's personal.

[nastymag]

My wife's grandfather was an officer in the Army in Europe. During an artillery barrage he had a shell land in his foxhole that didn't explode. The next day some EOD guys cleared out the unexploded ordinance and found a letter from Polish workers placed inside instead of the explosives. It was essentially a "your welcome" from them since they were forced to work for the Germans and tried to get back at them anyway they could.

This is one of my favorites since it's personal.

i would love the poles after that

[FromTheBack]

In my WWII: Pacific class this semester we had veterens from the nearby retirement village. We heard a lot of cool stories but this one was my favorite.
One of the guys worked in the ground crews for the bombers throughout the war and he was telling us about a certain modification they did to either B-17's or B-24s I believe. What they did was put 8 or 10 50cal's on them facing forward, because they were so ineffective using bombs on enemy ships. Supposedly these things mowed down anything in their path and ripped the ship and soldiers on it to pieces. One of the many ways the soldiers modified their equipment to be more effective. Technology + Doctrine = Win!

[bleachit]

I believe you are talking bout B-25's.. maybe. As they were used in Anti ship warfare, and even had a 75 mm ( I think it was 75.. somewhere around there) cannon put in the nose as opposed to a bombadier

[Steelrat]

I believe you are talking bout B-25's.. maybe. As they were used in Anti ship warfare, and even had a 75 mm ( I think it was 75.. somewhere around there) cannon put in the nose as opposed to a bombadier

Yeah, those Mitchell's were awesome planes, especially in that configuration.

[bleachit]

I seem to recall reading that just a few rounds from that 75mm would sink some of the Japanese ships...

http://www.midwaysailor.com/photos/mitchell.html

[FromTheBack]

Yes thats correct, I mis-typed hehe. The Vet. told us that they eventually took out the 75mm on some because when they kept shooting the gun it would vibrate the plane so much that parts would start coming loose and when they all fired it would greatly reduce the speed of the plane because of all the recoil.