WW2 veterns and the way they fought...

[AKF]

I've read a few posts about the kind of deadly hand-to-hand combat that WW2 vets trained in and have always been very intrigued.

I happened upon a small group of WW2 vets selling chocolate as a fundraiser for a local charity yesterday, and of course stopped to support there cause (if you don't respect the sacrifices WW2 vets made for us to live in freedom, you're a fool). As they all thanked me for my purchase, I looked around and noticed one thing...

I swear to God that ALL WW2 vets are short, elf type people who I can't at all see having 'deadly combat skills'. It's amazing what 50 years can do to a man. In the 1940's, these little guys could have killed me with a solid stare; now they would need my help to get the peanut butter from the top shelf.

Aging sucks.

[Szczepankiewicz]

It beats the alternative.

[Kirves]

It's also hard to believe what keeping fit can do for you later. See Chuck Norris and other aging masters of the martial arts. Hard to see them turning into small fragile seniors any time soon.

[DRLashambe]

You know, besides the fact that 50 years can be a very long time, keep in mind that these guys probably didn't maintain any of the training, nutrition, or exercise that made them so deadly or dangerous in WWII.
If you've ever seen pictures of modern SAS members (British special forces, and some of the most dangerous people alive), very few of them are very large now, in their primes. Deadly "commando" types spend most of their time doing things like hiding and collecting information, and sneaking around planting explosives. Being really large in these situations is actually a disadvantage.
If you want a sample of what deadly WW2 era hand to hand looks like, the definitive guide has to Fairbairn's hand to hand guide.

I know many Seal types can be as big as a house, but British Special Forces run over mountains. Big men just can't do that as effectively.

I once conversed with an ex SAS guy, and he said that some do beef up with muscle once they are already in, as the cardio tests to stay in are nothing like as tough as entry ones.

As for WW2 veterans, not all of them got specialised H2H training. In fact only the select few got it.

And it isn't 50 years ago, more like 57 years ago!

PS - My Great Uncle was one of the original British Commandos that were formed during the War. He went onto volunteer for the Parachute Regiment, again right at their formation.

The poor guy got shot to bits before he even hit the ground at Arnhem. But he is still with us. Just don't slam any doors near him, he still can't take loud bangs.

Those guys are the heroes of the century.

[Kirves]

Originally posted by Bri Thai
Those guys are the heroes of the century.

Right on.

[AKF]

Right you are Bri Thai.

As the world ages and we move onto other conflicts, there is a general tendenacy to 'forget' about the past and the men and women who sacrificed everything during the first and second world wars.

It's a shame and something I pledge never to do. WW2 was a drop dead slug fest kind of fight, and 'heros of the century' is the best way to describe them.

[H@pkid0ist]

Back in the day people seemed to think differently about being a soldier, honor, responsability, integrity, duty. It seems now adays people would rather be in their own little world. I think that the 70s attitude is still lingering.

[Scott Kano]

I totally agree, My grandfather now passed away after the war, never wanted to talk about it once he came home, and I dont blame him.

But yes todays society especially teenagers should really be shown what happened back in these days and how there elders fought for there future. Too many with attitudes that couldnt give a crap.

[ryanhall]

The attitudes of people today are simply amazing. With all the pacifism for the sake of pacifism going on, it's a joke. Too bad so many of the WWII generation have passed away. I know that my grandfather would have taken off his belt and given me a thrashing if he heard me spouting any of the anti-American, pro-peace-at-any-cost nonsense that is so popular today. If he was still alive today, I'm sure he would have a heart attack just from reading the paper. Reality just doesn't check in with some people. Too many people refuse to draw a line in the sand and stand up for what's right. It's pretty sad, actually.

[Kingston]

i think people still want to stand up for what is right. The difference is that the government doesn't deside for us as much now (still does, but not as much)

War aint so simple anymore.....its not just soldier vs soldier, and hasn't been that way for a long time....i think those veterans would have wanted us to LEARN from the events that led up to WWI and WWII, and make sure it never happens again. "a war to end all wars" we seem to forget about that pretty quickly to.

lol it seems now that war is the cause and solution to all of the United states problems...

Should those who have power share it? or use it to bully people?
Then again, should a country look after its own intrests?(sometimes at the expence of others) or help other countries with there problems?

The U.S.A. seems to say yes to all of those. im getting a little off topic...

True sometimes people need to take action....but the problem is choosing when to start....i think we all remember the viet nam war.... when it starts to be a pissing contest between to nations, it never ends well.

[Kingston]

Originally posted by ryanhall
[B]The attitudes of people today are simply amazing. With all the pacifism for the sake of pacifism going on, it's a joke.[B]

i think youv finaly gone crazy Ryan. lol your starting to scare me...

lol maybe your right, why should we not start wars just because people dont like em....makes boys into men, men into compost!!! i wish i was shooting something right now....my only hope is to one day be flown to a foreign land to shoot comunists....ah, thats the life...

[Siegfried]

Ryan Hall,

I completely agree with you. I can't stand the ignorant people that don't realize when their own nation needs protecting. Those same people seem to think that peace can solve everything, this is not true.

In my opionion any group that openly takes up arms against the United States should be eliminated. This is to preserve our life, our freedom, our way of life.

Back in the day military people saw the value of a pre-emptive strike against their enemys, instead of waiting for the smoking gun. To strike first is the best way to defeat an enemy, especially when it comes to warring countries.

[AKF]

At the risk of sounding arugmentatiove, I wanted to offer this perspective.

'In my opionion any group that openly takes up arms against the United States should be eliminated. This is to preserve our life, our freedom, our way of life'.

Although I won't disagree with you, I want you to consider a great Van Halen song from some years ago called 'Right Now'.

One of my favorite parts of that song goes 'Right now, our government is doing things to people we thought only happens in other countries'.

Listen, I'm as proud to be American as it gets, but have you ever considered that we have taken up arms against other countries irrationally also? Remeber, world politics is not always played out on CNN... A LOT OF THINGS HAPPEN IN THIS WORLD THAT WE DON'T KNOW ABOUT.

Just some food for thought. Don't get crazy on me! When I started this thread it was as a 'proud of our vets' attitute.

We are not all American on this board.

Anyway, ANY British soldier would beat ANY American easily, as the Brits are taught a secret and deadly art that originated in Lancashire. I really shouldn't tell you more.