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re: It's 1943, you're 18 years old, which would terrify you more?
Posted on 6/14/19 at 2:33 pm to upgrayedd
Posted on 6/14/19 at 2:33 pm to upgrayedd
quote:
He told a story of a damaged bomber coming back to England. The ball turret was damaged and they couldn't get the hatch open to get the guy out and the landing gear was damaged. They had to do a belly land with the ball turret gunner, still alive, under the plane. They were almost out of fuel so they had to crush their friend to death in order to save everyone else.
NBC followed this same storyline, but with a positive, alternate ending, on an episode of their old 1980s series Amazing Stories. This episode was entitled "The Mission" and featured Kevin Costner & Kiefer Sutherland as crew members and was written and directed by Steven Spielberg.
You can watch the whole episode HERE.
0
Posted on 6/14/19 at 2:34 pm to Darth_Vader
I’ll take A.
Although being a paratrooper would be badass I would rather a quick mission over enemy territory then back to England. And if I did die it would likely be quick.
FYI- Paratroopers weren’t assigned. All volunteers.
Although being a paratrooper would be badass I would rather a quick mission over enemy territory then back to England. And if I did die it would likely be quick.
FYI- Paratroopers weren’t assigned. All volunteers.
Posted on 6/14/19 at 2:36 pm to jchamil
quote:
Combining burning alive with the claustrophobia of being trapped as well sounds about as horrible of a way to go as I can imagine
This may sound crazy considering how much bigger an Abrams is than a Sherman, but the crew in a Sherman has a lot more room to move around than we did on the Abrams. I’m fact, the drivers position in the Abrams (my favorite slot other than gunner) was akin to being in a recliner shaped coffin.
Posted on 6/14/19 at 2:41 pm to Darth_Vader
quote:
You had a higher chance of dying in the 8th Air Force (which was part of the US Army) than you did in the Marines. In fact, the 8th Air Force suffered a total higher casualty count by itself than the entire Marine Corps combined.
No. They had more deaths than the USMC (26,000 v. 24511) but the Marines had 68,207 wounded (which would be typical in a group with a lot of infantry) v. 21,000 wounded for the 8th Air Force (which would also be typical since a high percentage of casualties were deaths). So, the 8th had 47,000 casualties (which is appalling) v. 92,718 for the Marines.
I'm not discounting the fact that being on a plane crew in the 8th AF was a very risky proposition.
This post was edited on 6/14/19 at 2:43 pm
Posted on 6/14/19 at 2:50 pm to chinhoyang
You’re correct. I worded that wrong and should have said a higher death count rather than casualty count.
Posted on 6/14/19 at 2:50 pm to Darth_Vader
Being assigned to the 1st Marine Div. as a rifleman.
The Marines die for stupid reasons.
The Marines die for stupid reasons.
This post was edited on 6/14/19 at 2:51 pm
Posted on 6/14/19 at 2:51 pm to Darth_Vader
A and A.
On another note...my grandfather (who just recently passed) was 16 and in the Merchant Marines at that time. His trips included North Afica, the Suez, and India. He was fortunate as other routes were extremely dangerous. As a matter of fact, Mariners died at a rate of 1 in 26, which was the highest rate of casualties of any service. In spite of this, I'm pretty sure that they weren't recognized as Veterans until 1988 (sadly, I believe they still aren't recognized by the VFW). On another note...He was treated wonderfully at the World War II Museum staff prior to his passing.
RIP Grandpa.
Thanks for the service and sacrifice of our greatest generation. That means A,B,C,D, and in my grandpa's case...E.
On another note...my grandfather (who just recently passed) was 16 and in the Merchant Marines at that time. His trips included North Afica, the Suez, and India. He was fortunate as other routes were extremely dangerous. As a matter of fact, Mariners died at a rate of 1 in 26, which was the highest rate of casualties of any service. In spite of this, I'm pretty sure that they weren't recognized as Veterans until 1988 (sadly, I believe they still aren't recognized by the VFW). On another note...He was treated wonderfully at the World War II Museum staff prior to his passing.
RIP Grandpa.
Thanks for the service and sacrifice of our greatest generation. That means A,B,C,D, and in my grandpa's case...E.
This post was edited on 6/14/19 at 2:53 pm
Posted on 6/14/19 at 2:53 pm to Darth_Vader
B-17 by far. frick. That.
I’ll take the Screaming Eagles.
I’ll take the Screaming Eagles.
Posted on 6/14/19 at 2:59 pm to DeafJam73
My dad was a Marine rifleman and was in the South Pacific for three years. Oddly, he got his draft notice, told his mother "they can't force me to join the army, I'll show 'em" and headed down and joined the Marines. 18 year olds do dumb things!
Posted on 6/14/19 at 3:00 pm to Darth_Vader
I am not going to war. frick Europe.
Posted on 6/14/19 at 3:06 pm to Darth_Vader
C had a ridiculous casualty rate from being the tip of the spear.
I'd go with marine rifleman and hope for the best.
Easier to reconcile killing Japs over krauts from commonality standpoint.
I'd go with marine rifleman and hope for the best.
Easier to reconcile killing Japs over krauts from commonality standpoint.
Posted on 6/14/19 at 3:14 pm to ZappBrannigan
quote:
C had a ridiculous casualty rate from being the tip of the spear.
A had the highest casualty rate of them all.
Posted on 6/14/19 at 3:19 pm to Darth_Vader
At 18 years old in 1943 I would have very little info on which to base my choice. Most of the things we know about were yet to happen, and wouldn't have mattered anyway to a teenager who thinks he's immortal.
Dashing airman
Sharp Marine uniforms
Extra jump pay
Riding in a tank vs walking.
That's about the extent of the decision making process.
Dashing airman
Sharp Marine uniforms
Extra jump pay
Riding in a tank vs walking.
That's about the extent of the decision making process.
Posted on 6/14/19 at 3:54 pm to Darth_Vader
C, but can we make it 82nd Airborne instead?
Posted on 6/14/19 at 3:58 pm to upgrayedd
quote:
Andy Rooney was a correspondent assigned to the 8th AF. He told a story of a damaged bomber coming back to England. The ball turret was damaged and they couldn't get the hatch open to get the guy out and the landing gear was damaged. They had to do a belly land with the ball turret gunner, still alive, under the plane. They were almost out of fuel so they had to crush their friend to death in order to save everyone else
I heard about this one. Why not try and land inverted?
Posted on 6/14/19 at 3:58 pm to GEAUXT
quote:
Statistically speaking, A would be the most dangerous
My grandfather did this, except he was stationed in North Africa and Italy.
Posted on 6/14/19 at 4:02 pm to Darth_Vader
quote:
A. Being assigned as a ball turret gunner on a B-17 bomber crew with the 8th. Air Force
Kudos to the men who did it, but hell no for me.
quote:
C. Being assigned to the 101st Airborne Div. as an Infantryman
Where do I sign?
Posted on 6/14/19 at 4:05 pm to crazycubes
quote:
Why not try and land inverted?
Maverick didn't get his wings for about another 40 years or so
Posted on 6/14/19 at 4:51 pm to Darth_Vader
A. then C. are most terrifying.
I'd want to be a tanker in a sherman then a Marine.
I'd want to be a tanker in a sherman then a Marine.
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