Ep. 68 | Listener Special – WW2 Guns & History

I wish this discussion was three hours long

Glad to see Nick and his dad sharing their knowledge. He’s helped me in researching for videos before. Beautiful collection of rifles.

Great podcast here with a lot of history to digest. My grandfather served on the tail end of WW2 in the US Army and served in the South Pacific on the island of Peleliu and Tinian. He told my dad the need for soldiers was desperate as they were drafting 25 year olds with 3 kids when his number got pulled. When he shipped out, Army Basic training was only 2 weeks. The first week they ran his legs off. The second, they qualified with their rifle. My father talks about how my grandfather exclaimed to him while on the rifle range, “I wanted to get good with that rifle.” After qualifying with his rifle being able to hit bullseye groups out to 500 yards, he was shipped to Tinian. The story goes, “after I hit those targets on the range in basic, my commanding officer picked me up with one hand and the rifle in another hand and said, ‘you’re going to war son!’ ” He was dropped from Higgins boats on 3 different assault waves under heavy gunfire near the end of the war. On one assault wave he and his men were dropped early heading to the beach head. What he though might be the ocean floor under his feet quickly became water. He said he must have sunk down 10-15 feet underwater before his feet finally hit the ground. He goes on to explain how people think they can’t hold their breath for more than 4-5 minutes underwater…you can. After his feet hit the ocean floor he started walking. Once his face broke the water and his took his first few breaths, his mouth filled with what he described as a strong copper flavor (I can only imagine the horror of knowing that’s the blood of his comrades mixed with salty ocean water in his mouth). Rounds were cracking by his head, limbs, torso etc.. with every step he took to the base of the beach. He witnessed young men bleeding out screaming and yelling for their mothers and knowing there wasn’t much he could do but to grab one of them and drag them forward. And all the while with rounds whizzing by him during each assault wave he participated in, he never even as much received a briar scratch on his body during his time in the service. On one patrol he had to shoot and kill an enemy combatant. After a moments passed they searched him and found a picture in the shirt pocket of his uniform. The picture was that of a young Japanese woman and a small baby. My grandfather just stood there looking at the photo and looked back at the dead Japanese soldier and said, "Damn, she's at home and doesn’t know he's dead…." My grandfather was married with 3 babies at home at the time. It impacted him the rest of his life. Private Bert F. Alexander. 1919-1998.

I am glad I found this video. I actually have one of those pickle bayonets and have had a hard time finding information about it. Its not in good condition, ran into some rust issues and has some funky kinks or slight bends in the blade. I am glad I was able to get some more information. My grandfather passed away before I could ask him about it.

I’ve watched this 3 times and I pick up something new every time.

I had the rare honor of shooting a carbine that was passed from the guys dad, passed from the grandfather actually used in WW2. Once he found the sight picture and told us the hold, we were able to get right on a round piece of 16" diameter steel they'd put out at 363 yds. It was awesome just to feel that history.

While in Vietnam we captured a French MAS rifle from Vietnam Cong when I cleared it the cartrage I ejected was a 30 cal cartrage that had been forced to fit the Mas chamber which had a clapsed neck. I guess what ever worked?

Talking about the Swiss attitude in WW2. This is a story from WW2. At some kind of ball for diplomats & embassy personnel in Switzerland during WW2 a German military attached was talking to a high ranking Swiss General. " We know you have about a 1 million man army, what would you do if you were invaded by a 2 million man army?". The Swiss General replied, " Shoot twice." 😆

The M14 had a pivot valve on the gas system to shut off the block the flow when firing the rifle grenade so the high pressure wouldn't damage the rfle.

This was very interesting to watch

Man, how did I miss this video. Very cool video.

The gunshot sound in the intro is really realistic. My ears are still ringing lol.

This is a fantastic video

This is awesome

Some of the shotguns that slam fired where, Winchester 1893, 1897, model 12 and Ithaca 1937,(still today). Hold the trigger to the rear, and pump the forearm .... slam firing.

Best video yet!!! Thanks for doing this!!!

Can't wait to see what u guys brought to the table. I wish I had a Winchester 95 Russian musket.

It wasn’t the .38 spl that was found to be ineffective against the Moros in the Philippines, it was the .38 Long Colt.

The jungle carbine flash hider was to prevent blinding the operator.

Love the old service rifles....I have an Enfield made by savage used in ww11 then brought back rebored to .308 from .303 and turned into a sniper rifle for the Vietnam war...