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Post by rosedude8 on Sept 8, 2006 13:23:09 GMT -5
Hey, so my brother just got back from his Honeymoon and went to Normandy as part of it, anyway one of the things he brought back was a cricket for my impression. I havent done too much research on it but was in only an allies item? Also do any of you use them in your airsoft games, I am taking mine to the Cassino game next week and am wondering how effective it will be?
If you dont know what it is, watch BoB the first episode after they land in Normandy, Winters uses it when he is near the river/creek...
Anyway any info on what you guys know is great...
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Post by fennrisulfr on Sept 8, 2006 14:47:13 GMT -5
They were children's toys that when pressed emitted a -click clack- sound of a cricket. The US paratroopers used them in the Normandy drop to identify friendly soliders in the dark. I believe, and correct me if I'm wrong, one click was to be answered by two. I read they were bought at local toy retailers in Britain to distribute to the troops. It would not be accurate, as the Monte Cassino battle began in December 1943. They were only issued to paratroopers for the D-Day jumps.
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YankeeDiv26
Staff Sgt.
Frustrated Mac Owner
BDM<33
Posts: 2,462
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Post by YankeeDiv26 on Sept 8, 2006 15:46:05 GMT -5
yeah fennrisulfr is right. pretty much the only time you'd use it would be as a paratrooper on d-day. other than that they were'nt really used. as for the axis i know they didnt use the cricket.
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Post by sabrepilot9000 on Sept 8, 2006 16:09:47 GMT -5
Even though the Axis didnt use them, I saw on the history channel (i think thats what it was) that they would trick the allied guys on D-day by cycling the bolt on their K98's cause it sounded similar. Just thought that was something interesting, sorry if I got off topic
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2nd Bat
Master sergeant
Posts: 11,813
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Post by 2nd Bat on Sept 17, 2006 23:04:13 GMT -5
That was a scene in the Longest day (clicking the bolt) and was depicted as a coincidental trick not deliberate. It may have in fact actually happened or it may not of. The crickets were only issued to the 101st Division and came in several configurations. Very effective (especially at night) A local club here racks their bolts (airsoft) as a means for quick identification (especially at night) and it works well although other groups are slwoly catching on.
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Post by gunfreak on Sept 18, 2006 3:43:59 GMT -5
didn't the 82nd use circkets? acording to longest day,(i know not a documentery) but the duke was playing with one an told his men how to use it, and he played a 82nd Colonel.
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2nd Bat
Master sergeant
Posts: 11,813
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Post by 2nd Bat on Sept 26, 2006 19:47:35 GMT -5
The 82nd did not have crickets. The movie was a compilation of events to try and include as many anecdotal occurances as possible from the original book. To depict the trooper (red Buttons) stuck on the church steeple in Ste Mere Eglise and the regimental commander with the broken leg being rolled around in the cart they had to take some liberties which is not at all unusual for a movie. If they didn't it would have been called "The longest Film!" Duke was a full bird Colonel when the fellow he was playing was a Lt Col. Nitpicking I know but what the heck. isn't that what we do?
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