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Post by hardslack on Dec 11, 2020 22:22:42 GMT -5
While watching this youtube video were 2 guys geek out over old gear, WW2 soldiers (I believe he mentions rangers) carrying grenades with the spoon hooked into the webbing and the ring clipped to another ring was mentioned several times and shown briefly. Anyone have anymore insight into this? It looks like you would be able to pull it off the webbing and the ring would pull the pin. I haven't really looked into it much, but from general reading and such people seem to take grenades pretty seriously, erring on the side of safety rather than fast access. Of course, WW2 was a long time ago and a very different... culture? (maybe the right word) about redundant safety. Even the guy in the video mentions his surprise that it was done that way. Also the video is kind of fun in general. Im personally more excited for part 2, which would be Vietnam mainly.
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2nd Bat
Master sergeant
Posts: 11,813
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Post by 2nd Bat on Dec 12, 2020 20:09:03 GMT -5
The pins in grenades are far more secure that they appear in movies. The notion that one can readily pull the pin with your teeth is pretty rediculous. I have a brother who can open beer bottles with his teeth so he probably could do it. Prior to pulling grenade pins I prepped them by straightening the split bends so they'd come out easier. At the grenade range my safety NCOs would likewise do so before handing them to the students. Once the immediate danger passed I'd resend the pins to further secure them. In WW2 there are lots of pictures of GIs sliding the spoon into the D ring on their web gear suspenders or pack straps.
In Vietnam the M56 canvas pouches had snap straps specifically designed to secure grenades. SOPs in most units required that the spoons on grenades be taped shut using electricians tape or green cloth tape Most helicopter crew chiefs checked grenades for compliance including smoke and CS grenades before you could board their aircraft. Ironically the likelihood of it being problematic was far greater on your return trip and seldom was there time to thoroughly check.
General Maxwell Taylor is almost always shown with two pineapple grenades attached to his web gear and it sort of became his version of Pattons pistols.
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Post by hardslack on Dec 12, 2020 22:10:41 GMT -5
Thanks for the insight, I'll have to experiment with my airsoft thunder b's.
Yeah, in the video they mention "iron tits" or something, though they said it was Ridgeway.
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2nd Bat
Master sergeant
Posts: 11,813
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Post by 2nd Bat on Dec 13, 2020 13:19:46 GMT -5
I stand corrected it WAS Ridgeway!
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