The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post - Question for Military (active or retired) Infantry members

BlueTrain · February 13, 2013, 01:05 PM

I have the CIB that my father earned in WWII, in Italy. He ended up being captured and spending a year in a large prison camp (where Americans were in the minority) not very far from where I spent almost two years myself. When I was there, however, I was almost ten years younger than he was when he was there.

Referring to the infantryman's load, one might note how few photos one sees of soldiers in WWII, either in Europe or the Pacific, carrying much of a load beyond their weapon, ammunition and water. Even troops going in over the beach in an assault never seem to have anything more than their haversack, though I'm sure they carried more than the standard load of ammunition. Exceptions included Southeast Asia, both in WWII and later.

February 13, 2013, 01:05 PM	#28
BlueTrain Senior Member Join Date: September 26, 2005 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 6,141	I have the CIB that my father earned in WWII, in Italy. He ended up being captured and spending a year in a large prison camp (where Americans were in the minority) not very far from where I spent almost two years myself. When I was there, however, I was almost ten years younger than he was when he was there. Referring to the infantryman's load, one might note how few photos one sees of soldiers in WWII, either in Europe or the Pacific, carrying much of a load beyond their weapon, ammunition and water. Even troops going in over the beach in an assault never seem to have anything more than their haversack, though I'm sure they carried more than the standard load of ammunition. Exceptions included Southeast Asia, both in WWII and later. __________________ Shoot low, sheriff. They're riding Shetlands! Underneath the starry flag, civilize 'em with a Krag, and return us to our own beloved homes! Buy War Bonds.