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Message
re: Old video of a WWII fighter pilot explaining why you didn't shoot parachuting airmen
Posted on 1/19/26 at 9:01 am to medium_okra
Posted on 1/19/26 at 9:01 am to medium_okra
quote:
800 rounds/ min.
Would do a world of good on the streets of Minneapolis.
0
Posted on 1/19/26 at 9:04 am to Gulf Coast Tiger
quote:
The British thought the American colonies did not fight with honor by hiding behind walls and setting ambushes
This is such a myth. Yeah, while the American militia during the running battle of Concord on April 19, 1775, didn't line up in traditional formations - instead opting to hide behind trees and walls along the roadside - the vast majority of Revolutionary War battles were fought in the traditional European style. Bunker Hill, Long Island, Princeton, Brandywine, Germantown, Saratoga, Monmouth, King's Mountain, Camden, Cowpens, Guilford Court House, and Yorktown were all battles that would be well at home in the European military tradition of the 18th century.
The popular idea of Americans hiding behind trees to engage the British stems from irregular warfare that mostly took place BEHIND the lines.
This post was edited on 1/19/26 at 9:05 am
Posted on 1/19/26 at 4:28 pm to gumbo2176
Karma served
Posted on 1/19/26 at 4:58 pm to Robin Masters
quote:
Interesting that we have “customs” and “decorum” in war.
You have to otherwise you end up with atrocities like the My Lai Massacre.
I can't speak from experience but I would imagine that following these rules "helps" soldiers transition back into society when they return from combat.
It's unfortunate that our enemies don't honor these codes and put our soldiers in situations that test their will against these codes.
Posted on 1/19/26 at 5:02 pm to RollTide1987
quote:
The popular idea of Americans hiding behind trees to engage the British stems from irregular warfare that mostly took place BEHIND the lines.
This was the militia which were different units than the continental army who fought the traditional style battles. Both were effective and needed to win our freedom.
Posted on 1/19/26 at 5:15 pm to The Boat
quote:
The Confederates would have stood a much better chance if they didn't try to fight the Union straight up. Some people proposed it, but Robert E Lee would have none of it. The man had honor.
This is revisionist history at its best. Pemberton did tried to do exactly what you described by cutting off Grant's supply lines, but it backfired on him since Grant decided to pillage off the land in lieu of establishing supply lines. This allowed Grant put his Army between Pemberton and Jackson and set up the siege on Vicksburg. Preventing them from combining forces.
You could argue this gamble and Lee's gamble on Day 3 of Gettysburg was the difference in the war. If Lee attacks a different point on Day 3 the Confederates likely win the war.
Posted on 1/19/26 at 5:50 pm to Gulf Coast Tiger
quote:
The British
lol
They can’t control their own streets and still bow to kings and queens.
Posted on 1/19/26 at 5:59 pm to Robin Masters
quote:
Interesting that we have “customs” and “decorum” in war. Logically you should inflict as much damage on the enemy as possible, but emotionally to allow them to live is the humane thing to do.
Armies have had common customs in war for very logical reasons. If there are shared standards on both sides then you can benefit if you are on the more vulnerable side. You don’t shoot their medics and they shouldn’t shoot yours (if both sides share the same values).
In western society it is commonly accepted that if a losing army puts down its weapons and surrenders you don’t just slaughter them - you take them prisoner. This is great for both sides because it actually encourages a losing army to stop instead of trying to fight to the last man (reducing loses on both sides)
Posted on 1/19/26 at 6:07 pm to Robin Masters
Wouldn't fault someone for shooting them. Wouldn't fault someone for not shooting them. War is hell. When and where you draw the line is up to the soldier.
Posted on 1/19/26 at 6:14 pm to CocomoLSU
(no message)
Posted on 1/19/26 at 6:16 pm to RollTide1987
That was fascinating to me for some reason
Posted on 1/19/26 at 6:21 pm to RollTide1987
Interesting..this pop on my feed yesterday LINK
Posted on 1/19/26 at 6:50 pm to dallastiger55
quote:
800 rounds a minute with a 50 caliber!!
From six different guns.
Posted on 1/19/26 at 7:10 pm to RollTide1987
There were instances when allied air crews bailed out over Germany, civilians attacked and murdered them.
Recall seeing an old newspaper clipping where 3 Germans civilians in 1948 were tried, convicted and hanged for the murder of an American airman.
Recall seeing an old newspaper clipping where 3 Germans civilians in 1948 were tried, convicted and hanged for the murder of an American airman.
Posted on 1/19/26 at 8:20 pm to Robin Masters
Airmen’s parachutes were designed to be small so they would descend quickly and spend less time in the air. This was to avoid being shot in your parachute. Because it did happen a few times in the skies over Europe.
Posted on 1/19/26 at 8:29 pm to Lonnie Utah
quote:
The Geneva Conventions speaks to this.
I’m going to go out on a limb and say he had exactly zero fricks to give about the Geneva Conventions in that moment.
Posted on 1/20/26 at 4:07 am to RollTide1987
Our WWII fighter pilots were badasses. Everything was manual in a P-51 and required skill, calm nerves, and patience.
Posted on 1/20/26 at 5:44 am to RollTide1987
I finished reading Shattered Sword for the second time and the author Johnathan Parshal stated that the Japanese shot several US airmen descending down in parachutes at the Battle of Midway. They also captured, tortured, and killed at least 4 airmen on Japanese destroyers during the same battle.
This post was edited on 1/20/26 at 5:50 am
Posted on 1/20/26 at 5:46 am to RollTide1987
In jump school, we were told that the Geneva Convention prohibited shooting paratroopers down from the air. Then we were told that the US is the only country that abides by the Geneva Convention.
Posted on 1/20/26 at 6:04 am to Robin Masters
quote:
Interesting that we have “customs” and “decorum” in war.
I think you are looking for the word "Honor"
My old man and my uncles all did their part in WW II and they were men of honor, not assholes.
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