[Unsound]

This is a solemn time of year, and with good reason. We should, and do, take time to remember those who've died in the service of thier countries and for the freedoms of us left behind.

But life goes on, and we have to remember that. And we have to remember that there is humour, black or otherwise, in everything. To that end I'd like to ask members here to share funny, or strange, stories from their time in uniform. Or stories that they've heard from others.

I have a pretty good one from my dad, but I'll wait to see if this thread goes anywhere before I post it.

[GreenTiger]

I would like to hear it. While the day should be solemn an injection of any kind of humour or stories helps us keep in mind the humanity of the people who gave so much and helps us remember how these people lived in uniform and that they were very real people.

[PublicAnimalNo9]

At one point during the Battle of the Bulge, a field ambulance team got themselves a wee bit lost. Upon running smack into a German roadblock, one of the German soldiers approached the ambulance, pointed them towards the American lines and said, "We don't shoot medics".
About an hour or so later, the Germans at that same roadblock watched as what they thought was another ambulance approached. About 50 yds or so from the roadblock, the ambulance turned around and stopped and a crate was dumped off the back and the ambulance sped away.
After waiting several minutes, one of the German soldiers finally approached the crate. Upon cracking it open, they found it had been stuffed with cartons of cigarettes.

After a particularily heavy firefight in the Ardennes, both sides agreed to a local cease-fire to collect up their respective dead and wounded. During that time, the ranking American officer in that battle and the ranking German officer met up on the field. After a brief exchange of pleasntries, the German officer informed the American that they would be pulling out their position at 18:00 hours. To which the American replied, "Good, then we will assault your position at 19:00 hours."

Upon reaching the Port of Cherbourg, the Americans gave the German garrison the option to surrender. The German CO at Cherbourg responded to the request by insisting that they couldn't in all good conscience surrender without a fight.
However, he went to follow that up by saying to the Americans, "But if you would oblige us and fire a few rounds our way, then we can surrender."

One last thing. When we think about the incredible job our soldiers did in WW2, many tend to forget about the medics. These guys were something else.
If you're fortunate enough to get a veteran to relate some his war stories to you and one of those stories starts off with, "The bravest thing I ever saw...", you can pretty much bet he's going to be telling you about the actions of a medic.

[2Cdo]

PublicAnimalNo9 wrote:

One last thing. When we think about the incredible job our soldiers did in WW2, many tend to forget about the medics. These guys were something else.
If you're fortunate enough to get a veteran to relate some his war stories to you and one of those stories starts off with, "The bravest thing I ever saw...", you can pretty much bet he's going to be telling you about the actions of a medic.

As an infantry soldier we used to give the medics a hard time. Referring to them as "pecker checkers" and ridiculing their training ie. injuries below the waist were treated with tensor bandages and injuries above the waist were treated with cepacal. Since our involvement in Afghanistan I don't know many grunts who don't have anything but the utmost respect for their "docs"!

Most medics attached to the combat arms units should be given bravery medals as well as their tour medal without question.

[Robair]

This is worth re posting, for those that haven't seen it:

[PublicAnimalNo9]

That was awesome, giving the "eyes right" command as they marched by him

[Regina]

[Zipperfish]

Some pictures of the ceremony fro Kabul today, for anyone who's interested. Lemmy--I stole your Gunner's Dream thing.

Mindfingers: Remembrance Day in Kabul

[PostFactum]

Not bad

[Brenda]

Zipperfish wrote:

Some pictures of the ceremony fro Kabul today, for anyone who's interested. Lemmy--I stole your Gunner's Dream thing.

Mindfingers: Remembrance Day in Kabul

Awesome.

[eureka]

The Medical Corps is the most decorated corps in the British Army and has been since the Boer War.

Probably the same in others.