John Kettler Posted December 13, 2019 Share Posted December 13, 2019 (edited) One of my CoC colleagues posted this, and I found it so informative I'm passing the word here. What I know of patrols is highly US-centric, so it's great to see things from a different perspective. What's common is that the British used a two man scout team like we did though, I think, not in the same way, but what's distinctive is that the British LOB has an extremely low level counterpart called the stay behind man, who is always one bound behind the main body. It's his job to report what happened if things go pear-shaped. Also of note is that a Leftenant leads and is painfully obvious by virtue of having neither rifle nor Tommy gun. Believe another man is that way, too. At section level, the Bren stays home! Also noteworthy is that the British have bare helmets, which makes their heads quite obvious in many cases. Regards, John Kettler Edited December 13, 2019 by John Kettler 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warts 'n' all Posted December 13, 2019 Share Posted December 13, 2019 "the British have bare helmets"... Titter ye not, as Frankie Howerd would say. Joking aside, given that this was filmed back in Blighty they wouldn't need any kind of cover, or camo for their helmets. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aragorn2002 Posted December 13, 2019 Share Posted December 13, 2019 The stay behind man...sounds clever. Interesting stuff, John, thanks! 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sgt.Squarehead Posted December 13, 2019 Share Posted December 13, 2019 11 hours ago, John Kettler said: Also of note is that a Leftenant leads It's only pronounced that way, it's still spelled 'lieutenant'. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Kettler Posted December 14, 2019 Author Share Posted December 14, 2019 (edited) Warts 'n' all, Given everything else shown on exactly how the men prepare for the patrol, to include not taking water bottles (eek!), I took what was shown as to how things were supposed to be. That said, I know precious little about CW helmets. Aragorn 2002, Ever happy to help! Sgt.Squarehead, Based my spelling on a number of British and CW accounts which used the same version I did. Gusss I'm not alone in my mistake. Regards, John Kettler Edited December 14, 2019 by John Kettler 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warts 'n' all Posted December 14, 2019 Share Posted December 14, 2019 (edited) 6 hours ago, John Kettler said: Warts 'n' all, That said, I know precious little about CW helmets. No prob John. But you are the guy we normally rely on for detailed information. I'd have thought that you could not only tell us what material the Limey helmet covers were made from, the factory they were made in, but even how many holes there was in the netting that they stuck the twigs and leaves into to. As for this particular photo, I'm plumping for Spear and Jackson to have made the pickaxes. Edited December 14, 2019 by Warts 'n' all 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kaunitz Posted December 14, 2019 Share Posted December 14, 2019 I'd like to volunteer as the stay behind man, yes, please! Interesting video! Thanks for sharing. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warts 'n' all Posted December 14, 2019 Share Posted December 14, 2019 5 hours ago, Kaunitz said: I'd like to volunteer as the stay behind man, yes, please! I think Pike will be getting that job. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Kettler Posted December 15, 2019 Author Share Posted December 15, 2019 Warts 'n' all, This is what happens when I respond right after watching, instead of going into research mode. In fairness, though, I consider myself lucky to have correctly identified the model of a real WW II US Army helmet I bought last year. The pic looks like Normandy, and from what I know of British practices, these men are attacking, which is why they're parading about with pickaxes. Have seen another one in which they were carrying shovels. Either way, it's to provide for rapid digging in so as to best repel the inevitable promptish German counterattack. Pickaxe grog! Kaunitz, That's only because you failed to make the LOB list! Warts 'n' all, Who's Pike? Regards, John Kettler 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wicky Posted December 15, 2019 Share Posted December 15, 2019 13 minutes ago, John Kettler said: Who's Pike? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Kettler Posted December 15, 2019 Author Share Posted December 15, 2019 Wicky, Appreciate the piece, but unfortunately, it's not expandable, so I can't read it. Something from a TV show? Guys, Now that we've learned to patrol, let's move on to a platoon attack! Now, this one's a leap back to early war, but even so, there's a ton of useful information here. Besides, how else are you going to learn what the ammo loadout was for the Boys ATR? Regards, John Kettler 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Kettler Posted December 15, 2019 Author Share Posted December 15, 2019 Here we have section leader training, and in it the film clearly shows the British do get it when it comes to hiding the telltale helmets and themselves generally. The unit breakdown is highly specialized, notably in that two men are designated bombers (grenade men), who also become smoke men when screening is needed. Also of note is that hip shooting at close range is pretty common, both for Lee Enfields and the Thompson. Regards, John Kettler 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warts 'n' all Posted December 15, 2019 Share Posted December 15, 2019 @John Kettler "Private Pike" was in a Limey TV series called "Dad's Army" about the Home Guard. He was a mummy's boy, forced to wear a big scarf, in case he caught a cold, and was known by his Platoon Captain as "Stupid Boy". 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freyberg Posted December 15, 2019 Share Posted December 15, 2019 Fascinating, tactically, historically and sociologically... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Kettler Posted December 15, 2019 Author Share Posted December 15, 2019 Warts 'n' all, Am going to have to watch that series somehow. Freyberg, Indeed. Regards, John Kettler 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warts 'n' all Posted December 15, 2019 Share Posted December 15, 2019 @John Kettler This is the scene that @Wicky's previous post referred to. The signature belongs to Ian Lavender who played Private Pike. I once saw him play cricket in a charity match, but I wanted the other side to win. The show ran for about ten years, beginning in 1968. And is as much about the British class system as it is about WW2. You might be able to track it down on the net or on DVD either way it is well worth watching. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Kettler Posted December 17, 2019 Author Share Posted December 17, 2019 Warts 'n' all, Now that I've seen the clip, it all makes sense. Without it, it's about as likely for me as it would be for you to, say, try to understand a reference to the hit American show "Happy Days" or, even better, "McHale's Navy". Regards, John Kettler 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warts 'n' all Posted December 17, 2019 Share Posted December 17, 2019 Happy Days was shown over here. Very funny for the first few series, then began to disappear up it's own 'arris with too many guest stars etc. I've never heard of McHale's Navy. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lsailer Posted December 17, 2019 Share Posted December 17, 2019 How about Sgt. Bilko? 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wicky Posted December 17, 2019 Share Posted December 17, 2019 (edited) Too subversive - we got Top Cat instead edit. The series was renamed for British audiences to Boss Cat because there was a cat food called Top Cat on sale in the UK. Edited December 17, 2019 by Wicky 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Kettler Posted December 18, 2019 Author Share Posted December 18, 2019 (edited) Warts 'n' all, HD became so iconic Fonzi's jacket is in the Smithsonian. Isailer, Don't recall anything specific. Wicky, "Close friends get to call him TC" To get back on a more or less martial track, I believe the nearest US equivalent to Private Pike was Gomer Pyle, played by actor Jom Nabors whose real singing voice, was magnificent. Here's where goodhearted country bumpkin Pyle arrives at the Marine base for boot camp. Actor Frank Sutton, who played the DI ,was the real deal (14 assault landings), but in the US Army, after being rejected for medical reasons by the Marines. The Sergeant Carter character scared and intimidated me as a littel boy, but he was a nonevent compared to the one Jack Webb (later of Dragnet renown) played. https://blog.togetherweserved.com/2017/10/11/actor-sgt-frank-sutton-us-army-served-1943-1946/ Regards, John Kettler Edited December 18, 2019 by John Kettler 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warts 'n' all Posted December 18, 2019 Share Posted December 18, 2019 8 hours ago, lsailer said: How about Sgt. Bilko? Bilko tended to get repeated every ten years or so here in Limeyland. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Emrys Posted December 19, 2019 Share Posted December 19, 2019 On 12/17/2019 at 7:13 PM, John Kettler said: HD became so iconic Fonzi's jacket is in the Smithsonian. Also, it was—or so I've heard—the origin of the phrase "jumped the shark". Michael 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lsailer Posted December 19, 2019 Share Posted December 19, 2019 On 12/17/2019 at 10:40 PM, Warts 'n' all said: Bilko tended to get repeated every ten years or so here in Limeyland. There is also a 1996 movie version with Steve Martin. For historical completeness, I went to school with Steve Martin. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Kettler Posted December 23, 2019 Author Share Posted December 23, 2019 Here's one aptly called "Shoot To Kill" and covers this highly desirable outcome from Enfield, to Bren, to Boys ATR, even the 2 pounder ATG. Dealing with aircraft is discussed, too, but not the actual mechanics. Alas, no Brem AA mount! As is often the case in such films, there is what I'd call unwarranted optimism and cheeriness (US example is MG-34 and MG-42 how to defeat them film), with an oh so British twist. Even so, there's still a substantial portion of meat in what's offered, together with the opportunity to see early war British armor standing in for hard to come by Panzers. Would've handled Boys and 2 pounder engagements differently myself, and if you refer to the previously posted 2 pounder video, you just might notice something left out while hiding the gun, yet integral to the weapon. Regards, John Kettler 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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