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Interesting Marksmanship Story

Started by professor gun, June 05, 2011, 11:29:47 PM

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professor gun

June 05, 2011, 11:29:47 PM
I am reading Miracle at Belleau Wood: The Birth of the Modern U.S. Marine Corps by Alan Axelrod.  Before and during World War I the Marines were known for training often with their rifles compared to other services.  Several diaries and letters from the German soldiers who fought against the Marines at Belleau Wood commented on the "sustained and accurate rifle fire" from Marines as well as a statement that they "killed everything that moved".
This is where the Marines got the label "Devil Dogs" (Teufelhunden)
Honoring my ancestor, Seth Hall, of the Massachusetts Militia for his sacrifices during our American Revolution that helped to provide freedom for all Americans.

Old Dog

#1
June 06, 2011, 07:07:34 AM
At that time the Marines got a few extra bucks in their pay based on their rifle marksmanship rating.  It may not seem like much today but it was an incentive to practice, to learn, to develop better shooting skills.

There was supposed to be 800 yds. between the Marines and the Germans that day (across a wheat field).  When the Germans came out of the woods to cross that wheat field the Marines began to kill them.  The Germans attempted to attack across that 800 yds. several times before losing so many men they could no longer make attempts.  The gave up and reported back to their command that they were facing a battalion of snipers.

The Marines were using 03 Springfields with issue ball ammo.  Nothing special.  No match ammo, no special sights, no bedded actions, just US Marines and their rifles.
"The rifle itself has no moral stature, since it has no will of its own. Naturally, it may be used by evil men for evil purposes, but there are more good men than evil, and while the latter cannot be persuaded to the path of righteousness by propaganda, they can certainly be corrected by good men with rifles."

—Jeff Cooper, The Art of the Rifle

sparks1

#2
June 06, 2011, 11:34:55 AM
RIFLEMEN...God love 'em
Integrity is easier to keep, than to regain.

The Truth is that teamwork is at the heart of great accomplishment. 
(John Maxwell)
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