Picture of a 511 PIR loadout for the combat jump on Tagaytay Ridge, Luzon on 3 February 1945.
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Picture of a 511 PIR loadout for the combat jump on Tagaytay Ridge, Luzon on 3 February 1945.
Carrying that kind of load you know soldiers had to have hit the ground hard. I just couldn't imagine having all that strapped to me jumping out of a plane. Simply incredible
It's still that way though, at least that much gear.Quote:
Originally Posted by jond41403
At least they have WAY better parachutes now. Much safer landings with all that gear.
My Dad did several jumps back in WW2. Think of looking up and seeing that small circle of cloth holding you and your load. 36ft in dia. Had someone walk on his cloud during a night drop one time. Happy to say He made it home.
Stay Safe
Later 42rocker
Often times more. Extra rounds for the Carl Gustav, and more.Quote:
Originally Posted by browningautorifle
Interesting local rigger made M1 Garand ammunition pouches. Doubled the basic load of the paratrooper.
What’s that thing all the way to the left that looks like a bunch of English muffins stacked together?
Rope.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jakeroub
Theory at the time was tied to the harness and if you tree landed you could slide down. I always laughed at the BOB scene where they couldn't imagine how to use a rope as issued.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bill Hollinger
A friend's son was in the 82nd Airborne in the 90s. The did an exercise jump with all kit. A friend of his landed in such a way that the stock of his rifle caught him under the rib cage. He simply continued into the ground like a sack of potatoes. The medic rushed to help but he was gone. The pressure of the stock during the landing had ruptured his heart.
Bob
That's horrific Bob. Does anyone know what the force of a fully loaded paratrooper hitting the ground would be? I imagine it would have to equal a small car crash in some ways. With all that gear, especially in world war II, that small parachute is only going to slow you down so much. I just wonder if the impact has ever been measured. I imagine it would be a lot like being in a car crash at about 35 mph. I know absolutely nothing about paratroopers really except they all have 10 lb balls haha
In summary, a parachutist with a mass of 35.5 kg (78.264lbs.) lands with a speed of 3.85 m/s (12.631 ft/s) and comes to rest over a distance of 0.700 m. Using the equation Vf^2=Vo^2+2ax, the resulting force exerted by the ground is 375.86 N. (85 lbs) However, this does not take into account the weight of the parachutist, which must also be factored in to accurately determine the force exerted by the ground.Quote:
Originally Posted by jond41403
Reference: The Force Exerted by the Ground on a Parachuter
Thanks Mark! Very interesting read in the link
They are all tough!
Which is the reason for the PLF (parachute landing fall), to distribute the impact over your body. Not using the PLF hurts bad. I only jumped twice, my second PLF sucked and it took months for my back to get better. One reason for my 10% disability for my back. And getting slammed into front of the roof hatch of an M113A3 when it came to an abrupt halt.Quote:
Originally Posted by jond41403
I took one of those to the back of the head in '76, left a scar...the cargo hatch it was.Quote:
Originally Posted by eb in oregon
Hurts doesn't it? The x-ray of my back is entertaining to look at, there isn't hardly a straight section left. That slam took about three months to heal also. I had to strap and brace up to attend drill, but I didn't miss a one.Quote:
Originally Posted by browningautorifle
Thank you for your service Eb in Oregon and BAR!
In Canada we called Armour types Zipperheads for good reason.Quote:
Originally Posted by eb in oregon
At the time I was a "heavy Cavalry Scout." The M113A3 was the deal. Later we went light with HUMVEE's. Tow Missiles and GPMG's.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sapper740
Strange enough, I never even felt it. The driver came hard against a rock with the final drive and that caused it to break away from it's securing strap and slam me. Until I saw the blood drops falling, I didn't know. Another time in anti tank platoon, I had the drivers hatch slam me. That one hurt more. Compressed my neck...Quote:
Originally Posted by eb in oregon
Man I would love to have a beer with a couple of you guys and just sit and listen.