Wooden 8mm Mauser Bullet

[Der Jagar]

Sorry to burst the 'fog of war' balloon, but the Japanese did use them in the Pacific during WW2 in combat. My Dad brought some back from one of the eleven amphibious landings he was involved in, I believe it may have been when the US retook Corregidor in the Philippine Islands as I know he went ashore there. He had around 6 of the wooden bullet Japanese cartridges, I recall thinking they looked like cannon shells, of course I was pretty young. He advised that the Japanese used them effectively to wound rather than kill, as a wounded soldier took more troops to care for than a deceased one, also the infection they caused. He buried them somewhere on the farm as he advised me he didn't want me or any of my siblings to get ahold of them. Dad said the wooden bullets would cause some terrible wounds, while not killing, but would maim and infection was a real threat. He advised the soldiers and Marines he talked to had a healthy respect for them.

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[browningautorifle]

to wound rather than kill,

Another myth.

[Der Jagar]

Depends on who's telling the story-----somebody who's 'been there' and knows the real story OR somebody who only garnered their information by being self proclaimed history buffs and/or if they weren't there to witness the information--it's not true. Not putting any label on you Jim, but just saying. Know of plenty of stories by vets that were debunked as myths by those who got all their information through books and/or accounts told by 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, etc hand. Know of several accounts of so-called 'know the true facts' tellers telling me how something went down when they weren't there, BUT I was. I believe what my Dad told me--he was there and talked to those taking fire and had first hand knowledge from the 'brass' who were in charge of the particular military interventions they were involved in. Respect and enjoy the information you provide but I disagree with you. Have a good day.

[rcathey]

Know of several accounts of so-called 'know the true facts' tellers telling me how something went down when they weren't there, BUT I was.

Did you fight in the Pacific, sir? I would love to hear some of your stories! It’s not every day we get to hear from a WWII vet!!

[Der Jagar]

Did you fight in the Pacific, sir? I would love to hear some of your stories! It’s not every day we get to hear from a WWII vet!!

Nope, didn't say I did, wasn't referring to any WW2/Pacific warfare with the comment you quoted, in fact was born after WW2. Was referring to events from my law enforcement days when someone in my presence was relating facts about incidents I either witnessed or was involved in claiming to know the 'full skinny' on it. Know plenty of Viet Nam vets when hearing about something 'Viet Nam' related tell 'the real skinny' on it if the reporter/relater is off on their facts. Same as my Dad who spent 2 yrs North Atlantic convoy duty in WW2, 6 months in the Med, and 1 1/2 years in the South Pacific relate 'how it really was' when hearing some report on TV, reading a book, magazine article, or hearing someone tell all about it that wasn't at any of his duty locations, giving a 'how it was' comment that wasn't factual. Always fried him as they gained their knowledge 2nd, 3rd, etc hand vs being there. In fact my Dad was dropping depth charges on German U-Boats a number of weeks before Pearl Harbor under orders from FDR on U-boats that were firing torpedo's at American flagged shipping. Not a well known fact, but very true.

[rcathey]

Oh, sorry about that. I was reading on my lunch break. Must’ve combined some of your comments to assume you had first hand knowledge of the wooden bullets. My bad. Carry on, all!

[CINDERS]

In fact my Dad was dropping depth charges on German U-Boats a number of weeks before Pearl Harbor under orders from FDR on U-boats that were firing torpedo's at American flagged shipping. Not a well known fact, but very true.

Just over 3 months prior to Pearl Harbour

September 4th 1941;

At 0840 that morning, Greer, carrying mail and passengers to Iceland, “was informed by a British plane of the presence of a submerged submarine about 10 miles [(16 km)] directly ahead. . . . Acting on the information from the British plane the Greer proceeded to search for the submarine and at 0920 she located the submarine directly ahead by her underwater sound equipment.

The Greer proceeded then to trail the submarine and broadcasted the submarine’s position. This action, taken by the Greer, was in accordance with her orders, that is, to give out information but not to attack.” The British plane continued in the vicinity of the submarine until 1032, but prior to her departure the plane dropped four depth charges in the vicinity of the submarine. The Greer maintained [its] contact until about 1248. During this period (three hours 28 minutes),the Greer maneuvered so as to keep the submarine ahead.

At 1240 the submarine changed course and closed the Greer. At 1245 an impulse bubble (indicating the discharge of a torpedo by the submarine) was sighted close aboard the Greer. At 1249 a torpedo track was sighted crossing the wake of the ship from starboard to port, distant about 100 yards [(100 m)] astern. At this time the Greer lost sound contact with the submarine.

At 1300 the Greer started searching for the submarine and at 1512 . . . the Greer made underwater contact with a submarine. The Greer attacked immediately with depth charges.