January 10 2025 Garand picture of the day

[jond41403]

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

[Mark in Rochester]

I just wonder if the impact has ever been measured.

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.

Reference: The Force Exerted by the Ground on a Parachuter

[eb in oregon]

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

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.

[browningautorifle]

And getting slammed into front of the roof hatch of an M113A3 when it came to an abrupt halt.

I took one of those to the back of the head in '76, left a scar...the cargo hatch it was.

[eb in oregon]

I took one of those to the back of the head in '76, left a scar...the cargo hatch it was.

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.

[browningautorifle]

Hurts doesn't it?

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...

[Sapper740]

And getting slammed into front of the roof hatch of an M113A3 when it came to an abrupt halt.

In Canada we called Armour types Zipperheads for good reason.

[eb in oregon]

In Canada we called Armour types Zipperheads for good reason

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.