Posted on 05/09/2010 9:32:16 AM PDT by Freelance Warrior
US troops: 30:40
UK Welsh guards: 30:14
Polish ones: 29:40
While not comfortable at all with US troops marching in Red Square, I was hoping they’d at least have a unit with a storied past in WWII that would represent us, i.e. 101st, 82d, etc.
So I was disappointed that the unit representing us was the 170th Inf Bde. Who the heck is that? Looked it up and lo and behold this is what I found:
The 170th Infantry Brigade was first activated 25 August 1917 at Camp Custer, Michigan. as one of two brigades of the 85th Infantry Division, National Army consisting of the 339th and 340th Infantry Regiments.
After a year of training the division left the U.S. for England. When the American Expeditionary Force North Russia was formed to be sent to Arkhangelsk, Russia, the 339th Infantry Regiment provided the infantry component, with support units also taken from the 85th Division sent along as well. While there, the 339th saw combat against the Bolsheviks.
They were sent to secure military stores provided to an ally, Russia, from potentially being used by Germany against the US and other allies. Their commander was not given clear instructions, and the British Ambassador sent them south, where they fought against the Bolshies.
The infantry units were equiped with Mosin-Nagant rifles manufactured by Remington, rather than with Springfields or Enfields used by most of the rest of the Army. That way they could use the ammunition and spares which they were guarding. The Mosin-Nagant can be in the right hands, a very accurate rifle, but has a slower rate of fire than Mauser, Springfield, Enfield or Lee-Enfield. Better than the Lebel though.
It’s an even exchange.
We send soldiers to march in Red Square.
They send a Red to live in the White House.
That's just too cool. I own a few 91-30s but never knew there was a Remington version let alone what a Remington version was used for. Thanks for the info!
I have only one: Finnish 1930s make.
And like many Mosin’s it is nuts on accurate (if I install the bayonet).
Ronald Reagan told a joke:
Two guards were patrolling Red Square a few minutes before curfew in early winter. A man rushes out a door with his coat unbuttoned and his scarf swirling in his hurry. He looks left, looks right, and looks right at the guards. He waves, and then runs across the square.
One guard shruggs his rifle off his shoulder, takes aim, and shoots. The runner falls, and slides to a stop. A few flakes of snow fall on him.
The guards go to port arms, and double time over to him. One guard asks “Mischa, why did you shoot him?”
Mischa answers: “Curfew violation.”
“But Mischa, it was 5 minutes before curfew!”
Mischa responds sadly: “I knew him. He was a friend of mine. He never could have made it home in time.”
That's even better. I wouldn't want to shell out the money for a collector, just like to have one and shoot it occasionally. I also have an M38 and an M48. They double as flamethrowers ;-)
If you have a folding bayonet, be sure to affix it before shooting. They are made to be a tad more accurate that way. Russkis are serious about their close combat. They also have an “entrenching tool jitsu”.
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