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Khukhri":
Posted on 01/26/2011 7:34:20 PM PST by archy
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Khukhri":
Yes, can you imagine fighting for 20 minutes? Wow!
Because they ran when someone stood up to them?
“I find that one a little hard to believe.”
I’m not. Not even a little. A skilled bladesman in close quarters is a nightmare for opponents. Even better than a 12 guage. I know a few who could take out several people in a couple seconds. Trained with them, in fact, although I never got close to their level.
These guys? They grow up learning bladed combat. And they’re TOUGH. (Had a Vietnam Vet buddy serve with a few. He was HARD, and they impressed him.)
I think that you are mistaken. To my knowledge— reading the response of a British officer serving with the Gurkhas in the Falklands War—the Gurkhas didn’t get to kill anyone. The Argentine conscripts fled in panic at the very rumor of their approach.
I was just referring to the story about the Germans head falling off after he told the Gurkah “you missed”. The main story, I believe.
Ah heck, in my comment above about my Vietnam Vet buddy (now deceased), I can’t remember now if he was talking about Ghorkas or Montagnards. Sigh.
Anyone know which served in Vietnam? Both?
My bad. I’m with you on the story about the German - clear hyperbole...
I was walking down the mountain in Eastern Nepal by myself in 1983, when a few tough looking guys asked, “Where are your friends?” in Nepali.
I answered back, “Mero Kukri mero sati ho!” (my kukri is my friend) and patted my large kukri knife strapped to the side of my pack. That I knew the language, and carried a large weapon made them literally take a step back and let me pass.
I have one of those knives, given to me by my Dad. It’s very old, but still solid and serviceable. I believe he got it in China or Hong Kong when he was in the Navy right after WWII.
Gurkha soldier removed from duty for beheading dead Taliban commander during battle
As a Gurkha is disciplined for beheading a Taliban: Thank God they are on our side!
“Their conduct is, perhaps, best summed up by Rifleman Lachhiman Gurung, who found himself under repeated Japanese attack in Burma in 1945. With his comrades badly injured, he fought off 200 enemy troops single-handed - literally - having lost an arm and eye.”
“When a relief force found him the next morning, his position was littered with 31 Japanese corpses. The 169 survivors had run away.”
I have the original (wooden!) sheath for mine, too.
Apparently there is a more appropriate way. Nevertheless, as far as field identification goes, it sure beats a fingerprint kit.
Card carring “BAD ASS”.
Cool. Now we can all get some sleep. G'nite! ;o)
I stand corrected. I forget where I read that, but I suppose it’s just one of those stories that sounds so good it gets repeated anyway.
Guess I should’ve read the article more carefully, archy. Thanks. I just assumed that all the Ghurkas were stll in service to the British army. Anyway, hats off to the guy.
The Montagnards were indigenous to the mountain regions of Vietnam/Indochina and fought alongside the US in Vietnam. The UK, and by extension the Ghurkas did not send soldiers to Vietnam; however, it is possible (if not likely) that former Ghurkas joined the FFL after WWII and fought there during the French occupation.
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