"Sturmgewehr 44: How the Free Syrian Army Bought a Nazi" Topic

…Assault Rifle

"Here's What You Need to Remember: As Syria acquired a more complete inventory of Cold War-era weaponry and the rare 7.92x33 millimeter ammunition grew scarce, the guns were eventually placed in long-term storage—which is how they came to fall in the hands of Syrian rebels in 2012.

In 2012, rebels of the Free Syrian Army posted a video in which they uncovered an arms cache containing five thousand assault rifles. Though not an uncommon episode in a civil war then in its early stages, what was truly bizarre was that the rebels had uncovered a cache of Sturmgewehr 44s—an assault rifle designed by Nazi Germany seventy years earlier.

How did a weapon only produced in the final years of World War II begin appearing in a Middle Eastern civil war seventy years later?…"

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Armand

When I was in Iraq in 2005, I found a Kurz round looked everywhere for the rifle, of course I never found it.

The infamous Red Redemptionist, priests of the Adeptus Ministorum, also known as Nigerian Delta Avengers, even use Zhe Dscherman MG42 I think.
German quality lasts forever.

Of course without barrels!
Because of occupational safety and health directives…

You don't see the barrel because you are lacking in Faith.

Sound like a ultra modern MERC mission to find the valuable guns for a Russian Oligarch.

you are lacking in Faith.

I used to believe I'm on the right path in my life, but…
So, you're saying…
This is not the Last Exit Brooklyn, sir?

Of course without barrels!
Because of occupational safety and health directives…

😁

Of course many of the forces in Africa & the Mid East have generally prove to not really be good at soldiering … 😆

(smile)

Armand

Of course many of the forces in Africa & the Mid East have generally prove to not really be good at soldiering …

And the Pentagon is worried that the next generation of Americans won't be physically fit enough for combat.

From the reports I saw/read i.e. about 70% of the "military" age people could not pass the PT, basic aptitude test[ASVAB], drug tests, etc. Two of the retired officers[Army LTC & USN CDR] from our locals Military Officers Assoc. of America would help out the one Jr. Army ROTC at a local high school. They sadly told us very few would past the ASVAB, Physical or PT test. Many of the seniors only had about 4th grade math skills.

However, seems many schools, universities, academies, etc., are teaching Critical Race Theory[CRT], lowering math skills, etc. I guess they figure we don't need a capable military. After all, those pushing and teaching these "social skills" e.g. CRT, etc. won't have to go in harm's way. Or any of their family and friends …

The PRC/CCP, Putin, Iran, North Korea, etc., must love to see this …

The new physical fitness test for the Army is a ball buster. My daughter who is a nurse and Major in the reserves and a total gym rat, passed high enough to be in a combat unit. She said it was so much tougher than the old physical fitness test. Her Reserve hospital unit ended up taking it in late 2019, prior to their deployment to Kuwait for 10 months last year.

I had heard that as well … from when I was in, it looks like a Mutha' !

Thank her for her service !

The Marines have a 6 month delayed entry program where the "pooles" meet a few times a week to PT and get in shape before going to boot camp. I wish they had that when I went in. I was overweight and was put in what they called "fat man's platoon" and I was in the back of the chow line and no carbs or dessert. Very embarrassing.

Sorry, I couldn't resist. I checked the new PFT, nice.

The Chinese have an even worse problem with poor eyesight, obesity, and skinny weak kids.

Wolfhag

As Judge Dredd knew, there are serious advantages the League of the Fatties carry to the field, throw in the balance or topple Guam with, so to say.

But of course, one shouldn't take it so lightly.

So, what would a paratrooper do that fell heavily from grace?

Stand up and fight!
The body mass, that is.

Accompanied by some loving drill instructor helping him not to give up, the ancient wisdom of Yoga and the harsh lessons found in the arcane writings of nutritional specialists or some corresponding military manuals .

And what is the gain of all that pain?
See for yourself.

Arthur Boorman and DPP on Youtube

DPP advertising Arthur as their success
And if ever there was a win-win, where one gave all and lost nearly everything, I don't know.

…sniff, looking in the mirror, that brings tears to my eyes…

The PRC/CCP, Putin, Iran, North Korea, etc., must love to see this

Love it, they're probably paying for it!

Sorry, I couldn't resist. I checked the new PFT, nice.

Saw the new Army PT test on Military.com … Again it looks like a real Mutha' !!!! 😨

Back in my "hay day", as a young 1LT/CPT at the US ARMY Infantry Officers Adv Course, '83-'84 . I was awarded a Superior Level of Fitness Award. Now, I can't … well … do a lot of things …

So, what would a paratrooper do that fell heavily from grace?

Oh there is no such thing a too much PT !!!! Actually on our off time, many of us would lift weights, run, swim, etc., etc. Even when deployed to Panama, the Canal Zone, we'd load up some of our weight sets on the aircraft. To use after our regular training or even after a Patrol Debriefing, etc., etc.

Also on the DMZ in the ROK we had a tent set up with weights. 🏋️‍♂️

At Eglin USAF Base, on Aux Field 6. Where the Swamp phase of Ranger school was. There was a very nice weight room. You'd always find these on all Army installations. A number of them for that matter …

The Chinese have an even worse problem with poor eyesight, obesity, and skinny weak kids.

Yeah … but they got a whole lot of them. And based on the past, are more than willing to take heavy losses if they have to. To gain their OBJ, etc.

Love it, they're probably paying for it!

Yep ! I guess that should be no surprise. Just look at all the support they have within the USA !

(smile)

Armand

Wiki only list Argentina as a maker of strum after WWII
but I seen some made in Spain. Libya bought many and then stored them which turned up during the latest unrest. you have to watch what you purchase for these 1950 production are sold as WWII model to the unaware.

German Sports Guns makes a pretty reasonable version of the STG-44 but in .22LR.

Something similar is the plot of Frederick Forsyth's The Dogs of War. A mercenary arms a rebel African army with five hundred MP40s he buys off a dodgy Belgian arms dealer. They fire 9mm pistol ammunition, conveniently, which can still be had because NATO uses it.