[Inyo-Mono]

Soldiers have been doing things like this to make themselves appear fearsome since the days when they fought with heavy sticks.

No kidding, just think Indian war paint.

[cripplecreek]

My grandfather had some photos from WWII Europe and a couple were of some special forces types who had just come from behind enemy lines. They had things like skull and crossbones painted on their helmets and things like fangs painted on their faces.

Apparently their mission had been more to inspire fear than inflict real damage. In fact they wanted to be seen so they looked for enemies in small groups. Kill 1, 2, or 3 and leave the 4th wounded and unarmed so he would have a story to tell.