Posted on 03/05/2023 12:10:31 PM PST by BenLurkin
Designed in 1869, the ministry described the lethality of the standard issue MPL-50 entrenching tool as "particularly mythologised" in Russia.
According to evidence obtained by the ministry, there has been a rise in close combat...
(Excerpt) Read more at cnn.com ...
Prior to this second phase of Russia’s 2014 war I’d read about the oligarchs selling off the vast Soviet arsenal for easy money.
Tanks, fighters, BMPs, rifles, pistols, etc. were all liquidated.
From a 1990’s perspective why not take the money?
Russians used shovels just to give Ukrainians a chance. Looks like the more Mr. Z loses, the wilder the propaganda becomes. Next comes the “Lusitania Moment” to Get Americans mad enough to send in the troops. My guess its Poison Gas, but it might be a “dirty Bomb” or another horrible “atrocity” Like bombing maternity hospitals full of babies—or bayoneting babies?
I’d pick a shovel over a bayonet any day.
“ They don’t have bayonets? This story is B.S.”
***********
Actually, it may be true. While no doubt an AK-47 beats an entrenching tool in a firefight in hand to hand fighting the entrenching tool probably beats a bayonet. Just fyi, back in WWII it was a common weapon of the Soviets. They filed a cutting edge on shovel. Turned it into a nasty weapon when close up and personal.
“ They don’t have bayonets? This story is B.S.”
***********
Actually, it may be true. While no doubt an AK-47 beats an entrenching tool in a firefight in hand to hand fighting the entrenching tool probably beats a bayonet. Just fyi, back in WWII it was a common weapon of the Soviets. They filed a cutting edge on shovel. Turned it into a nasty weapon when close up and personal.
If one intends to take and keep territory, after the artillery has done its job it is necessary to root out the enemy hand to hand.
Just as the US Marines had to do in the Pacific during WWII. Just as the Russians had to do in Berlin during WWII.
And just as we had to do in Fallujah during the Gulf War.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Battle_of_Fallujah
Just as it has always been.
Jeez, the RIDICULOUS PROPAGANDA BS being posted here is getting so deep I’m going to switch from wearing hip boots to chest high waders. If the BS gets any deeper I’m going to need a snorkel.
When involved in TRENCH WARFARE any THINKING soldier is going to want to be equipped with an ENTRENCHING TOOL. And any military that neglects that item of essential personal kit is worthless.
Well, it *is* CNN. 😏
.
Hey, sometimes you gotta call a spade a spade!
Sounds like we can stop giving them money, if the Ukrainians lose to shovel wielding reservists they deserve it.
Military entrenching tools (small shovels issued to infantry men- sometimes called e-tools) have been used as battle axes since they were carried into combat. The Marines used e-tools in close combat during Vietnam. To make an e-tool more effective, just sharpen the edges.
Just watched some war vids from Ukraine. No wonder the Russians were fighting to the death. There was a group of captured Russians the Ukrainians were executing after surrendering. Not saying I can blame them but this was a particularly nasty case. At this point it is like Iwo Jima. There will be no one captured and no one will surrender.
133 Billion dollars spent and the Russians can defeat the Ukes with shovels?
“The sharpened spade is a more handy and many-sided weapon; not only can it be used for jabbing a man under the chin, but it is much better for striking with because of its greater weight; and if one hits between the neck and shoulder it easily cleaves as far down as the chest.”
All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque
Did the shovels fight back?
Asking for a friend.
These are really good shovels.
Link please.
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