D-Day 80th Anniversary Special, Part 1: Paratroopers, with firearms expert Jonathan Ferguson.

[@TheCat48488]

Just went from Ian's Sten MK III Man, they treat us well today

[@tomhenry897]

I didn’t get a comment section on his Did you?

[@gfanikf]

Don’t forget the Imperial War Museum. John’s in that video too!

[@GenericName4561]

​​@@tomhenry897 Comments are disabled by YT. Ian need to enable them manually.

[@Pentazemin44]

same hahah

[@exploatores]

@@GenericName4561 Ok, I was woundering why. as youtubes text why gave nothing that made any sense.

[@graveyard1979]

Foregrip and a pistol grip on a Sten, my... We're being quite fancy here. Luxurious even.

[@peterkerr4019]

The pistol & front grips worked very well on the Owen gun as well.

[@RoyalArmouriesMuseum]

Gucci, some would say ;)

[@jonathanbohm6489]

Looks like a Wolfenstein Sten or a fallout sten

[@YouHaveReachedBob]

Wooden, no less! :O

[@c1ph3rpunk]

Real wood, a sling and even a cleaning kit too. No kettle warmer though, so it really is pretty useless.

[@capt.bart.roberts4975]

Glad to see The British Army habit of sticking nasty, pointy, sticky things on wildly inappropriate weapons. Is front and centre!

[@mcintoshpc]

Well if you can’t have a bayonet, why bother?

[@tomwinterfishing9065]

It’s in our constitution.

[@samholdsworth420]

But it's kinda nothing compared to what the Japanese put pointy sharp things on 😂

[@dannyw1579]

To quote Corpral Jones: "They don't like it up 'em Sir, they don't like it up 'em"

[@peterkerr4019]

@@dannyw1579 you just beat me to it.🙂

[@LiveDonkeyDeadLion]

My favourite part of The Longest Day is knowing that one of the rangers in the film reenacting the raid on Pointe du Hoc actually took part in the original raid, except this time the climb was a lot easier

[@Tinderchaff]

Here's another fact for you, Richard Todd, the actor who played Major John Howard in the movie (the commander of the assault on Pegasus Bridge) was also there on D-Day. However, he was part of the troops which bolstered Howard's men at the bridge and even met him.

[@LiveDonkeyDeadLion]

@@Tinderchaff he was originally offered the part of himself, but he turned it down, so they offered him the role of Howard, and another actor plays him, and while they aren’t credited as playing Todd, he does appear on screen with himself, so to speak

[@wbertie2604]

The M1A1 wasn't designed to be strapped across your chest, but came with a giant canvas holster to attach to your belt.

[@LiveDonkeyDeadLion]

@@wbertie2604 and what does that have to do with the film we are talking about? Maybe you meant to post this as a general comment, maybe trying to create an argument with an actual expert on firearms, there use and history?

[@zoiders]

​@@TinderchaffLieutenant Todd actually features in the film. In a very metaphysical twist of fate it was Lieutenant Todd who was the officer from the Paras who marched up to bridge and presented him self to Major Howard. So Richard Todd is playing Major Howard recieving the greeting and compliments from him self played by another actor.

[@geodkyt]

I love working with Valiant Air Command - I've jumped their C-47 (Tico Belle) I don't know how many times, often in WWII uniform (3 times in British para kit), amd always with a military static line parachute (however, *not* a WWII era static line parachute, for safety reasons). I was also the second jumper out the door when they got their C-45 set up to do static line jumps for the first time since WWII, on the test lift where we were validating the new anchor line cable for jumpers to use (the crew chief who did the installation was #1). Great group of professionals to work with.

[@randallreed9048]

You are a treasure, sir. Every video of yours that I have seen has been clear, crisp, and concise. Not one whit of expert-speak in your delivery. Thank you for your knowledge and delivery!

[@wilsonlaidlaw]

One interesting aside is about the 2nd generation of the Lines Brothers, who made the Sten Mk.3. There were three brothers and 3 Lines make a triangle, hence the trade name for their toys: "Tri-Ang".

[@roygardiner2229]

Thanks, I did not know that.👍

[@myparceltape1169]

When he said "toy company" I guessed Triang. Because I cut my finger on one of their toys and it hurt.

[@derekcole5593]

@myparceltape1169 strange you should mention that. About 20 years ago I was on a weapons make safe course. After a few demonstrations and a bit of classroom input, each of us had to go a long a table lined with firearms. When I came to the Stem, I have no idea how I did it bit I sliced the tip of my finger off on the folding stock! I then got told off for bleeding over the damned thing!

[@myparceltape1169]

@@derekcole5593 When I was a child and the toy cut my finger I thought it was one of those things 'Made in Hong Kong'. It might have been possible then but not in the early '40s. Hope you cleaned up the weapon.

[@derekcole5593]

@myparceltape1169 Oh yes! Health and Safety had to wait! I have a scar that runs from my hairline, between my eyes and down to the base of my nose which makes me look as if I'm in a permanent scowl. That was done by my own Sergeant with the edge of a riot shield. Dropped me on the spot. I was begrudgingly given a plaster to told to stop moaning! Ha!Those were the days!

[@colinsweetman6745]

Jonathan, I just wanted to say thank you to you personally and to the Royal Armouries. The quality of your videos is just amazing, so informative, interesting and pitched at exactly the right level of detail. Excellent mate.

[@JonathanFergusonRoyalArmouries]

Thank you Colin

[@spikespa5208]

@@JonathanFergusonRoyalArmouries Thanks to you and Ian I've learned more about the Sten in the last few weeks than in the previous 60+ years. Much appreciated.

[@Goc4ever]

Thank you for giving us so much insight about the guns used during the D-Day Jonathan, your knowledge about weapons is invaluable. May all those brave men rest in peace because without them all of Europe if not the whole world would have remained at the mercy of the Nazis and their Axis allies. For having laid down their own lives for a free world they have my gratitude🫡🕊.

[@knightowl3577]

My dad and uncle were in the Royal Navy, another uncle was a spitfire pilot. Two of my other uncles were in the army, one was at Dunkirk and the other served with Monty at Alimein. I grew up surrounded by heroes. My Uncle Les was an LCT skipper on D-Day. He took hundreds of troops to the beaches. The next day he was tasked with the recovery of the fallen.

[@DraftySatyr]

A grim task, but essential nonetheless.

[@Skirt553]

My maternal grandfather was a paratrooper who landed during D-Day, and he took shrapnel. He was in the 101st.

[@wills2140]

Do you happen to know which regiment?

[@zoiders]

The South Staffordshire Regiment fought as Glider Infantry at Arnhem as well. Means of insertion was different but they were all trained to a very high standard, P-Coy as we would call it today. Equipment and weapons were the same across the board for the County Regiments and the Light Infantry that went in by glider, they were part of the airborne just as the Paras were. I live just round the corner from where Lance Sergeant Jack Baskeyfield VC lived. He was killed in action at Arnhem after single handedly manning not just one but two anti tank guns after the rest of his men were killed or injured. He took on a column of Nazi stugs alone. Knocking out several.

[@zulubeatz1]

I would like to see or read some material or documentary specifically about the Light infantry and others who made up the Airborne formations. The Guards have an airborne unit too I think.

[@vaclav_fejt]

Great thing about your brick and mortar museum is you have real bricks and real mortars.

[@ImperialWarMuseums]

Brilliant job, can't wait for part 2!

[@-PLAYER0NE-]

Crazy that it's been 80 years. My great grandfather served as a photographic liaison pilot long before and during the invasion. He never talked about it much, but my god, what a crazy job he had. He was an amazing person.

[@RDJ134]

Those men where brave and true heroes.

[@insertusername9755]

That clicker detail scene was pretty cool as well!

[@Nugire]

I also heard claims, that the clicker sounded similar to a MP40 mag being inserted.

[@JonathanFergusonRoyalArmouries]

@@Nugire Having inserted a few in my time, I can confirm that it does not :)

[@PorcoWest]

Amazing as ever the clicker section was especially great to see thank you kindly as ever for all the awesome stuff you and the team do.

[@sidharthcs2110]

I just finished watching Ians presentation on Sten Mk3

[@peterkerr4019]

me too.

[@johnsmith-jq1uc]

we eating good

[@calkig]

What a beautiful example of a M1A1 Carbine that was!

[@DornAndGrant]

I’m haunted by having read about Lt Den Brotheridge who died at Pegasus bridge, and regarded as the likely first to die on this day. Remember reading of him when I was really young (eg not long after the film the longest day), and his name has always stuck in my mind since then. It’s a good haunting as its best we remember people that get on and do the job needed.

[@theramblinmahoney2316]

God Bless all those Men who put their lives down for us today and thank you for the awesome video.

[@reddevilparatrooper]

I have a Kahr Arms M1A1 Carbine reproduction Paratrooper carbine. I love and cherish this from my own Paratrooper heritage. Very effective at very close range from zero to 100 yards.

[@jimmyrustler8983]

"Honey, I shrunk the Garand!"

[@TMFShooting]

Another Great One Jonathan '' Thanks for Sharing 💯💥💥💥💥💥💥💥

[@1994Bloodline]

well now i need one of these cricket clickers

[@DanielsPolitics1]

I think the IWM gift shop has replicas.

[@ronaldbyrne3320]

I love your job, Jonathan. 👍🏻😄

[@AlecFlackie]

When I was trained on the Sterling SMG we were discouraged from holding it by the magazine housing and most certainly the magazine as this could lead to premature unloading or misfeeds.

[@bryanmcdermott4204]

Outstanding! Thank you for including information on the clicker.

[@capt.bart.roberts4975]

I can close my eyes and see the scarring on my dad's left hand from a sten going boom on him.

[@elliot9634]

thank you johnathan and production team! i anticipate these videos dearly

[@gunnoreekie]

It was my mum's birthday, so easy to remember, and she's 80 too😊

[@chanman819]

The Mk V really does look like the product of some squaddies going into a shed with a pile of Stens and leftover No.4 parts

[@ducomaritiem7160]

Good show Jonathan ❤! The Longest Day, the first war movie I saw in my life. (I'm from 1963)

[@beerye9331]

Thank you for an interesting video, especially for mentioning the museum in Florida; I live in a neighboring State.

[@ralphmnoonan]

Rather enjoying the adjacent stuff. Genuinely really entertained with this one.

[@roygardiner2229]

Well done, sir! This is really important content.

[@steamboatmodel]

My Dad always got irritated about the fuss made over D Day as he was a D-Day Dodger over in Italy at the time.

[@jacklurcher5813]

We're the D-Day Dodgers out in Italy Always on the vino, always on the spree. Eighth Army scroungers and their tanks We live in Rome - among the Yanks. We are the D-Day Dodgers, over here in Italy. We landed at Salerno, a holiday with pay, Jerry brought the band down to cheer us on our way Showed us the sights and gave us tea, We all sang songs, the beer was free. We are the D-Day Dodgers, way out in Italy. The Volturno and Cassino were taken in our stride. We didn't have to fight there. We just went for the ride. Anzio and Sangro were all forlorn. We did not do a thing from dusk to dawn. For we are the D-Day Dodgers, over here in Italy. On our way to Florence we had a lovely time. We ran a bus to Rimini right through the Gothic Line. On to Bologna we did go. Then we went bathing in the Po. For we are the D-Day Dodgers, over here in Italy. Once we had a blue light that we were going home Back to dear old Blighty, never more to roam. Then somebody said in France you'll fight. We said **** that, we'll just sit tight, The windy D-Day Dodgers, out in Sunny Italy. Now Lady Astor, get a load of this. Don't stand up on a platform and talk a load of pi**. You're the nation's sweetheart, the nation's pride We think your mouth's too ****ing wide. We are the D-Day Dodgers, in Sunny Italy. When you look 'round the mountains, through the mud and rain You'll find the crosses, some which bear no name. Heartbreak, and toil and suffering gone The boys beneath them slumber on They were the D-Day Dodgers, who'll stay in Italy.

[@Ian-mj4pt]

​@jacklurcher5813 is that what they sang ?

[@steamboatmodel]

@@Ian-mj4pt They are singing it to the tune of Lilly of the Lamplight/Lee Marlaine, which my Dad would sing when he had had a few, The problem was my Dad had picked up just about every language he ran into while overseas, Italian, Dutch, some French and German, and he would switch from one language to another when drunk.

[@John-mf6ky]

I had to look that up, a neat little bit of history.

[@jacklurcher5813]

@@Ian-mj4pt Yes. The same Lady Astor who said Merchant Seamen shouldn't be paid as they got free travel around the world and free accommodation and food. (Although their pay was stopped the moment their ship was torpedoed during wartime). A thoroughly nasty snob hated by both the Merchant and Royal Navy (as well as the “D-Day Dodgers”) for her slurs against them.

[@andygardner9219]

Never thought I’d see something I actually own featured on this channel!!! I’m absolutely made up!!! I’ve got one of those “acme No. 470 clickers” ! Reproduction one obviously. Great video. 👍 There is even a wee guarantee in the bottom of the cardboard box. Awesome! 🇬🇧🇺🇸🇨🇦✌️

[@petermalloy5360]

Bless all these brave as WARRIORS

[@ROBERTNABORNEY]

In the US Airborne the challenge was "FLASH" and countersign was "THUNDER"

[@JayMac-gh1kx]

Great show as always keep this up n rolling out! From a oldswet my self an ex'service AB ALL THE WAY BROTHER FROM A OLDSWET ex2para! 😊

[@KitaraFloof]

my great grandfather was a canadian paratrooper on d day and always had some crazy stories he died late lat year, god rest his soul

[@TheOldMan-75]

I have one of these clickers. They are definitely loud. MUCH louder than you would expect when you see it in real life.

[@ShagShaggio]

Cheers!

[@garethwallace7807]

Paid homage at the Royal Armouries in Leeds today 🎉 ! Glad to approach our Guru’s GHQ with due reverence.

[@gorbalsboy]

The M1 was a fantastic weapon for it's time ,the nonsense about being underpowered is typical fuddlore put about by refms,😮,no one complains about 9mil being ineffective in the MP 40 and .30carbine is just as powerful if not more than 357magnum ,the only issue was the 30rd mags issued with the full auto M2 which was a role the weapon wasn't desighned for .great stuff as ever Johnathan and team😊

[@frankhernandez188]

Thank you for talking about the M1 carbine, here in the USA it is very collectable, I have two of them one made by General Motors inland Division and the other one from Rock-Ola Jukeboxes company they are fun to shoot

[@wills2140]

Thank you for mentioning the Roc - Ola made M1 carbines!

[@viandengalacticspaceyards5135]

That cricket is actually from the Acme company. I thought that existed only in Roadrunner cartoons.

[@bostonrailfan2427]

since 1870 according to their website, funny coincidence that they made a cartoonish item!

[@JonathanFergusonRoyalArmouries]

@@bostonrailfan2427 Not a coincidence! "Acme" is Greek for "peak" (in this context). So it was used heavily in company names and marketing. Hence the cartoons named a fake company that. There was never an company just called "Acme", it was always "The Acme X Company", which is true here for the clicker makers also.

[@bostonrailfan2427]

@@JonathanFergusonRoyalArmouries no, i mean the coincidence is that a cartoon’s generic name was the one that made a cartoonish device…

[@JonathanFergusonRoyalArmouries]

@@bostonrailfan2427 Oh sorry, I get you :)

[@andrewcoley6029]

I've always wondered about that scene. Thanks for that, really interesting content the MkV Sten is really cool/

[@Altoar]

Great video, really interesting to see the exact weapons that would've been used and the breakdown of them.

[@North_sea_empire_Viking]

My Grandfather was issued a Sten for D-day. I remember him telling me that they were "cheap and mass produced" and also "they were prone to jamming" so he ditched it and got an MP40 which he called a "Schmiezer" which I believe is the company that made these SMG's. He also commandeered a German officer's Walther P38 with the Nazi Eagle embossed hand grip, which I've handled in person. My Grandfather was the coolest man I ever met, and although being stone deaf for three weeks after all the shelling on D-day and getting blown up off a German grenade, he still said the war "was fun".😅😂😂

[@gabehartman6832]

Such a thorough and thoughtful review. Subbed

[@Lankythepyro]

Loved the video, thanks Jonathan and the whole gang at the Royal Armouries and IWM. Over at Forgotten Weapons they're currently doing a series across the stens and released the Mk III today. I feel like you've given me an advanced look at the end of their series 😛

[@valiantaircommandinc]

Thank you for visiting our C-47! Would it be OK for us to share this video on our social media?

[@RoyalArmouriesMuseum]

Absolutely!

[@michaelhawkins7389]

@@RoyalArmouriesMuseum would you be doing the german guns as well?

[@LaNoLaCola]

Glad the Royal Armouries didn't disappoint for this historic day

[@Ptaaruonn]

Awesome show, as always.

[@ZGryphon]

Fun fact, which I'm sure Jonathan knows, but since he didn't mention it: the M1A1 carbine needed that little bracket for the oiler on the back of the ersatz cheek rest because in the regular M1, that same cylindrical vial is housed in a slot in the wooden buttstock--and does double duty as a sort of retaining pin for the sling, which is also threaded through that slot. Also, I've just remembered a use of those metal crickets from when I was a kid in the '70s--they were part of a game my family had. I think it was the home version of a television game show, possibly _Jeopardy!_ A handful of crickets came with the set to stand in for the electronic buttons contestants on the real thing used to "buzz in" during play. Obviously that's not their _original_ use, since there were no TV game shows in the 1940s, but maybe there was something similar on the radio?

[@wills2140]

maybe. Unfortunately the only person I ever knew that remembered those old radio programs and "game shows" was my dad, born 1916... So I can't even say for sure if any of those radio shows used sound devices like the "cricket" - and since The Museum of Broadcast Communications in Chicago (which also housed the National Radio Hall Of Fame) moved again a year ago, I have no idea where to check...

[@Pyjamarama11]

My granddad was in a specialist camouflage company After he was dropped into France on D Day, he wasn't seen again until after VE Day

[@haydenbretton2990]

Mid and late 1940's we had those clickers in our Christmas stockings, some were in the shape of a frog but I recall the most I saw were the ones you showed us Jonathan.

[@David-c6k6w]

The Challenge of the 101st and 82nd Airbourne was "Flash" and Response "Thunder", but only the 101st had the Cricket as well. The usage of the Cricket is very well depicted in Band of Brothers Episode 2

[@BrynTheWizard]

You really didn't need to justify the inclusion of the clicker. It's a gadget that was issued to troops and has an interesting story! One that was completely new to me as well, thank you!

[@TomZart]

80th. ANNIVERSAR OF D-DAY : !! D-Day raised the curtain on the conflict That fore shadowed the end of Hitler's dream. The largest joint combat landing ever Though the blood from both sides flowed like a stream. When their boats hit the sand, their ramps went down And all within paid a visit to hell. They jumped out to do good for their country And to kill the enemy without fail. They fought the Germans, tides, winds and the waves In conditions not easily foreseen. By night the battle was in our favor With bravery, valor, death, and men who scream. The corpses littered the beach for five miles Though heroism had carried the day. With literally thousands dead or wounded Those who were left were determined to stay. They faced great odds and chose not to protest And won the war that put evil to shame. Most came home, married and raised their babies But those who could not we recall with pain. By Tom Zart! Most Published Poet On The Web!

[@fernslinger5737]

I met D-Day veteran about 25 years ago and one of things he told me that stuck with me was how unreliable the Sten MK2 was. I remember him telling me that he and his mate hopped over a fence for a piss and as his jumped down, his Sten discharged and they got bollocked.

[@whydat684]

Great post

[@ChenAnPin]

I think the other depiction of the clicker that showed it in use was in the Band of Brothers episode "Day of Days" when Lt Winters and Pvt Hall links up with Sgt Lipton and the 82nd Airborne paras right after they landed after using the clicker, which is much less louder than in the movie "The Longest Day" yet no less distinct in the darkness.

[@stenanderson1695]

watching anything where the sten is frequently mentioned always makes my mind a little wonky since my name is Sten so it's like someone is casually talking about how awful the first Mk of my existence was.

[@jimmyrustler8983]

They just kept cloning you until they got what they wanted. 😂

[@neilwilson5785]

Great stuff! Click! Click click! as always.

[@petermalloy5360]

D DAY landings was HELL ,straight into machine guns positioned perfectly and so many killing zones.RESPECT TO ALL SOLDIERS AND SAILORS THERE "WE WILL REMEMBER THEM"

[@parptarf]

The M1A1 is really cool.

[@AeroFix94]

i really enjoyed the clicker. Deffinetly something you dont see or hear about anymore. I have forgot about it and the movie TLD must be the only time i have seen it so, thanks for bringing it up :)

[@bostonrailfan2427]

the M1A1 carbine wasn’t strapped to the chest, it’s strapped to the leg of paratroopers as their chest has the spare parachute, and gear needed by the squad. there was a specific bag that dropped down below the soldier just before landing and upon getting out of his parachute rig he grabbed the bag and yanked his weapon out regarding the cricket clicker…you might enjoy this: it’s British made, manufactured by The Acme who are still in business and who were hired to make them on short notice. it was far easier to use a local company to supply them than have them shipped in from the US

[@JonathanFergusonRoyalArmouries]

Hmm. I have definitely seen the M1 strapped across the chest. If you Google 'SHOWING POSITIONS OF SCR 536 FIELD RADIO ON PARATROOPER WITH FULL EQUIPMENT FOR JUMPING AT FORT BENNING, GEORGIA ON 24 JULY 1944' you'll see one. But that's an M1 - presumably by D-Day they'd changed that practice? Anyway, I shouldn't have assumed. Re the clicker, yes, the one I show is a modern copy from the same company; for lack of time we showed the label in the box rather than talk about them but it is really cool that they still exist and sell them.

[@bostonrailfan2427]

@@JonathanFergusonRoyalArmouries the chest strapping may be the exception not the norm and done by choice not by requirement, i have seen the very bags used and it makes sense but also understand why many chose to risk chest fractures over pelvic fractures

[@wills2140]

Yes, you are correct. The "leg bag" was a British para "invention". It was meant to hold the paratroopers weapon, spare ammunition for the company's reserve, and specialist equipment like mines, specialist grenades, and basically whatever fit (they could weigh up to 50kg! yikes!) The airborne forces generally called these "musette bags" and they were attached with straps and had a rope that the soldiers were supposed to drop them down on as they descended. Most of the leg bags were lost by the American Paratroopers, because the planes did not slow down for the drops due to encountering heavy flak and ground fire - the slipstream ripped the bags and other equipment off the troops as the exited the airplanes. The _Band Of Brothers_ series gives a quick mention of this when Easy Company is preparing before boarding their aircraft, and Lutz reads the letter circulated from Col Sink... "tonight is the night of nights..." The American paratroopers had never jumped with anything like the musette bag before, their M1 carbines had previously been in a side "holster" that attached to their belts and rested their rifle against their leg after jumping. On some previous occasions they had strapped their M1 rifle or M1 sub machine gun across their chest, there are photos showing this in some training jumps, iirc

[@aferguson850]

The clicker is amazing

[@kapten-awesome]

What i think is really funny in the longest day scen is that the sound effect is that he shoots 2 times but not reloading between :p

[@keithskelhorne3993]

I remember as a kid in the 60s ( OK Boomer) getting those clickers free in comics and cereals.

[@andybtec]

The cricket made my dog jump😀

[@bostonrailfan2427]

nit too far off from what is used in obedience school so might be PTSD from that 🤣

[@kb7.62]

I got my first cricket clicker as a young boy from mike's militaria in Wolverhampton, UK. Probably around 2008

[@robshirewood5060]

The M1A1 was also a favoured weapon by the SAS of 1 and 2 SAS dropped into France before D-Day and during it and later, as i read in Flames from the Forest about the ops of SAS after D-Day.

[@nunyabidniz2868]

WRT the little metal cricket, as a kid I wore out one of them [kid toy version, not original D-Day kit or repop.] A vivid reminder why certain "lifetime" warranties purposely exclude shark bite, bear attack & children under 5!

[@paulkendall6069]

Look forward to seeing part 2. Would like to see how the Parachute regiments carried the light and medium machine guns I would have thought in a canister and ammunition boxes on parachutes separately, couldn't see them doing it disassembled then there's the morters& field radios and batteries.

[@jonprince3237]

There was a specific padded valise for both rifles and LMGs in use by that point, so they could be jumped with on the person. There was also some use of the infamous leg/Landsers bag, though one Airborne engineer I spoke to years ago who jumped on D-Day said his leg bag. containing a Bren and demolitions equipment left him as he exited the aircradt and that was the last he saw of it, though he said he'd jumped holding it across his chest as he'd detached it during the flight for comfort but couldn't then get it back on his leg when it came time to jump, Another chap said he'd jumped with a haversack of Bren mags across his chest and when he landed he'd thought he'd injured himself as his chest felt tight and he was struggling to sit up, then he suddenly remembered the haversack was there. MMGs and mortars were usually dropped by container, There was provision for men to jump with them using adapted examples of the Bren drop valise and specific harnesses, but it doesn't seem from accounts that it was happening by D-Day, most accounts seem to mention support weapons being recovered, or not, from drop containers.

[@wills2140]

The "leg bag" used by paratroopers was a British para "invention". Though the Brits had used them before, the American Airborne had not. Most of those bags were indeed ripped off the soldiers legs in the turbulence and high speed slipstream they exited the planes into - because almost none of the planes slowed down to "jump speed" due to receiving flak fire. The Americans called these "musette bags" and since they hadn't trained with them they did not like or trust using the musette bags on "...the night of nights..." (as proved right in the experience of D Day Airborne operations).

[@SplashingMANGO]

There's a beautiful Mk. 5 on display along with a mannequin dressed in the appropriate airbourne dress in the Canadian War Museum in their WW2 section. I know a trip to Ottawa can be a big ask for many Canadians but I highly recommend making the trip to see the museum if nothing else. It's a very good museum.

[@robshirewood5060]

very strange over the "cricket" scene because the German fired two shots to kill the 82nd Airborne Trooper, from a single shot Kar98k, operating the bolt on this rifle as you know would eject a live round, from the miserly 5 round magazine, and he did not operate the bolt for the second shot. Ironically my great uncle who was on the D-Day landings as a Royal Marine Commando said that they would load their Lee Enfields with 10 in the mag, plus 1 up the spout with the rifle on half cock, by pulling the "hammer" back half way locking the bolt, and then quietly pull it all the way back when in contact or enemy approaching, and then fire on order or fire at will when enemy close, without needing to operate the bolt. After that round the normal bolt action sequence would be used. Thus 11 rounds for the Brits as opposed to 5 for the Germans. For a time he also acquired and used a Browning 9mm taken from a dead German, a Colt auto pistol, and when a Don-R, a Despatch Rider for a short time an, M1A1 and Mk 5 Sten on his motorcycle, the M1A1 in a crude rifle bucket made from a US Bazooka rocket pouch mounted on the motorcycle frame. It also had spare rations and the vital British weapon of ww2 dried TMS tablets Tea Milk Sugar, and American coffee, acquired lol.

[@wills681]

Always good to hear Pacific tree frogs vocalising in the 'clicker' segment of that movie. How the frogs got to Normandy is anyone's guess. 🙂

[@18robsmith]

The clicker was a good deviation from your normal offerings. Having seen that segment I can't help but think "Has Jonathan got any more not-quite off topic devices up his sleeve"?

[@capt.bart.roberts4975]

My uncle died at Arnhem.

[@birdmanfree1651]

I detest violence, but find arms endlessly fascinating - yes, weird, I know. A great presentation on a very sombre day. Thanks, as ever. Very many thanks also for comment on the clicker - I had been "educated" by the film, I can now believe that it killed rather few of the ally forces.

[@CurlyJones]

I don't think it's weird at all I feel the same way. I always say "Guns are really cool, it's too bad they kill people"

[@birdmanfree1651]

@@CurlyJones Even worse, even sadder, we still need them!

[@darklighter66]

Same.

[@P-Mouse]

not only good for knowing friend/foe, but can also be used for training dogs.

[@cyclonetaylor7838]

My Mk. II stengun had spring clips inside the lower arm of my stock to hold my early sten gun bayonet when not attached to the barrel.

[@charlesmoss8119]

Blimey - Gucci? Heck this is Hermes - quite the upgrade - amazing what a bit of wood does for the aesphetic of aSten

[@RaccoonLex]

I have seen enough of Roadrunner cartoon to have reservations about something with the name ACME on it😅

[@N7-alpha]

nice classic calculator watch you got there sir

[@womble321]

The C-47 that led the US assult on D-day is still flying!

[@shingerz]

Good video 👍

[@zulubeatz1]

If the German knew about the clicker, he would have just tossed a grenade at anything that made the same noise. I can't see that secret staying secret long.

[@Phantasia_Workshop]

Look at Jonathan beating Ian to the punch with that STEN 😂

[@amithrodrigo87]

@ 6:57 the gentleman to the far right is the Ceylonese paratrooper (Modern day Sri Lankan) Mr. Kanchana Senerat Kadigawe AKA RAJA.

[@cjf755]

In the longest day scene, there were two shots too soon together to be fired by a single Mauser before the German walks into frame. They may have realized after the fact the sound of chambering a round had too little of a gap between the bolt opening and closing that they tried mixing it with the cricket and ultimately added a second unseen German to it.

[@150flivver]

I'm surprised that a weapons expert commenting on the clicker shooting scene in The Longest Day, didn't say anything about the fact that the paratrooper who mistook the German working the bolt on his rifle somehow was able to get shot twice, bang bang, without the German working the bolt between shots.

[@latewizard301]

A Major in the Norwegian army and historian talked about an incident he had heard of (he said it was just a claim and he couldn't verify it) that 5 Norwegian soldiers were in Scotland to train as commandos, when suddenly their truck drove over a bump and the whole magazine of one of the guys' Sten was discharged into the roof of the truck. That's kinda scary to think about...

[@jonathanlewis453]

My late father, a Royal Marine, described something similar to me when I was a child but he received his training in Wales. I suspect that it might have been a valuable lesson in firearm safety. Realism was important so they did do live firing exercises but I cannot see the justification for a loaded firearm in the back of a truck. I can visualise the bolt bouncing in its closed position or maybe out of the safety detent in some circumstances but it would take a double defect if the fire were not interrupted by the trigger not being depressed. At the same time, the cycling of a machine carbine is such that it calls for a firm grip to keep it pointed in the same place. There may be a kernel of truth to the story but I’m not convinced of the full extent of it.

[@wills2140]

I had seen something like this story, decades ago when I was just starting my study of WWII in Europe, and a couple of others as well. The Sten had a "reputation" for erratic discharges and unreliability that made the M1 carbine seem like the safest "automatic rifle" in the world...

[@jonathanlewis453]

@@wills2140 The M1 Carbine is semi-automatic and gas operated. If you want some of the vices of the Sten at many, many times the cost, a legitimate comparison would be the Thompson.

[@mitchellschmidt1791]

In the longest day I think the idea was the first click was pulling the bolt back and second was cycling it forward it still doesn't make sense to have the pause between it but that's what it sounded like to me

[@MaxBrodsky.]

When you fully upgrade the first weapon you get in the game