Trench Mortars - German Double Standards - Hughes’ Shovel I OUT OF THE TRENCHES

[@micah4993]

Are we certain that the chair of wisdom hasn't possessed Indie.

[@stormynight3397]

Micah Bierlein ikr

[@BSBoertje]

Or the other way around.

[@Healermain15]

I think the Chair is trying to seduce us.

[@weldonwin]

I just wonder, is the chair of wisdom comfy to sit in?

[@JohnPC00]

sander heutink Trying?

[@skepticalbadger]

Saw back bayonets were designed for cutting wood, not creating worse wounds. Britain knew this having previously issued them for pioneers etc, but complained to Germany anyway. Germany made its own claims about British horror weapons. It was all political bollocks on both sides.

[@walterceuppens6988]

The Germans had bayonets that looked liked screwdrivers. They were supposed to rip all your guts out.I saw them. They also had lead arrows that were meant to be thrown out of the plane to kill the poor buggers in the trenches. My granddad was one of the buggers. He survived ; Not for long C

[@coitip2920]

@@walterceuppens6988 flechettes were used by the British to you idiot

[@gottmituns9652]

@@walterceuppens6988 flechets were a entante creation so stfu

[@92GreyBlue]

@@walterceuppens6988 lol.. "C"

[@clarkoption1941]

Is it that relevant though to the question? It could have been “how could some weapons be considered inhumane when gas was used”. There were also those trench knife with the pyramid shape blade and pyramid shape knuckles on the guard

[@briantanner1068]

Thanks for responding to my question about shotguns and jagged bayonets vs chemical weapons. To give you some background: during the Gulf War [90-91], I was a recon platoon leader in the US National Guard and we were preparing to deploy to Kuwait. I had a nightmare one night about being in a gas attack and having my gas mask ripped off [I woke up in a cold sweat before I "died" in the nightmare]. My unit never got into that war, but that nightmare returns when I hear of chemical attacks against civilians. Now, I'm a paramedic and I see the results of shotgun blasts [often more immediately fatal than other gun shots] and jagged cuts [usually more survivable than "spike" type wounds like most "clean" bayonets would produce] far too often. Lesson: war is a loser's game where the only winners are the survivors. Thanks again and keep up the good work!

[@Soulseeker223]

In regards to trench mortars, I can give a little information regarding training conditions and enlistment in the U.S. military. As trench mortars were a fairly new concept, the U.S. often simply reassigned troops from units they were disbanding (the cavalry for example) and assigned them to trench mortars instead. The 1st Pennsylvania Cavalry (the oldest military unit in the US) is an example of this, as several troops were used to create trench mortar batteries in the 28th Division's 53rd Artillery Brigade. As the concept was new to the American military at the time, and there was a general shortage of material, training was generally done with improvised weapons made out of "gas pipes and bombs from jam cans and cakes of T.N.T." Although I don't know any sources directly on trench mortar batteries, I can point you towards "Pennsylvania in the First World War: An Illustrated History of the 28th Division", which has a chapter dedicated to the 103rd trench mortar battery.

[@Rickinsf]

In "all Quiet on the Western Front," Remarque mentions taking saw-back bayonets away from new recruits...if captured while bearing one, they'd get no mercy from the French.

[@Tommy-5684]

whernt saw tooth bayonets originally given to the Pioneer battalions then again as it was the Pioneers who where trained with grenades up untill mid 1915 they would be some of the leading assault troops

[@scottrice370]

I thought I was the only one who remebered that part of the movie.

[@Tula-cs1ef]

They also made them like that from the factory I saw a collector buy one off a guy at a show omce

[@melware2784]

yes ! they were German bayonets not British ---

[@coitip2920]

@@melware2784 yet the British starved over a million German citizens to death with blockade. But hey IT WAS HUMANE RIGHT

[@gusjeazer]

Storm of steel by Ernst Jünger mentioned mortars quite often. It seemed from that book, they were a step up from rifle grenades. Used in a very impulsive manner for immediate firepower. To quickly respond to the enemy. He even talked about a small group of men that were 'hotheads' who spend their time in trying to figure out different ways of throwing bombs at the enemy. They were enjoying that sort of thing. They meant trouble for their fellow soldiers, because the frequent revenge attacks they caused. I could imagine these men being excellent mortar crews.

[@multitieredinvestor183]

Dad was in 317th Trench Mortar Battery in WWI. He was the editor of the 42d Rainbow Reveille a news letter to those who served in that Divison.

[@johnhooser5483]

As a former 11 Charlie (Indirect Fire Infantryman - Mortar) I always love hearing more about our history! Many, many thanks to Indy et al!

[@Darkrunn]

The instant I hear "Sam Hughes," I know it's going to be a fun time for the Canadians. The Ross rifle has such a weird story, it would be hilarious if it didn't actually get people killed when their rifles simply didn't work. Highly recommend that C&Rsenal video about the Ross rifle.

[@TheGreatWar]

+Darkrunn yes, that was eye opening

[@kchishol1970]

Well, the Ross Rifle did work... as a target rifle for snipers, but not for trench warfare.

[@neildahlgaard-sigsworth3819]

Back when I was a lad, about 25 years ago, my local library had a book about soldiers from various periods including WW1. The soldier for WW1 was a German infantryman, who was told by the veterans in the unit he was sent to to file of the saw teeth on his bayonet else the British would shoot him straight away if they captured him. I guess both sides used bayonets with saw teeth.

[@veljkosimovic6779]

I'm aware that this is going to be pretty personal comment, but I want to say - It is very calming and it feels good just to listen a decent, intelligent man. No wonder I'm hooked on this channel eversince I found it. Also, crew of this channel deserves respect and admiration for the job they're doing and we're not even aware of. Love you guys, you may be proud!

[@Moredread25]

I've read that the trench mortar groups (at least in the British army) were semi-independent units who were not necessarily under the same chain of command as the regular units in a given area; this was done so that they would undertake missions under their own initiative. This was done because shooting the mortar would inevitably stir up the enemy and provoke a response. The mortarmen would fire and then move positions so that they would not be injured by the return fire but this irked the regular soldiers because they would end up catching the incoming rounds. Harassing trench mortar fire was a big part of the British doctrine of an active front to keep the Germans constantly on alert and suffering casualties. By keeping them out of the regular chain of command it would prevent any local officer who was inclined to keep things quiet from stopping them from shooting.

[@melware2784]

I used to work on a house owned by Major Aylward ? D.S.O. who in 1914 made makeshift mortars in the trenches using strong elastic to lob fused jars filled with scrap metal and explosive into the german trenches . he told me that when it was very cold sometimes the elastic would snap ! causing great consternation --- that is recorded factual history !

[@markstrue-nielsen275]

This channel is the best thing to happen on youtube

[@derickgabrillo1579]

0:04 when you lowkey have a chair fetish👌

[@Thebossstage1]

Haha

[@randomstupiddude3565]

this one totally got me

[@matthewmayton1845]

Part of me was waiting for the saxophone solo from Careless Whisper to play

[@Lowlandlord]

"Low key"

[@Nubyrc]

Your show is what the History Channel was supposed to be about

[@DuduDruidDotCom]

Does Indy take the chair of wisdom to home as well? If so... We should start worrying.

[@Healermain15]

Then he sits at the table of widom, to dine on the meatball of wisdom.

[@MephLeo]

He then proceeds to shower in the bathtub of wisdom, after which he sleeps on the bed of wisdom with his pajamas of wisdom and his ted-bear of wisdom.

[@eddiecamacho3014]

Splashy Thing lol

[@DuduDruidDotCom]

I just hope he gets plenty of dreams of wisdom and then wakes up in his bed of wisdom and gets a breakfast of wisdom...

[@DuduDruidDotCom]

To work of wisdom?

[@alexandersakhnenko3150]

Indy, small jests that you started to inlay in the overall serious tone of your episodes made them so much more entertaining to watch. Carry on, please and thank you and your team for amazing work!

[@fhsreelfilms]

Indy and crew, here's some more information regarding the use of trench mortars in the US Army. Standard American tactical doctrine called for an assaulting battalion to deploy in some depth. Up front were two companies deployed abreast with two half-platoons deployed as skirmishers and separated by 25 yards. Next came the other platoons in the front companies, deployed in squad columns. Remember squads back then were specialized toward a certain task rather than having a mix of specializations. Some were rifle squads, some were auto-rifle squads (usually with the French Chauchat), and some were rifle-grenadiers. 300 yards behind the two assault companies were the support companies, also deployed in squad columns. Finally, 75 yards behind the support companies were the support weapons, such as heavy machine guns, the 37mm cannons and trench mortars, as well as the Battalion HQ. In theory, this formation allowed the heavier weapons to move forward if and where needed to provide fire. For example, in the Meuse-Argonne campaign of 1918, the 37mm guns of the US 26th Infantry played a useful role in helping to neutralize enemy machine gun positions. According to the regiment's official war history, their trench mortars performed a similar function in busting through the German bunkers and defenses in the area. However, big weapons like the 37mm and mortars also made tempting targets for German artillery. According to the account of one 37mm gunner, much of his crew died, along with plenty of infantrymen who were simply unfortunate enough to be around the guns when they got bombarded. I wonder if this is why they got the suicide name. Lugging a heavy mortar tube and shells across the battlefield and moving to the various hot spots in order to provide support fire must have been a dangerous job. It would be slow, tedious work, and when they did finally get to putting down some fire, every enemy gunner in the area would likely try to get them.

[@TheGreatWar]

Thanks for the info.

[@theallseeingmaster]

I met a British WW1 veteran who finally died of his gas injuries in 1985. His whole life after the war was one of misery and physical suffering. He was a very sweet, kind man despite everything that happened to him and collected Royal Dalton for over fifty years.

[@dylanmilne6683]

Personally I think the "German bias" against certain weapons was highly likely to be propaganda.

[@thurin84]

indeed. the british propaganda mill made much of the "beastly hun" using sawback bayonets despite the fact that the british had been using them for decades.

[@420trippyhippie]

Indy is hands down one of the best and most interesting KZbin presenters. I have never been so interested in the great war as I have since finding you guys. Thanks for all your great content and great presentation!

[@alcarr1054]

Mortars can be very devastating, served in an artillery regiment and I could witness what these can do. All do the Otto mellara guns can fill this gap today. Cheers y'all great show! Keep 'em commin'!

[@ralphreiley8498]

For the Germans, the saw back bayonet for for pioneers and machine gunners. It was to be used as a saw, to cut branches for making an emplacement for the machine gun. It was not to make the bayonet more deadly when used to kill an enemy soldier.

[@emil3801]

I want a Mighty Chair of Wisdom too!

[@quasimodo8959]

Who doesnt? I NEED one. I'm senile

[@kaylenzwartebroeckx4579]

Hi Indy, I'm a Belgian boy and I love your show! You learn me more than my teachers at school. On your background we can see some artifacts of The Great World War and here is my question; Do you collect things of The Great War, and if you do would you be so kind to show us your collection in a special episode? Thnx for answering my question Keep up the great work! Or in Flemisch, doe zo voort Indy!

[@cliffclark2285]

I think another thing about shotguns is that the U.S. was really the only military at the time that used shotguns as standard issue armaments. Shotguns have always been seen as sporting weapons for hunting by most of the rest of the world so not many nations even considered using them in a combat setting. I think that's changed a little over the years in certain countries like Russia but it seems like most counties still don't use the shotgun in a military function beyond door breaching and a few other technical functions

[@briantanner1068]

Shotguns also have such limited range it makes them less desirable as a primary weapon. The US has shotguns that can be attached under the barrel of an assault rifle for breaching so the soldier doesn't have to depend on the shotgun alone.

[@royperkins3851]

Shotguns are issued for picket duty ,more likely to hit at night with a shotgun than a rifle ,and in trenches the spread would breakup a attack or a defense in short order!

[@GodzThirdLeg]

Most countries don't use them because they are considered immoral. And they are probably against the Hague convention. And also there is almost no use for them anyway.

[@kemarisite]

Unsurprisingly, the US government would neglect to mention its use of shotguns as a weapon of war in its presentation to the US Supreme Court two decades after the war.

[@DinDramatiskaFantom]

This episode was so new that it wasn't even in my subscription list :P

[@sabin445]

Who holds the knowledge? The Chair of Wisdom or Indy? :D

[@samh1022]

Astro Craft they're one and the same.

[@nathanboolin4944]

Astro Craft They work together to make things possible

[@christopherconard2831]

The chair is a tool, a portal to the minds of 1917. Indie is the voice it has chosen to speak through.

[@Zamolxes77]

Neither. Books and people hold the knowledge, Indy learns the knowledge, and when is time to pass it on, the chair supports him, calms him, allows the information to flow freely.

[@johncampbell481]

Astro Craft they each hold half of every fact. when together, they know all.

[@Khanclansith]

Forgotten Weapons actually has a video of how the Ross rifles were put back together wrong and what happened when they blow up. Look it up.

[@richardshort3914]

*Khanclansith* The later versions had a pin put through the bolt to prohibit mis-assembly. This could be done either during manufacturing or (like mine) by armourers in the field. In the book, "A Rifleman Went to War," a former American officer who enlisted in the Canadian Army recorded that during training one soldier put 33 _aimed_ rounds on target at 100 yds. That meant the shooter hit a 4" x 4" target 33 times in one minute with a bolt action rifle that had to be reloaded after each five rounds. Although the Ross was very prone to jamming due to an exposed mechanism and and muddy conditions, an equal problem was Sir Ian Ross designed it for very high velocity ammunition, which although interchangeable with the British-manufactured .303 used a different metallurgy for the case and did not swell so much when used 'in the heat of battle'. (That was also remedied by reaming the chamber to provide clearance, a the expense of reduced bullet speed.)

[@kenstr321]

C&Rsenal Did a great episode on the Ross but if you want to know about the mis-assembly of the bolt check out Forgotten Weapons.

[@thurin84]

hosted by gun jesus!!!

[@RobCamp-rmc_0]

They also briefly covered the shortcomings of the Ross in a recent episode on this channel, on the British Rifles

[@petrussillanpaa9161]

And Ian did show that bolt flying out of the gun was pretty much a myth... What however was not, was the fact that the incorrectly assembled bolt would blow open if fired. That alone is very dangerous and scary but not the proof of the myth of flying bolt.

[@davidvonkettering204]

Chair of Wisdom is no Metal Snake! Love, David

[@1293ST]

Is the chair itself the source of your great historic knowledge?

[@blankblank6545]

Indy might want to keep that a secret

[@maceroni5869]

1293ST I

[@ЈованИвановић]

Indeed

[@divaybishnoi2773]

1293ST shhh

[@the_Mr_Bones]

Hi Indie and crew, love the show. I was recently reading a book about the 167th infantry regiment of the rainbow division called Send the Alabamians and came across a quote by Douglas McArthur saying that "their service had not been surpassed in military history" and was wondering what deeds the regiment and division achieved to earn such high praise from a man like him?

[@paulmanson253]

The Unholy Profit Indirect answer. Author Keith Halberstam has a book on the Korean War, easily the best I have read. Included is an appreciation of MacArthur that shows his best and worst sides. He readily magnified what he wanted,was all too frequently a liar,and loyalty only went one way. He also courted the far right,enraging his commander in chief. FDR was that then Truman,total 20 years. So I think the words you found should be in context of US achievement in WW1,not to belittle others. But that was the effect.

[@Coolpeter95]

Another stellar intro, Indy.

[@Mike-tg7dj]

Investigating trench mortars would interesting to investigate. I think it was in "All Quiet on the Western Front" that they describe a trench mortar attack and the intensity of the destruction. The squad was returning from a raiding party and came upon the destruction brought on by the trench mortar. The explosion when they impacted literally blew the uniforms off the soldier on the receiving end. In addition to scene there were body parts lying about with brains, intestines scattered everywhere and some were even scattered to the molecules that the were made of. Actually that last was from G. J. Meyer's " A World Undone" , but it was so vivid in describing the ammo dump blowing up at Verdun. On word terrifying. Thanks for the recommendation G. J. Meyer is a great writer and A World Undone is most enjoyable.

[@ErwinPommel]

This week in the Great War - Fifty Shades of Wisdom, with Indy Neidell

[@augustinedaudu9203]

Dang. Indie must have a love life with the chair of wisdom

[@legionitalia309]

Both of those sawback bayonets are German. The Brits are holding a captured German 98/05. I believe the question was confused, as it should have read "the Germans said they'd execute shotgun holders and the Allies would kill any German caught with a sawback bayonet." The Germans ended up grinding off the sawbacks, but the US had no intention of giving up shotguns. Even today the average American sportsman is an excellent shotgunner, a priority not given to by Europeans due to the various royal hunting restrictions, among other historical reasons. Childhood Shotgun skills are also attributed to several US ww2 aces high kill counts as proper target leading applies to both.

[@briantanner1068]

I think you are right about that, bad research on my part.

[@kossakken]

Shotguns are VERY common in Norway, especially for hunting birds like grouse and goose, I don't see why this would be different in other European countries. In for instance movies and TV-shows from the English countryside, there is always someone out hunting with a shotgun.

[@pingun96]

Shotguns in Europe have not been that common for a long time though. Or in this case, not in the form used on the front in the war. A trenchgun shotgun was far from a regular hunting shotgun. Hunting shotguns were around in Europe, but they were totally useless for service in war.

[@scotsbillhicks]

Legionitalia i

[@burlatsdemontaigne6147]

Cyan Onion Cyan Onion You clearly don't know much about the British traditions of hunting, both with dogs, and shotguns.

[@lst1nwndrlnd]

OHH Mighty Chair of Wisdom.

[@Ashfielder]

That was an especially steamy introduction today.

[@colarisaka]

Many of those Ross rifles were sent to the USSR under the Canadian version of Lend-Lend and a modified rechambered one was used by the Soviet shooting team to win in the Olympics in the '70s.

[@williamprince1114]

Ian at Forgotten Weapons also did a interesting deep dive on the Ross rifle.

[@billy4072]

thanks.

[@ksytsma4realyo]

"Mighty" chair. I love it.

[@deadmeatdec2164]

my phone died watching (listening) to the first ad. An epix movie. Over an hour long. Wouldn't bad what I watched.

[@johnkilmartin5101]

One of the drawbacks of the Ross was the fact you need to move your head when you pull the bolt back losing the sight picture. The SMLE doesn't have this problem allowing for a greater volume of fire.

[@Gunnut10mm]

I know from visiting the chemical weapons museum at Ft. Lenoardwood MO that the US devloped a 4.2 inch mortar to shoot chemical shells from a British 4 inch mortar. Devloped in 1924 for this purpose taking lessons learned in more bloodshed than I care to think about. It was never used to fire Chemical weapons but HE rounds were later devloped and it was one of the worlds first modern by today's standards mortars. Meaning it was accurate and could be carried by its crew. The barrel weighs over a hundred pounds I don't want to have to pack it but it was used in WW2 and the Korean war extensivly and to great effect on numerous occasions.

[@samueljankey4436]

Mighty chair of wisdom

[@cesar_145]

Indy. Your incredible. Ever since I stumble on to your chanel, I keep following you.

[@melware2784]

I knew Major Aylward DSO , When he lived in Cupernam Lane Romsey Hants - He told me of improvising trench mortars , in effect by firing fused jam jars filled with explosive and bits of scrap metal into the enemy trenches by virtue of strong elastic ! Said problem could be when very cold the elastic could freeze and snap !

[@masonalexander7056]

The Hague Convention prohibited the use of expanding ammo. Hence all bullets had full metal jackets so that they did not expand on impact. Shotgun pellets are not just lead and the Germans maintained that there use was unlawful. In fact the buckshot used by the U.S. army was actually copper plated.

[@mkd2839]

Haven't watch the episode yet, but that's an oddly specific description. "the Germans could condemn the use of shotguns and saw-back bayonets while using chemical weapons, and a shovel with a hole in it."

[@stormynight3397]

StardustNotHötzendorf hi German guy

[@LTV746]

Seroiusly great questions

[@johnconstantine8035]

The chair and Indy have a bond that few truly understand

[@Halinspark]

Forgotten Weapons also did an episode about the Ross mk.3

[@indianajones4321]

What did Italian Somalia do in the War?

[@kaiserwilhelm3933]

Stealing French and British ships and take a lot of money. Exactly what they're doing today.

[@88pie88]

nothing. like always.

[@pingun96]

Not much really. Meme answers aside, not much of note. Infrastructure wasnt properly set up to make stuff there, or transport resources en masse to Italy on such a scale that it became a 'huge reliance' (due to lack of a better word). Manpower wise, I've never heard of much Italian colonials fighting in Europe, or having much fighting to do in Africa considering how few Italy's colonies were and all. It was underdeveloped and lacked most strategic value to do anything or be anything of note at the time. No matter what a Somalian Nationalist would say, it was and still is a very lackluster part of the globe with very little of note to care about.

[@Ray-lf1eo]

Indiana Jones they killed captain alex

[@STG44VOLVO]

Looking at somalians in the netherlands nowadays i guess they were just lying around chewing qat and were waiting for government support money to come in for free.

[@Tmanowns]

Indy and team, thank you for saying what I've been saying in regards to shotguns and sawbacks, versus flamethrowers and such. That said, it was often the Germans with the sawbacks, but like you said, the reason being, that even if they survived initially, they would die inevitably, thanks to medical conditions and technologies. People don't understand that a shotgun wound is an incredibly vicious and cruel way to die, especially if you aren't killed immediately. To use a tool that is incredibly cruel to only kill one man is the reason the Germans hated them, but to use something that could force (and give an opportunity for) the defenders to retreat, while ultimately killing relatively few is a fair argument. I mean, we're already talking about men having to charge into trenches, drowning in the mud in no man's land, clubbing each other to death with gears and decapitating each other with shovels. I'd be hard pressed to say no to using gas, if I were in the shoes of any of the commanders in the war, if only to spare my men a day of dying out in the Somme, or Ypres. This war, in a way unlike any war before, nor since, was just so damn awful.

[@samrussell4065]

The informal " banning of weapons" wasn't one-way: in ' All Quiet on the Western Front' written by an ex-soldier, the protafgonist mentions taking saw-backed bayonets off new recruits as the enemy (in this case the French) would kill them out of hand. Such attempts by the front-line troops to make life a little easier and more humaine have been part and parcel of warfare for centuries. A good example is that of the case from the Second World War of a German first aid post that was being targetted by British guns. A fighting patrol was sent out, who delivered a letter at a British field post-box addressed (including rank and honours) to the Commanding Officer in that sector. Upon receiptall fire the FAP was immediately stopped. (I recommend " The Velvet Glove: The Decline and Fall of Moderation in War" by M Glover for this episode) It was also the case that both sides generally saw captured snipers as fair game, in both world wars, because to the humble squaddie ( or Poilu, Doughboy or Landser) a soldier shot at a target, but a sniper stalked and killed an indivdual.

[@laiskamadooneus]

Greetings! A Finnish officer wrote an article about the history trench mortars in 1925. They were invented by Japanese soldiers during the siege of Port Arthur (Russo-Japanese War 1904-1905). First constructs, "shooting dugout mortars" were made out of reinforced bamboo tubes. That's interesting, since the very first gunpowder guns in China were also made out of bamboo. German observers noticed these and began developing own mortars in 1907. They were supposed to support pioneers trying to capture enemy fortifications. First "gun" was ready in 1910, and it shot mines weighting 97 kilograms. First "light" trench mortar was ready and 1914 and gave the pioneers tremendous firepower. Developing these guns was made in secret, so they came as a shock to Allies.

[@Tunkkis]

Ian from ForgottenWeapons also has a video about the Ross rifle.

[@iVETAnsolini]

Great episode guys, as always lol I always look forward to my weekends.

[@thebathman0987]

Interesting to see the question about British sawback bayonets. The Germans themselves had the model m1898/05, produced in two main variants: one without a sawback for general infantry use and one with a sawback for use by engineers and MG teams. After German soldiers caught with these serrated bayonets were usually killed instead of captured, troops issued with these would grind off the teeth from the spine. For pictures and information: www.gotavapen.se/gota/artiklar/98bayonets/98bayonets2.htm

[@nor0845]

One argument the germans used regarding shotguns was that bullets were meant to be jacketed with copper...Americans responded by saying (rightly) that the pellets used in their shotguns were copper coated.

[@finnwalters4819]

This mighty chair of wisdom

[@ottovonbismarck7094]

How common was suicide in the First World War?

[@jon-paulfilkins7820]

While gas did not kill right away, many would die later, much later, because their lungs were damaged. My Grandfather was convinced that his fathers life was cut short because he had caught a lung full in 1918.

[@FireAssayDevil]

A funny point about mortars for those who might not know. The Toby mortar was the name given by the British Army to Napoleonic era mortars pressed into service until the Stokes mortars came along in appreciable number. Named in honour of the tripper who came up with the idea (suited to trench warfare) to use these museum pieces. Maybe someone knows more about this story, admittedly it sounds like a "trench legend".

[@Idahoguy10157]

The Ross rifle shot a higher velocity Canadian cartridge. Two problems: 1) greater recoil. 2) no one but the Canadians used it.

[@lebverderben]

As to the "Suicide Club" for trench mortars, in his autobiographical book "Over The Top" published in early 1917, Arthur Empey employs the same term for bombers and machine gunners in the British regiment with which he served.

[@jacobpreen1118]

Germans were no different in the war. All sides had blood on there hands.

[@veljkosimovic6779]

That's not questionable. What is, is who started both WW's!

[@thorgalaegirsson6673]

Decius Julius Oh yes,how could I forget the infamous Anglo-French invasion of Poland of 1939

[@veljkosimovic6779]

+Decius Julius If you really claim that Austria started WWI then you wasn't paying attention what Indie, the guy who represents THIS channel, was saying here for years now. Germany pushed them, they wanted war. And about the latter part of your comment, that Britain and France started WWII, I'm without any reply to that. Not because it's true but because arguing with someone who's able to claim and write that is a waste of time.

[@veljkosimovic6779]

+Decius Julius Your words... I understand them one by one as you wrote them, but when they're put in context you've put them, it is ludacris. That is not history, that is YOUR history, which you may share with some fringe marginal elements. And that's fine, do it if you want with those friends of yours, but when you're trying to push that revisionist agenda among normal humans, it becomes obvious that that is just cheap propaganda. It is history, no one here blames today's Germany, so don't feel threathened. And about Austria and Serbia, if Germany wasn't involved, that conflict would be just one of many regional conflicts.

[@thebenis3157]

Veljko Simovic In a certain sense, it's true that France and the UK started WW2, because officially they went against Germany to defend Poland, but, from what I remember, the USSR too was invading Poland and they did nothing about it

[@ant4812]

German Pioniers were also issued saw-backed bayonets.

[@jeffreyplum5259]

The Forgotten Weapons Channel has a special video on firing Ross rifle with a badly assembled bolt. The bolt fails in the rifle rigged for remote firing. The rifle was built to follow the long barrel pattern of the old long Lee Enfield, not the short WWi rifle .

[@iainclark8695]

I read a book on tacit truces that mentioned both sides hating the presence of trench mortars. They'd fire off a few rounds and retreat, leaving everyone else to deal with the enemy reply.

[@nomad8723]

Excellent explination of the wartime rationale of always finding a way to justify the use of various weapons against the enemy, Indy. It is prespectives like those that never find their way into history classrooms nowadays. IIRC the British (and presumably others) made some use of inverted bullets in cartrages to achieve a spalling effect on protective steel shields (like the ones mentioned), with the reason being that it mostly wounded men, and was primarily used against sharpshooters or machine gunners who were duly despised. Whatever lets the soldier have some solice in his own lack of culpability. Denial must be allowed when the truth is often maddeningly more unpalatable. The poor men who served in the Great War deserve at least that and hopefully the admiration and pity of all future generations.

[@lamolambda8349]

The British and some others the video I saw said the germans did it first and it was a murican channel so...

[@byeah4277]

Huges was a bit of a tool. He was too hardheaded about this 'Built by canadians for canadians' story, and overlooked issues in equipment and weapons made in country just to have them issued.

[@richardshort3914]

*Byeah #427* Your description of Sir Sam Hughes is far too flattering.

[@jetthansen7498]

Hi Indy love the show I always wondered if doctors in the first word war ever put injured men out of there misery if there injuries weren't able to be treated

[@geekmansegraves]

Jett Hansen I believe Othais and Mae of the C&Rsenal channel tested this during their rundown of either the Winchester '97 or the Remington Model 10

[@jetthansen7498]

Eric Segraves ok thanks I'll check it out

[@SandyEA]

To be fair the Allied soldiers treated German troops with notched weapons pretty poorly as well. Also could you do a special about Sam Hughes. It was a fascinating, controversial figure in Canadian history and he really encapsulates much of the issues faced by smaller countries during the war.

[@VladTevez]

If only you could have mini chairs of wisdom in the online shop

[@AnyClownShoe]

Another problem for the Ross rifle was British vs Canadian ammunition. The Cdn .303 had a thicker casing which expanded less when fired

[@tommcdonald1873]

Saw Othais' critique on the Ross MkIII, which changed my opinion of from trash weapon to one which its role should have been specific like the Wentworth rifled musket in the US Civil War as a sniper weapon. Sam Hughes, I also think wanted to help some of his cronies to profit from Canada looking to develop its own defense and weapons industry.

[@velwheel3135]

When I was at the 82nd abn division 1968 during a demonstration live fire exercise, one 81mm mortar crew was killed apparently by dropping a second round into the tube before a delayed fire round had fired.

[@Reefersadness]

Hi Indy and Crew! Love the show! My grandfather always talks about how his grandfather was drafted by the US army after he immigrated from Russia (currently ukraine). According to him he was enlisted at Ellis Island and quickly sent back on a ship across the Atlantic for training. Have you heard of this happening to new immigrants? Was it specific to Russian immigrants? Many thanks and keep up the great work

[@aidanmorrow3321]

MIGHTY CHAIR OF WISDOM!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@Gravelgratious]

Indy is starting to go crazy

[@justinwillis3113]

Hey Indy my great grandfather was buildin pontoon bridges.

[@mikegord]

In his book the Seven Pillars of Wisdom T.E Lawrence refers to a British Sargent who was given the name of Mr Stokes. He taught the Arabs the use and care of the Stokes Mortar. An Australian soldier who taught the arabs the care and use of the Lewis Gun was called Mr Lewis

[@Ratkill]

I wish someone looked at me the way Indy looks at his chair

[@UCUCUC27]

i dont know about ww1 but i remember a ww2 biography by an american mortar team in afrika noted how once they fired against the enemy under enemy air superiority one of the fighters broke off from engaging the enemy fighters to shoot at them and he considers it an unnecessary deterrent

[@jasonirwin4631]

i know this is a bit late but Ian on forgotten weapons did a video of specially the issues the Canadians had with the Ross Mk3. he show how incorrect assemble the bolt for the rifle to blow up and test what happens when the rifle is fired with a bad bolt.

[@marktercsak9728]

It was the French who first used Chemical weapons on the battle field in ww1, they used teargas and the German retaliated and also used a form of tear gas and it went on from there.

[@willhovell9019]

Check your history , tear gas is not Chlorine or Mustard gas. My great grandfather ,a Welsh miner died on the Western front due to lung wounds of German poison gas attacks. The German Empire pioneered... Mustard, chlorine and engineered poison gas. Ariel bombing and coastal bombardment of civilians Civilian hostage execution Conscription of men in occupied territoriies. Submarine sinking of ships indiscriminately including civilian liners The barbarity of the German Empire wasn't just Entente propaganda. The first significant gas attack occurred at Ypres in April 1915, when the Germans released clouds of poisonous chlorine. The gas inflicted significant casualties among the British and Canadian forces at Ypres and caused widespread panic and confusion amongst the French colonial troops. The chlorine was a strong irritant on the lungs, with prolonged exposure proving fatal- c30.000 deaths Mustard gas, introduced by the Germans in 1917, blistered the skin, eyes, and lungs, and killed thousands.

[@silas4lagoon776]

O.O.T.T. Q, What were the roles of superheroes at home. Were there stories in the news of soldiers accomplishing incredible feats like taking entire trenches on their own? Also, say hi to everyone and everybody who likes, makes, watches and supports this show because they and you are all awesom!!!

[@flipvdfluitketel867]

If Ernst Junger and Louis Barthas came across each other in a trench, who would win?

[@ralebeau]

Sam Hughes also supplied the troops with inferior boots which were called Sham Shoes.

[@AmericanGI]

- Question for out of the trenches - hello Indy and team I really enjoy your show. I'm starting WWI French reenacting. What were the qualifications and how did they differ from one country to other needed to be a officer in the army?

[@rshaw1377]

My question is about the supply lines in the mountains on the Italian front for both the Austrians and Italians. Surely supply would be very tough over the terrain on this front. Thanks for a great show!

[@Edax_Royeaux]

What I found odd when I watched a documentary about poison gas was that it was intended as a humane weapon. Instead of a soldier getting his guts ripped out to bleed out in agony, he would be put to sleep, and perhaps would not understand what had happened to him. It was supposed to be a gentle death. I thought that was an interesting justification for chemical warfare, which did highlight the fact that bullets are hardly humane. Though given how chemical warfare would result in the corrosion of the human body, that justification ended up being worthless.

[@tanzbaer2go]

Erich Maria Remarque describes in his novel "All quiet on the Western Front" an instance where they discover young German recruits with the saw-back bayonets whose eyes had been cut out, the nouses cut off and their mouths filled with dirt and sawdust to suffocate them after an English trench raid... Seems the Germans hadn't been the only ones who hated those bayonets...

[@robertwhinnen5602]

Nice to see those excellent photos of Australian mortar sections from the AIF ( Australian Imperial Force ) . We have a proud history of raising volunteer armies of exceptional professional standard and valour in both world wars WW2 produced the 2nd AIF. Korea was the first time Australia used regular army infantry when the Royal Australian Regiment was formed in 1948. I served in Vietnam in the 7th Battalion of the Royal Australian Regiment but I was a conscript, up to 60% of rifle sections in Vietnam after 1965 were conscripts. A disgusting system of a lottery based on your birth date decided if you were called up. If you were an alien or had friends in the Lib/Nat party who were in government you could avoid it. The most insulting case was Senator Hill who managed to have a friendly doctor get him off whilst a student in London later becoming the Minister for Defence in a later Lib/Nat government.

[@joaomaribeiro]

I'm a huge fan of your show, Indie and team, and I am surely learning a lot. I'm a WWII aficionado and your channel was my introduction to the military wonders and horrors of The Great War. I've always wondered but never had the courage to ask: would you ever consider producing a WWII channel, let's say, 80 years from '39, starting in 2019?

[@TheGreatWar]

www.reddit.com/r/TheGreatWarChannel/comments/4ksvy2/will_you_guys_ever_do_a_ww2_channel_our_official/