Did USN gun shields in WW-2 need instructions?

[Griff Murphey]

Apparently they need them today...4719247192

[togor]

"Do not stand in front of gun when it is operation"

"Ages 17 and up"

[barretcreek]

USS California?

[Art]

don't know what the instructions on the gun shield are for since they are unreadable on my 'puter. My brother, when he was touring the Alabama took a picture of the back of a gun shield for a 20mm Oerlikon; stenciled on it was "LEAD DAMN IT LEAD." That qualifies as an instruction :icon_lol:.

I remember the claymore mines when I was in the Army, mid to late 60s, had "THIS SIDE TOWARD ENEMY" embossed on the front, I also saw some that had "FRONT TOWARD ENEMY." I like the first one better, some guys might have trouble telling which side is "front."

Hey, never underestimate the ability of the ordinary soldier (or sailor) to mess up. I went through basic with some really bright guys and some.....not so much.

[blackhawknj]

They said in the WWII Navy, "You can make it fool proof but you can't make it sailor-proof."
Claymore mines had quite a back blast area.

[m1ashooter]

I've been on USCG Cutters and they have instruction on the shields like this.

[Major Tom]

I remember training wth the 3 inch 'bazooka'. Instructor said there would be no recoil. Wrong, I got a black eye from the aiming device. Also the M40 grenade launcher.......target must be a least 10 yards away so that grenade could arm itself. In 'Nam, charlie always had fun turning the claymores around, front facing US!

[Griff Murphey]

uss california?

uss gerald r. Ford cvn-76

[Merc]

Anyone caught up in a battle for their life might forget their own name. Panic often overcomes months of training. Many muskets found abandoned on Civil War battlefields had several unfired minie’ balls jammed into the barrel during a battle.

[jon_norstog]

They said in the WWII Navy, "You can make it fool proof but you can't make it sailor-proof."
Claymore mines had quite a back blast area.

That's for sure. Lock a Bosun Mate or a Deck Ape in a compartment with a solid steel sphere and within two hours he will heve broken it or lost it.


jn

[Dolt]

We had a new second lieutenant showing us how to set up an ambush back in the "Bad Old Days". He set the claymore up backwards "Front toward friendlies". We lost faith in him after that.

[blackhawknj]

The written instructions no doubt came about because of bad experiences in WWII.