Veteran’s Corner

Tom Krabbenhoft

Sometimes in life things are not always as they seem. This is especially true throughout the ages regarding the military and warfare.
A C-130 plane for instance, the workhorse USAF. First glance you’d tend to envision an aircraft that would be packed full of troops. They can be configured to do so much more. Additionally to Tactical Airlift they can also be used as a gun platform. The AC-130 carries many weapons and fire support equipment. Air Ambulance, Fire Fighting, Search and Rescue, Refueling, Storm Research. It’s used in 70 different countries and been flying since 1954.
Another example would be the “tank”. Tanks are very heavily armored, and are equipped with weaponry to directly engage an enemy. They are virtually unstoppable, even RPGs can be defeated by a Tanks armor. Often an APC armored personnel carrier which serves a transport function are often confused with Tanks. Prime example is what law enforcement may use. These vehicles are not heavily armored. They are very useful to move an injured officer or innocent bystander to safety. They can also be used to insert a SWAT team closer to an armed target. A Bradley fighting vehicle would definitely be in the realm of being misidentified as a Tank.
A visit to antiquity can further reinforce all is not as seems.
Take the sword for example. Saladin, a very well respected Muslim leader and warlord and Richard the Lion Hearted mighty King of England. Legend goes they met for a truce. During the truce the small compliment of soldiers from each side bragged about their weapons. An English Knight unsheathed his large broad sword and smashed a rock with it. A Muslim Knight not to be outdone removed his large Scimitar (a large curved sword) and rapidly sliced a silk pillow to pieces. To the bystander each carried a sword, but each sword served a very different purpose.
The long sword was ideal for mounted combat. It’s long somewhat sharp blade was useful for armored opponents. Most of the times bones would be broken and shattered after being struck. It was very sharp at the end to pierce chinks in armor.
The Scimitar too was useful while mounted. However lack of armor in the Mideast, Scimitars would leave large cuts in fabric and leather armor. It too had a sharpened tip, but often the blade would have to be wielded opposite the cutting side, to be used.
The optimum in both worlds, the Japenses Samurai Sword. It possessed a long blade with a sharp tip. It had a long gradual curve. It was perfect for striking and cutting.
Often what we see can be only partially right. It takes opening the mind to explore what we think we see.