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1942 "A Camera Trip Through Aberdeen Proving Ground"


hhbooker2
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ermm.gif Page 9. Troops under-going gas attack training wearing gasmaks.

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;) Page 9a. "There are many chemical agents, and Ordnance trainees must be thoroughly familiar with them all. One of the best ways to spot a gas is by its smell. The soldiers acquaint themselves with a few odors."

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:( Page 9b. "The Axis hasn't used gas against us yet -- yet, but if and when they do, American soldiers won't be caught happing. Trainees are shown receiving instruction in chemical warfare tactics and defense." (NOTA BENE: It was said the Italian Facist military used gas warfare against the Ethiopians in Abysinnia).

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:) Page 9c. "The 'All Clear' has sounded, but trainees learn that they must check for themselves before removing the mask. Here they 'test for gas' by opening the face peice and sniffing gently."

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:o Page 9d. "Next to his rifle, the gas mask is the soldier's best friend. Here a group of recruits learn how to put on the gas mask 'by the numbers.'"

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:unsure: Page 10a. "Triangulation is another phase of RPI. This teaches how to align the front and rear sights properly and quickly, and how to get the correct sight picture. Due to this type of intensive training, American soldiers are generally acknowledged as the world's best riflemen."

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pinch.gif Page 10b. "The ORTC's anti-aircraft range accustoms trainees to firing at moving targets. This is the only automatically-operated range on any army post in the country, and was built by ORTC personnel."

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:lol: Page 10c. "With the odd-looking device, ORTC trainees learn how to adjust the sights of their rifles so as to get proper elevation."

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thumbdown.gif Page 10d. "On the .30 caliber combat course, soldiers become adept in using their rifles fast, to hit targets which suddenly pop up from the ground, or from behind bushes, as a Japanese or German might do."

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:blink: Page 11. Another page showing reiflemanship trainees for the troops. (NOTA BENE: The upper right photo shows a picture with the bolt of the rifle on the left instead of the right side, the photographer printed the photographs reverse side, obviously!)

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w00t.gif Page 11a. "The 'coach and the pupil' method of rifle instruction is emphasized in RPI. In this way, trainees learn to check their buddies' errors, and thereby profit themselves. Here a coach checks his pupil in trigger squeeze exercise." (NOTA BENE: I reversed the image to show it correctly, turned out the rifle trainee was left-handed.)

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:rolleyes: Page 11b. "ORTC rookies get their first taste of what combat is like. Here, on the mental conditioning course, soldiers crawl through dirt and mud while machine guns fire live ammunition a scant few few inches above their heads."

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think.gif Page 11c. Trainees taking RPI (Rifle preliminary instruction), how to adjust the loop sling. Many hours of preliminary training are covered before a soldier is allowed to fire for record on the .30 caliber range."

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ermm.gif Page 11d. "The moving targets on the anti-aircraft range give APG soldiers a chance to fire at targets which simulate the movement of strafing planes. It was designed and constructed by the ORTC Service Section."

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;) Page 11d. "'Basic Joes' -- fresh trainees at Aberdeen -- find much of their time occupied by 'RPI' or Rifle Preliminary Instruction in which they achieve a thorough familiarity with the rifle before firing on the range."

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