Re: Mines 8 (!)

Mikko Kurki-Suonio wrote:
> 
> On Fri, 15 May 1998, Thomas E Hughes wrote:
> 
> > Colonel Fertig of "American Guerilla in the Philippines" tells that
they
> > used the explosives from washed up mines for reloading their ammo.
It
> > gave quite a kick. As a matter of fact the local curtain rods were
.30
> > cal so they cut them into bullet lengths and the women sat and
rubbed
> > them against rocks until they were pointy. This is how they reloaded
> > their .30 cal ammo before the US got back in touch with them ( the
US
> > never did give them all the stuff they needed.)
> >
> > It just goes to show you how little "tech" you need for reloads!
> 
> What did they use for primers?
> 
> Somehow I get they feeling that stealing enemy supplies would have
been
> easier...

There were a few problems with stealing enemy supplies:

1) The Japanese Arisaka rifle was a 6.5mm - less punch and ammo not   
compatable w/ Springfield and Garand rifles. 

2) Japanese leaders quickly learned not to send out troops w/ excess   
ammo.

Neither of these is insurmountable, and USFIP did steal IJA weapons and
ammunition. The use of oddball low-tech reloads for for .30-06 weapons
was done primarily for the purpose of keeping as many weapons in use as
possible.

Chris