This episode takes us back in time for two of its features, and in its third shows us a weapon that is still with us in the present.
The segment on the knight's armor explains the manufacture and usage of the sturdy metal suit, including the chainmail shirts that deflected swords and arrows while remaining mobile and light. A particular favorite of mine is the live demonstration--Ermey has two assistants don copies of the outfits and chunk at each other with fake swords. Although no injuries result, you can see how the material functions.
The WWI story is also illuminative. We see how soldiers of that conflict carried food in packets not too different from the way this is done today. The result was hardly a four-star feast, but it could go anywhere and gave them the needed energy.
Act three introduces us to the secret weapon of landmines. They began with somewhat different construction from today's models, but they still function as intended: hard to spot, easy to hide, brutal explosives that will hit the enemy in the very act of walking or driving where they need to go. Since they are set off solely by the target and at a distance, they keep safe the soldiers who planted them. Landmines are today the object of much controversy.
This episode builds the series trademark of simple but informative explanations. As the viewer's eyes and ears where many may not get to go, Ermey and crew add to our knowledge and respect for the fighting forces.moreless
EDIT
Episode Summary
R. Lee Ermey answers questions about the armor that the knights of old wore, how landmines work, and what was in the World War 1 American soldier's backpack.
Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions
See All-
Trivia
ADD TRIVIA- There are over 1,500 different kinds of mines in the world today. Edit
-
Notes
ADD NOTES- Many of the members of the Great War Historical Society also appear in Episode 14, as members of the 101st Airborne California Historical Group. One - Mike Phillips - is credited by name. Edit
-
Quotes
ADD QUOTES- R. Lee Ermey: Get that sandwich out of your pie hole and listen up, dirt bag! It's time for Mail Call! Edit
-
Allusions
-
Help by adding allusions to this episode. Add allusions
-
Show Forums
Add a Topic
See All
Last Activity
Replies
-
Go nuclear?
01/13/084
-
Season 8 Return
10/17/079
-
complete series
05/30/072
-
Boot camp?
10/30/062
-
DVD extras?
07/04/061
-
Golden Knights; U.S. Air Force; Flying Tigers;...
S 1 : Ep 40
-
Episode 39
S 1 : Ep 39
-
Military Pilot Training; Flak; Doolittle Raid;...
S 1 : Ep 36
-
Episode 35
S 1 : Ep 35
Aired 5/16/09
Related Shows
Season 1 Episodes
See AllEp 76
B-2
Ep 75
Gator Navy
Ep 53
Episode 53
Ep 52
Episode 52
Ep 49
Episode 49
Ep 48
Episode 48
Ep 47
Fastest Army Vehicle; Uncl...
Ep 46
Army Air Ambulance; 1st Sp...
Ep 45
Heavy Support Vehicles
Ep 43
Grease Gun; Sten Gun; E-3 ...
Ep 42
Guided Missile Destroyer; ...
Ep 41
Blimp; Military Shotguns; ...
Ep 40
Golden Knights; U.S. Air F...
Ep 39
Episode 39
Ep 38
Episode 38
Ep 37
F-15 Eagle; Flying Platfor...
Ep 36
Military Pilot Training; F...
Ep 35
Episode 35
Ep 13
Future Gear; Marine Camouf...
Ep 12
The Jeep; HIMARS; Hurricanes
Ep 11
Grenades; Dog Tags; Dinner...
Ep 10
Ninja Weapons; Flamethrowe...
Ep 9
The Pilum; WWII Radios; Fi...
Ep 8
Revolutionary War Musket; ...
Ep 7
Re-Fueling a Fighter Jet; ...
Ep 6
Mortar; WWII GI's Personal...
Ep 5
Landing Craft, Air Cushion...
Ep 4
Civil War Cannoneers; Nigh...
Ep 3
Flak Vest; Medieval Crossb...
Ep 2
Knight's Armor; WWI Backpa...
Ep 1
Tank; Gatling Gun; Samurai...
-
stitch069917
User Score: 1739
-
jchamberlin
User Score: 1376
-
uscgirl
User Score: 514
-
camatzotz
User Score: 57
-
GeorgeFergus
User Score: 46
-
jaynashvil
User Score: 14
-
RamboFrog
User Score: 10
-
Mafeu
User Score: 8
-
missribs
User Score: 5
-
anbis82
User Score: 3
-
lost_prophet1
User Score: 2
More
Less
