Posted 05 October 2005 - 01:34 AM
Most folks would miss these, unless you've had to consider them yourselves.......but there are three extremely interesting things shown in this pose that lend absolute credence that this was a man of considerable (combat) experience, and that time, and other combat Vets, had imparted more than a little survival wisdom into him.
The first thing you notice is a complete disregard for "proper" weapons protocols.
-The TSMG, as shown, is quite purposefully rigged as a fast response weapon.....having no doubt realized that he had resorted to employing it as a "point shooting" weapon from the low-ready position almost exclusively, the elimination of the stock and rigging the hasty sling is.......quite intelligently arranged for deciding the old question in combat contacts of "the Quick and the Dead".
-The M1911A1 (presuambly) is shown in a butt-forward cross-draw carry that only a seasoned veteran of streetfighting would have learned. The holster flap is not tucked, it's been removed. Again, seasoning and repeated validation of speed and accessability.
-The M3 in the tight-thonged leg rig. Her has spent as much time rigging the knife......as modifying the Thompson. That's significant as it shows the value placed on accessability of the knife as fighting tool.
Though posed, this is a pretty remarkable picture in that I fully suspect that this is almost exactly the kit he wore on a daily basis, he didn't leave anything off for the pose, that's what he moved about in, save maybe for some ammo carry kit, these guys moved fast and light.
I'd be curious to know for sure, but my guess is that he probably survived the War...............as a direct result of the lessons he has obviously learned and shown here.
-TomH