Who needs a AXE on a Mutt ?

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acudanut

Who needs a AXE on a Mutt ?

Unread post by acudanut » November 20th, 2019, 11:20 pm

Does anyone ever recall hearing " I wish I had a Axe " In Vietnam or anywhere . ?? Just wondering cheers!!. :mrgreen:

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m3a1
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Re: Who needs a AXE on a Mutt ?

Unread post by m3a1 » November 21st, 2019, 1:04 am

Yes.

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rickf
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Re: Who needs a AXE on a Mutt ?

Unread post by rickf » November 21st, 2019, 9:22 am

I was airborne so all of my transport was by chopper but I can tell you that I saw more M-151's buried in the mud than driving at some points below me (glad I was Airborne!) and they were pretty much always within close proximity of something that could be cut up for use under the tires. So yes, an axe is very useful if it is actually there.
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raymond
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Re: Who needs a AXE on a Mutt ?

Unread post by raymond » November 21st, 2019, 10:28 am

Never had to chop any vegetation but I've found my ax to be quite useful for holding off hordes of zombies :idea:
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m3a1
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Re: Who needs a AXE on a Mutt ?

Unread post by m3a1 » November 21st, 2019, 11:15 am

Three different types of entrenching tools were issued to infantrymen in WWII. They were - pick mattock, hatchet, tee-handle shovel. If those sound familiar, those are exactly the three types of tools you would find on a standard vehicle pioneer kit. Those three types of tools cover almost all the bases.

In addition to those types of tools, a WWII half track might even have a large two man cross-cut saw issued to it. Surprised? Well, big jobs require big tools. The larger the vehicle, the more difficult self-recovery becomes and the more comprehensive its kit will be.

Often times the surest route to firm ground is blocked by vegetation of some sort but root structures do a lot to keep ground firm enough to support vehicle and I'm not really talking about grass but rather saplings and adult trees. When you've finally extracted your vehicle from the muck, those areas of vegetation look mighty inviting as a their far better place to be with your vehicle. But, pioneer tools are not only about self-recovery. They're also about teamwork.

If there is a lot of work to be done and if every vehicle that shows up has its issued kit, a lot of men with the appropriate hand tools can get a lot accomplished very quickly. Where the road has become impassible, detours can be cut but that doesn't happen quickly unless the troops have the tools they need to get it done. So here, we see that vehicles that arrive with all their kit are invaluable to a military force that needs to be mobile.

Then, there is the concept of 'two is one and one is none'. Ever break an axe? I have. It's really tough to cut down even a small tree with just the axe head or just the handle. One errant swing and an axe can become two rather useless pieces. So, having extra tools around is always a bonus. If every vehicle keeps maintains its issued kit, having spare tools available is almost assured.

Good question.
Last edited by m3a1 on November 21st, 2019, 2:20 pm, edited 1 time in total.

acudanut

Re: Who needs a AXE on a Mutt ?

Unread post by acudanut » November 21st, 2019, 12:50 pm

I think I will mount a saw, instead of a axe.

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m3a1
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Re: Who needs a AXE on a Mutt ?

Unread post by m3a1 » November 21st, 2019, 2:18 pm

Good. We're counting on you! :lol:

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Re: Who needs a AXE on a Mutt ?

Unread post by Mark » November 21st, 2019, 2:38 pm

I'd make it a chain saw!!!
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Re: Who needs a AXE on a Mutt ?

Unread post by m3a1 » November 21st, 2019, 3:55 pm

:lol:

DUAL chain saws! And, you can pull a wood chipper behind you. See? This idea is starting to take shape!

acudanut

Re: Who needs a AXE on a Mutt ?

Unread post by acudanut » November 22nd, 2019, 3:48 pm

Duel Banjo's and I'm in. :)

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