The WWII Ordnance Soldier's Guide

Created during WWII this Ordnance Soldiers Guide was standard issue to U.S. troops undergoing indoctrination at the Ordnance Replacement Training Center at Aberdeen Proving Ground Maryland. Created as a workbook for G.I. recruits it presents a fascinating overview of the training given to the New Ordnance Soldier. The book is full of practical tips drawn from actual battle experience and technical data from Army publications and chock-full of illustrations. Although only 126 pages long its fairly encyclopedic in content boldly presenting information on topics from ammunition to first aid grenades to motor vehicle operation ordnance materiel to uniform identification. Special chapters are dedicated to fire control instruments vehicles artillery and small arms. Some of the more novel entries include advice on how to shoot Nazi paratroopers (in the air - while hes helpless) how to kill with your bare hands and Tips from an Old Top Kick which offers advice about how to get along with British Tommies and notes that hot water for shaving can be easily obtained from a truck radiator. This book is a wonderful read for the re-enactor historian or anyone who ever wondered what it might have been like to go through the U.S. Armys basic training regimen circa 1943.