crazy ruskis

[LRRPF52]

That's a good question. Reminds me of a story in Spearheaders, by James Altieri. That book is about the formation and battles of the 1st Ranger Battalion in World War II. To provide realism during assault training, veteran British Commandos with Bren guns shot close to the attacking Rangers. One Ranger was wounded by a .303 bullet that got a bit closer than intended. It was chalked up to the cost of getting battle ready.

Those Russians apparently operate under the same philosophy: The more realistic the training, the better prepared one will be for real combat, making the risk worth the reward.

I remember that incident in a book I read as a kid. One of the Rangers was shot in the buttocks, IIRC. The Germans also had an allowable % of casualties in training. I read stories of guys who were cooked alive in their fighting positions by Panzers that parked over them, and revved the engines.

This training with the Russians is real. Larry personally witnessed it, and said they would never do that Stateside in his unit.