Appreciating the lost art of Field Manuals

[carl]

Brother ain't that the truth! It goes just as much for the writing too. There was a USMC jungle warfare manual from the 40s I read once that was very well written. It was interesting and I never even came close to falling asleep. They don't make 'em like they used to.

[Fuchs]

It seems to have been used in the 40s to 60s (in several countries), probably under the impression of WW2 when many civilians had to be turned into soldiers real quick.

Later examples are rather rare.



edit: Another example, from a book:

http://i26.tinypic.com/t8rcwz.jpg
it reads:
The squad leader
The platoon leader
The company leader

It's incredible how much this simple 50's graphic says.

[Tukhachevskii]

It seems to have been used in the 40s to 60s (in several countries), probably under the impression of WW2 when many civilians had to be turned into soldiers real quick.

Later examples are rather rare.



edit: Another example, from a book:

http://i26.tinypic.com/t8rcwz.jpg
it reads:
The squad leader
The platoon leader
The company leader

It's incredible how much this simple 50's graphic says.

Now that's a powerful image, very German in a funny (but, good) kind of way It reminds me of some of the great pre-war, war and post-war art movements. Very similar in nature to some Soviet stuff of the same period.

[Tukhachevskii]

It seems to have been used in the 40s to 60s (in several countries), probably under the impression of WW2 when many civilians had to be turned into soldiers real quick.

Later examples are rather rare.



edit: Another example, from a book:

http://i26.tinypic.com/t8rcwz.jpg
it reads:
The squad leader
The platoon leader
The company leader

It's incredible how much this simple 50's graphic says.

Forgot to ask...where's the picture from?

[Tukhachevskii]

To me picture 1 is pure Americana; it mixes patriotism and product placement in a picture only the US could get away with; the pictorial representation of the “Warrior spirit” methinks! Hark, is that an eagle I hear? Can I smell apple pie?

Picture 2 from FM 21-6 How to Prepare and Conduct Military Training (1975)
Picture 3 from US Navy SEAL Combat Manual (1974)
Picture 4 from ST 31-180 Special Forces Handbook AKA Poor Man’s James Bond Vol. 4 (1965). Sorry about the poor quality.

[Tukhachevskii]

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[Tukhachevskii]

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[Tukhachevskii]

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