Pistols were only issued to officers, except interestingly enough for paratroopers who were all issued pistols regardless of rank. The reason being of course should be obvious.. it is much easier to draw and use a pistol while strapped to a parachute then to attempt to wield a rifle.

To listen to you Dreen talking about all this seeing as how I spent 12 years in the United States Army as a Paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne .

Its nice to see that people are still interested in how we did things back then

I suppose I am something of a history buff (or nut depending on who you ask ) but my interest stems from personal history I suppose. My father was a Marine in Vietnam and much like my character for this game his uncle was a Master Sergeant who convinced him to enlist. My grandfather I sadly never got to know as he died at the end of WWII but I've seen pictures of him from the war sitting with his machine gun (funny enough my dad was a machine gunner as well) and my father has passed on some stories. I suppose one of my greatest sources is a Marine Corp Major who is something of an adoptive father to my dad and he in turn fought in the Korean War. I've spent a great deal of time learning all of sorts of things from him as he is the closest thing I have ever known to having a grandfather. And I've been told my great grandfather fought in WWI but I know thing more about him then that.. I suppose my interest first peaked because my dad wouldn't talk about Vietnam and what we learn in school is so limited (and to be honest it isn't really the whole truth though your average person will never realize this).. in fact it wasn't until after I went to college that my father really opened up and began sharing stories of his youth (many of which are bitter sweet at best and some are down right disturbing) but the fact that he finally feels comfortable speaking to me about such things is more important then the stories themselves.

But beyond my rambling personal narrative there lies a simple truth that has led me to learn, and more importantly to remember, the stories of those who have come before me. How can we understand the world we live in today if we know nothing of the past? And more importantly, how can we understand the true value of the life we live today if we know nothing of the price that was paid for us to have it? By remembering and learning from those who have gone before me I do my own small and insignifcant part in honoring their memory and their service. It is the least I can do.. and while I may well be the only person my age who will never forget December 7th 1941 I cannot help but feel that someone, living or dead, is heartened by that remeberance. That makes it worth while in my mind at least.

And if you wish to look more introspectively then there is always the fact that human beings today are driven by the same passions they were driven by in past, and so long as this is true history will continue to repeat itself in definitely. As such it is only through learning of the past that we can hope to change our future. In other words, if you wish to learn about today you should study yesterday. As a wiser man then me once said...

If you would understand anything, observe its beginning and its development. -Aristotle

How old are you again Dreen??

28.. 29 on the 3rd of September

i have internet at home again. Woohoo! I need to get this game organized and the characters set. I am hoping for a weekend start. However, I am missing one player, as Sansiro has not got back to me. We could go with only 4 men or I can try to drum up another.

I know of maybe 2-3 people that might like to play let me see what I can do.

Let me try first.

As you say oh great DM sir!! So shall it be!!

I'll give it try. Al I've emailed you the starting of a character sheet using the "easy" format. Still needs more work. I have to give him a name, we all know what happens the "nameless" extras. "Ensine, this way!" SPLAT!!!! I'll keep reading and try to get my head around the rules.
This kind of reminds my of the Dresdenverse game I've just started with some friends. But I'm new in that format too.

Love the medic concept. So we have a team now. I will start ironing out the characters and hopefully post the opening of the game this weekend.

I just Pm'ed you the back story of my character.

I will be working this wekend on getting this game started. Sorry for the delays.

And I'll try to get a name to you soon. Seem to be in a state of NAMELESS right now.

Oh yeah is there anything else you still need from me other then his name??

I am working through the characters now. get me a name soon or you will be Sarge Red Shirt.