GUNNER URBAN MYTHS

[goatbagthedruid]

Whilst having a sleepless night, I pondered urban myths.

I remember hearing about a BC's small dog being fired from a gun in Germany - it was a small, yappy thing and the bunnies didn't like it. It was 'encouraged' into the chamber and then sent down range.

Also, what about the gunners running away from their guns and then the sappers taking them over and firing them?

Can anyone pass info on these and are there anymore?

GBTD

 

[LancePrivateJones]

I heard that it was a BC's dog (a pug or something similar) that was lured into the barrel and fired at the ranges in Larkhill.
Legend had it that when the BC asked about the whereabouts of the said hound he was told "it's over there" whilst being directed toward the live firing target area with a vague sweep of the arm.

If it's not true it should be.

 

[FiveAlpha]

There was a tale going around years ago that all the blokes in King's troop weren't gay and a blinder saying that 32 Regt could pass a BFT.

 

[Pull-up-a-sandbag]

I heard that it was a BC's dog (a pug or something similar) that was lured into the barrel and fired at the ranges in Larkhill.
Legend had it that when the BC asked about the whereabouts of the said hound he was told "it's over there" whilst being directed toward the live firing target area with a vague sweep of the arm.

If it's not true it should be.

I was told this by a bloke in 39Bty in Wainright. It was supposedly fired from the old 8inch howitzer or something like that, I would I know, I was a grunt.

 

[mastergnr]

GBTD,
posting at 0513hrs? did you soil the bed?

I have come across a number of Gunner Urban Myths in my time, the aforementioned doggy dit being the favourite. Everybody that recounts it knows someone who knew someone who was there, but I personally have never encountered anybody that was present at the event.

That saying, if it was a wire haired dog, then that would be excellent for descaling the barrel

 

[JONCAL]

This urban myth was mentioned in a book called , Dont cry for me sargeant major .

 

[OldRedCap]

Not an expert on ballistics but would not the pressure in the barrel mash the dog up rather than project it? (I was supposed to be en-route as TARA but the sybills got me first!)

 

[ark-angel]

This urban myth was mentioned in a book called , Dont cry for me sargeant major .

Are you sure it wasn't the follow up book " Try not to laugh Sargeant Major"

 

[syledis]

32 could pass a BFT if they all did 10m each

 

[goatbagthedruid]

posting at 0513hrs? did you soil the bed?

SOILREP and clean sheets not needed my old friend, was just too 'tired' from last night's drinks with some techno-boffins and needed to 'refresh' before going to work!! A bit of geekery is that the clock on ARRSE works on GMT as I posted at 0613hrs!

Another urban myth is the belief that you can send the NIGs to go and get tartan paint, a long weight/ wait and batteries for the trilux lights! Have never come across that before - anyone experienced it?

Also the stories of the exercise Mexican Bum W*nk where the large Gun No 1, who has not washed his ARRSE for the entire time, 'gets' hold of a CPO/ annoying BRO/ a foolish FOO (who, for some reason, makes his way down to the Gun Position) and carries out the lift and glide on previously mentioned YO. Normally Gun No 1 has piles which will obviously burst on YO.


GBTD

 

[12minden]

posting at 0513hrs? did you soil the bed?

SOILREP and clean sheets not needed my old friend, was just too 'tired' from last night's drinks with some techno-boffins and needed to 'refresh' before going to work!! A bit of geekery is that the clock on ARRSE works on GMT as I posted at 0613hrs!

Another urban myth is the belief that you can send the NIGs to go and get tartan paint, a long weight/ wait and batteries for the trilux lights! Have never come across that before - anyone experienced it?

Also the stories of the exercise Mexican Bum W*nk where the large Gun No 1, who has not washed his ARRSE for the entire time, 'gets' hold of a CPO/ annoying BRO/ a foolish FOO (who, for some reason, makes his way down to the Gun Position) and carries out the lift and glide on previously mentioned YO. Normally Gun No 1 has piles which will obviously burst on YO.


GBTD

Ref Mexican bum w^nk, not heard the FOO story but another arrse member might know something about bum w^nks in the back of a BTY CP/MFDC ??????? Whether he'll admit to it is another matter, NOT my arse or leg involved !

 

[JONCAL]

This urban myth was mentioned in a book called , Dont cry for me sargeant major .

Are you sure it wasn't the follow up book " Try not to laugh Sargeant Major"

Definately ,dont cry for me , other pranks for nigs was to send them to the bty fitter for a fitters clip , they would come back and ask which side, we send tjhem back and say both sides and make them hard ones , so fitter would give them a clip around the lugholes , another steam for the bucket, nig would walk back from various departments holding the bucket upside down after boiling kettle into it , bubble for the spirit levels and grind the corners of . just a few i heard

 

[headgash]

Aye JONCAL, and "long stands n tartan paint" too.
Where does the reference "plank" come from, I heard it was fromWW1 when frozen/stiff dead were put under gun wheels to get out of the mud. Any ideas on "steamy"?

 

[12minden]

Just thought of another gunner myth. There was talk of a US Lance det up in the Hebs firing with transit straps in place holding missile onto the LWL. The story goes that launcher and msl both ended up in the sea !
Never did find out if it was true or not ???????

 

[02FD32]

Urban Myth that Gunner_Remf actually did a days work in 22 years..

 

[lonegroover]

Bulford - Mid 70s. 171's Broken Wheel was allegedly sent to 10 Field in Tidworth for a refurb and was repaired? Never found out if also a myth.

 

[TalaveraTom]

Bulford - Mid 70s. 171's Broken Wheel was allegedly sent to 10 Field in Tidworth for a refurb and was repaired? Never found out if also a myth.

My old Det Cmdr was 171 (Broken Wheel) bty at 32GW regt in the 70s and he told us the same tale, sort of? Apparently on Tel El Kebir day, The youngest Gnr of the Bty had the honour of carrying the wheel onto the square for the parade. Someone inadvertently let slip to this Nig that the wheel was broke and could do with fixing, so he fixed it as his good deed for his new Bty...The wheel was rolled onto the square, instead of carried, the Bsm nearly shit himself with rage.

Can't verify it's truth...But isn't that what urban myths are all about

 

[AAGF]

Hmmm - I joined the LAD in Dortmund (Napier Barracks) attached to 22 Lt Air Def in late 1969 and in early 1970 we all drove to Todendorf for a firing camp.

Anyway, during a BS session over a beer or three, we were regaled by the story of "The Drive Past" which had supposedly happened the previous year.

Seems that when an unpopular section drove past the saluting dais and rotated the 40/70 into the salute and "dipped" the barrel, out rolled a bunch of tennis balls. Right in front of the <fill in the blank> (very senior officer.)

It was a great story and had us just about recycling the beer down our trouser legs but is it true? Knowing some of the characters in the Battery, it should have been!

 

[Petardier]

Just thought of another gunner myth. There was talk of a US Lance det up in the Hebs firing with transit straps in place holding missile onto the LWL. The story goes that launcher and msl both ended up in the sea !
Never did find out if it was true or not ???????

Did US units ever fire in Hebrides? The main range used for Lance firings in Europe (but not by UK) was Crete.

However, this story goes back to US firing Honest John and a rocket left strapped to the launcher, which bounced 50 metres or so forward from the firing point (wherever that was).

 

[django_strikes]

I have seen NIGs go to fetch the BFA for the Light Gun.

Also seen the No1 send the NIg to the REME Fitter for the long weight to pull the pull through through the barrel.

As a FOO would not be a YO (at least 3 years in - I know, practically retired), maybe even BROs stretch that definition too, I doubt they would be still stupid enough to get trapped by anyone for a Mexican Bum Wa*k