US troops crossing a river in Vietnam atop of an M113, 1970
US troops crossing a river in Vietnam atop of an M113, 1970
My grandfather was part of the US Marine Corps during Vietnam, and he says that no one wanted to be inside their M113 during a crossing out of fear that if it sank or the river current worsened, you'd be trapped inside and drown.
Don't know if that's a reasonable fear or not, but it's an interesting piece of what soldiers fear in wartime.
10There’s been enough documented incidents of soldiers drowning in armored vehicles to call it a reasonable fear. Especially if the vehicle rolls over, that can be a very bad situation.
7Wow! I can’t say I blame them as I feel the exact same way just thinking about it. People like your grandfather were more badass than we give them credit for
1I'm glad my grandfather came away from the war much as my great-uncles said he was before it - a sweet, kind, silly guy who enjoys cheesy action and horror movies and loves my grandmother to death. I'm blessed to have him.
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How did that engine not flood
1Some M113s are amphibious. Waterproof, floatable, and all that jazz.
2I meant to respond to this yesterday but it didn't get around to it. This post sent me down a rabbit hole about m113s. Apparently so most widely used armored fighting vehicle in the world. Even a nuclear missile launcher variety. Absolutely Baffling. That said, I've driven an argo in the bush and the shit people do with them is nuts.
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