Illinois –-(Ammoland.com)- This week Martin O’Malley, Democrat Presidential wannabe, has called for an “assault weapons” ban and a national gun registry.
Don’t worry about O’Malley because he is unlikely to be nominated.
However, if any of the Democrat Presidential candidates (Clinton, O’Malley, Sanders, or a candidate yet unnamed) are nominated, they will all push for what O’Malley has just enunciated.
From time to time I have growled about the impossible rules of engagement foisted on our troops by politicians. These stupid rules handcuff our soldiers and get many of them killed or wounded. I recently came across an account of the United States Marines at the Battle of Belleau Wood during World War I.
The Marines emphasized marksmanship far more that the United States Army because they were fewer in number and had to make every shot count.
In June 1918 Russia was out of World War I. This freed 50 German divisions who were sent to the Western Front. The plan was simple. March toward Paris and simply crush all opposition. If Paris could be taken, the war would end in a German victory. The Germans didn’t think much of the American troops who stood in their way and they knew the French would retreat as soon as the Germans appeared. In Belleau Wood there were about 15,000 French troops on the left flank of American Marines. Thousands of Germans marched on the American and French positions. The French immediately called for retreat as if on queue.
The American Marines drew a line in the sand; they weren’t going anywhere. The Marines were armed with the most accurate battle rifle in the world, the 1903 Springfield.
The British had criticized the 1903 Springfield and called it a target rifle, not a battle rifle. That would soon change.
The Germans marched on the American position in perfect order. The Marines began firing at them when they were hundreds of yards away. When the Germans got within 300 yards, nearly every Marine shot brought down a German soldier. The French and Germans were astonished by the Marine’s marksmanship.
The battle lasted a long time but the Marine’s marksmanship and fighting spirit broke the German advance. Paris was saved and World War I changed course in favor of the Allies.
A German General complained that the Marines used knives, revolvers, rifle butts, and bayonets on the German troops.
A letter written by a German soldier was found on the battlefield, in which he complained, “They killed everything that moved.”
And there you have the rules of engagement which we should give our soldiers.
Utah Classes
We are planning on expanding the number and type of courses the ISRA will be offering, beginning in December 2015. We will teach the Utah Classes at both the ISRA Range and in Chatsworth. The cost will be $50 for ISRA members and $80 for non-ISRA members. You will need to make your reservation and pay for the classes in advance. Class size is limited so you will need to make your reservations as soon as possible. We will need your FOID number and your ICCL number, if you have an ICCL. You may call the ISRA office at 815.635.3198 between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. to make your reservations. You may also email mary@isra.org and she will mail you the proper forms. The dates are as following:
- ISRA Range – December 12, 2015, January 9, 2016 and February 13, 2016.
- Chatsworth – December 13, 2015, January 10, 2016 and February 14, 2016.
Thanks for being a member.
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About:
The ISRA is the state’s leading advocate of safe, lawful and responsible firearms ownership. Since 1903, the ISRA has represented the interests of over 1.5 million law-abiding Illinois firearm owners Visit: www.isra.org