US "Informal Games for Soldiers" TM21-221

[Parus Ater]

A few of you may be aware that the US Army to this day use "Field Manuals" which are issued to soldiers for everything from how to operate a rifle to radio equipment, first aid etc.

This is from the very real "Informal Games for Soldiers" by the War Dept, published 13th December 1943. This particular one was issued to the 265th Field Artillery Bn.

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg26 ... AG0581.jpg

Almost all GI's in the ETO would have been forced to play these at some point....

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg26 ... AG0580.jpg

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg26 ... AG0585.jpg

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg26 ... AG0586.jpg

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg26 ... AG0583.jpg

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg26 ... AG0582.jpg

Some of them are explicitly about training men like Pavlov's Dog....

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg26 ... AG0584.jpg

[Comte Michel]

Anyone for a game of Rooster Fight?

Man I have to show my re-enactor buddies these. Hours of fun.

[Cubster]

A version of 'Baste the Bear' is still popular in Britain's Royal Navy and Household Cavalry.

[Comte Michel]

And also, I'm given to understand, in many public schools. It's fallen out of vogue lately in the Catholic church though.

[Parus Ater]

....It's fallen out of vogue lately in the Catholic church though.

Speaking of which, I wonder what committed Wehrmacht volunteers played in between anti-aircraft gunning.

[Invisible officer]

Not only Volunteers played Kampfspiele or other games to increase the military capabilities. All Hitlerjungen had to do.

Among the many games Hitlerjugend played there are some that had been very usefull for Flakhelfer. Wiking (famous for the 1/1250 ship models) produced a big range of 1/200 plane models. Flakhelfer played recognition games with them. There are booklets for that.
Hallen Kampfspiele by Willi Hennig was a rule book for indoor fighting games used by HJ. The monthly HJ magazine included many rule sets for outdoor training games.

Handgranaten Weitwurf (Hand greande throwing) was still teached at schools in the former DDR, together with other Vormilitärische Ausbildung (military training) things.

[Parus Ater]

I was having a poke at a certain religious leader who loved Hitler. Good info there, though mate!