Artilleries on CNN.com
 

Hi all,

This is really apropos of nothing but I got a kick out of it. Thought I’d share.

On the CNN.com website, they have a video report called “The Gun Markets of Pakistan”. Interesting report; this reporter and his guide visit various arms bazaars and gun shops in the Khyber Pass vicinity. The point of the piece is to show how easy and cheap it is to get serious weaponry in this region.

So about two-thirds into the video, they visit one of the “more popular” gun shops in the area. The reporter is shown checking out a rather wide variety of assault-style weapons (as well as a Lewis gun!). Then at one point, the camera shows a wall and, hanging from it by their trigger guards, are three LP.08s! The reporter takes one down and inspects it. He does a sort of running commentary, in a low voice. He says (more-or-less): “…World War Two…Nazi gun…German…”. And the kicker: “…pure evil in my hand…”.

Well, even though I laughed, the guy’s a reporter after all, and clearly going for the dramatic effect. At least he got the “German” part right. I can’t help but wonder: LP.08s in Pakistan? Would these be Persian contract? I thought about going over there to see for myself but…..Nah….

If you want to check it out, it’s about 10 minutes.

Bob

Bob,

I know the video. I'm pretty sure they are just pistols that got there through the normal 'country needs help' surplus supply chains. Probably WW1 and WW2 war booty that got there via the UK...

Most dominating countries had (and still have) stockpiles of non-standard issue weapons that they can provide to friends and allies if needed.

This was true in Panama in 1989 as well; a certain government agency armed the anti-Noriega factions with captured AK-47's from the Grenada conflict. When the US invaded in December, you had the unusual situation of "good guys" using AK's and the "bad guys" (Panamanian Defense Force - Noriega loyalists) using M16's... :eek:

I was there three weeks after Bush declared the emergency over and the PDF no longer an effective fighting force... :rolleyes:

Here's the ROE the US forces were told to adhere to...or else... :mad:

Postino

These days the troops also have to read captured terrorists their"Miranda rights" as well. :soapbox:

I also would put in a thumbs up for a movie that just got released on DVD called "The Hurt Locker". No politics,just a gritty realistic look at what our troops face in Iraq.

Bob

WoW they almost went thru the alphabet on the ROE