Sept 23, 2010: Mutton from Heaven

xoxoxoBruce · 09-22-2010, 11:34 PM

Mutton from Heaven, sheep from the sky, it's not a miracle, just chow for the guys.

Quote:

When the Italian army advanced across the Danakil Desert in north-eastern Ethiopia during the Second Italo-Abyssinian War, it was crucial that they travel with as little as possible. The desert, named by National Geographic as "The Cruelest Place on Earth," is pockmarked with volcanoes and known for its oppressive heat. With 120 miles of nothingness ahead of them, the troops had to move fast.

Quote:

Enter the flying supply column, a new idea in warfare at the time, but one that would be used again in future conflicts. Twenty-five planes carried water, ammunition and rations for the Italians as they advanced on Emperor Haile Selassie's Army of the Ethiopian Empire. As they supposedly refused to eat the standard pre-packaged processed food that accompanied most armies and because fresh meat would spoil in the extreme temperatures of Danakil, the supply planes dropped living animals for the troops to butcher and cook. By the time the army had finished their trek, seventy-two sheep and two bulls had been pushed from planes, parachutes strapped to their backs.

If they break a leg, or worse, no matter because they were supper anyway.
I would guess from the grass in the pictures these were practice drops.

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SPUCK · 09-23-2010, 05:17 AM

Oh what a bunch of bull! That's really baaaaaaaaad.

Trilby · 09-23-2010, 06:17 AM

War is hell.

classicman · 09-23-2010, 07:38 AM

The first ones the hardest - the rest go easy cuz they're just sheep

<groan>

newtimer · 09-23-2010, 07:43 AM

The army's first MRB? (Meal Ready-to-Bleat)

Shawnee123 · 09-23-2010, 07:49 AM

Wool you all stop with the puns? It's shear lunacy!

Pete Zicato · 09-23-2010, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SPUCK

Oh what a bunch of bull! That's really baaaaaaaaad.

I know!

What a yarn.

spudcon · 09-23-2010, 10:22 AM

Probably cheaper than airlifting hookers also.

Scriveyn · 09-23-2010, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spudcon

Probably cheaper than airlifting hookers also.

I want ewe. I want ewe so baaa-a-a-a-a-d.

Sheldonrs · 09-23-2010, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spudcon

Probably cheaper than airlifting hookers also.

Those ARE the hookers.

nil_orally · 09-23-2010, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spudcon

Probably cheaper than airlifting hookers also.

For the New Zealand army, it would be two birds with one stone. Instead of a dinner and sex, it would become sex then dinner.

ZenGum · 09-24-2010, 03:14 AM

Why did they bother with parachutes?

Scriveyn · 09-24-2010, 03:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZenGum

Why did they bother with parachutes?

Without the parachute above them, the sheep wouldn't know which way to go.

sexobon · 09-24-2010, 04:05 AM

Once on the ground, the parachutes act as drogue chutes to slow the sheep down so that the soldiers can catch them. The soldiers like to keep their food fresh. Of course if a gust of wind comes up, it's dinner to go.

spudcon · 09-24-2010, 06:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scriveyn

Without the parachute above them, the sheep wouldn't know which way to go.

You are so right!

09-23-2010, 06:17 AM	#3
Trilby Slattern of the Swail Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 15,654	War is hell. __________________ In Barrie's play and novel, the roles of fairies are brief: they are allies to the Lost Boys, the source of fairy dust and ...They are portrayed as dangerous, whimsical and extremely clever but quite hedonistic. "Shall I give you a kiss?" Peter asked and, jerking an acorn button off his coat, solemnly presented it to her. —James Barrie Wimminfolk they be tricksy. - ZenGum

09-23-2010, 07:38 AM	#4
classicman barely disguised asshole, keeper of all that is holy. Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 23,401	The first ones the hardest - the rest go easy cuz they're just sheep <groan> __________________ "like strapping a pillow on a bull in a china shop" Bullitt

09-23-2010, 07:49 AM	#6
Shawnee123 Why, you're a regular Alfred E Einstein, ain't ya? Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 21,206	Wool you all stop with the puns? It's shear lunacy! __________________ A word to the wise ain't necessary - it's the stupid ones who need the advice. --Bill Cosby

09-23-2010, 10:22 AM	#8
spudcon Beware of potatoes Join Date: May 2007 Location: Upstate NY, USA Posts: 2,078	Probably cheaper than airlifting hookers also. __________________ "I believe that being despised by the despicable is as good as being admired by the admirable."

09-24-2010, 03:14 AM	#12
ZenGum Doctor Wtf Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Badelaide, Baustralia Posts: 12,861	Why did they bother with parachutes? __________________ Shut up and hug. MoreThanPretty, Nov 5, 2008. Just because I'm nominally polite, does not make me a pussy. Sundae Girl.

09-23-2010, 05:17 AM	#2
SPUCK Professor Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 1,911	Oh what a bunch of bull! That's really baaaaaaaaad.

09-23-2010, 07:43 AM	#5
newtimer Operations Operative Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 479	The army's first MRB? (Meal Ready-to-Bleat)

09-24-2010, 04:05 AM	#14
sexobon I love it when a plan comes together. Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 9,793	Once on the ground, the parachutes act as drogue chutes to slow the sheep down so that the soldiers can catch them. The soldiers like to keep their food fresh. Of course if a gust of wind comes up, it's dinner to go.

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