MAD DOC MATZ

maddoc222@comcast.net

UP FRONT

THIS PAGE IS ABOUT THE HUMOR, IRONY, AND PATHOS OF THE LIFE OF A COMBAT SOLDIER IN ALL WARS

THE TITLE IS DEDICATED TO BILL MAULDIN AND HIS ICONIC WWII DOGFACES "WILLIE AND JOE"

CONTACT MAD DOC IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING YOU WISH TO CONTRIBUTE HERE

maddoc222@comcast.net

 

 

Did You Know?

During World War II the Army Corps of Engineers needed to hide the Lockheed Burbank Aircraft Plant to protect it from a possible Japanese air attack.
They covered it with camouflage netting  to make it look like a rural subdivision from the air.
BEFORE
 
 
AFTER
 
DETAIL

There is a legend that Jack Warner (Of Warner Brothers) in fear that his studio would be mistakenly bombed by the Japanese, had a sign painted on his studios roof reading "LOCKHEED THAT WAY" with an arrow pointing the direction.  The Government made him take it down.

The only source I could find on this legend says it is not true.  In fact, Warner Bros. Studios were disguised to look like Lockheed, so the Japanese wouldn't become suspicious if they couldn't find it.

Take your pick.  Still, it's an amusing story - Doc

Walt Disney Studios designed much free artwork for miltary units, including both official and unofficial unit insignias, as well as airplane nose art

Here are a few of the more famous Disney designs

The "Flying Tigers" officially known as The American Volunteer Group (AVG)

The "SEABEES"  Naval Construction Battalions (Get it, CB!)

Navy PT boats - The image is a mosquito riding on a torpedo, as the boats were small and made of wood.

 


FOREIGN ASSESSMENTS 

One of the serious problems in planning the fight against American doctrine, is that the Americans do not read their manuals, nor do they feel any obligation to follow their doctrine...
- From a Soviet Junior Lt's Notebook

"The reason the American Army does so well in wartime, is that war is chaos, and the American Army practices it on a daily basis."
- from a post-war debriefing of a German General

 

"The Americans will always do the right thing... After they've exhausted all the alternatives."
- Winston Churchill

 


 

TO THOMAS ATKINS
 
I HAVE MADE FOR YOU A SONG,
AND IT MAY BE RIGHT OR WRONG,
BUT ONLY YOU CAN TELL ME IF IT'S TRUE;
I HAVE TRIED FOR TO EXPLAIN
BOTH YOUR PLEASURE AND YOUR PAIN,
AND, THOMAS, HERE'S MY BEST RESPECTS TO YOU!
 
O THERE'LL SURELY COME A DAY
WHEN THEY'LL GIVE YOU ALL YOUR PAY,
AN TREAT YOU AS A CHRISTIAN OUGHT TO DO;
SO, UNTIL THAT DAY COMES ROUND,
HEAVEN KEEP YOU SAFE AND SOUND,
AND, THOMAS, HERE'S MY BEST RESPECTS TO YOU!
 
FROM "BARRACK ROOM BALLADS" BY RUDYARD KIPLING
 
 
The name "Thomas Atkins," or "Tommy," was a generic term, for British soldiers, for centuries.  It's origins are sketchy, and there are many theories of its' beginnings.  It was used, in reference, much the way "Dogface" or "Grunt" is used for American soldiers.  Rudyard Kipling dedicated several poems to "Tommy," and probably is responsible for introducing the term outside of the British Dominions.
Mad Doc
 
 
 
 
SUPERLATIVES
FUBAR - Fouled* up beyond all recognition
FUMTU - Fouled* up more than usual
JANFU - Joint army navy foul* up
SNAFU - Situation normal, all fouled* up
TARFU - Things are really fouled* up
(* "fouled" being  used in place of an expletive deleted)