saving private ryan

Mike Kelly · #1 07-01-13, 13:46

If anyone in Aust. turns on ABC 2 TV they are running a show on the stuffups in saving private ryan

it is on now as I type this

motto · #2 07-01-13, 15:45

Thanks Mike. The title of the program is 'The True Story', series four and it can be found on ABC Iview for the next ten days.

David

servicepub (RIP) · #3 07-01-13, 18:16

There were a few 'continuity' issues with the film. The only one that I remember was a long shot showing 8 (?) soldiers walking along a hill crest when the squad was down to 7.

Jon Skagfeld · #4 07-01-13, 18:30

Coincidence. Here in Canada that same show aired a couple of days ago.

One discrepancy pointed out was that, in the film, the American Rangers went ashore in LCVPs, the US all steel armoured Landing Craft Vehicles and Personnel.

In fact they boarded British wooden boats which only had an armoured ramp.

Also,the myth of soldiers receiving mortal wounds while they were in the water was exploded.

Pretty good background material to a story line based on the Sullivan brothers, and the US Government's policy thereto.

motto · #5 07-01-13, 22:41

What they didn't state in the program but is very obvious is that for a person to be protected from small arms fire by water they would need to be completely submerged and perhaps at least a foot beneath the surface. The most common scenario under assault conditions would be for the troops in the water to be breathing hard and trying to avoid drowning. i.e. NOT completely submerged. The water would have been little protection and would if anything have helped the German gunners to adjust their aim.

David

Mike Kelly · #6 08-01-13, 00:05

What was interesting was they attempted to re create the sniper shot , where the German is shot through the scope

In the movie, it was 450 yards range , a quite improbable scenario .

They set up a modern sniper on a range , initially at 100 yards , perfect shot first time . The second attempt at 400 yards was less successful . on the third shot the bullet grazed the scope . They stated that, because of the laws of physics, over that distance, the bullett traces an arc and it would not enter the scope on a level angle, rather it would enter the scope from above , thus making that scene in the movie , impossible in real life

For us vehicle nuts , the German truck on the beach, was a 1950's Morris MRA1 4X4 . They obviously employed the wrong adviser on the movie set .