The Cellar Image of the Day

xoxoxoBruce Thursday Sep 23 12:34 AM

Sept 23, 2010: Mutton from Heaven

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 Thursday Sep 23 06:17 AM

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

Trilby Thursday Sep 23 07:17 AM

War is hell.

classicman Thursday Sep 23 08:38 AM

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

<groan>

newtimer Thursday Sep 23 08:43 AM

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

Shawnee123 Thursday Sep 23 08:49 AM

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

Pete Zicato Thursday Sep 23 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SPUCK

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

I know!

What a yarn.

spudcon Thursday Sep 23 11:22 AM

Probably cheaper than airlifting hookers also.

Scriveyn Thursday Sep 23 02:45 PM

Sheep so heavy

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 Thursday Sep 23 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spudcon

Probably cheaper than airlifting hookers also.

Those ARE the hookers.

nil_orally Thursday Sep 23 05:29 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 Friday Sep 24 04:14 AM

Why did they bother with parachutes?

Scriveyn Friday Sep 24 04:35 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 Friday Sep 24 05:05 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 Friday Sep 24 07:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scriveyn

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

You are so right!

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