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Randy Rawson

Joined
May 7, 2001
Messages
65
I have a couple of questions for the fine people on this forum.

1) Was there a standard issue Khukuri for the men known as Merills Marauders during the second World War? I have seen some pictures and it seems that more than a few of these men have similar Khukuris with long blades strapped to packs and belts.

2) Has anyone read the book, Valor: A History of the Gurkhas, by Ed Smith. I have been thinking about buying it off of Amazon but its kind of expinsive. I would appreciate if anyone could tell me if it is worth the money.

Thank you,
Randy:
 
Hi Randy,

Merills Merauders were resupplied by the British during the war. Most of them traded for khukuries, which they used as field utility tools. They were the only US unit equiped with khukuries during the Second World War.

Valor, is an OK book. Plenty of fun pictures and a complete history of the Gurkhas. Farwell's book is cheaper, better written, and more interesting.


n2s
 
Thanks for good help, n2s. The Gorkhas getting ready for Afghanistan seem to be carrying old favorite khukuris from their villages. And I suspect just about any combat soldier, including Merrill's Marauders, would carry pretty much what they wanted from what was available to them at the time.
 
Thank you for all the information. I had a hard time finding any information on Merills Marauders so the Website is appreciated.

I allready have the book by Farwell and was hoping that Valor may be just as good. I just dont know if it is worth $45.00. maybe I can find it used.

thank you,
Randy
 
You may also want to take a look at John Parker's Gurkha (ISBN 0747275777, Headline Book publishing 1999). It provides good coverage of the Gurkhas during the 20th century.

BTW, Valor is worth it for the many pictures. Your local Barns and Noble may have a copy of both of these books.
 
I didn't see a lot of khuks in the pics and almost gave up until I came accross Pic#50. Clearly visible khukuri which seem to be of the M43 fully curved type. Not a pro at spotting these, but just looks like the handle is butted up right against the corner of the scabbard opening suggesting a heavy curve. I'm sure the experts will confirm one way or another.


Shalom:)
 
Great pix (#50) clearly showing a kukri with a large riveted handle. Could be an M43 but the scabbard looks a bit oversized.

There are quite a few books on the Gurkhas and each yields some good info, but for someone just starting out I would highly recommend Farwell's book first. Both "Valour" by Smith and "Gurkha" by Chant are great for lots of pictures. I would suggest "The Gurkhas" by Parker and "Imperial Warriors" by Tony Gould for more in depth study.
 
Originally posted by Walosi
..but here is the Marauder site:

http://www.marauder.org/pb_11.htm

Pic #10 shows (barely) an issue machete on the guy on the right - pic #34 shows the only clearly discernable knife I could find, and I'd love to have one :)
Click to expand...

Pic 34 also shows a less defined rather large knife on the left side of the guy on the right. Appears to be a slightly larger version of the one the guy on the right is carrying.

And yep, clearly a khuk on pic 50.:)
 
Picture #83 has a guy shaving with what could be a Japanese type 22 bayonet.
 
I just bumped this up to say that there are at least 3 copies of E.D. Smith's "Valour" book at the main Half Price books location in Dallas. $10 each. There used to be 4...
 
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