Pics of ghurkas

[papabear]

Since there was a small discussion a while ago on the ghurkas...

British ghurkas soldiers, part of 1st Battalion Royal Irish Regiment walk in formation in the Kuwaiti desert near Iraq (news - web sites)'s border prior to the visit of Chief of Staff of the British armed forces General Sir Mike Jackson, March 7, 2003. Unidentified people have cut down part of a fence marking a demilitarized Iraq/Kuwait border zone (DMZ), U.N. observers said on Friday, in a move analysts described as a preparation for possible hostilities with Iraq. *******/Oleg Popov

http://us.news1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/rids/20030307/i/1047042768.2818596934.jpg

http://us.news1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/rids/20030308/i/1047103189.2885730374.jpg

http://us.news1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/rids/20030308/i/1047102589.2214625352.jpg



Chief of staff of the British armed forces General Sir Mike Jackson (C) smiles during his visit to the 1st Battalion Royal Irish Regiment in the Kuwaiti desert near Iraq (news - web sites)'s border on March 7, 2003. Unidentified people have cut down part of a fence marking the demilitarized Iraq Kuwait border zone (DMZ), U.N. observers said on Friday, in a move analysts described as a preparation for possible hostilities with Iraq. *******/Oleg Popov

http://us.news1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/rids/20030308/i/1047102569.3154190407.jpg

http://us.news1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/rids/20030308/i/1047103065.2751569995.jpg

[Trigger]

I think I hear a 'funny caption' contest coming soon... :D

[David]

yeah that old guys a strange lookin fella

[Chris1]

not just strange looking!
from what I hear he's a ****ing 'in nutcase :D

[Vance]

Can anyone tell me what the Gurhkas specialize in? They mostly looks Asian.

[Chris1]

Nepal and Brunei mainly, there are also Regiments of Gurkha's for the Indian Army.
All came from an agreement many moons ago after they fought the British Army and nearly won back in the empire days.
Its considered an honour to serve in the British Army over there.
They western looking guys in the Gurkha Regiments are the British officers and a few NCO's. All of em 'go native'
Learn the language, the customs the lot.
They are Light Infantry, with an engineer and a logistics regiment as well. there has been a lot of discussion since Hong Kong was given back to China about what to do with them, but Jungle Warfare is their best.
VERY tough and good soldiers.

[Knave]

Exceptional guerilla fighters as well. They served in Burma with distinction during the Second World War, in the Chindit operations. Their unique curve-bladed knives make excellent 'silent-kill' weapons.... the Japanese were terrified of them.

My grandfather got one as a gift once.... I still have it somewhere.

I believe they're entirely a Nepalese regiment; they stem from agreements with the British from ages ago, true, but also from a consistant history of alliance between the Nepalese crown and the British Empire; during the two World Wars, Nepal placed the whole of its army under British command as a 'gift between friends' for the duration of the war.

[aardvark]

Knave, if you have any interest in parting with your grandfather's khukuri, I would be very interested. I love the things. Have about 15, modern, made by Himalayan Imports. Fantastic knives.

js_0@excite.com

Thanks.

[front]

"the Japanese were terrified of them"

http://www.himalayan-imports.com/BritTraining1.jpg

Yup... 'everyone' is flipping terrified of them. I did'nt spot any Khukuris in those photos (not good angles) but they have them.

Good FAQ on the Gurkhas here:

http://www.himalayan-imports.com/gurkha.html

http://www.himalayan-imports.com/gurk0.jpg

I remember watching a report on the BBC many years ago, during the end of the Falklands War, concerning the Gurkhas. They were upset that the Argentinians had surrendered so quickly apparently. Film footage showed one Gurkha burst into tears and be consoled by a comrade.

cheers

front

[Knave]

Knave, if you have any interest in parting with your grandfather's khukuri, I would be very interested. I love the things. Have about 15, modern, made by Himalayan Imports. Fantastic knives.

js_0@excite.com

Thanks.

I doubt that you'd want it.... it's World War 2 vintage or older, and quite rusted.... but it still has the sheath.... the only redeeming quality, I'm sure :)

But really, I don't think I'd want to part with it.... sorry, as I said, I think its only real value is sentimental with me :)

[aardvark]

Knave,

The rust part doesn't scare me (though you should take some steel wool and oil to it if you really want to keep it for your kids, or yourself). Certainly understand the sentimental value. I've given a khuk to each of my boys, and they are very proud of them. They will definitely last until they give them to their kids. Or lose them.

[Duke]

My grandfather served during the Second World War and use to tell me a story about the Ghurkas. The short version is that a popular Ghurka was shot by the Japanese and his intestines soon began to come out. The British OIC knew he could do very little to save his life. Out of desperation, the Brit ordered the Ghurka not to die and amazingly he didn't. That story has become legendary.

[Scrim]

Great site Front. Tough little bastards. Anyone know a good site to buy Kukris, have a good knife, and DPM cover fo sheath, but sheath is wooden and warped to hell, I know I dont have a good chance of finding replacement, bu thought id try.Thanks.

[aardvark]

Scrim,

If you want a new khukuri, got to www.himalayan-imports.com.
For a new sheath, check out http://www.geocities.com/t_sarki/Sarki_Shop.html . Look under 'Khukuri Sheaths' The gentleman's name is Terry Sisco. I haven't used his services myself, but the people at the Himalayan Imports forum swear by him.

I HAVE bought from Himalayan Imports (about 20 khuks over the last 6 months, I'm ashamed to say [but, hey, 3 were donated to military people shipping out to Iraq]). I can highly recommend their products and service.

Check out www.bladeforums.com\Makers & Manufacturers Forums\Himalayan Imports Forum for similar opinions. And LOTS of good information about khukuris.

[front]

"[but, hey, 3 were donated to military people shipping out to Iraq]"

Good one aadvark.

I was talking to an former 10th Mountain Division then 82nd Airborne Vet today, at work, who served in Desert Storm. His father was in the 82nd too in Vietnam. He told me that they have sent about $250 worth of tobacco (chew and smokes) out to their friends and former comrades so far this year. My workmate has also gave his bayonet (formerly his fathers... then his) to a cousin in the 82nd when he deployed to Afghanistan. It came back last year.. and now it's out there in Iraq somewhere again.. on condition that it comes back again.

Good "battle blade" tradition I think. Hopefully all your gifts will come back, with their bearers, safe and sound too.

Good one...

cheers

front

[aardvark]

Hopefully all your gifts will come back, with their bearers, safe and sound too.


Amen to that.

Several of the forum members have been deployed in Iraq, and when they mentioned that they were likely to go, a bunch of the others, especially Uncle Bill Martino, who runs Himilayan Imports, sent them a bunch of khuks to distribute to 'worthy recipients'. Lost track of how many, but 50 seems about right. And they were definitly meant to be USED, not hung on a wall.

From the way things have shaped up, it's likely that the knives haven't been/won't be used for fighting, since there's been little or no CQB. But it does something for your attitude, knowing that you've got 15-20 inches of a steel in the shape of the weapon of the Gurkhas. And if that attitude helped them in a tough situation, it was all worth it.

Makes up a little for the feeling of helplessness, when you can't really be any first-hand help.

[Jimmy C]

I got a couple of ghurka pictures on my computer that I will display if any of you guys wanna see them.

[Alphonse]

Yes, can you please post them?

[Jimmy C]

OK, will half to dig them up! I will upload them as soon as possible

[Jimmy C]

Here are a couple of Ghurka photos from Bosnia that I haveon my computer these guys are bagpipers.

http://img378.imageshack.us/img378/6476/bagpiper30it.png (http://imageshack.us/?x=my6&myref=)

http://img378.imageshack.us/img378/1584/bagpipers3fv.jpg (http://imageshack.us/?x=my6&myref=)

http://img378.imageshack.us/img378/1954/ghurkas14hb.png (http://imageshack.us/?x=my6&myref=)

[adi]

Some Nepal army photos from my collection. Note that not all Nepalese army men are gurkhas :-D

1. INSAS
http://img474.imageshack.us/img474/7052/nepalesegruntwithinsas3iu.jpg

2. Sterling
http://img474.imageshack.us/img474/3496/20040322kathmandupatrol2pt.jpg

3. On bomb defusal detail
http://img474.imageshack.us/img474/8683/20040211soldierstakearobottoch1.jpg

4. http://img474.imageshack.us/img474/103/20040210blastinnepal7po.jpg

[Gurkha]

131941
131942
131943
131944
131945
131946

[Gurkha]

133887
In Afghanistan