Joint field training with Italian, Turkish, Soviet and British forces around 1984 or so, a kind of simulated WW III. Pictured is an Italian anti-tank crew with their particular weapon. The British Royal Marines were absolutely tight, never saw anything as disciplined as a British gun crew, I remember being struck by two things; they brought their own booze with them, and they were encourage to buy their own gear.
The Soviets were great guys, but their equipment was complete crap. I fired the AK-47 and you were more likely to shoot the guy behind you than what you were aiming at. The uniforms they wore were made out fabric so cheap it felt like paper, and soviet boots wouldn’t keep feet dry in a puddle.
We ‘hosted’ the Turks on the LHA Saipan, and the stench that arose from the section set aside for them was unreal, these guys were filthy. A couple of them were engaged in sex acts in one place and another there, until the order was set that we were under no circumstances to go into the Turkish area, I’m sure they were told the same.
