A Man With Guts, and a BAR

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Blaine
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A Man With Guts, and a BAR

Post by Blaine »

The proper use of a BAR
---------------------------------------------

Pfc. Alton Knappenberger aka Knappie crawled to an exposed knoll and went into position with his BAR in order to lay down some hate.

He single handedly took out 2 MG positions from 100 yards out and killed scores of enemy soldiers who had crawled up to a few yards of his position.

Shortly thereafter, an enemy 20mm. antiaircraft gun directed fire at him, and that too was destroyed.

The Germans began pounding his position with tank and artillery shellfire, but Knappie stood his ground a continued his one man stand.

In a span of two hours, Pfc. Knappenberger, a 20 year old farm boy from PA who was only 5'6" and 118lbs, held off 2 German infantry companies and killed over 60 of the enemy with his BAR; the only injury he sustained was a blister on his foot.

After only spending a total of 11 days in combat, he was awarded the Medal of Honor.
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piller
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Re: A Man With Guts, and a BAR

Post by piller »

The gun was as as big as he was. Amazing shooting.
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rock-steady
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Re: A Man With Guts, and a BAR

Post by rock-steady »

Knappie is the very definition of Hero.

My Grandfather was a BAR gunner with the 45th Division 157th Infantry in France and Germany in 1944-45.
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Re: A Man With Guts, and a BAR

Post by TomF »

Awesome story. I watched every episode of "Medal of Honor" when I had access to it. Great men!! After handling a BAR I now know why they call it 1918............it weighs 19 or 18 pounds!!!! The one I shot was AUTO(slow) and AUTO(a little faster). Accurate off the bipod.
Alphawolf45
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Re: A Man With Guts, and a BAR

Post by Alphawolf45 »

How was it that he was alone for two hours? No comrades , artillary or air support? A feel good story but sounds fishy to me.
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marlinman93
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Re: A Man With Guts, and a BAR

Post by marlinman93 »

Amazing story! That type of guy doesn't come along every day then or today!
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Blaine
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Re: A Man With Guts, and a BAR

Post by Blaine »

Alphawolf45 wrote: Fri Jul 17, 2020 9:19 am How was it that he was alone for two hours? No comrades , artillary or air support? A feel good story but sounds fishy to me.
It's a matter of recorded military history. :idea:

I doubt that the archives of Arlington National Cemetary would make this stuff up.
http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/awkappenberger.htm
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Re: A Man With Guts, and a BAR

Post by piller »

Again, it was some amazingly good shooting. There are a few who are truly that good. He was one of them. Obviously, he was able to ignore his fear. Everyone has fear when in a very dangerous spot like that. Not everyone can continue to function like he did. That is why he was awarded medals for his actions. Way above and beyond the call.
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