Praxis: Lessons from Sam Fuller's The Steel Helmet -- "There ain't no 'specified amount of ammo.'"

I am a big fan of Sam Fuller movies, and have been since I was a kid. I suppose the first time I ever saw The Steel Helmet was on my parents' black-and-white television set sometime in the 60s. It was recently reshown on Turner Classic movies so we taped it and I decided to review it here. Most of you have likely seen Fuller's semi-autobiographical work, The Big Red One. Fuller's war movies reflect his own experiences in the 1st Infantry Division in World War II and he intersperses them with little tactical lessons that make them of greater value than the average Hollywood "war movie."

In the opening scene, we learn why Fuller named the movie The Steel Helmet, which is an appreciation of the steel pot, among other things. Sgt. "Iron Mike" Zack, a World War retread, finds himself the only survivor of a patrol early in the Korean War when the bullet intended to execute him is deflected by his steel pot. (Fuller's tactical advice #1.) He is discovered and freed by a South Korean kid who he dubs "Short Round."

Short Round has picked up an empty M-1 rifle, which Zack appropriates and orders the kid to "See if there's any ammo on those guys." There isn't, but Zack just reaches in his boot and retrieves a single Garand clip -- his hold-out supply. Now, at least, he is armed and ready to fight. (Fuller's tactical advice #2.)

On the way back to his lines, Zack encounters some NK guerrillas and kills them, ordering Short Round to "Get their weapons and ammo," just in case he runs out of the partial clip he has left. (Don't waste anything. Fuller's tactical advice #3.)

In his journey, Zack encounters a medic who, like him, has survived a POW massacre. Shortly afterward, they encounter a patrol of mostly inexperienced newbies lost in the fog, but Zack declines to go along with them, although he is quick to borrow (without asking) a full bandoleer of rifle ammunition. (Fuller's tactical advice #4 -- ammunition resupply is a priority.) After going their separate ways, the patrol is ambushed and Zack, against his combat veteran's instincts, goes back to help them. Securing the help of the only other combat veteran with the patrol a Nisei nicknamed "Buddha Head," Zack dispatches the snipers.

Deciding to cast his lot with the patrol in return for a box of cigars, Zack looks them over and is unimpressed, especially with an ammo bearer who defends his lugging along a portable organ with the comment, "I'm carrying my specified load of ammunition." Zack looks at him sourly and tells him: "There ain't no 'specified amount of ammo.'" (Fuller's tactical advice #5, #6, #7 thru #246 -- ammunition resupply is a priority.) I don't know if Fuller knew of Kipling's quote, “A man can never have too much red wine, too many books, or too much ammunition,” but he certainly hammers the lesson about the latter home in The Steel Helmet.

If you get a chance to see The Steel Helmet, do so. There is a reality edge to it that is often missing in other Hollywood so-called "war movies."