Why did Soviet soldiers boil their bullets, and what other unorthodox military techniques did they employ?

1. During the Soviet-Afghan War in the 1980s, Soviet soldiers found themselves with inadequate rations. To obtain better food from Afghan merchants, they resorted to a peculiar tactic: boiling their bullets before trading them. 🤢💰
2. These crafty soldiers thought they could outsmart the system by boiling the bullets first! They figured a few hours in hot water would make the bullets useless, so they could trade them without arming the enemy. Clever, right? 🧠💡
3. However, the bullets used by the Soviets in the 1980s had primers resistant to the effects of boiling water. Unbeknownst to the soldiers, they were trading functional bullets that could potentially be used against their own comrades. 😅🙈
4. Another unusual practice among Soviet soldiers during World War II was the use of foot wraps, or "Portyanki," instead of socks. These rectangular pieces of cloth were wrapped carefully around the feet before putting on boots. 🙄🤔
5. The use of Portyanki was a result of the expensive and time-consuming process of manufacturing socks in Russia during the early 20th century. The foot wraps served as a cheaper alternative, protecting the feet from moisture and blisters. 👨‍🌾👌
6. Portyanki remained in use by Russian soldiers until 2013, when they were finally phased out in favor of socks as part of military reforms. The foot wraps had become a symbol of the old, peasant-powered Russian army. ⏰😅
7. The Soviet Union's secret weapon during World War II: the "Night Witches." These badass lady pilots flew ancient wooden biplanes and gave the high-tech German Luftwaffe a run for their money! 🌙🧙‍♀️
8. These slow, low-flying planes were like stealth bombers of their time. German radars couldn't spot them, and their slow speed made them a nightmare for the faster German fighters to shoot down. Who needs fancy tech when you've got guts and skills? 😏💥
9. In World War II, the British and American forces used carrier pigeons to deliver messages to the front lines. The British even parachuted pigeons in boxes into enemy territory, hoping that friendly individuals would find them and send back intelligence. 😉😎

📝 SOURCES: https://pastebin.com/FBjgrdze

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