In 1950 during the Korean War ran into an interesting dilemma when the use of a codeword gets misinterpreted. While stationed in ChangJin Reservoir, the Marine troops found themselves severally outnumbered and undersupplied. When they were almost out of mortar shells they called for an airdrop using their codename for 60MM mortar ammo, Tootsie Rolls. When the delivery arrived the troops were surprised to see boxes of actual Tootsie Rolls. What was a terrible mistake, saved hundreds of lives.
The freezing temperatures cracked vehicle fuel lines and left the troops stranded with limited ammo and tons of Tootsie Rolls. A veteran said he survived for two weeks on Tootsie Rolls. Eventually they realized they could melt the chocolate with their hands to make a putty-like consistency. They used this to patch up bullet holes, seal the broken pipes, and fix up other equipment. Finally, the chocolate refroze and they were able to get to safety, all thanks to this blessing in disguise.
I think if I was expecting bullets and got candy, I would laugh then probably cry. I wonder what went through the head of the guy who had received the request for "Tootsie Rolls" and didn't think it was a code work and instead sent actual ones. If I had gotten a request from Marine Troops out fighting in a war for Tootsie Rolls, my mind wouldn't think to send them Tootsie Rolls, if I was confused I would have asked. I think I would get very sick if I had to survive on Tootsie Rolls for two weeks and would probably not eat any more for a really long time.
Sources:
https://americangimuseum.org/tootsie-rolls-saved-troops-at-the-battle-of-the-chosin-reservoir/
https://unbelievable-facts.com/2018/03/funny-stories-from-history.html
Questions:
What would have been your reaction if you received candy instead of bullets?
How do you think the mix-up happened with the code word?
Could you survive on Tootsie Rolls for two weeks?
Replies
First I wouldn't know what to do and then I would laugh honestly, becaus I think it's very funny that that happen. Honestly, I think it would be difficult to survive two whole weeks, I think I couldn't do it.
I would also be completely shocked from this situation. It would be a funny story to tell after it was all over. It would be very difficult to survive for two whole weeks on tootsie rolls alone. I think I would get very sick from all of them.
I would probably be shocked in that situation but also I would think it was kind of funny. I do not think I could survive on tootsie rolls for 2 weeks because yes they are good and I could probably eat a good amount but not enough to live on them only.
I would also be pretty shocked to this situation. I think I would find it funny too but I don't know if it would be because it was a funny situation or because it was just very surprising. It would be terrible to have to live off of tootsie rolls for two weeks.
I wouldn't know because I think that I would just be shocked because I wouldn't think about getting bullets. They might of like said the code word wrong or some type of error in the word. I don't think that I could survive 2 days just because of all the low nutrients.
It was a crazy thing to happen. I didn't think of the possibility of them saying it wrong or that the soldiers had messed something up on their part. I would also probably be shocked if I was expecting bullets and got tootsie rolls instead.
I would have been shocked. I would obviously be shook, because you are expecting a death blow. I think a communication error came about when passing on the code word. I do not think I could survive on tootsi rolls for a whole two weeks. Streight sugar, woud make my stomach go INSANE.
Me too! After I survived and got to safety, I would probably look back on it and find it funny. The guy who received the call definitely needed to brush up on the codewords. I think I wounldn't die, but I wouldn't feel good at all.
That is a stressful situation because it you needed bullets and tooties rolls that I didnt need. But it is cool how they can find many uses for tootie rolls. I do not think I could survive off of tootsie rolls for 2 weeks.
i couldn't imagine their first thoughts and reactions to getting tootsie rolls instead of getting the bullets the really needed. They were extremely resourceful in not wasting what they were given. I wonder if they called back in and told the people the mistake, and ended up getting the bullets they needed?
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