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
I would probably be very mad and sad because I didn't get what I asked for. I understand that mix ups happen but im not sure about this one. I could maybe survive but I would probably get very sick and never eat them again.
If I had received candy instead of bullets I would have been extremely confused at first and then happy. I am not sure how the mix-up happened however, I think that if I absolutely had to, I probably could survive on Tootsie Rolls for two weeks.
If I receieved candy instead of bullets I would proble have been confused but they might make me happy because candy might be a nice thing to be able to eat. I think that I could survive on tootsie rolls for two weeks because I really like them.
i think i would have laughed in that situation. i think the mix-up happend because there was anew guy and didnt understand what it ment at the time or maybe the wrong box got dropped. i feel like i could survive off tootsie rolls for two weeks dousnt sound that bad.
I would be very confused and kinda angry. What am I supposed to do with candy you cant shoot it! I already don't like tootsie rolls I don't think I could eat them for 2 weeks.
Sad. Someone not caring enough. No.
If i received toosie rolls instead of Bullets i probably would of freaked out and would of been really confused. I think it happened because someone either miss heard the code word or miss spelled it and it caused them to think they were saying they needed toosie rolls.
I would have been surprised because candy is very different from bullets. After the shock would go away, I would probably be excited to have a sweet treat during the war. I probably could survive on Tootsie Rolls for two weeks, but I wouldn't like it because there is no nutrition in them.
If I recieved bullets I would be confused because why would I get bullets. I think they could of mixed up by the look of it. I wouldn't survive on tootsie-rolls because they are disgusting.
If I got candy instead of amo i would be very confused because I wanted amo but got candy and in their situation, I would want and need the amo a lot more than I would want the candy. I don't know how they mixed up the amo with the candy.
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