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DTIC ADA057795: Aircrew Survival Weapon Use. WW II Data Base.

The United States Air Force (USAF) issues individual weapons to aircrew-members involved in combat operations. The primary purpose of these weapons is to assist downed aircrew survival efforts. This study provides a historical data base for use in determining specific survival weapon requirements for any future from conflict in Western Europe. Five hundred fifty-seven successful WW II evasions are included in the data base. None of these evadees actually fired a weapon for any survival purpose. However, many evadees reported situations when a weapon, properly designed for the role, would have benefited their survival. The most frequently encountered potential use of a weapon was to kill small game or birds for food. Next, in frequency of occurrence, was the potential for psychological benefits to be gained by possession of a weapon. The third most frequently encountered potential use was for coercion. The least frequently experienced potential used was self-defense. No situations were reported in which a weapon would have been useful for any other survival purposes. Data from WW II was compared with current USAF survival and evasion policy. This study includes recommendations for n

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