18. The Man, the Myth, the Legend Himself
“Mad” Jack Churchill was a figure straight out of a bygone era, yet he made his mark during WWII, not just for his bravery but for his anachronistic choice of weaponry and his remarkable exploits. Unlike any other soldier, Churchill went into battle armed with a longbow, a broadsword, and bagpipes, embodying the spirit of medieval warriors on the modern battlefield.
His unique armament wasn’t just for show; he is credited with the last recorded longbow kill in war, having shot a German general. His battle cry and charge into enemy lines were legendary, though the enemy thought he was a madman. Captured twice and managing to escape both times, Churchill’s adventures read like a novel. He famously was disappointed at the war’s end, lamenting the lack of further opportunity for action.