href=”http://www.donaldsensing.com/”>Donald Sensing has
some
href=”http://www.donaldsensing.com/2003_06_01_archive.html#200378330″>really
good analysis of the trends in infantry combat over the last
several decades, and how the recent war with Iraq was fought by the grunts on
the ground. Contrary to popular wisdom, American infantry have not seen a
fundamental shift in the application of their art, except for the ways they’re
able to rely on technologically advanced airpower and artillery. At the tip of
the spear, where the rubber sole meets the sand, little has changed since
WWI: (more…)
During the recent Iraq campaign, href=”http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=1&f=5&t=186638&page=1″>USMore… Mr. Sensing also refines his thoughts,
Marine riflemen were interviewed about their experiences by
after-action interviewers.
Almost all interviewed stated all
firefight engagements conducted with small arms (5.56mm guns) occurred in the
twenty to thirty (20-30) meter range. Shots over 100m were rare. The maximum
range was less than 300m. Of those interviewed, most sniper shots were taken
at distances well under 300m, only one greater than 300m (608m during the
day). After talking to the leadership from various sniper platoons and
individuals, there was not enough confidence in the optical gear (Simrad or
AN/PVS-10) to take a night shot under the given conditions at ranges over
300m. Most Marines agreed they would “push” a max range of 200m only.
Believe it or not, those ranges were almost exactly the same as in
World War I, according to General of the Army Omar Bradley, reported in his
autobiography, href=”http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0671410237/gunner20sblog-20″>A
General’s Life. As commanding general of the 82d Infantry
Division early in World War II, Bradley invited Medal of Honor recipient Alvin
York to visit his troops. (The 82d was not yet an airborne division at that
point.) York was a legendary Tennessee marksman who had earned the only Medal
of Honor awarded to an 82d Division soldier in the Great War. Bradley hosted
York in his own quarters.
I queried him closely on his experiences
in France. One important fact emerged from these talks: most of his effective
shooting had been done at a very short range – twenty-five to fifty
yards.
after some e-mails that he had ignored the influence of “rules of engagement” on
American infantry in Iraq. I’ve written on ROE in the past, and I agree with his
analysis here. The fact that our troops had restrictive ROE reinforced the fact
that they fought at close range, since they were forced to positively identify
targets before engaging them.
…infantry couldn’t do recon by fire in Iraq, at least very much,
because the potential for civilian deaths was too great. So Iraqi defenders
retained the initiative of when to begin the firefight. As far as I can tell
from my readings, firefights began at close range. That meant that half the
advantage of machine guns, their longer accurate range, was usually obviated.
Still, though, I find it pretty interesting that whether the rules of
engagement were restrictive or permissive, the typical engagement ranges for
rifle fire in combat have remained virtually unchanged since World War
I.
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