This will be a running thread comprised of disparate military topics to minimize the clutter of topics in the forum.
Post Reply
1 of 1
Military Affairs
3,167 Views |
22 Replies |
Last: 4 yr ago by Aggie12B
GOLD STAR WIFE VISITS VIETNAM (Based on a true story)
An old American widow traveled to Vietnam on a pilgrimage to see the exact location where her young husband died during the war. Dean and Hattie fell in love in high school and were inseparable and married immediately upon graduating from college, but he was drafted and shortly afterwards, left for Vietnam. They were married and in love and talked about a rich and exciting future together, but the bells of war were ringing. They delayed the inevitable until it was almost time to say goodbye. She had meticulously packed his luggage and fretted but did not show it. A yellow taxi arrived in the light rain and they embraced, smiled, and kissed and said they loved each other; and he whispered soothing words in her ear. Then he was gone, forever.
Hattie, in her 70s, decided take an emotional and mental trip to Vietnam in her quest to find peace. Where she stood the air was hot and stifling as if a knife could cut through the humidity. There was some welcome respite from the hot sun under the canopy of large trees. She asked various villages if they knew of a helicopter crash during the war. They repeated this over and over again. By random chance she found an old Vietnamese man who would become her guide who knew of a location of a helicopter crash. The Vietnamese guide was none other than the NVA soldier who witnessed Dean's Huey crash and his death. He described her husband's dying moments with minute morbid details. She had strong ambivalent feelings for the old Vietnamese soldier. He was the enemy, but yet he would help bring a semblance of understanding and peace to her to quench her broken heart. Something she sought for such a long time. She did not expect an apology, nor did he give it to her. They were both doing their duties.
Over the years Hattie had remarried and started a family, but she wanted closure. Final closure. I suppose she still loved him and got just enough of him in her life that he would always be in her heart. However, she wanted what was impossible, more time with him. He was like a beautiful song she heard, but heard just part of it, and no more. She wished and wanted to listen to the rest of the song. Dean would be stored safely in her heart until she becomes no more. Then perhaps, they can explore the universe together. Young and free, in perpetuity, with no time limits and no constraints.
An old American widow traveled to Vietnam on a pilgrimage to see the exact location where her young husband died during the war. Dean and Hattie fell in love in high school and were inseparable and married immediately upon graduating from college, but he was drafted and shortly afterwards, left for Vietnam. They were married and in love and talked about a rich and exciting future together, but the bells of war were ringing. They delayed the inevitable until it was almost time to say goodbye. She had meticulously packed his luggage and fretted but did not show it. A yellow taxi arrived in the light rain and they embraced, smiled, and kissed and said they loved each other; and he whispered soothing words in her ear. Then he was gone, forever.
Hattie, in her 70s, decided take an emotional and mental trip to Vietnam in her quest to find peace. Where she stood the air was hot and stifling as if a knife could cut through the humidity. There was some welcome respite from the hot sun under the canopy of large trees. She asked various villages if they knew of a helicopter crash during the war. They repeated this over and over again. By random chance she found an old Vietnamese man who would become her guide who knew of a location of a helicopter crash. The Vietnamese guide was none other than the NVA soldier who witnessed Dean's Huey crash and his death. He described her husband's dying moments with minute morbid details. She had strong ambivalent feelings for the old Vietnamese soldier. He was the enemy, but yet he would help bring a semblance of understanding and peace to her to quench her broken heart. Something she sought for such a long time. She did not expect an apology, nor did he give it to her. They were both doing their duties.
Over the years Hattie had remarried and started a family, but she wanted closure. Final closure. I suppose she still loved him and got just enough of him in her life that he would always be in her heart. However, she wanted what was impossible, more time with him. He was like a beautiful song she heard, but heard just part of it, and no more. She wished and wanted to listen to the rest of the song. Dean would be stored safely in her heart until she becomes no more. Then perhaps, they can explore the universe together. Young and free, in perpetuity, with no time limits and no constraints.
THE GENEROSITY OF AMERICANS AFTER WWII
Millions of Americans opened up their hearts and wallets to pay for $10 care packages of food to be sent to impoverished and hungry Europeans after WWII. In todays terms that would be $130. Hundreds of millions were sent. Some families had perhaps a loaf of bread to eat for a week if not for the care packages. Care packages were a valuable lifeline and prevented millions of Europeans from dying due to the lack of food, and systems were in place for families to get the packages on a regular basis. School children received smaller care packages of food on a regular basis at school. Sometimes girls would get a doll in their package.
These are some of the items in the care packages. The program is a testament to the generosity of Americans and often influenced how Europeans thought of us.
one pound (450 g) of beef in broth
one pound (450 g) of steak and kidneys
8 ounces (230 g) of liver loaf
8 ounces (230 g) of corned beef
12 ounces (340 g) of luncheon loaf (like Spam)
8 ounces (230 g) of bacon
two pounds (910 g) of margarine
one pound (450 g) of lard
one pound (450 g) of fruit preserves
one pound (450 g) of honey
one pound (450 g) of raisins
one pound (450 g) of chocolate
two pounds (910 g) of sugar
8 ounces (230 g) of powdered eggs
two pounds (910 g) of whole-milk powder
two pounds (910 g) of coffee
Millions of Americans opened up their hearts and wallets to pay for $10 care packages of food to be sent to impoverished and hungry Europeans after WWII. In todays terms that would be $130. Hundreds of millions were sent. Some families had perhaps a loaf of bread to eat for a week if not for the care packages. Care packages were a valuable lifeline and prevented millions of Europeans from dying due to the lack of food, and systems were in place for families to get the packages on a regular basis. School children received smaller care packages of food on a regular basis at school. Sometimes girls would get a doll in their package.
These are some of the items in the care packages. The program is a testament to the generosity of Americans and often influenced how Europeans thought of us.
one pound (450 g) of beef in broth
one pound (450 g) of steak and kidneys
8 ounces (230 g) of liver loaf
8 ounces (230 g) of corned beef
12 ounces (340 g) of luncheon loaf (like Spam)
8 ounces (230 g) of bacon
two pounds (910 g) of margarine
one pound (450 g) of lard
one pound (450 g) of fruit preserves
one pound (450 g) of honey
one pound (450 g) of raisins
one pound (450 g) of chocolate
two pounds (910 g) of sugar
8 ounces (230 g) of powdered eggs
two pounds (910 g) of whole-milk powder
two pounds (910 g) of coffee
The US military has developed or is developing RMAs. RMAs can be a new weapon, vehicle, technology, or doctrine that will give us an advantage in the next wars. The American RMAs in WWII were amphibious landings, P-51s, atomic bombs, aircraft carriers, and Patton. lol
Here are current RMAs that have been developed and these are just my opinions:
- Smart Cluster Bombs: Right now we have the ability to drop large bombs that will spit out perhaps 40 cluster bombs that will actively seek armored vehicles to destroy them. This is a tremendous amount of accurate firepower.
- Phalanx System: This automated weapons system can be found on ships and around bases. It can shoot 4,500 20mm rounds at a muzzle velocity of 3600 feet/sec. It can shoot down missiles, drones, planes, mortars, and other projectiles.
- Israeli Trophy System: Our M1 tanks are becoming more vulnerable to anti tank weapons. The US Army will install the Trophy Systems on our tanks. When a missile or projectile is few meters from the tanks, the Trophy System will essentially shoot a shotgun blast to defeat the threat.
- Drones are used for surveillance and delivering munitions. I read Turkish drones destroyed 100 Russian made tanks in Syria. The US is fond of using drones to kill high value targets (people).
We are working on these possible RMAs:
- Laser Weapons: There are many technical challenges, but we are developing more powerful laser weapons. I think we have the ability to shoot down drones with laser weapons now.
- Rail Guns: Huge technical challenges but we are still trying to develop that technology.
- Artillery: Historically artillery has been an area weapon or an indirect weapons system. The goal for artillery is to land rounds in the proximity of the targets. Some of the current focus is turning artillery rounds into smart or guided rounds for precision. The US Army recently used a 155 Howitzer round to shoot down a missile. Perhaps we can shoot accurately at targets 50 miles away.
- Communications and Networking: I really don't know what this domain is called, but we are working on domain because it is crucial in future wars as there will be infinitely more inputs, outputs, and solutions.
- Hypersonic Missiles: China, Russia, and the US are racing to develop missiles that can fly at Mach 5.
- Robots and unmanned vehicles.
- Drones
Here are current RMAs that have been developed and these are just my opinions:
- Smart Cluster Bombs: Right now we have the ability to drop large bombs that will spit out perhaps 40 cluster bombs that will actively seek armored vehicles to destroy them. This is a tremendous amount of accurate firepower.
- Phalanx System: This automated weapons system can be found on ships and around bases. It can shoot 4,500 20mm rounds at a muzzle velocity of 3600 feet/sec. It can shoot down missiles, drones, planes, mortars, and other projectiles.
- Israeli Trophy System: Our M1 tanks are becoming more vulnerable to anti tank weapons. The US Army will install the Trophy Systems on our tanks. When a missile or projectile is few meters from the tanks, the Trophy System will essentially shoot a shotgun blast to defeat the threat.
- Drones are used for surveillance and delivering munitions. I read Turkish drones destroyed 100 Russian made tanks in Syria. The US is fond of using drones to kill high value targets (people).
We are working on these possible RMAs:
- Laser Weapons: There are many technical challenges, but we are developing more powerful laser weapons. I think we have the ability to shoot down drones with laser weapons now.
- Rail Guns: Huge technical challenges but we are still trying to develop that technology.
- Artillery: Historically artillery has been an area weapon or an indirect weapons system. The goal for artillery is to land rounds in the proximity of the targets. Some of the current focus is turning artillery rounds into smart or guided rounds for precision. The US Army recently used a 155 Howitzer round to shoot down a missile. Perhaps we can shoot accurately at targets 50 miles away.
- Communications and Networking: I really don't know what this domain is called, but we are working on domain because it is crucial in future wars as there will be infinitely more inputs, outputs, and solutions.
- Hypersonic Missiles: China, Russia, and the US are racing to develop missiles that can fly at Mach 5.
- Robots and unmanned vehicles.
- Drones
TUSKEGEE AIRMEN
They were black aviators who were known as Red Tails due to red on the tails of their fighters. The Army Airforce erred in their doctrine strategic bombers could defend themselves. I believe we lost 3,000 B-17s in Europe. The bombers were escorted partially as the fighters had to return due to the lack of requisite range. The Germans knew our operating procedures and mercilessly attacked our unescorted strategic bombers.
The advent of the P-51 changed these dynamics. The British put in a Rolls Royce engines in the P-51 to give them better performance. I would consider the P-51 a Revolution in Military Affairs which by definition is an invention that would change the face of the war. For the first time the strategic bombers were escorted all the way to the target and back. The Tuskegee Airmen flew P-51s and the first order of business was escorting the bombers. They shot down the German fighters who attempted to attack our bombers. This made a huge contribution to the attrition of the Luftwaffe that they would never recover from. Our fighters also caused attrition to experienced German pilots. This accelerated in the destruction of the Luftwaffe as inexperienced German pilots were easier to shoot down.
With air superiority the P-51s conducted tactical ground attacks and destroyed many German planes on the ground. On bombing escort duties other fighter pilots would abandon the bombers when they dropped bombs. The Red Tails stayed with the bombers all the way through the mission.
They immensely facilitated in the US gaining air superiority which had second and third order effects. Our fighters attacked German formations and logistics. General Patton the genius, used fighters to cover his Army Group's flanks and used fighters ahead of him to engage and destroy German formations. They decisively engaged the fighters and gave Patton great intelligence so he could attack in the manner of his choosing. Sometimes he smashed the enemy, sometimes he surrounded them. These operations gave Patton the security and firepower to rush from France to the German border in a manner that history will deem quite rapid and aggressive. The combination of the operating picture and his tactical brilliance made the German generals absolutely fear him.
They were black aviators who were known as Red Tails due to red on the tails of their fighters. The Army Airforce erred in their doctrine strategic bombers could defend themselves. I believe we lost 3,000 B-17s in Europe. The bombers were escorted partially as the fighters had to return due to the lack of requisite range. The Germans knew our operating procedures and mercilessly attacked our unescorted strategic bombers.
The advent of the P-51 changed these dynamics. The British put in a Rolls Royce engines in the P-51 to give them better performance. I would consider the P-51 a Revolution in Military Affairs which by definition is an invention that would change the face of the war. For the first time the strategic bombers were escorted all the way to the target and back. The Tuskegee Airmen flew P-51s and the first order of business was escorting the bombers. They shot down the German fighters who attempted to attack our bombers. This made a huge contribution to the attrition of the Luftwaffe that they would never recover from. Our fighters also caused attrition to experienced German pilots. This accelerated in the destruction of the Luftwaffe as inexperienced German pilots were easier to shoot down.
With air superiority the P-51s conducted tactical ground attacks and destroyed many German planes on the ground. On bombing escort duties other fighter pilots would abandon the bombers when they dropped bombs. The Red Tails stayed with the bombers all the way through the mission.
They immensely facilitated in the US gaining air superiority which had second and third order effects. Our fighters attacked German formations and logistics. General Patton the genius, used fighters to cover his Army Group's flanks and used fighters ahead of him to engage and destroy German formations. They decisively engaged the fighters and gave Patton great intelligence so he could attack in the manner of his choosing. Sometimes he smashed the enemy, sometimes he surrounded them. These operations gave Patton the security and firepower to rush from France to the German border in a manner that history will deem quite rapid and aggressive. The combination of the operating picture and his tactical brilliance made the German generals absolutely fear him.
A lot of these would probably be better received on the history board. A lot of smart folks over there.
This is military history and is geared toward those who are serving or the veterans. Perhaps the articles will help connect the dots or reveal something new.JABQ04 said:
A lot of these would probably be better received on the history board. A lot of smart folks over there.
Look some of it not historical information. I am not moving this.JABQ04 said:
You don't say.
And I will reiterate it would be better received on the HISTORY board.
NM
ArmyTanker said:Look some of it not historical information. I might delve into strategic, tactical aspects, or concepts that might help younger service members understand martial aspects. I am not moving this.JABQ04 said:
You don't say.
And I will reiterate it would be better received on the HISTORY board.
ArmyTanker said:
Look some of it not historical information. I might delve into strategic, tactical aspects, or concepts that might help younger service members understand martial aspects. I am not moving this.
Does being abrasive come naturally to you or was it a learned skill?
Username checks out.
Look I am here for a few more days until my subscription ends, then you can celebrate to your hearts content. You are proof positive that there are those who will cross the line and treat others without requisite dignity and respect. This has been a cornerstone in my life. I treat all with dignity and respect. I don't know if you are Ag or a Veteran, but I am disappointed in your rhetoric either way. It indicates your constitution as a person. I really enjoy discussing military history. It is a fascinating topic. However, you deem it is appropriate to contribute to the thread with your vitriol. Are you proud of yourself now? Life is too excellent to be mired by the trivial, and right now, you are trivial and vapid. I have wasted enough time addressing you. Have an excellent day.I Am A Critic said:ArmyTanker said:
Look some of it not historical information. I might delve into strategic, tactical aspects, or concepts that might help younger service members understand martial aspects. I am not moving this.
Does being abrasive come naturally to you or was it a learned skill?
AFGHANISTAN
This is what will happen when we leave Afghanistan. The Taliban and the the government of Afghanistan will duke it out. Both have competing ideologies that will not support compromise. The Taliban wants to implement Sharia Law and the Afghan Government (AG) wants to promulgate democracy. I will look at the situation from the perspective of Passion of the People, Military Capability, and Rational Government.
- Passion of the People. This is a very important component for war as proven by our Revolutionary war and our desire to be free from England's yoke. Generally speaking the rural communities support the Taliban and the urban communities support the AG. I see this as a wash.
- Military Capability. The AG forces do not have the strength and expertise to go into rural Afghanistan to kill the Taliban. The Taliban do not have the strength to take on AG forces. Mao said revolutions are won by building up a peer sized army to beat governmental forces. I see this as a wash.
- Rational Government. This does not apply to the Taliban as they rule by an iron fist and rural Afghans accept that condition. The AG can lose favor of the urban populace by bribery, corruption, and actions that do not support or hurt Afghans.
For these reasons I believe their will be a protracted civil war in Afghanistan.
This is what will happen when we leave Afghanistan. The Taliban and the the government of Afghanistan will duke it out. Both have competing ideologies that will not support compromise. The Taliban wants to implement Sharia Law and the Afghan Government (AG) wants to promulgate democracy. I will look at the situation from the perspective of Passion of the People, Military Capability, and Rational Government.
- Passion of the People. This is a very important component for war as proven by our Revolutionary war and our desire to be free from England's yoke. Generally speaking the rural communities support the Taliban and the urban communities support the AG. I see this as a wash.
- Military Capability. The AG forces do not have the strength and expertise to go into rural Afghanistan to kill the Taliban. The Taliban do not have the strength to take on AG forces. Mao said revolutions are won by building up a peer sized army to beat governmental forces. I see this as a wash.
- Rational Government. This does not apply to the Taliban as they rule by an iron fist and rural Afghans accept that condition. The AG can lose favor of the urban populace by bribery, corruption, and actions that do not support or hurt Afghans.
For these reasons I believe their will be a protracted civil war in Afghanistan.
No one wants you to leave and no one has asked you leave. You do come across as a bit of a dick. You want to discuss military history? Guess what there's a history board where we discuss........military history. Hell I'll talk about certain topics for days. You seem to be the one who can't handle any kind of criticism, then you say you have PTSD and that you'll leave, but yet you're still posting. I'm halfway convinced your either trolling or a sock account that for whatever reason chose this board. Anyways if your legit then take your military history stuff to the other board and you will probably garner a better conversation with people who want to talk about it. Again, no one is forcing you to leave and I don't think anyone really wants you leave, but FFS you gotta have thicker skin than getting all up in arms and throwing a hissy fit over a very mild rebuke.
Take some advice too, stay off the General board, they'll eat you alive if you come at them with this weak game.
Take some advice too, stay off the General board, they'll eat you alive if you come at them with this weak game.
This thread...lol
This dude has to be a troll, right?
FightnFarmerUSMC said:
This dude has to be a troll, right?
If not, completely devoid of situational awareness.
Username checks out.
FightnFarmerUSMC said:
This dude has to be a troll, right?
Maybe?? Same sort of interaction/thread on the GB as well.
JABQ04 said:FightnFarmerUSMC said:
This dude has to be a troll, right?
Maybe?? Same sort of interaction/thread on the GB as well.
Is MFBarnes back?
I think he is barnes.JABQ04 said:
No one wants you to leave and no one has asked you leave. You do come across as a bit of a dick. You want to discuss military history? Guess what there's a history board where we discuss........military history. Hell I'll talk about certain topics for days. You seem to be the one who can't handle any kind of criticism, then you say you have PTSD and that you'll leave, but yet you're still posting. I'm halfway convinced your either trolling or a sock account that for whatever reason chose this board. Anyways if your legit then take your military history stuff to the other board and you will probably garner a better conversation with people who want to talk about it. Again, no one is forcing you to leave and I don't think anyone really wants you leave, but FFS you gotta have thicker skin than getting all up in arms and throwing a hissy fit over a very mild rebuke.
Take some advice too, stay off the General board, they'll eat you alive if you come at them with this weak game.
MF Barnes, Tyson... the list of trolls is great, but I think the MF Barnes sock hijacking the name of a financial advisor in NYC was probably the worst.
“If you’re going to have crime it should at least be organized crime”
-Havelock Vetinari
-Havelock Vetinari
Patton took over beleaguered US forces in N African in NOV 1942. Rommel, the Desert Fox, had kicked our asses all over the place. Patton had a week to turn around the US Army before a large battle with the Germans. Patton used Infantry, Field Artillery, and Tank Killers to destroy a heavy German armored force of 50 tanks at a critical pass. That was the start for the US to change the fate of the N African campaign.
In JUL 1943 Patton and his Army conducted an amphibious landing at Sicily. He was relentless and conducted two more amphibious landings to outflank the Germans. He and Montgomery were racing to attack the Germans who had a difficult time retreating fast enough to the Port of Mesina to escape the Allied forces. I believe by this time the Germans feared Patton the most of all Allied generals.
In early 1944 Patton was reassigned by General Eisenhower due to a couple slapping incidents in field hospitals. Patton was made commander of a fictitious Army unit in the UK which contained many inflatable vehicles and proceeded to indulge in non stop communications to deceive the Germans into thinking an amphibious landing would be a direct channel route to Calais, France. The Germans were deceived due to much fear and respect for Patton.
AUG 1944 Patton's Army landed in France and commenced on a 30 day march to the border of Germany. At this point we had air superiority. He used fighter planes to protect his flanks and provide reconnaissance ahead of his Army to give him great intelligence and situational awareness. Often the fighter planes engaged German formations in decisive engagements which gave Patton the flexibility of action which included surrounding the enemy and other tactics.
He had a disdain for Montgomery and often competed with him. One time Eisenhower gave all the fuel to Montgomery's army which infuriated Patton. He ordered his soldiers to steal some of the fuel. In another instance Patton's army was low on fuel so he ordered fuel to be dispensed to the essential vehicles in order keep up the momentum. I can not say it enough, Patton was a brilliant commander.
In JUL 1943 Patton and his Army conducted an amphibious landing at Sicily. He was relentless and conducted two more amphibious landings to outflank the Germans. He and Montgomery were racing to attack the Germans who had a difficult time retreating fast enough to the Port of Mesina to escape the Allied forces. I believe by this time the Germans feared Patton the most of all Allied generals.
In early 1944 Patton was reassigned by General Eisenhower due to a couple slapping incidents in field hospitals. Patton was made commander of a fictitious Army unit in the UK which contained many inflatable vehicles and proceeded to indulge in non stop communications to deceive the Germans into thinking an amphibious landing would be a direct channel route to Calais, France. The Germans were deceived due to much fear and respect for Patton.
AUG 1944 Patton's Army landed in France and commenced on a 30 day march to the border of Germany. At this point we had air superiority. He used fighter planes to protect his flanks and provide reconnaissance ahead of his Army to give him great intelligence and situational awareness. Often the fighter planes engaged German formations in decisive engagements which gave Patton the flexibility of action which included surrounding the enemy and other tactics.
He had a disdain for Montgomery and often competed with him. One time Eisenhower gave all the fuel to Montgomery's army which infuriated Patton. He ordered his soldiers to steal some of the fuel. In another instance Patton's army was low on fuel so he ordered fuel to be dispensed to the essential vehicles in order keep up the momentum. I can not say it enough, Patton was a brilliant commander.
We've all seen the movie. BarnesArmyTanker said:
Patton took over beleaguered US forces in N African in NOV 1942. Rommel, the Desert Fox, had kicked our asses all over the place. Patton had a week to turn around the US Army before a large battle with the Germans. Patton used Infantry, Field Artillery, and Tank Killers to destroy a heavy German armored force of 50 tanks at a critical pass. That was the start for the US to change the fate of the N African campaign.
In JUL 1943 Patton and his Army conducted an amphibious landing at Sicily. He was relentless and conducted two more amphibious landings to outflank the Germans. He and Montgomery were racing to attack the Germans who had a difficult time retreating fast enough to the Port of Mesina to escape the Allied forces. I believe by this time the Germans feared Patton the most of all Allied generals.
In early 1944 Patton was reassigned by General Eisenhower due to a couple slapping incidents in field hospitals. Patton was made commander of a fictitious Army unit in the UK which contained many inflatable vehicles and proceeded to indulge in non stop communications to deceive the Germans into thinking an amphibious landing would be a direct channel route to Calais, France. The Germans were deceived due to much fear and respect for Patton.
AUG 1944 Patton's Army landed in France and commenced on a 30 day march to the border of Germany. At this point we had air superiority. He used fighter planes to protect his flanks and provide reconnaissance ahead of his Army to give him great intelligence and situational awareness. Often the fighter planes engaged German formations in decisive engagements which gave Patton the flexibility of action which included surrounding the enemy and other tactics.
He had a disdain for Montgomery and often competed with him. One time Eisenhower gave all the fuel to Montgomery's army which infuriated Patton. He ordered his soldiers to steal some of the fuel. In another instance Patton's army was low on fuel so he ordered fuel to be dispensed to the essential vehicles in order keep up the momentum. I can not say it enough, Patton was a brilliant commander.
Featured Stories
See All
2026 Lakewood (CA) tight end Caleb Tafua commits to Texas A&M
by Jason Howell
Presenting Texas Aggies United's 'Battle At Reed' Sweepstakes!
by Texas Aggies United
22:08
2d ago
5.1k
Hefner scores 19 as No. 12 A&M overpowers HCU in Friday matinee
by Olin Buchanan
Ar'maj Reed-Adams announces his return to Texas A&M for 2025
by Richard Zane