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Originally Posted by jester
YOU ARE WRONG!
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I would say that is still subjective to whatever bridge you are talking about. Not fact, and definitely not wrong to think its not probable considering the objective given.
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Originally Posted by jester
So, it is possible, if one man is able to do it, than I think a team can manage it.
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Again, it still depends on the bridge and a huge amount of other already mentioned factors. Its not a given that it'll be possible to drop it into the river just because of the amazing feat of said event. The bridge in Vietnam was only about a third the size. And was likely built using different bridge architecture styles (US seabees) that what you see in Europe along the major highways over one the largest rivers.
Another reason I think the Ripley example isn't comparable is that he didn't need stealthy deep behind the lines insertion. He had a bunch of marines providing cover fire since they were
defending the bridge area, not sneaking in deep behind enemy lines. The saboteurs in this example will be probably dealing with an already dug in force on both sides and won't have the firepower to sufficiently cover a demo group. Therefore IMO its significantly much more difficult task.
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Originally Posted by jester
amphib crossing is painfully slow, and thus you are an easy target for everything to include slingshots.
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If its behind enemy lines, any amphib water crossing is probably not going to be coming under fire including that from slingshots. Since its the only bridge standing, for the Danube armies, it'll be already well defended. That further increases the problems for every extra man you attempt to get to the objective and work on it without being discovered.
For logistics, it only stands to reason with me, that an engineer unit would be deployed nearby with bridging/pontoon equipment if for only the reason you mentioned. The Serbs for example did this during the bombing campaigns a couple years ago. Bridge goes down, but a few hours later lighter traffic can cross. Bridges in North Vietnam is another example.