Quote:
Originally Posted by schnickelfritz
I have a copy of a Challenge Magazine that has an article on US 2.5 and 5 ton gun trucks, specifically listing the 5th ID as an example. I would assume that even in a (pre-summer T2K offensive) well equipped US Mechanized Infantry Division would have at least half of its infantry truck-borne.
Being that gun trucks in the APC role are limited in firepower to pintle/ring mounted MG's and Grenade Launchers, I think the most sensible thing to do would be to use the trucks (armored or not) to flesh out M2 or M113 Battalions, with the M2's in this case, providing the cannon and ATGM fire support that the trucks cannot.
Ironically, there is a M35A2 2.5ton local to me that has been restored and converted to represent a Vietnam era Gun truck. I see it sitting outside a lot, and plan on stopping to talk to the guy when spring comes.
I'll probably end up deleting the bulk of the M901 strength, using what remains to provide additional backup to the more truck-borne companies, especially those of 2-256 and 3-256 Infantry.
Thanks!
Dave
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Yeah much of the infantry would be truck borne either in utility configured HMMWV, or larger vehicles. In WWII it is part of the reason why the Army dropped Motorized Infantry Divisions and converted them to regular Infantry Divisions. In many cases the Infantry Division was able to move at least one Regiment by via truck if not more it with what was organic to it already. Which most of the time was all that was needed to move at a time anyways with the rest of the Division either engaged or waiting their turn to move.
Even the Light Division in the US Army in 1980's and on could deploy quite bit of their Light Infantry Battalion on HMMWVs and larger vehicle when sources were pooled together. Of course, many of these battalions were also airmobile trained too.
Even in the Pact side when Catagory C and Mobilized Only Divisions were activated they didn't have enough equipment to mover their Motorized Rifle Regiments in the Motorized Rifle Division and would have borrow lorries somewhere to get their 3rd Regiment motorized, in some case even their 2nd Regiment.
So by 2000 many of the Armor/Panzer/Tank and Mechanize/Panzergrenadier/Motorized Rifle Divisions on either side would have all sorts of vehicles to provide transportation to their Mechanized Infantry elements. I think in most cases there would be Brigade/Regiment would be what they Division could field properly equipped. The rest of the Division would have to rely on various other means to stay mobile. One thing many of these new rides, they would operate as old APCs used to be thought of in the US Army in that they take to within so far to the actually fighting. Then you would have to get out and walk the rest way in. It is part of the reason why the US Army pushed for IFV so that the Infantry can ride right into battle before deploying from the vehicle instead of having to fight their way forwards...
Just some thoughts.