Quote:
Originally Posted by Webstral
It makes one smile quietly to oneself, doesn’t it?
I concur. I do think there’s some chance that the fighting in China might inspire a few of the more enterprising types to construct prototype assault guns. The West Germans, who have a history with the type and who probably are inclined to take the lessons coming out of China to heart more than the other NATO partners, seem like good candidates for the construction of prototypes. Either way, though, I agree that there will not be a type standardized assault gun for the US Army. I can’t promise that the USMC won’t see the value of a light, compact large caliber gun platform for direct support of the infantry. Of course, in 1996 they might still be using the M60 A3/4.
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*laughs* Exactly, the M3 75mm gun was designed not to deliver a round capable of armour penetration, but direct fire HE - in fact the M3 is the ultimate French 75 of fame and legend, since it is a direct descendant of it.
As to the Germans, it totally agree. Seeing the shape of things on China, I could see them placing plans in the files for how to convert equipment to assault guns, maybe even stockpiling certain parts that would be needed for such. I could very much see them building prototypes based on the Leo 1, as well as the M113 - as well as rearming or upgrading the Jaguar itself (Already in service as a missile armed upgrade of the original post war StuG)