[jester]

Who is Donald Sensing?

As for the Fox article, it mentioned the use of the Brown Bess in the 1840s? huh? So the fact checkers failed, the article is now questionable?

The article focused on US ranges for Western Europe or the urban areas of Iraq with some brief mention of A-stan.

I would like to see a discussion on the following:

1.) The doctrine of the units? Roll in in armor, troops dismount and assault at close range? Thus the M4s or Ivans AKs which almost all have folding stocks these days? Which was Ivans Doctrine from post WWII into the 90s and is the US doctrine. Remember, equipment does reflect the intended use according to doctrine.

2.) Mission at the time of the close engagements? Iraq, capturing the urban centers? Urban means close combat so of course.

3.) Patrols in the towns and villages to show a presence? Again you are now in the close quarters where if something happens it is up close and personal.

4.) WWII history in Western Europe? Close fields, wooded areas, towns and villages? Again, yep terrain dictates close range.....and what was the Armys doctrine on marksmanship? Troops will do as they are trained, 300 or 200m is the range they train at, that is what they are going to engage or less. So the bar is lowered.

I would like to see similar data for Germans vs. Russian on the Eastern Front. Will the data be similar to the German vs. American data?

Another doctrine issue that was mentioned, "RULES OF ENGAGEMENT." If the troops are not allowed to fire until fired upon, or have a full on positive ID of the target, not allowed to use supporting arms then yes the ranges will decrease.

And of course ENEMY DOCTRINE.

Lee vs. Grant, as Lee was highly mobile, Grant would as he put it, "Grab him by the belt buckle and not let go." Only then did the Confederates really start to loose.

Giap; Countering the Wests firepower, first the French and later the American, the NVA would close to such a distance that supporting fire can not be used safely.

The N. Koreans and Chinese also did this in Korea.

And in some cases, this is what has happened in the Middle East conflicts. It reduces the ability to use supporting arms and forces the PBI to go in and get close up and personal. Thus reduced ranges.