Quote:
Originally Posted by unkated
You did ask.
It doesn't seem particularly light to me. But weight is in the eye of the beholder, I guess.
However, looking at basics -
- Your basic platoon has a lot of elements for one guy to handle (7 - two weapons, two mortar, 3 maneuver squads), and that's before you add in anything other attachments he might get (say an engineer squad, AT team, crew from a weapons squad), or being called to ask about artillery). The common wisdom is 3-4.
- Also, for a 'light' unit, 4 of the 7 elements of a basic infantry platoon have sedentary jobs (set up here, fire that way; when the attack is done, pack up and move on). Doesn't strike me as mobile. Even with vehicles, that's a lot of guys not in the assault who are also not available during the pack-up and move phase.
Uncle Ted |
Thanks Ted.
"Light" originally meant more the lack of mechanized/armored support but to your point with all the extra firepower I added perhaps "light" should be more just "infantry".
Can you explain a bit more on your thoughts of the "3-4 wisdom"? I am not sure I follow you.