Cavalry in Twilight 2000

[HorseSoldier]

The machine gun killed horse cavalry before the semi-automatic and automatic rifle had a chance to (and really the rifled musket and earliest cartridge firing repeaters had horse cavalry on life support well before that). In T2K, horse cavalry are going to be dragoons, not true cavalry, and do their fighting on foot in all but the most permissive environments (note: Absolutely nowhere in the US would be considered a permissive environment. The UK or other places where firearms aren't very plentiful, maybe).

The ideal weapon for CONUS horse cavalry units would probably the M4, but the M16 would be entirely workable and the M16EZ would get the job done. No reason or need for anything more compact than that, and issuing them SMGs would actually tend to be contraindicated by role -- horse cavalry is an asset for patrolling and reconnoitering relatively open terrain where they have a mobility advantage. Even if they are ordered only to fight in the defense and in a pinch, they'd still be wanting weapons that let them engage fully across the 0-3 or 400 meters riflemen can credibly own without specialized equipment or an incredibly obliging enemy.

[Legbreaker]

I agree with that. In the relatively rare instances where the US has cavalry (We know the 5th ID had a handful for example) longer ranged weapons and light machineguns are the more practical weaponry with perhaps a few mortars, AGLs and HMGs towed on carriages.
Since logistical support (particularly carrying capacity compared to trucks) would be limited, I see cavalry having more in common equipment wise with paratroopers than just about any other troop type. You might even see Paratroop units converted before any others (all nationalities) because of this very fact - swapping one mode of transport for another.

[James Langham]

Originally Posted by Legbreaker

I agree with that. In the relatively rare instances where the US has cavalry (We know the 5th ID had a handful for example) longer ranged weapons and light machineguns are the more practical weaponry with perhaps a few mortars, AGLs and HMGs towed on carriages.
Since logistical support (particularly carrying capacity compared to trucks) would be limited, I see cavalry having more in common equipment wise with paratroopers than just about any other troop type. You might even see Paratroop units converted before any others (all nationalities) because of this very fact - swapping one mode of transport for another.

I have the 82nd in Operation Pegasus in Iran moving south on horses.

The current UK news about horse meat being in beef burgers is somehow somewhat ironic given the thread recently. It did give one nice fact though, horse tastes like a less fatty and slightly sweeter beef.

I have avoided Kenya as my version is different to the great write up that has been presented here.

There will be a rewrite shortly with extras....

[simonmark6]

Depends on the horse, one bred for eating is like less fatty and sweeter beef, but those eaten after work are much stringier and have a gamier flavour. Best hang it a bit then. On the whole though, the beef analogy is a good one. Like rabbit though it's high in protein and low in calories (relatively) there are much better foods if you're starving, but when you're hungry you take what you get.

[Olefin]

You might see the Grease Guns with the cavalry heavy weapons units - i.e. if you are manning a machine gun or mortar, if it gets down to engaging the enemy with an infantry weapon its usually when they get so close that you cant engage them with the heavy weapon - and a SMG is great for that

the unit I am putting together for Kenya is a Kenyan unit and not a US one - i.e. made up of Kenyan horsemen and women who equip a horsed cavalry "regiment" (but not even close in terms of numbers) using horses from Kenya or Ethiopia

[James Langham]

Originally Posted by Olefin

You might see the Grease Guns with the cavalry heavy weapons units - i.e. if you are manning a machine gun or mortar, if it gets down to engaging the enemy with an infantry weapon its usually when they get so close that you cant engage them with the heavy weapon - and a SMG is great for that

the unit I am putting together for Kenya is a Kenyan unit and not a US one - i.e. made up of Kenyan horsemen and women who equip a horsed cavalry "regiment" (but not even close in terms of numbers) using horses from Kenya or Ethiopia

Bear in mind the weight of an M3A1 with ammo, you are actually better with an M16! I would say the ideal weapon for weapon crews would be the M2 Carbine.

Quite happy to look at non-US units.

[Olefin]

Will send you the info I have on the Kenyan unit soon - almost have it done.

[HorseSoldier]

Originally Posted by simonmark6

Depends on the horse, one bred for eating is like less fatty and sweeter beef, but those eaten after work are much stringier and have a gamier flavour. Best hang it a bit then. On the whole though, the beef analogy is a good one. Like rabbit though it's high in protein and low in calories (relatively) there are much better foods if you're starving, but when you're hungry you take what you get.

Horse isn't so lean that rabbit fever would be a problem. I haven't followed all the ins and outs on the debate, but there is a lot of archaeological evidence supporting the fact that horses started out as a domesticated food animal and only later turned into a riding animal. Part of their appeal was that on the Eurasian steppe where domestication started they are much better at self-sustaining (and providing a food source) during winter months than cattle.

[Medic]

Not really on but neither really off topic, the Swedes actually considered using the moose as mounts in the 17th century. It never really took off, though they did domesticate some of them as far as I know. Bigger than a horse, moves well in swampy terrain, has antlers - I can really see the thought behind the idea, even if it was not successful.

[James Langham]

Originally Posted by Medic

Not really on but neither really off topic, the Swedes actually considered using the moose as mounts in the 17th century. It never really took off, though they did domesticate some of them as far as I know. Bigger than a horse, moves well in swampy terrain, has antlers - I can really see the thought behind the idea, even if it was not successful.

Seems to have been used by Wood Elves though - see the film version of "The Hobbit - An Unexpected Journey"

Interesting trivia from the latest rewrite research:

* Switzerland still had carrier pigeons in service in 1995

* Israel used pack llamas in Lebanon