Decisive Weapons ?

[oneshooter]

Personally, I don't like helo's. They tried to kill me three times and damn near succeded the last time!

The US Marines developed a "Combined Arms" doctrin for the vertical assault early in VN. This consisted of Hueys with troopers, along with med evac birds, Cobras and armed Hueys for support. Loaches for airel observation. Follow up would be heavy lift birds for arty and supplies.
The only problem was that ALL Helicopters, especially Hueys are damned NOISY, there is no sneaking up on someone with them!

Oneshooter
Livin in Texas

[Niner Delta]

Usually getting out of a helicopter was like it was trying to kill you, ask Niner, I'm sure he has an Air Medal like me, you got one for 25 combat insertions by chopper. So yes, choppers tried to kill us all.

No, you can't sneak up on the enemy and go, "Boo!". Choppers are loud, loud = lift (flight). Flight = good, no flight = bad (crash) See how it works.

It has been my experience that in large groups you seldom sneak up on the enemy, you either lie in wait for them (or vice versa) or you break down the front door.
But you can catch them unprepared for combat and have a large number of our troops on the ground within 5 minutes of them first hearing the choppers coming.
Those troops are ready for action the minute they hit the ground, while the enemy is still trying to organize their defenses.
You can't do that with trucks, tanks, or even on foot.
Helicopters are the best way to move in troops quickly, at least until we can have Scotty 'beam' them into combat.

Vern.

[Niner]

Vern and I remember "Eagle Flights". What we did on Eagle Flights was that in lifts of three or four Huey's a platoon would be put down in an area that, by intelligence reports, was suspected of containing VC and the platoon would then sweep over what was often heavy growth nippa palm and mud. Booby traps and bunkers and such would often be found....and sometimes VC. A fight would or wouldn't start depending on what was encountered. If there was no contact the men would get back on the birds and be taken to the next likely place and so it would go until significant contact happened....or the air asset use time was up. Good way to fight a war for the technocrat.......kind of a pain in the butt, at best, for the troops. But as a means of war you couldn't beat the Huey.

Air medals were pretty easy to come by in those days. I think I earned my first air medal by combat insertions in about two months time. even with mixed operations thrown in with no helecopter insertions. I'm sure Vern did too.....we did the same kind of things with the same battalion, only a year apart. After the first air medal I didn't keep track any more of the insertions. One was a novelty, more than one was showing off.

[rsm2ndbtnLF]

Gentlemen. just to throw a spanner into the works, I think that everyone so far has neglected to include the most decisive weapon ever known.. MAN himself!

As the most effective within that genre... let me introduce you to most lethal weapon of all.. the Marine.. or more importantly, the Royal Marine Commando = RM = REAL MARINE!

[Niner]

I can see your patriotic point of view. I wouldn't want to fight with him......or anybody else for that matter. But.....just what "decisive" battle did the Royal Marine Commandos win, exactly?

[Niner Delta]

Now that we know you are a "Real Marine", tell us how you put that training and equipment to use.
Tell us of your combat experience and explain what a "Real Marine" is.

Vern.

[rsm2ndbtnLF]

A Real Marine.....

1) Keeps his head whilst others around him faulter under duress.
2) Can tackle any job given him.
3) Is happy in the air, on the ground .. or under it, on or under the waves.
4) Has no fear!
5) Can take a knife to a gunfight, and come out on top.
6) Can BULLSHIT anyone, and get away with it.
7) When you say jump, he'll scream "How High!"
8) Doesn't need fully auto weapons.... as one shot is enough!
9) Audie Murphy..... Failed RM... couldn't pass the NAAFI break
10) RM Commando Course = 30.weeks long..... The hardest Commando course in the world.
11) He never brags about what he'll do to you, but he will be by your bedside when you wake up from your coama, and you stare out from your bandages.
12) Odds of ten-to-one against ... see: Falklands War 1982.
13) Chosin reservoire : Korea.... ask a rescewed USMC!
14) Capture of Bunker Hill.
15) Capture of Quebec Heights.
16) Capture of Gibraltar.

A proud tradition and fighting spirit second to NONE! We don't need to hammer blow the door down... we are already in the enemies midst!

Cuppa anyone?

[Niner]

Well......not exactly inspiring history of engagements.... Bunker Hill??? But.... you gave it your best shot, I'm sure.

[rsm2ndbtnLF]

As I'm not on my home turf.... thought it best not to embarace you!

[Niner]

Nothing wrong with being proud of your old unit. Don't fault you there. Be more inspiring if they were a larger unit and did something more significant.

That Chosin thing you brag about.... the old 31st Infantry...US Army..... took the largest hit during that fight. Just regular Army grunts... not real heroic types. Not Marines... or special forces.... just soldiers.

Just curious....have you ever been in combat?