The creator of these presentations doesn't always spell correctly or have high-end whiz-bang multi-media, but the message (like his other efforts about the Stryker) is very informative.
Enjoy this 3 part presentation: "The Secret History of Artillery in the Vietnam War".
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
4 comments:
Watched these videos with interest. This confirms something that was puzzling me for some time.
Read about the problems the South Africans had with their 5.5 inch British artillery during the Angolan conflict. Consequently followed the evolution of the G5 and subsequently G6, and the reason for their existence. Indeed we note that the barrel length is now 52 calibres, and the extraordinary ranges from using both South African and German produced projectiles. So file
I was surprised that Australia selected the M 777, with a barrel of 39 calibres in length. I understand the need for a lightweight weapon, however the Hamel in its supposed original guise, using the British ordinance would fill that niche, especially with advances in 105 mm lethality, also pioneered by the South Africans.
It is also interesting watching the M777 in action on videos from the current conflict. Everything is manually operated, including elevating. The amount of effort being expended by the operators in the hot sun in Afghanistan seemed quite extraordinary, to keep up a rapid rate of fire.
Also from history, during the Falklands conflict, at the final stage the British were firing over 400 rounds per day per artillery piece, using 30 guns in total. There was also an extraordinary effort during the Long Tan battle, requiring the expenditure of a large number of rounds in a very short time.
As it would seem that most deployments of artillery in low-level or sometimes frenetic conflict, emanate from Fire Support Bases either temporary or more permanent, the selection of this weapon, the M777 does not seem to make any sense.
The G5 is fully powered, both hydraulically and electrically. Even ramming of the projectile is done by a powered mechanism, as is elevation et cetera. Indeed there is a tray holding three projectiles adjacent to the loading mechanism for a better rate of fire, and these projectiles are elevated to that platform by powered mechanism. Only the propellant charges are loaded manually. So file
It would appear that, the G5 would be more suitable for the type of low-level conflict we engage in at the moment, and this should be coupled with the G6 for more mobile operations. Obviously there is a place for the Hamel or M777.
Interesting stuff from Blacktail Eric, but I think he is a little astray in a couple of respects.
In Vietnam, I recall HQ 1ATF being deployed forward for a time which I think was related to operations NE of Saigon mid-1968 which endured for about 6 weeks. The name of the FSB where the Task Force HQ was positioned escapes me but there were 4 US Army heavy artillery pieces colocated, 2 x 175mm and 2 x 8 inch, both types tracked if I recall correctly but very heavy vehicles.
One day, we got airborne in a Huey with the Task Force Commander and 2i/c of his Field Regiment on board to conduct a pretty long range shoot supporting a small Vietnamese forces compound that was being assailed by the enemy. The corrections of fall of shot were pretty large and I said to the Major that his latest big correction might endanger the occupants of the compound, which was square in nature with adjoining flimsy dwellings along the inner perimeter surrounding a parade ground about 30 metres or so across. One of the big shells landed smack in the middle of the parade ground, probably resulting in carnage among the Vietnamese forces families. I intervened and 'check-fired' the artillery and the Major never spoke to me again.
About that period, I was also tasked to observe fall of shot from I think the USS New Jersey. It may have been just test firing of a turret into a known enemy controlled but pretty open area of Phuoc Tuy Province, although with no specific target. The big battle wagon was way beyond the visual horizon from our 2,000 feet or so AGL. The spread of 3 x 16 inch rounds was in the order of hundreds of metres.
A different issue to ground based artillery, but my point is the errors in long range artillery shooting can be pretty large, unless of course some form of guided rounds are available.
The Israeli designed Rascal tracked 155mm howitzer is also an interesting weapon. See: http://www.army-technology.com/projects/rascal/
Blacktail has overlooked the effectiveness of USAF fixed wing gunships employed on Ho Chi Minh trail neutralisation operations. They were hugely successful although not without some losses.
Another product of Denel that would make sense, as it is can be mounted on the LAVIII. Range 30km with a round, according to Denel, equivalent to 155mm in lethality. Amazing that smaller economies such as South Africa, Israel and Sweden can produce things that work.
http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6164817033308391151&postID=8554097581583423130&page=1&token=1356137844674
Oops, the link re LAVIII T7
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