Drizzt
Member
The Herald (Glasgow)
May 31, 2003
SECTION: Pg. 6
LENGTH: 429 words
HEADLINE: Most US firefights shot out at less than 30 yards, classified report finds
BYLINE: Ian Bruce Defence Correspondent
BODY:
THE vast majority of firefights between US and enemy infantry during the Iraq campaign took place at less than 30 yards' range and engagement of targets beyond 100 yards was "rare", according to a still-classified US Marine Corps report on the conflict.
Even US snipers picked off fedayeen gunmen and Saddam's Republican Guard at distances which only once exceeded 300 yards, although their rifles were capable of killing at more than 1000.
Despite the employment of state-of-the-art technology which allowed US bombers to fly round trips from Missouri to strike targets half a world away in Baghdad with pinpoint accuracy, the "grunt's war" on the ground was fought out at little more than the effective range of eighteenth-century muskets. The study, involving interviews with marines who took part in the advance on the Iraqi capital, is aimed at identifying equipment problems to allow improvements to be made in the way America wages war.
Its initial conclusions show that most marines thought the standard M16 rifle was too long and unwieldy for the job of clearing buildings room by room. Some used shorter, captured AK47 assault weapons or pistols in preference to anything from their own armoury. The group is now recommending that every marine is issued with a pistol as a back-up.
The British system of moving equipment in freight containers on trucks fitted with their own cranes comes in for praise as being "three times as efficient" as the US method of transporting individual items.
The UK logistics chain simply dumped the containers filled with requested kit close behind the fighting lines to be unloaded and their cargoes forwarded by battlegroup drivers. The empty containers were retrieved on the next supply run. US forces had no comparable distribution method, leading to delays in re -supply and a slowing down mobile operations.
The shortage of ceramic plates for body armour was a prime concern. The plates were said to be "worth their weight in gold" and saved five lives in one battalion alone.
The marines now are to request development of a lighter and wider plate. A flak jacket with protective front and back plates weighs 35lb, a considerable burden to infantry in hot climates who are already carrying up to 60lb of kit.
Despite the weight penalty, the study concludes that the Sapi - small arms protective insert - plates were "God's gift to the Marine Corps".
British forces who took part in the campaign are to carry out their own detailed review of the performance of equipment later this year.
May 31, 2003
SECTION: Pg. 6
LENGTH: 429 words
HEADLINE: Most US firefights shot out at less than 30 yards, classified report finds
BYLINE: Ian Bruce Defence Correspondent
BODY:
THE vast majority of firefights between US and enemy infantry during the Iraq campaign took place at less than 30 yards' range and engagement of targets beyond 100 yards was "rare", according to a still-classified US Marine Corps report on the conflict.
Even US snipers picked off fedayeen gunmen and Saddam's Republican Guard at distances which only once exceeded 300 yards, although their rifles were capable of killing at more than 1000.
Despite the employment of state-of-the-art technology which allowed US bombers to fly round trips from Missouri to strike targets half a world away in Baghdad with pinpoint accuracy, the "grunt's war" on the ground was fought out at little more than the effective range of eighteenth-century muskets. The study, involving interviews with marines who took part in the advance on the Iraqi capital, is aimed at identifying equipment problems to allow improvements to be made in the way America wages war.
Its initial conclusions show that most marines thought the standard M16 rifle was too long and unwieldy for the job of clearing buildings room by room. Some used shorter, captured AK47 assault weapons or pistols in preference to anything from their own armoury. The group is now recommending that every marine is issued with a pistol as a back-up.
The British system of moving equipment in freight containers on trucks fitted with their own cranes comes in for praise as being "three times as efficient" as the US method of transporting individual items.
The UK logistics chain simply dumped the containers filled with requested kit close behind the fighting lines to be unloaded and their cargoes forwarded by battlegroup drivers. The empty containers were retrieved on the next supply run. US forces had no comparable distribution method, leading to delays in re -supply and a slowing down mobile operations.
The shortage of ceramic plates for body armour was a prime concern. The plates were said to be "worth their weight in gold" and saved five lives in one battalion alone.
The marines now are to request development of a lighter and wider plate. A flak jacket with protective front and back plates weighs 35lb, a considerable burden to infantry in hot climates who are already carrying up to 60lb of kit.
Despite the weight penalty, the study concludes that the Sapi - small arms protective insert - plates were "God's gift to the Marine Corps".
British forces who took part in the campaign are to carry out their own detailed review of the performance of equipment later this year.
