tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-386077914312449748.post7477930398862333492..comments2024-03-29T13:09:31.522+01:00Comments on Defence and Freedom: Musings about mountain warfare problemsUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-386077914312449748.post-26711653715433242152010-04-20T11:56:08.120+02:002010-04-20T11:56:08.120+02:00I've read this post a few times, and like the ...I've read this post a few times, and like the fact that you have pulled my mind away from the COIN/ Afghan population fixation I've had recently.<br /><br />From a few days of musing on the subject - I'd suggest the answers to the mountain problem is the same as the answer to any battlefield dilemma: Combined arms, sufficient force concentration.<br /><br />An infantry force (light, mtn, ranger, whatever it's title may be) can still haul 60mm mortars, rockets, machine guns et al with them. Yes, it hurts (been there, done that!), yes the supply of ammunition is limited if you lack vehicle or helo resup and yes, it is very slow going. Once in position, though, sufficient numbers of infantry with sufficient supporting arms (even if it is only a few sect of spns in spt) will be able to manoeuvre, suppress and overcome mtn defences.<br /><br />The disclaimer, of course, is that it depends on 'smart' strategy. No point in taking on a mountain peak after a three day advance to contact only to see the enemy withdraw intact. Properly employed, however, combined arms tactics will look different in the steepest mtn terrain if it has to be completely man-packed in, but it will still be combined arms employment and it will still work.Chrisnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-386077914312449748.post-56074509592766234202010-04-17T13:16:01.293+02:002010-04-17T13:16:01.293+02:00Mountain infantry doubles as normal infantry. They...Mountain infantry doubles as normal infantry. They're historically also first choice for missions in forests and swampy terrain.S Ohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03359796414832859686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-386077914312449748.post-90647755476790764202010-04-17T13:13:22.201+02:002010-04-17T13:13:22.201+02:00I think you made the challanges of mountain warfar...I think you made the challanges of mountain warfare quite clear. Therefore I always thought it a waste of men and ressources. I never understood the effort of some western forces to raise such troops - especially in a conventional or cold war scenario. The existence of the Italian Alpini seems to be quite reasonable if you expect an attack from the north. But to defend the Vosges mountains or the German Mittelgebirge?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com