Combat realism?

[Matt W]

http://www.france24.com/en/20091126-afghanistan-france-kapisa-afghanya-rima-marines-war-taliban-reporter

The above link is to a video report on French Marines in Afghanistan. The battle begins about 1/3 of the way into the clip

Question: How many PC groups would react - in the game - the same way that this unit does

[Raellus]

Great link. Really interesting piece. I'm quite surprised that the "Porpoises" claimed as many enemy KIA as they did, given that most of the firing that they appeared to be doing was of the "spray and pray" variety. Not that I'd have done any different! I' guess that most of the enemy casualties were caused by the Apache and the mortar fire.

That little knee mortar was pretty neat. The bombs appeared to portrude past the muzzle. Any idea what kind it was

To answer your question, I think most PC groups would be more aggressive. It's easier when the bullets aren't real.

Good find. Thanks!

[Mohoender]

Knowing it was the 3rd RIMa and after watching this, I'm pretty sure it's a Fly-K.

Fly-K
51mm mortar
4.8 kg
range: 40-675m
rate of fire (max): 25 rounds/min

More important it is flashless, smokeless and almost silent. It was designed by Belgium in the late 1980's. Paul as it on its website under the name FLT-K TN-8111. TN-8111 is the French designation. However, is FLT-K a spelling mistake, Paul

Just a detail, if the French Marine Infantry units are similar to US marines, they are army units.

The naval troops are naval commandos and naval special forces are the "nageur de combat"

[pmulcahy11b]

Paul as it on its website under the name FLT-K TN-8111. TN-8111 is the French designation. However, is FLT-K a spelling mistake, Paul

That's the designation given in Jane's; however, it wouldn't be the first time Jane's has made a mistake.

[Mohoender]

I find FLY-K everywhere, Jane's included. They must have correct it.
Nevertheless, Paul, you never stop to amaze me. I'm not sure there is one single weapon to escape your vigilance.

http://www.janes.com/articles/Janes-Infantry-Weapons/FLY-K-TN-8111-silent-individual-grenade-launcher-France.html

[pmulcahy11b]

Nevertheless, Paul, you never stop to amaze me. I'm not sure there is one single weapon to escape your vigilance.[/url]

I don't have the XM-307/XM-312. I can't find anything that gives me a damn barrel length! It seems I can find out everything I need about that weapon, but not the barrel length! Rant! Rant!

Anyway, I'll have to fix FLY-K, assuming I can remember to write a note long enough to actually write one...what the hell was I going to do

[Raellus]

Thanks, guys. I didn't know of the existence of this thing until watching the video and now I know what it is! Cool. I thought mortars under 60mm had pretty much gone the way of the Dodo but it seems not.

Watching that video, I was struck by the juxtaposition of the French Marines' modern FAMAS-A2 rifles and para SAWs and the ancient LMGs and marksman's rifles. It was neat to see "old fashioned" muzzle-fired rifle grenades in action too. They really carried a nice, versatile mix of weaponry.

And I also kept thinking about France becoming the world power in the Twilight World. A France-based campaign Occupation duty in the Rhineland, Belgium, and the Netherlands A small unit in one of France's far-flung colonial vestiges trying to fend off anti-imperialist rebels and/or marauders Or how about a campaign of French SOF trying to recover the Black Madonna so as to provide France with even more political leverage in post-Twilight War Europe

[pmulcahy11b]

Hmmmm...I just noticed that "t" and "y" are right next to each other on my keyboard...

I'm still blaming it on Jane's!

[Legbreaker]

Blame the keyboard. The keys on mine keep jumping around under my fingers, so why should yours be any different

[kcdusk]

I think a T2K party would be more aggressive. A T2K group would pin them down from behind the wall, but then send a flanking force. The french didnt do that maybe because they had other friendlies in the area.

I dont see a T2K group firing so haphazardly. They'd be taking aimed shots.

The ROE also made it harder on the french than the T2K party.

Most of the french shots look like they were more likely to bring a bird down than hit anyone.

A T2K party might not waste ammo (like finishing off any half used clips).

The french carry as much as they can, better to have too much than too little (doesnt sound like a t2k party, unless the ref has effd up!).

Good to see communication problems between groups in a modern war (the part where they are called back to base, the officer asks "are you sure"). Means mis-communication is much more likley in a t2k situation. This is something i always struggle with. Why cant people follow the damn plan Why arent they moving Why are they firing now Thats not what we said we'd do! Why cant i get them on the radio to correct them Thats not where they are supposed to be! This wouldnt happen in real life ....

Good little vid.

[StainlessSteelCynic]

I'm at one of my friend's homes at the moment (to use his internet, I don't have the net at my place, a priviledge I abuse as much as I can!) and he mentioned that communication problems happen more times than you'd expect.
He was saying that one time in the early 1990s he was operating an F1 radio (Australian 1960s vintage air-drop capable radio - heavy and temperamental by the 1990s) and couldn't get through to higher command. He moved the radio about 1 metre to the left without making any other adjustments and he got near perfect comms.

[kcdusk]

This wouldnt happen in real life ....

Sarcasm font

[StainlessSteelCynic]

Sarcasm font

Hmm, I completely missed the tone of that one the first time round...

If only computers came with a sarcasm font, it would certainly make life on the net a little easier to understand!

[Legbreaker]

If only computers came with a sarcasm font, it would certainly make life on the net a little easier to understand!

Amen!