Cavalry in Twilight 2000

[rcaf_777]

Don't mention.

Of course, another choice might be the old M1 and M2 series carbine. The military would probably have them in some cold storage in numbers...

What about the MAC-10 or MAC-11

[Medic]

What about the MAC-10 or MAC-11

I assume, the U.S. military diesn't really have those in storage - the old M-3 'Grease Gun' might be another thing, but I beieve, even those have been removed from storage. This is, however, simply a gut feeling - I can not confirm this in any way.

[Olefin]

Actually the Grease Gun is a great idea - it was used until the mid 90's by some armored vehicle crews and truck drivers. There is a very good chance that it could be in the state armory.

And it would make a great gun to be carried by cavalry men - short,light, easy to handle and pretty good level of firepower for a weapon

thanks rcaf_777!

[simonmark6]

M1 carbines would be good, plus you could dress the cavalry up in gorilla suits for that true post-apocalyptic feeling.

[Olefin]

Ten points to Simon for the Planet of the Apes reference!!!!

[Medic]

Okay, I can understand why my English-teacher on grades 8-9 never learned my first name (which was, by that time, a rare one - nowadays there's a huge load of kids by the same name roaming around), but mistaking me for rcaf...

Yes, I had the recollection, the U.S. Army had M3s or rather M3A1s in use for armor crews pretty close to the Twilight timeline, but wasn't entirely sure. I believe, a combination of M1 and M2 series carbines and M3 series submachineguns would be pretty much probable.

[Olefin]

Oh jeez - sorry Medic - ok that is three body points of damage for me due to reading a post and responding to it while being on the phone at the same time and not paying proper attention along with loss of one clip of M16 ammo and a grenade of your choice as a fine

[Medic]

I'll let it slide this time.

[bobcat]

most the greaseguns are in NG armories. however i know people who carried them as late as OEF3. so getting those to a cav unit would make sense.

[HorseSoldier]

The machine gun killed horse cavalry before the semi-automatic and automatic rifle had a chance to (and really the rifled musket and earliest cartridge firing repeaters had horse cavalry on life support well before that). In T2K, horse cavalry are going to be dragoons, not true cavalry, and do their fighting on foot in all but the most permissive environments (note: Absolutely nowhere in the US would be considered a permissive environment. The UK or other places where firearms aren't very plentiful, maybe).

The ideal weapon for CONUS horse cavalry units would probably the M4, but the M16 would be entirely workable and the M16EZ would get the job done. No reason or need for anything more compact than that, and issuing them SMGs would actually tend to be contraindicated by role -- horse cavalry is an asset for patrolling and reconnoitering relatively open terrain where they have a mobility advantage. Even if they are ordered only to fight in the defense and in a pinch, they'd still be wanting weapons that let them engage fully across the 0-3 or 400 meters riflemen can credibly own without specialized equipment or an incredibly obliging enemy.

[Legbreaker]

I agree with that. In the relatively rare instances where the US has cavalry (We know the 5th ID had a handful for example) longer ranged weapons and light machineguns are the more practical weaponry with perhaps a few mortars, AGLs and HMGs towed on carriages.
Since logistical support (particularly carrying capacity compared to trucks) would be limited, I see cavalry having more in common equipment wise with paratroopers than just about any other troop type. You might even see Paratroop units converted before any others (all nationalities) because of this very fact - swapping one mode of transport for another.

[James Langham]

I agree with that. In the relatively rare instances where the US has cavalry (We know the 5th ID had a handful for example) longer ranged weapons and light machineguns are the more practical weaponry with perhaps a few mortars, AGLs and HMGs towed on carriages.
Since logistical support (particularly carrying capacity compared to trucks) would be limited, I see cavalry having more in common equipment wise with paratroopers than just about any other troop type. You might even see Paratroop units converted before any others (all nationalities) because of this very fact - swapping one mode of transport for another.

I have the 82nd in Operation Pegasus in Iran moving south on horses.

The current UK news about horse meat being in beef burgers is somehow somewhat ironic given the thread recently. It did give one nice fact though, horse tastes like a less fatty and slightly sweeter beef.

I have avoided Kenya as my version is different to the great write up that has been presented here.

There will be a rewrite shortly with extras....

[simonmark6]

Depends on the horse, one bred for eating is like less fatty and sweeter beef, but those eaten after work are much stringier and have a gamier flavour. Best hang it a bit then. On the whole though, the beef analogy is a good one. Like rabbit though it's high in protein and low in calories (relatively) there are much better foods if you're starving, but when you're hungry you take what you get.

[Olefin]

You might see the Grease Guns with the cavalry heavy weapons units - i.e. if you are manning a machine gun or mortar, if it gets down to engaging the enemy with an infantry weapon its usually when they get so close that you cant engage them with the heavy weapon - and a SMG is great for that

the unit I am putting together for Kenya is a Kenyan unit and not a US one - i.e. made up of Kenyan horsemen and women who equip a horsed cavalry "regiment" (but not even close in terms of numbers) using horses from Kenya or Ethiopia

[James Langham]

You might see the Grease Guns with the cavalry heavy weapons units - i.e. if you are manning a machine gun or mortar, if it gets down to engaging the enemy with an infantry weapon its usually when they get so close that you cant engage them with the heavy weapon - and a SMG is great for that

the unit I am putting together for Kenya is a Kenyan unit and not a US one - i.e. made up of Kenyan horsemen and women who equip a horsed cavalry "regiment" (but not even close in terms of numbers) using horses from Kenya or Ethiopia

Bear in mind the weight of an M3A1 with ammo, you are actually better with an M16! I would say the ideal weapon for weapon crews would be the M2 Carbine.

Quite happy to look at non-US units.