Artillery Delays

[fightingflamingo]

At this point, basically anyone in the infantry that's been a month or two out of OSUT should be able to call for fire. it is a skill level 2 task in the US army, and like Chico posted previously it's universally taught starting at the WLC (PLDC) level (which is the first level NCO course). However, it is taught and drilled into PFC's & SPC's so that they can do it should a team leader go down...

As for what happens when the computers break... Hope people know how to use slide rules as a back up in the FDC because they'll be needed... possibly use pocket calculators too, but that requires some knowledge of how the calculation equations work...

[Targan]

All Australian infantrymen are trained to call in arty but its been a LOOOONG time since I did that training so I am way rusty on it. I can still read a map and work out a grid reference though.

[Marc]

"Called" is when an FO calls in a request for artillery. Spotting round is fired, corrections made (depending on accuracy of FO and FDC) and then FFE is called when "close enough". Called missions have to have the fire mission type set by the FO. If he wants WP or ICM or HE, he needs to state it.

Bona nit!
About the spotting shot (in war time), would be used any special type of round Or the same type of round used when FFE is called

[Grimace]

Spotting rounds are usually WP (White Phosphorous) as they show up the best. At least that's what I've heard. I don't know if it's possible to request a particular type of spotting round. I think other types of rounds would just be too difficult to actually notice when they impact. WP works at night (with the burning light) and during the day (white smoke).

[copeab]

Spotting rounds are usually WP (White Phosphorous) as they show up the best. At least that's what I've heard. I don't know if it's possible to request a particular type of spotting round. I think other types of rounds would just be too difficult to actually notice when they impact. WP works at night (with the burning light) and during the day (white smoke).

It seems to me that a problem with a smoke-generating shell is that if it lands between the target and observer it's going to obscure his view and make it harder to correct fire.

[Grimace]

WP doesn't generate a large amount of smoke, so it's not really capable of obscuring a target...or so I'm told. So I don't think that's so much of a problem.

[CStock88]

Thanks for all the info, guys! I didn't think the thread would generate so many responses, but I'm certainly appreciating it!

[bobcat]

seems time of flight got overlooked. when calling for fire after the FO's request gets forwarded up once the round is fires it will have a time of flight. that may vary from 5-50 seconds depending on the range between the guns and the target.

also while every NCO in the US army(don't know how they do it in others) gets a 1-2 hour class on call for fire in WLC very few even consider it after that. the only exception to that is when the infantry guys wanna try for their EIB. then they come beg us fisters for a class.

granted some units will mandate CFF training regularly for more than just the FO's and some fist teams will invite the troopers they support to ranges and training and the like.

then theres one way in a SHTF situation when the FO can bypass the FDC entirely. its generally refered to as black magic, its rarely taught anymore and half that chapter of the FM is warnings about how the slightest mistake can kill you when useing it. basicly the FO talks to the gun line directly and directly tells them what adjustments to make(while praying that he remembered to carry the one).

[dragoon500ly]

A trick that the artillery use to control the time in flight problem is the 1/3-2/3 rule.

Whenever the front line retreats to within 1/3 of the artillery's range, they relocate the batteries back. If the front lines advance to outside 2/3 of the range, the batteries relocate forward.

Sounds silly, I know, but it minimizes the time in flight across the gun's most useful range.

[bobcat]

yup. so in training(in the sandbox brigade always makes it take longer) it takes about 120 seconds from me finishing my request to me adjusting the first round.

granted back when i was in a good unit(big training budget) my first adjustment was generally fire for effect

[dragoon500ly]

It was always more fun to watch the Air Farce do its CAS mission...it was always an article of faith, among the Army at least, that once you gave them the grid....you pulled back at least 5 kilometers....just in case!

Remember! The Air Force has a 100% accuracy rating...whatever goes up will hit the ground...somewhere!

[Sanjuro]

WWII and WWI methods (preplanned barrages, rolling barrages etc.) might also see a reappearance.

I can't remember where I saw this, but I always rather liked the name for the regular morning barrage on the trenches in an otherwise quiet sector in WW1- "the Morning Hate." A useful little piece of colour for a campaign

[Raellus]

I can't remember where I saw this, but I always rather liked the name for the regular morning barrage on the trenches in an otherwise quiet sector in WW1- "the Morning Hate." A useful little piece of colour for a campaign

It would make for a cool band name.

[Graebarde]

I can't remember where I saw this, but I always rather liked the name for the regular morning barrage on the trenches in an otherwise quiet sector in WW1- "the Morning Hate." A useful little piece of colour for a campaign

Sort of like the "Mad Minute" at dawn when every swingin'g dk was on the line and fired up ungodly amount of ammo... it got the adrenaline going, but don't know if it ever twarted a surprise dawn attack.. FB

[Legbreaker]

The mad minute certainly announces to all and sundry exactly where you are, and that you're probably now out of ammo and ripe for an attack!
I always saw that practise as just plain suicidal. Give me the Australian way of sending out clearing patrols to a few hundred metres to sweep the immediate area at both first and last light (and whenever else seems appropriate) over declaring to the world, "here we are, come kill us!"