Infantry Discussion Thread, Pattern 7: Sword Edition.

[The Archangel Conglomerate]

That'd about do.

[Fordorsia]

But ill let the other experts weigh in

haha, "experts"

Personal thoughts on the matter, what is more useful in a fight for an infantrymen: A spear capable of being used as a throwing weapon(javelin), or a pike? I personally prefer a javelin since it can be used with a shield which is pretty nice, but that is just my opinion. What do you guys think?

Historically, throwing spears were phased out over the centuries in favor of pikes. Archers were much more useful. Conversely, the pike was overwhelmingly popular in the Middle Ages and Renaissance periods. The tercio or "Spanish Fifth" was one of the premier infantry units of its respective periods, and intermingled pikes, swords and muskets/arequebuses.

The disappearance of javelins had nothing to do with pikes, since javelins were still used throughout the Middle Ages and Renaissance.

Plus last time I checked all the Romans had were short little swords and yet they won.

Melee weapons have little say in who wins. The Romans won through politics and tactics.

You can do that, sure, and it's been done before. The Romans had two javelins, but these failed to make much of an impression on the Macedonian phalanx.

Actually most, if not all evidence points to them only carrying one.

[Imperializt Russia]

With the latest Spring Patch, the JS2 got a nice buff to its effective killing range (pretty much doubling it) I was wondering what would be best way to take advantage of this against an enemy that is using mostly AEK-971, FAMAS, and SRR-61

Knowing your superiority that you're not the kind of scrub that uses the AEK, FAMAS or Polish Special Forces Brigade.

[Azenyanistan]

What were the tactics of the Syrians and Iraqis today?

[Imperializt Russia]

What were the tactics of the Syrians and Iraqis today?

The Syrian Arab Army (state forces) are using North Korean advisers to train their troops in the massing of artillery.
The Iraqi Army today uses a wealth of US-built equipment and also uses US advisers.

[Azenyanistan]

What were the tactics of the Syrians and Iraqis today?

The Syrian Arab Army (state forces) are using North Korean advisers to train their troops in the massing of artillery.
The Iraqi Army today uses a wealth of US-built equipment and also uses US advisers.

the rebels?

[Puzikas]

From watching videos on the internet (200% credibility) I definitely see a mix.

Some tactics I've seen indicate exactly nothing resembling training besides a "point and shoot" class. Others have tactics that seem to be contemporary components of 1980s era Soviet Army training. Some have very 1980s era Afghanistan Mujahedeen and counter-Mujahedeen tactics.

The most interesting I've seen are about 100% remicent of Russian Naval infantry tactics; it is known Russian advisers have been in Syria for awhile. Its entirely possible Syrian rebels are composed of a great amount of volunteer fighters with little to no military training (AFAIK Syria has a short Conscription term of 6 months), while having a small number of professional ex military personnel who likely pioneered the majority of the existing tactics they've got.

ISISs tactics are tragically similar.

[Fordorsia]

ISISs tactics are tragically similar.

The only training ISIS fighters have is for how to make it look like they have training. Dem spec ops propaganda videos

[Puzikas]

Probably; but given there military leader is a creature disturbingly close to myself, the tactics that are showcased are frighteningly close to home for me.

[Fordorsia]

a creature disturbingly close to myself

Puz's twin :0

[Aqizithiuda]

A pike. Throwing away your spear is a bad idea because, then all you're left with is a sword or axe. Meanwhile, you've got four or five pike points to get through before you can engage the enemy.

Using a pike also doesn't preclude the use of a shield. The Macedonian phalangites carried a 60cm round shield on their left shoulder/arm, which provided very good protection from missiles. In fact, the few accounts we have of Romans throwing pila at phalangites, it's noted that the phalanx was hardly effected.

Unlike pikes though, which are quite massive mind you, it is theoretically feasible to carry multiple Javelins. Actually I remember reading about something like that with warriors carrying a throwing spear and a main spear that was not meant for throwing. When the warrior got close he would throw his javelin at the enemy in order to help break up their formation and maybe damage their shields before finally committing and charging with the main spear in hand.

Plus last time I checked all the Romans had were short little swords and yet they won.

The Romans won because of incompetent enemy commanders who only attacked a numerically equal force with half their men in battle order or who ran away with the cavalry and left their elephants right in the middle of their infantry. Luck also played a part.

Probably; but given there military leader is a creature disturbingly close to myself, the tactics that are showcased are frighteningly close to home for me.

Puz confirmed soulless ginger.

[Fordorsia]

Also the gladius isn't even a short sword, let alone a short little sword. It's size is deceptive.

[The balkens]

Probably; but given there military leader is a creature disturbingly close to myself, the tactics that are showcased are frighteningly close to home for me.

...

My god, they cloned you.

But which is the evil half?

[Imperializt Russia]

So, I'm watching Battleplan's episode on Flank Attack, which looks at the Normandy Breakout and the Hail Mary Pass in Desert Storm.
Now, in many of the clips of Stormin' Norman wandering about used to discuss the Desert Storm operation, he's usually followed by several guys in plain clothes, wearing tactical vests and carrying short-barrel AR-15s.

Now, who are these guys? They're clearly there to provide security for Schwarzkopf, but the plain clothes is throwing me. Special forces I thought would be in fatigues, so could these guys be CIA, Secret Service or something?

A Wikipedia image caption describes them as Delta Force, but I'm seriously thrown by the plain clothes.

[Nachmere]

So, I'm watching Battleplan's episode on Flank Attack, which looks at the Normandy Breakout and the Hail Mary Pass in Desert Storm.
Now, in many of the clips of Stormin' Norman wandering about used to discuss the Desert Storm operation, he's usually followed by several guys in plain clothes, wearing tactical vests and carrying short-barrel AR-15s.

Now, who are these guys? They're clearly there to provide security for Schwarzkopf, but the plain clothes is throwing me. Special forces I thought would be in fatigues, so could these guys be CIA, Secret Service or something?

A Wikipedia image caption describes them as Delta Force, but I'm seriously thrown by the plain clothes.

at least link the image bro?

[Imperializt Russia]

Oh yeah, sorry.
I thought I had.
http://www.americanspecialops.com/photo ... rzkopf.php

[The balkens]

So, I'm watching Battleplan's episode on Flank Attack, which looks at the Normandy Breakout and the Hail Mary Pass in Desert Storm.
Now, in many of the clips of Stormin' Norman wandering about used to discuss the Desert Storm operation, he's usually followed by several guys in plain clothes, wearing tactical vests and carrying short-barrel AR-15s.

Now, who are these guys? They're clearly there to provide security for Schwarzkopf, but the plain clothes is throwing me. Special forces I thought would be in fatigues, so could these guys be CIA, Secret Service or something?

A Wikipedia image caption describes them as Delta Force, but I'm seriously thrown by the plain clothes.

Mercs?

[Spirit of Hope]

Maybe delta force. Don't they at times operate out of uniform to conceal their identities?

[Imperializt Russia]

This is probably just me but it makes them stick out more imo.
At least blank fatigues, like some units use IIRC, would do a better job of concealing they're special forces.

[Padnak]

Speaking of special forces, for a special forces team boarding an enemy destroyer, Škorpion vz. 61s and mini Uzis would be acceptable right?

[EsToVnIa]

Carbines would be more acceptable

[Ulfr-Reich]

Hey folks, I just stumbled upon something really, really fuckin' awesome. Some sort of insane 1940s real-deal German railgun designed by a fellow named Joachim Hänsler who worked for the German Ordinance Office.

The projectile:

The Barrel & Accelerator Rig:

[The Kievan People]

I read wikipedia too, once.

[Krazakistan]

Speaking of special forces, for a special forces team boarding an enemy destroyer, Škorpion vz. 61s and mini Uzis would be acceptable right?

When it comes to shipboarding you could easily use a carbine like an M4 or AKS-74U. Both are quite compact rifles that are easy to use in close quarters and offer better firepower than submachineguns.

[Ulfr-Reich]

I read wikipedia too, once.

Well, more like, I was screwing around with google images and found that; but alright.