Quote:
Originally Posted by Swampthing
Hey
This is a question for those people for military service. I am just a historian so my knowledge of these things are quite low.
Anyway, to what degree are infiltration assault-tactics viable today?
I ask this question with certain things in mind.
Given the mobility of most armed forces, there would be no more distinct front lines, on blurred combat "zones". In this instance, would infiltration assault be useful?
During the Korean and Indo-chinese wars, infiltration assault tactics were used to surround a position, cut off retreat, but also not initiate combat until very close to avoid artillery and air-strikes. This was done at night to avoid air-power and surveillance. However, nowdays IR and night-vision is VERY effective, and guided munitions (excalibur artillery shell, constant-patrol air-craft above, UAV's) would mean those advantages are negated.
What are your thoughts about this?
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If by infiltration you mean the art of going through rather than around then it's a common tactic. Others on the WAB have more experience in an IR and night vision environment than I. I don't know how effective or how degraded your night vision would be. It would seem to me at the very least those devices would be limited by LOS.
Infiltration in daylight is a useful tactic. There are never enough troops to go around so there are gaps. Avenues of approach such as ravines or other obstacles limiting LOS are effective. Sometimes the enemy can see you anyways and still can't do anything about it before it's too late. If you can get cover for at least part of your approach sometimes that's good enough.
Once a position we were holding was being attacked intemittently from two separate directions. My orders were to see if I could find away around one of the attacking groups. I led a stick up a dry creek bed and even though it was broad daylight no one saw a thing. I was able to occupy a dominating position between our attackers and bring enfilading fire on their flanks. That stopped the attack and enabled us to defeat them in detail.