We're the Military and Airpower Guys of Jonah Goldberg of National Review Online + a stray we found wandering around looking lost. All original material JHD, BHD, JR, WT, and KA 2003-2010 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/01/a_moment_of_gun.html Sat, 24 Mar 2012 15:33:22 Z Movable Type 4.12 en Copyright 2012 http://www.rssboard.org/rss-specification These Redlegs of the 10th Mountain are living the dream... Direct Fire! U.S. soldiers from 6th Field Artillery Regiment, 10th Mountain Division, fire a round from a howitzer during training at the Warrior Range in Kirkuk, Iraq, Jan.23, 2008. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Laura M. Buchta A larger version of that photo can be had by clicking here. For a small discussion on the return of direct fire - click here for Strategy Page.... http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/01/a_moment_of_gun.html http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/01/a_moment_of_gun.html Sun, 27 Jan 2008 09:51:32 -0600 I took out one of them new fangled "gunpowder jobbies with a manganol launched HVFS round yesterday. Had the archers running too but I did take an APFS round to the shoulder during the melee. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/01/a_moment_of_gun.html#comment-69115 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/01/a_moment_of_gun.html#comment-69115 Mon, 28 Jan 2008 18:59:44 -0600 http://www.eleven-bravo.co.uk/the-war/combat-forces/fsb-gold06.php http://www.flyarmy.org/panel/battle/67032120.HTM http://www.vietnamtripledeuce.org/RecommendationOfPUC_FSB_Gold.pdf]]> http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/01/a_moment_of_gun.html#comment-69097 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/01/a_moment_of_gun.html#comment-69097 Mon, 28 Jan 2008 07:15:27 -0600 Yup, Sanger, one of my most favorite inspiring and hackle-raising stories, which I may have mentioned to The Armorer often enough to annoy him. Gunner's mate Carr literally died with the actual last round in his arms, the Sammy B. having shot her after magazine empty. Herman Wouk had a good passage about it in "War and Remembrance", about how Americans fight when we don't have the material advantage. M'self, I've not won many fights, but I think I've always given a good account of myself. . . http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/01/a_moment_of_gun.html#comment-69080 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/01/a_moment_of_gun.html#comment-69080 Sun, 27 Jan 2008 23:35:29 -0600 Speaking of Direct Fire: I haven't had a chance to write the review yet, but if you want to read a very well-written book about the most amazing ship-to-ship action of WWII, you must read "Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors," by James Hornfischer!!! 3 Destroyers, 3 Destroyer Escorts, 6 Escort Carrier's & Planes, holding off the Yamato and the largest fleet of Japanese big-gun ships assembled during the war, as that fleet moved to attack Leyte Gulf. Halsey had all but 'abandoned his post' to chase a bait fleet of Japanese carriers, so the northern defense fell to the screening force name Taffy 3!! As riveting and inspiring as anything I've ever read about Americans at war, and that's saying something. Could be the best book I've read this past year, and that's saying something too. V/R http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/01/a_moment_of_gun.html#comment-69073 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/01/a_moment_of_gun.html#comment-69073 Sun, 27 Jan 2008 22:24:19 -0600 Direct fire rocks. I can't believe it had to return. I know the Marines never let it go. I even remember one case where there being no flechette rounds for 175 and 8" the gun bunnies saved up nose plugs and tossed in a sack of them before persuading a herd of NVA to leave the area. Some of them even left intact. Most left in a red mist and pieces. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/01/a_moment_of_gun.html#comment-69071 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/01/a_moment_of_gun.html#comment-69071 Sun, 27 Jan 2008 21:37:24 -0600 Only way to break up a cavalry charge http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/01/a_moment_of_gun.html#comment-69070 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/01/a_moment_of_gun.html#comment-69070 Sun, 27 Jan 2008 20:33:10 -0600 Silly gun bunnies.. looks like someone got their azimuth and elevation bass-ackwards. :P Could be worse, could be a pic of the 1st Armor Training Brigade doing indirect fire from Donnelly Range onto the water tower in Radcliff KY (again) :0 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/01/a_moment_of_gun.html#comment-69065 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/01/a_moment_of_gun.html#comment-69065 Sun, 27 Jan 2008 17:19:18 -0600 "surface action starboard (or port as the case may be)." Or more commonly "S**T! There they are!" http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/01/a_moment_of_gun.html#comment-69057 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/01/a_moment_of_gun.html#comment-69057 Sun, 27 Jan 2008 12:40:21 -0600 Aside from "Action Front! Gunner, Save My Life!" I don't think so... http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/01/a_moment_of_gun.html#comment-69054 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/01/a_moment_of_gun.html#comment-69054 Sun, 27 Jan 2008 12:04:48 -0600 John, isn't there another artillery term for this type of engagement? http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/01/a_moment_of_gun.html#comment-69052 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/01/a_moment_of_gun.html#comment-69052 Sun, 27 Jan 2008 11:30:33 -0600