[TML] Molding Ships

[Tom Cusworth]

On 02/10/2007, James Ramsay <quakers_united at yahoo.com.au> wrote:
>
>
> If they had enough transport aircraft Market Garden would have been a
> lot closer to success. The main issue was lack of momentum early in the
> battle due to low numbers of troops (of course if the game _Close
> Combat: A bridge to far_ is to be believed, I can hold off whole
> companies with two MG-42's). But I don't think a dozen helo's would cut
> it.
>
> In a situation like WWII when you generally need things *now*, would it
> be worthwhile to make high tech boondoggles, or increase the manufacture
> of already proven (though sub-par) equipment? Especially when plain bad
> luck (rifle fire, engine failure etc) could take out a rare high tech
> toy.  The Soviets won WWII with masses of cheap weapons and simplistic
> tactics. Making the T-34/85 a few years earlier would achieve more then
> a few super tanks.
>
> The best use of high tech to improve WWII would be satellites (or high
> orbit UAV's)  and networked logistics. Market Garden failure was down to
> poor logistics.
>
> --
> the_raptor
> "As for sniping... Dude, I was a freaking sniper!
> It's what I do!" - Doug Berry
>
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>

Erm,

I thought the failure of Market Garden was due to a number of factors, not
least of which was the terrible prevalence of fog in the South of England
after the initial drop of the British 1st Airborne. This prevented
reinforcement by the Polish until Thursday, September 21st (IIRC). The other
main factor in the faiure of the assault was, as correctly pointed out, the
inadequacy of the Dutch road system, which prevented XXX Corps moving up to
Arnhem swiftly enough to intevene in the battle for the bridge across the
Rhine.

It's an interesting thought to imagine what difference helicopters would
have made, though. What about 60 or 70 ATGMs? Or man-portable integrated
radio system, allowing integrated command & control of dispersed units? Or
even a NAW capability for aircraft?

-Tom

-- 
Blessed are the cheapskates, for they shall see god and still have change of
a fiver - Tom Holt, Valhalla.

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