I find these articles so rational and helpful. Thank you. Also want to say thanks for the reference to Pyle's WWII book "Brave Men" I tracked down a copy and am about 50% through it. Great writing. Such a different perspective from the usual army general's view of the war. My father was in the British 8th army march from North Africa up through Italy. I now understand better what it must have been like for him.
Very interesting. I wonder if Montgomery's 'colossal cracks' is relevant here, which I believe was a method of focused warfare designed to reduce casualties and exploit a materiel advantage?
It also seems as if Ukraine needs more capability to hit and stretch those supply lines. I think the slow ramp up approach of the US was prudent last year, now I'm not so sure given the key few months before the next winter.
The latest Kiel Institute's analysis https://twitter.com/Ch_Trebesch/status/1676937085595394049?s=20 shows how the West, despite much self-congratulatory backslapping, is still not fully supporting Ukraine. And only around 1/4 of what Zaluzhnyi asked for in December for a successful offensive (300 MBTs, 600 - 700 IFVs, a constant flow of 155mm ammunition) was delivered after much agonising and redlinery. What is more, no ATACMSs, GLSDBs and mobile GBAD systems, obviously badly needed, were delivered.
Yet, the West demands a successful offensive. To me, the Western attitude reeks of cynicism and perfidy. Also, we have yet to learn what the "it" in "for as long as it takes" actually means.
It seems prudent to note that the "counteroffensive" attacks by Ukraine have been essentially probing so far; aren't there still several divisions that have not yet been activated for the counteroffensive?
It is revelatory that the US is regrettably supplying Ukraine with cluster munitions. These horrendous weapons are ideal for neutralizing entrenched defenses such as the Russians have prepared in Crimea and presumably also in the eastern contested oblasts. They will efficiently kill everything in these elaborate defensive trenches, thereby negating the costly (in lives lost) Russian delaying strategy, but unfortunately leaving the odd unexploded bomblet on the ground to be picked up and accidentally detonated by innocent passers-by, possibly years into the future.
I recommend watching Ryan McBeth’s analysis of the cluster munitions for a reality check: https://youtu.be/C4E4H9mZJbU. He believes that Ukraine will actually use the internals for drones to drop them which means there won’t be left over unexplored munitions caused when they bump into each other from artillery causing about 2-3% to fail to explode. I tend to agree. Also Russian versions have close yo 40% failure rates as a comparison.
The tepid response of the Western 'supporters' of Ukraine is at best fence sitting or at worst cynical insurance against a Russian victory.
It is ironic that "get there fastest with the mostest", the advice of one of America's most successful generals, Ulysses S Grant, employed by one of their most successful generals in WW 2, General George S Patton, is being neglected/ignored by the politicians in NATO, the US and the EU.
Two squadrons of F16s with logistical support would revolutionise the Ukrainian battlefield options.
I keep seeing discussions about the counteroffensive(s), the progress or lack thereof, and many rather callous tweets and comments about the actual fighting involved. It was therefore refreshing, if that is the right word, to read WW2 correspondent Martha Gellhorn's description of a Canadian assault on the Gothic Line in Northern Italy. Previously unpublished, it was incorporated into a short story by Margaret Atwood about a veteran of that campaign.
Gellhorn's telegraphic account of the battle is extraordinary, and fits well into Atwood's depiction of an old man still haunted by his experiences.
I've no comment except to say this was a darn good read and I sure as hell will keep on reading as the slow "stretch and attrit" phase continues.
I find these articles so rational and helpful. Thank you. Also want to say thanks for the reference to Pyle's WWII book "Brave Men" I tracked down a copy and am about 50% through it. Great writing. Such a different perspective from the usual army general's view of the war. My father was in the British 8th army march from North Africa up through Italy. I now understand better what it must have been like for him.
A few typos:
so much time starting at maps. SHOULD BE staring
containing and shells and Grad multiple-launch missile systems REMOVE first and
Although counting here is an in exact science, SHOULD BE inexact
Very interesting. I wonder if Montgomery's 'colossal cracks' is relevant here, which I believe was a method of focused warfare designed to reduce casualties and exploit a materiel advantage?
It also seems as if Ukraine needs more capability to hit and stretch those supply lines. I think the slow ramp up approach of the US was prudent last year, now I'm not so sure given the key few months before the next winter.
"Force-directed offensive" is the phrase we are looking for
The latest Kiel Institute's analysis https://twitter.com/Ch_Trebesch/status/1676937085595394049?s=20 shows how the West, despite much self-congratulatory backslapping, is still not fully supporting Ukraine. And only around 1/4 of what Zaluzhnyi asked for in December for a successful offensive (300 MBTs, 600 - 700 IFVs, a constant flow of 155mm ammunition) was delivered after much agonising and redlinery. What is more, no ATACMSs, GLSDBs and mobile GBAD systems, obviously badly needed, were delivered.
Yet, the West demands a successful offensive. To me, the Western attitude reeks of cynicism and perfidy. Also, we have yet to learn what the "it" in "for as long as it takes" actually means.
It seems prudent to note that the "counteroffensive" attacks by Ukraine have been essentially probing so far; aren't there still several divisions that have not yet been activated for the counteroffensive?
It is revelatory that the US is regrettably supplying Ukraine with cluster munitions. These horrendous weapons are ideal for neutralizing entrenched defenses such as the Russians have prepared in Crimea and presumably also in the eastern contested oblasts. They will efficiently kill everything in these elaborate defensive trenches, thereby negating the costly (in lives lost) Russian delaying strategy, but unfortunately leaving the odd unexploded bomblet on the ground to be picked up and accidentally detonated by innocent passers-by, possibly years into the future.
"Mala Tomachka"
Mala ToKmachka (same stem as Tokmak)
Tony RadAkin
I recommend watching Ryan McBeth’s analysis of the cluster munitions for a reality check: https://youtu.be/C4E4H9mZJbU. He believes that Ukraine will actually use the internals for drones to drop them which means there won’t be left over unexplored munitions caused when they bump into each other from artillery causing about 2-3% to fail to explode. I tend to agree. Also Russian versions have close yo 40% failure rates as a comparison.
Oldjock.
The tepid response of the Western 'supporters' of Ukraine is at best fence sitting or at worst cynical insurance against a Russian victory.
It is ironic that "get there fastest with the mostest", the advice of one of America's most successful generals, Ulysses S Grant, employed by one of their most successful generals in WW 2, General George S Patton, is being neglected/ignored by the politicians in NATO, the US and the EU.
Two squadrons of F16s with logistical support would revolutionise the Ukrainian battlefield options.
Why the delay?
For this to be the case, Russia would need to be suffering attrition
I keep seeing discussions about the counteroffensive(s), the progress or lack thereof, and many rather callous tweets and comments about the actual fighting involved. It was therefore refreshing, if that is the right word, to read WW2 correspondent Martha Gellhorn's description of a Canadian assault on the Gothic Line in Northern Italy. Previously unpublished, it was incorporated into a short story by Margaret Atwood about a veteran of that campaign.
Gellhorn's telegraphic account of the battle is extraordinary, and fits well into Atwood's depiction of an old man still haunted by his experiences.