Command Magazine Issue 20

86 Pages·1993·7.2 MB·English

by  XTR

_ __
4150Inside
Sword of Allah • Blood For Oil
Summer of '42
by LeeTeter.
DEALER INQUIRIES WELCOME Copyright © 1988 BY CHAPTER 172 VIETNAM VETERANS OF AMERICA
The Vietnam Veterans of America present the collector quality, acid-free paper to give lasting,
inspirational art print “Reflections” by Lee Teter vivid color.
which gives visual definition to the purpose and
meaning that “The Wall” has for Americans -
not just a list of faceless names, but a place to All proceeds benefit the Vietnam Veterans of
visit and remember people we love, who fought America. The cost for each art print is $50.00
for each other and America. plus $3.25 shipping and handling. VISA and
This Open Edition art print with an image MasterCard are accepted. Complete the response
size of 26”x 19”, is printed in permanent inks on card below and enclose check or money order.
T-SHIRTS AVAILABLE ON WHITE $10.00 + $2.50 SHIPPING (M - L - XL - XXL)
Name_
Address_
City_State_Zip_ _Phone (__)_
Quantity_Amount Enclosed_
□ Check or Money Order Vietnam Veterans of America, Inc.
□ VISA (13 or 16 digits) □ MasterCard (16 digits) Chapter 172
YOUR CARD NUMBER Expiration date P. 0. Box 276
1. I I 1 1 I 1 I 1 1 1 1 1 II 1 I I I .1.i-J Cumberland, MD 21502
(Have you filled out your credit card no. completely?) MO/YR
Signature_
Please allow 4 to 6 weeks for delivery.
COMMAND
MILITARY HISTORY, STRATEGY & ANALYSIS
JAN-FEB 1993 ISSUE 20
Features
David W. Tschanz Cortes: Conquest of the Aztec Empire 12
The elephant is conquered by the flea
Michael Antonucci Blood for Oil 34
The quest for fuel in World War II
Jim Bloom Sword of Allah 44
The Moslem assault on the Byzantine Empire
Jack Greene & The Summer of '42 64
Allesandro Massignani The proposed Axis invasion of Malta
Donarlmontc
Short Rounds 4
Command Magazine Index 74
Cover art by David Fuller
COMMAND MAGAZINE
On the 50th anniversaiy of World War II,
a famed American artist re-creates his
greatest work.
ute to the American fighting man. A timeless symbol of courage
and determination. And now-on the 50th Anniversary of World
War II-Thc Franklin Mint is working with the original sculptor,
Felix de Weldon, to re-create this American masterpiece.
It’s alive with action. With every bold detail brilliantly cap¬
tured in a rich sculptor's blend of powdered bronze and resins.
Bring the full power and glory of the American spirit into
your home, the issue price, 5295. Enter your commission by
the specified date._
RETURN ASSURANCE POLICY
If you wish to return any Franklin Mint purchase, you may do so within
30 days of your receipt of that purchase for replacement, credit or refund.
THE IWO JIMA 50th ANNIVERSARY MEMORIAL
A Note From The Editor
Editor: Ty Bomba The votinGge ornm iasnsu/Ue SnoA. A18r menidese dC uop mlikep tahirsi, sraonnke.d6 f.r9om0 highest to lowest.
Art & Graphics Director: Larry Hoffman Short Rounds....6.78
Associate Editor: Chris Perello Issue No. 18 Overall.6.72
Tet '68.6.66
Current Affairs Editor: Marty Kufus Great Britain/Superpower.6.39
Contributing Editors: Craig H. Barrett, Hybrid Warships.6.15
Thomas M. Kane, Mike Markowitz, The PAVN.6.06
SDcahvuide lMer,e yClaerrl, AOn. dSrcehwu sPterre,z iDoasiv, idD Wavi.d Issue No. 18 Cover.......6.06
Tschanz, L. Dean Webb I Remember.6.00
King Kamehameha.5.54
B80us5i/n5e4ss6 M-9a5n9a6g er: Chris Perello, Israelites in Canaan.4.69
Drug Wars.4.57
Advertising Director: Amiee Stahl, In comparing no. 18 with the previous issue, 21% thought 18 was the bet¬
805/546-9401 ter of the two; 24% thought no. 17 was better; while 49% thought the two
Staff: Dina Bettinsoli, Janine Haake, issues were of about equal worth (leaving 6% of the respondents who hadn't
Greg Perello seen issue no. 17).
SUBSCRIPTION RATES: Command is You'll notice the three lowest ranked articles really took a beating. The
published in two versions: the Newsstand written feedback that came in suggests the following general explanations for
version includes the magazine only; the the first two. For Kamehameha: "If I can't pronounce the names, I'm not
pHluosb bay rvuelerss iobno oiknlceltu, dmesa pth ea nmd apglaazyiinneg, going to read the article." For Canaan: "I can't stand these ancients articles
pieces to a board wargame. Sub¬ where the author has to end by saying, 'Of course, other archaeologists sug¬
scriptions are available for both versions. gest none of this is true.'" As to Marty Kufus' stuff, the voting there is always
U.S. rates for the Newsstand version made up of mostly nines and zeroes — with the latter group seeming to reject
(magazine only) are $17.95 for one the idea "Current Events" have anything to do with military history: "His
year, $29.95 for two years. Foreign sub¬ stuff never has any conclusions in it." Indeed.
scriptions are $29.95 for one year,
$53.95 for two years. Historical Era Preference
U.S. rates for the Hobby version (maga¬ It's been a year since I've reported to you here on the readership's overall
zine with game) are $26.00 for 6 months, Historical Era Preference voting, so here that is.
y$$e43a52r.s.00. 00F /of5orer7 io.g0nn0 es/ uy1be0sa4crr., 0ipa0tni odfon $rs 8sau0rre.f0 a0c ef omr atwil.o in pTahree nfitrhset sneusm abree rf rionm ea ac hy ecaorl uamgon bine lioswsu eis 1f3ro. mTh ies s"u1es tn"o .c o1l8u'sm vno tsihnogw; tsh othsee
$38.00/69.00/128.00 for air mail. Cali¬ percentage who listed that era as their first choice for articles; "2nd," of
fornia residents must add 7.25% sales tax. course, refers to their second choice, etc. The "Total" column gives the sum of
Payment may be made by check (drawn the first three, thus showing the percentage of readers who place that era
on a U.S. bank), money order, interna¬ somewhere in their top three choices. The "Least" column lists the percentage
tional money order, Mastercard or Visa. who least want to see articles about that era.
pCPaaoyyrmpaboelrneat t timoo nuC.s ot mbem manadd eM ina gUa.zSi.n De oolrl aXrsT,R AncEirean t 11s(8t ) 28n(d6 ) 33r(d6 ) 1T2 o(2ta0l) 38L e(1a5st)
Classical Antiq. 5(8) 8(13) 14 (11) 27 (32) 1(5)
MOmbaayiils pbooerd, meCraAsd te9o 3bP4y.0O p3.h .B oConxree 4d(i0int 1 cU7aS,r dS1 a-o8nr0 dL0eur-is s MEairdlyd lMe Aodgeersn 85((32)) 83((73)) 111( 1(09)) 1197 ((2104)) 115((89))
488-2249, foreign 805-546-9596) or Napoleonic 2(7) 11 (10) 9(10) 22 (27) 12 (11)
fax [phone]). US Civil War 3(8) 8(9) 18 (15) 29 (32) 9(12)
Command Magazine (ISSN 10595651) Other 19th Cent. 11(3) 8(2) 8(12) 27 (17) 3(10)
is published bimonthly for $17.95 per WWI 4(10) 18 (15) 11 (5) 33 (30) 1(8)
year by XTR Corporation, 3547-D South WWII 35 (32) 20 (20) 11(9) 66 (61) 6(5)
Higuera, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401. Modem (1945+) 26 (18) 8(15) 14 (13) 48 (46) 14 (17)
SLueics oOndb icslpaos,s CpAos t9a3g4e0 i1s .p repaid at San berIsn i nth teh pe r"aTctoictaall" saenndse ," Lase aesdt"i tocor lIu'vmen gs.o tL tooo kpianyg mthoesrte ,a tttheen ttihorne et om tohset nnuomte¬¬
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to worthy developments I see are: 1) the "Ancient" period has suffered consid¬
CSaonm Lmuaisn Od bMisapgoa, zCinAe ,9 P3.4O0.3 B. ox 4017, tehraeb "lBy;i g2 )F "ivOet;"h earn 1d9 3th) C"Eeanrtluyr yM" ohdaesr nm" osveeedm us pto f abre eenxopuegrihe ntoc inbgec ao m"sew peallr"t ooff
SUBSCRIBERS: Let us know any change demand. (About point no. 2: since "Classical Antiquity" really didn't drop
otrhefa canedi vade r wenseoset ikac seb seooffoo arn e c amhsa apniolgisnesg iob, flw ea.ed Idcf rawensens o lte ss Mthaotd efranr,, WI gWuIe, sAs CnWow, O wthee'rl l1 h9tahv, ea ntod Ccolansssiicdaelr A thnteimqu itthye.) F"Boirgw aSridx." : WWII,
guarantee your issue will be sent to the
new address. Ty Bomba
Editor, Command Magazine
COMMAND MAGAZINE
Weapons Backdate... port, where it may have
been passed over due to
clerical error.
Torpedo Damage at Pearl Harbor: The torpedo depth item
was the fifth topic in the
The Missed Opportunity report, and it was left off
the table of contents on
page one. On the other
hand, though, item num¬
"I didn't think that the for the safety of the ships at at the base) concluded his ber four was fairly provo¬
torpedo plane attack would be Pearl because of the recent facility was therefore safe cative: "Summary of Brit¬
made, because I didn't believe success of the British attack from such attack. ish Air Attacks on Italian
that aerial torpedoes would on the Italian fleet at Taran¬ But on 22 July 1941, the Harbors by Naval Air¬
run in Pearl Harbor." to. There 11 torpedo planes Office of Naval Intelli¬ craft." For whatever rea¬
— Adm. Husband E. had scored five hits and gence received a report son, the Navy failed to
Kimmel one damaging near-miss from Lt. Cdr. A.K. More¬ grasp the crucial notion
The damage done to against three battleships. house, a US observer that shallow water was no
most of the US ships at Stark asked Richardson aboard the HMS Ark Royal, longer a guarantee of safe¬
Pearl Harbor was largely to consider installing nets that explained the British ty from aerial torpedo
the result of aerial torpe¬ or baffles at Pearl Harbor, Mk.18 torpedo was able to attack. This failure of com¬
does. All five battleships but the commander was operate in water as shal¬ prehension may also be
struck by those weapons skeptical. Stark pressed low as 24 feet. Such a tor¬ traced to the belief then
sank. The three battleships the issue further in Janu¬ pedo could easily work in still prevalent among most
hit only by bombs sus¬ ary 1941, but Richardson the 40-50 foot depths of of the world's naval offi¬
tained relatively minor again resisted, arguing the Hawaiian anchorage. cers that ships were safe
damage. The 55-plane Jap¬ anti-torpedo obstructions The report meant the when at anchor.
anese bomber force scored would hamper the move¬ Navy doctrine regarding The first half of World
only one major hit: the de¬ ment of his ships. shallow-water aerial torpe¬ War II saw a number of
vastating explosion of the Richardson may well do attack was dangerously successful attacks on ships
forward magazine of the have been discounting the out of date. Yet there were in harbor: the sinking of
Arizona. In contrast, 20 of danger of torpedo attack still no nets or baffles in HMS Royal Oak, the des¬
the 40 torpedoes launched because of the then wide¬ place on 7 December. truction of the German
hit their targets. The US spread belief throughout It's not clear from the cruiser Konigsberg, the
fleet was not prepared for the US Navy that deep archival records what hap¬ crippling of the French
the torpedo attack — and water was needed for aeri¬ pened to Morehouse's re¬ battle squadron at Oran,
recently discovered evi¬ al torpedoes to be effec¬ port. The circulation list the sinking of three Italian
dence indicates it should tive. The Navy issued a indicates a copy went to battleships at Taranto, and
have been. statement on 17 February the "C-in-C US Fleet," but of course. Pearl Harbor.
There were no torpedo 1941 to the effect that a by July 1941 that title was These attacks demonstrat¬
baffles or nets in place at minimum depth of 75 feet actually no longer in offi¬ ed the inter-war advances
Pearl Harbor, even though of water was necessary for cial use. Adm. Kimmel in air power, but they
the issue had been raised planes to succtessfully drop had become "CINCPAC" were all made more suc¬
there as early as November torpedoes. The statement (Commander-in-Chief cessful than they might
1940. The Chief of Naval was included in a circular Pacific), but his predeces¬ otherwise have been due
Operations, Adm. Harold sent to all fleet comman¬ sor had been designated to the defenders' poor
E. Stark, wrote to the fleet ders. The water in Pearl "CINCUS." It is therefore state of preparedness.
commander of the time, Harbor was less than 50 likely, but not certain, A warning of the grow¬
Adm. J.O. Richardson, stat¬ feet deep, and Adm. Kim¬ Kimmel's staff received a ing danger had in fact first
ing that he was concerned mel (just then taking over copy of Morehouse's re¬ been sounded in the US
4 JAN-FEB 1993 ISSUE 20
Navy by Lt. Cdr. Logan The irony is it was also tias everywhere in all commoners. The House of
Ramsey, in a 1937 essay he Logan Ramsey who picked times, the Parliamentarian Lords looked on the whole
wrote for Proceedings, enti¬ up a radio microphone on units tended to be badly notion as dangerous non¬
tled "Aerial Attacks on 7 December 1941, and disciplined, poorly led, and sense.
Fleets at Anchor." In it, announced to the world liable to high desertion Fortunately, the Com¬
Ramsey correctly foresaw "Air raid. Pearl Harbor — rates when sent away from mittee's proposals re¬
air power had made ships this is not a drill!" their home areas. Crom¬ ceived a strong boost from
safer at sea than in harbor. — C.P. O'Connor well's Ironsides were one a political fight then devel¬
of the rare exceptions; he oping among the Parlia¬
had hand-picked his men mentary commanders. Oli¬
Historical Perspective... faosrm t,h aenird r ehlei.g mioauisn teanitnheuds i¬a vaeurt uCmronm wdeeflle abtlsa moend hthies
strict discipline. immediate superior, Lord
The New Model Army On 6 January 1645, the Manchester. He claimed
Committee of Both King¬ Manchester showed "some
doms issued its final rec¬ principle of unwillingness
By the summer of 1644 been ignominiously de¬ ommendation. In it, they to have the war prosecut¬
the English Civil War had feated, while another, called for a nationally re¬ ed to a full victory; and a
been raging inconclusive¬ under Lord Manchester, cruited "New Model Ar¬ desire to have it ended by
ly for over two years. had allowed a potential my" of 21,000 men, to be an accommodation on
While the Parliamentary victory at Newbury to slip paid by a Parliamentary some such terms to which
forces controlled East away. As the year's cam¬ tax, and to be professional¬ it might be disadvanta¬
Anglia and the London paigning drew to a close, ly trained and disciplined. geous to bring the king too
home counties, the Royal¬ it seemed the hard won Most revolutionary of all, low." In plain English,
ists held Wales, the south¬ northern gains had all the officers were to be cho¬ Cromwell made the case
west, and the north. been handed back in the sen on merit. This was an Manchester was a closet
Neither side seemed able south. unheard of concept in a Royalist.
to score the decisive blow. The House of Com¬ time when all officers were Manchester struck back
But that year events began mons reacted by investi¬ nobles and all soldiers hard, charging Cromwell
to turn in favor of Parlia¬ gating why and how the
ment; the Solemn League glittering opportunity pre¬
Sancodt laCndo vine noann tth abt rsoidueg. ht hseandt edb eaetn M saqrustaonnd eMreodo.r Ironsides and Cavalry Tactics
On 2 July, two Parlia¬ Their findings put the Cromwell's cavalry regiments were not called
mentarian armies, under blame squarely on the "Ironsides" for nothing. During the key years of the
Lord Manchester and Sir structure and nature of Civil War (1643-45), they were the best troops in
Thomas Fairfax, totaling the Parliamentary armies. England.
21,200 men, attacked a Finally, on 19 November, Contrary to what one might assume, however,
17,000-man Royalist force the Commons formed the they did not get their nickname from their armor.
at Marston Moor. Despite "Committee of Both King¬ All cavalry of the day wore armor, either steel
their numerical superiori¬ doms" (chaired by Crom¬ back- and breast-plates, or heavy leather buff coats.
ty, the Parliamentarians well), with the mission to Helmets were also standard issue.
were losing the battle consider a new and more Cavalry tactics at the start of the war were con¬
until Oliver Cromwell's effective "form or model fused. Usually the horsemen would canter up to
"Ironsides" cavalry suc¬ of the whole militia." close range and blaze away with pistols.
cessfully turned the tide. The root of the problem Eventually, though, most cavalry commanders real¬
The result was a smashing lay in the way troops were ized that a tactic of charging would be a more effec¬
defeat for the Royalists, raised and paid. Regi¬ tive way to employ their units. But discipline was
who lost at least 3,000 ments were usually re¬ so poor that a successful charge tended to disorga¬
dead and 1,500 prisoners. cruited by nobles or gentry nize the victorious cavalry as badly as their victims.
Royalist power in the (such as Cromwell); equip¬ Individual troopers wound up all over the field,
north of England was ment and pay were sup¬ pursuing individual opponents or looting, and any
shattered. plied by the local County unit that charged was generally out of action for the
A Parliamentary victo¬ Committees. Not surpris¬ rest of the day.
ry seemed imminent, but ingly, those Committees Cromwell's troopers were different. After each
within a few months the tended to be reluctant to charge they quickly reorganized and stood ready to
"Roundhead" cause was pay out more than the go again. It was this unbreakable discipline that won
again almost as bad off as absolute minimum. Left them battle after battle and earned them the sobri¬
before Marston Moor. One underpaid (or unpaid), quet "Ironsides." Later, Cromwell extended those
Parliamentary army, un¬ regiments quickly declined same habits to the cavalry of the New Model Army.
der the Earl of Essex, had in fighting spirit. Like mili¬
COMMAND MAGAZINE
himself was not fighting were willing to accept the attention to the New the Irish and Scots on their
hard because a quick vic¬ New Model Army if it had Model, derisively labelling home grounds.
tory would weaken the Fairfax at its head. it the "New Noddle Ar¬ Though the army's in¬
position of the radical Ten cavalry regiments my." At the Battle of Nase- creasing political and reli¬
Protestants with whom the were soon built from exist¬ by, though, on 14 June, the gious radicalization even¬
latter sympathized. ing Parliamentary units, Kings' men learned the tually led it to revolt
The Commons' solution with Cromwell's Ironsides error of their thinking. against Parliamentary con¬
was "sack 'em all!" The forming the hard core. That battle was, if any¬ trol, it never rebelled
house passed the "Self- Twelve infantry regiments thing, an even more crush¬ against its own leaders,
Denying Ordinance," organized the best of the ing repeat of Marston and it became Cromwell's
which stripped all minis¬ Parliamentary foot as Moor. The Royalists there instrument of government
ters (both Lords and cadres and made up the lost 1,000 dead and 5,000 during the eight years of
Commons) of military remainder of their rosters prisoners, against Parlia¬ the Protectorate. That role,
rank. The idea was both to through impressment. mentary losses of fewer however, proved to be the
eliminate the crippling Fairfax had been order¬ than 200. army's downfall. It was
internal disputes and to ed to forge an instrument A long series of relent¬ disbanded in 1661, as part
demonstrate Parliament's of victory, and he took the less Parliamentary victo¬ of a fierce effort to abolish
determination to build an measures necessary to do ries followed Naseby, with every vestige of the Protec¬
army that could win a so. Strict professional dis¬ the New Model Army, torate. The New Model,
war. cipline became the rule. already formidable, im¬ victorious on every battle¬
While the Lords fumed Deserters, mutineers and proving steadily in disci¬ field, was finally defeated
over the Ordinance and thieves were hanged; blas¬ pline and enthusiasm. By where it had been born —
the New Model, the Com¬ phemers had their tongues the end of the First Civil in Parliament.
mons went ahead and burned through with hot War in 1646, it had evol¬ Taking a longer view,
nominated Sir Thomas irons. There was no favor¬ ved into a fast, resilient, though, it can be said the
Fairfax to command it. itism; every regiment, and completely profes¬ New Model Army tri¬
That was a brilliant move. including Fairfax's own, sional force. umphed even in its final
Fairfax was both a noble had to take its turn march¬ The New Model Army defeat. Its red coats were
and a proven and popular ing at the dusty rear of the was, in fact, the only really adopted by the later Brit¬
officer, and many Lords column. All regiments professional force in Eur¬ ish army, as were its stan¬
wore the same red coats ope at the time. In the dards of strict professional
— the first standard uni¬ years that followed, it discipline. The regiments
Order of Battle form in English military proved its capabilities which would carry the
The New Model Army history. again and again, often British flag across the
Horrified aristocrats against heavy odds. In world throughout the 18th
depicted the New Model 1648, it crushed King and 19th centuries owed
as a horde of grungy com¬ Charles' ill-fated Second their genesis to the New
moners, but the majority Civil War in a few months. Model, England's first pro¬
of its members were actu¬ In 1649-51, it did what no fessional army and the
°^T ally from the freeholders English army had ever finest of its day.
and gentry (the 17th centu¬ done before — defeat both — Robert Hobart
a-d m ry's equivalent of the mid¬
Cavalry Dragoons Infantry lPdeluaers itct alinans ifstai)an. lalNtyico, sra; nwt haaersrm ei tyw, aoasft Mysteries Revealed...
A typical infantry reg¬ no selection for religious
immeenn, tf ehweeldr am80o0n-1g, 0th00e wenethllu shiaasdm u ssuecdh wasi tChr ohmi¬s “Close” Air Support
cavalry. Cavalry usually Ironsides. Only in later
fought mounted, and years did the cadres of old in WWI
were armed with sword volunteers within the
fwmrCattwlyhhioneae aeiueiddrrtnnr gdce e nhshm s rpo eitloee oaminagdfsstc ceriptttkwsmhohs l m.olelc eoe.h yar oicdreaneukbDd dfn iar n mrtanpweaerrtu.pdgriie msyt,ioT k hk aaoawce enranntiosrsd¬d¬sa.-, Rrafmttd1oaoan6eo knar4dlayAme nk5 afR ppss ealt roioohdmsamypwe ttyashoa eai erfleunnkamiir sgsetee, t yl. dc fw dfot,i,oa hr f sasmrifettnst ehi pln pNpelfrrs oaa eseiebivrihsawdgcaepoc e.nr orh ldeMtiT nit l ntohoysotlogne¬ee-f AAGMiItds:shk esiereTeirrunOrc phmweSohitne niulnaaa cedcpoesnWa l.ip lr Bido eeo1nWwfepsl6rf uttnaoh's eomonirte rona tutnnebrir d r ynWtdeigFh l crceyerrgowlooe re r,brd mn hla"edoat,idCma, wbc"Wdwelha olo rbnea uisasd¬nyasert, bWeeoltpiGonhpyulvrewgeieoegesa nwolo rsaaef ddemdilrbsdegty ionye. opei rtuen frIl oRt isdtrg hft'scse fh ie i gectBentra ia a amdrwctkGic cietetahokieonhnsneentrueh .medd f n olrf pastoodf nll mbolawot ohynw 8fwaa aetn¬nhaas.t
6 JAN-FEB 1993 ISSUE 20
As we were moving for¬ back by the wheels of one day before the German for 130s meant artillery
ward again... toward the fir¬ machine, thus being literally invasion), and went back shells, and an order for
ing line after crossing the run over. Not far from me to Moscow. 132s meant rocket rounds.
Somme, there suddenly ap¬ an aeroplane appeared at The second show went (Later, when the rockets
peared before us some 20 about one metre above the off without any trouble, were redesigned in 1942,
British aeroplanes, which ground, making straight for and Stalin was pleased they were increased in
dived to a height of about me and for the moment I did with the performance of actual size to 132mm.)
100 to 200 metres, and then, not know in what direction the BM-13. He ordered its This vision of Stalin
continuing to within 2-3 to throw myself: the pilot manufacture for front line about ammunition desig¬
metres of the ground, attack¬ appeared determined to run use with the army, with nations was extended to
ed us with their machine- over me. At the last moment but one change. He order¬ all the Soviet weapons of
guns. At first we thought I was able to spring clear as ed the rocket ammunition war, and led to many dif¬
they intended to land, but the machine whizzed past be referred to as 132mm, ferent "sizes" of ammuni¬
we speedily saw the danger, me and through the firing not 130mm. The actual tion being in nominal use.
and opened a vigorous fire line. It then turned, climbed size of the rockets wasn't In practice, the system
upon them. Several “Tom¬ a little, and sought to repeat changed, just the designa¬ streamlined Soviet sup¬
mies" flew so low that the the maneuver, whereupon it tion. ply, since every weapon
wheels of their aeroplanes was hit by one of the compa¬ Never again did artil¬ type had one and only one
touched the ground. My nies firing on our left and lery shells show up where ammunition "size" that
company commander, Lt. brought down. In all, five rockets were needed, or corresponded to it. Thus,
Nocke, had to fling himself enemy machine were shot vice versa. Despite the fact mortars, grenade launch¬
flat on the ground, but for down in our battalion's wartime manning short¬ ers, howitzers, rockets and
all that was struck on the area. ages required some am¬ tank guns all had their
munition processing to be own completely distinc¬
handled at times by those tive sizes of ammunition
Movers & Shakers... little older than children, that could easily by identi¬
raw recruits, or even Ger¬ fied and supplied without
man prisoners of war, error — a great aid in the
Stalin on Ammunition order mix-ups were all heat of battle.
but unheard of. A request — L. Dean Webb
Requisitioning
couJorssee,f tSheta lmina nw eavse, ryo¬f itnhve eRnteodr yA. rUmnyt hoinffkicinegr liyn, I Remember...
body wanted to please charge of the demonstra¬
during his tenure as tion ordered "130mm An Insider’s View of
"Maximum Leader" of the ammo" to be delivered at
Soviet Union. Though he the proper time and place. the Bundeswehr
was usually happiest The soldiers delivering the
when things ran perfectly, rounds, however, knew
there was one instance only of the conventional [Ed’s Intro: Here's one only entered the Bundes¬
when a mistake actually 130mm cannon ammuni¬ Panzer grenadier's view of wehr (Federal Armed For¬
gave him cause to cele¬ tion. Naturally, that's the NWO.] ces) in small numbers as
brate. The incident took what they brought to the physicians, and they are
place shortly before the test range. When I joined the 3rd never required to serve.
Nazi invasion of the USSR No photos exist show¬ Batterie des Panzerartillerie- During the 1980s, man¬
in June 1941. ing the expressions on the battalion 195 (3rd Battery/ datory service for con¬
Stalin attended a de¬ attendees faces when the 195th Mechanized Artil¬ scripts lasted 15 months,
monstration of one of the ammo crates were opened lery Battalion), in 1987 in with a total of about
new, and still highly in front of Stalin, reveal¬ Munster, Germany, I did 500,000 troops — con¬
secret, "BM-13" rocket ing the wrong items had not have the slightest idea script and volunteer —
launchers (later dubbed been sent. Reportedly, the how the following months serving at any one time.
"Katyushas," and "Stalin's NKVD (precursors to the of military service would (The 1989 Reunification
Organs") These rockets KGB) agents present were affect me. Treaty requires the newly
measured 130mm across immediately ready to In Germany, military united German armed
the base, which, coinci¬ round up everyone res¬ service is compulsory. A forces to be reduced to a
dentally, also happened to ponsible for the mistake, law passed in 1956 states grand total of 370,000 by
be the bore measurement but Stalin stopped them. that all males between 18 1995.)
of one of the conventional He set up another demon¬ and 35 are subject to con¬ Since the end of the
cannon in the Soviet stration date, 21 June (the scription. Women have Cold War, the Bundeswehr
COMMAND MAGAZINE
has begun to suffer a crisis 35 percent of the German to run as fast as you could, over and over again, sim¬
of legitimacy. Many armed forces, commis¬ then stand completely and ply because there was
young men no longer sioned officers make up instantly still upon com¬ nothing real for us to do,
understand why they another 20 percent, leav¬ mand, then line up to start again didn't seem to make
must still serve. More than ing the low-ranking con¬ it all again. "Why?" I much sense to me.
half of the potential con¬ scripts to fill out the asked myself silently. The duty unit I was
scripts — some 150,000 — remaining 45 percent. We One telepathic sergeant assigned to in January
declared themselves to be often felt outnumbered. explained, "The aim of 1988 was the Flak Group
conscientious objectors in The NCOs in my basic this drill is simply to of the 1st Batterie of an
1991. Such a declaration training unit soon labeled break the will of the sol¬ artillery battalion belong¬
allows them to spend their me as someone who asked diers." ing to Panzergrenadier
national service obligation too many questions. At the time, that sound¬ Brigade 19. The "group"
working in youth hostels, "How can our boots be ed pretty sinister to me. I consisted of two NCOs
nursing homes and other clean if we just came out suddenly realized how and six conscripts, and we
social institutions. of the mud?" I once stu¬ naive I had been to ever were responsible for oper¬
Though I was no great pidly asked. "It's impossi¬ believe there were any ating an FK-20, a 20mm
fan of the Bundeswehr ble for them to shine if democratic features to anti-aircraft gun.
when I was drafted, I they've just been in the military service. You see, In war, our task would
never thought seriously mud!" another maxim of the Ger¬ have been to help provide
about getting out of it. Not The NCOs just smiled, man government is that air defense for the vehicles
going to the army merely and one of them quipped, our post-World War II sol¬ of the battery. During our
because one didn't want "Your boots have to be in diers are merely "citizens peacetime maneuvers, this
to seemed a lame excuse perfect condition at all in uniform." That's unlike was performed with the
to me, and I generally times and under all cir¬ the military of the Weimar FK-20s always in the rear
agreed with the govern¬ cumstances!" Republic, who formed an of the column. In times of
ment's maxim: "Kdmpfen Then another NCO authoritarian elite. This war, though, we were told
konnen, un nie kiimpfen zu asked me if I'd just gradu¬ concept is the main reason we would suddenly be
mtissen." That is, be able ated high school. the government still does moved to somewhere near
to fight in order to never "Yes, sir," I replied, try¬ not want to give up its the front of the line. This,
have to fight. ing to figure out what conscript army, even now of course, was another
So on 1 October 1987, I dirty boots had to do with that reunification has been aspect of things that made
"surrendered" my civilian graduating high school. accomplished. They fear us feel uneasy. We all
life to the German army. "Ha!" he said, "I knew the rise of a volunteer knew that during World
The first indication I was it! It's always these new army and its turning into War II German "Flak"
in a new world came high school graduates a "state within a state." gunners such as ourselves
when I was told soldiers who ask the silly ques¬ Aside from the past were often used in the
could not go to the dining tions!" four decades of German very front of the fighting
hall on their own. We had I soon learned not to history, another impedi¬ for everything but air
to wait until a sergeant or ask questions, and instead ment the NCOs face in defense — the gunners
officer led us in. I thought just concentrated on sur¬ trying to fully "break the won an admirable record
that was ridiculous, but viving basic training, will" of the recruits is the for themselves there, but
boot camp is boot camp which lasts for the first fact most soldiers are al¬ their casualty rates were
the world over. three months of your ser¬ lowed to go home on high.
A similarity between vice time. weekends. In that way, I One of the main diffi¬
the Bundeswehr and the US The main emphasis in was able to muddle culties for our unit was
Army is their shared basic training is giving all through my military ser¬ aircraft identification. Our
obsession with cleanliness. the new soldiers basic vice from Monday to sergeant told us that dur¬
Everything — weapons, infantry skills. They simu¬ Friday while still keeping ing World War II fully half
equipment, the most hid¬ late skirmishes on the bat¬ my will intact. I lived only of all the aircraft shot at by
den corner of your room, tlefield by sending you for my civilian weekends. German Flak in fact be¬
and most of all your boots through obstacle courses. Living for the week¬ longed to the German air
— must be absolutely Still another skill German ends continued even after force. We practiced at air¬
clean. And, of course, at soldiers must learn to basic training. While those craft identification all the
inspections it is always an master is parade ground first three months of ser¬ .time, but to my mind
officer who determines if marching, euphemistically vice were hard because there has really been no
something is clean or not called "formal service." they were physically ex¬ significant improvement
— the officer's truth is the During formal service hausting, the remaining 12 in this since 1945.
only truth. drill, we learned to make months seemed endless Though our maneuvers
Non-commissioned proper turns and how to because they were mental¬ took place as the Cold War
officers (NCOs, or ser¬ greet our superiors. If you ly numbing. Cleaning our was ending, we still used
geants) account for fully made a mistake, you had weapons and equipment terminology from that era.
8 JAN-FEB 1993 ISSUE 20