White2Golf

There are sporadic clashes in Kyiv with diversion groups. Many groups managed to detain without a shooting, but they are mostly locals, Russians as a rule armed and resist. The one policeman was killed today, when tried to chek the documents. 
Total curfew declared from 17-00 Friday until 8-00 Monday. Any, who will be on the street witjout special document will be concider like potential diversant. 
Not far from my house on important road there are two fotified chekpoints established, which controlled by territorial defense troopers and armed volunteers. They are now together with police secure the city inside, when all army, National Guard and even SBU special forces Alfa involved in outer perimetr defense. 
Firing of Pions not far from my house looks like brought results - enemy field ammunition depot in Hostomel are make big boom (on the photo) 
Reportedly SBU Alfa with support of Army mopped up again Hostomel airfield and captured many Chechens.
Russians shelled large building of children clinic almost in the center of Kyiv. Not far from of it a Ground Forces Command building is deployed. I havn't info what kind of weapon was used and direction, just reportedly 1 child was killed, 2 more wounded as well as 2 of clinic personnel

I'm ok. I just too tired about all these news monitoring, so I havn't enough energy to write here. Today I tried to depart my wife from the city to her parents in more calm Cherkasy oblast, but we can't reach to railway station. Municipal transport stopped on the left bank of Kyiv, though on the right it works like and subway. 
All day from my balcony, wich exits to Obolon' and Vyshhorod periodically heard a sounds of shellings. Now I heard outcoming shots of our 2S7 Pion guns, located in 5 km from my house close to city limit. They fire somewhere to the west, where Russian troops concentrates to attack on the city. All day there were periodycal clashes on the line Irpin'-Bucha-Vorzel-Hostomel. There was attempt of Russian tank attack from Chernobyl zone through Ivankiv on Kyiv, but because of we had a time to demolish the bridges through the Teterev river, they halted. 

Or maybe the world has not changed, and we're only realising this now.
There was a British Intelligence Chief who was quoted on BBC for saying something along the lines of "What we're seeing here is a collective failure of the imagination in the west for not being able to imagine that Putin would actually attack".

I liked this one as well.   After reading this thread I am even having much better success as the Soviets.  I personally tend to think less about infantry in modern titles than I should.  Now learning that in CW, the tech is good but not 21st century good.   The grunts have way more utility.  Also glad that I was a tanker in the 90's and 2000's, not the 70's or 80's.  LOL

You silly 19K

I personally like the narrative style for briefings.  The more proper one's often read and sound like a real order being delivered, but I like a story.   FWIW of course, I am just a silly C-DAT.  

The M2 M3 Bradley do as well. 
So, my answer here is the same as it is for Black Sea. Regardless how good the optics of a given vehicle is, there is still merit to having the TC unbutton occasionally for situational awareness. There are other reasons, like C2 information sharing with nearby infantry and other friendly assets nearby. Its also important to remember that in reality US tankers still operate unbuttoned a lot, until in direct contact or receiving fire. There are a ton of things that are much easier done unbuttoned, like driving and staying in formation with other tanks, etc. 

As a former armor crewman, I can confirm that this is not a thing I would want my tank to do on a regular basis.  
 
Track is heavy and a real PITA to fix, especially under fire.  Add a level or two of difficulty for having to fix it while not in the motor pool....
 
If the crunchies have demo, armor should sit back a bit and use all those wonderful weapon systems to support.  IMO of course.  

As a former armor crewman, I can confirm that this is not a thing I would want my tank to do on a regular basis.  
 
Track is heavy and a real PITA to fix, especially under fire.  Add a level or two of difficulty for having to fix it while not in the motor pool....
 
If the crunchies have demo, armor should sit back a bit and use all those wonderful weapon systems to support.  IMO of course.  

Interesting take.   I actually find the differing dice pools my favorite feature of the ruleset.   Followed closely by the "reaction" features.   It simulates to quality differences among the sides well.   I won't give away the results of this scenario, but my plan involved making full use of the dice system.  
 

*Takes Bow*
 
I am "Brian" in this particular episode.   I "star" in three others from this season.   Speak to my agent for interviews.   :)
Full disclosure, I am not a veteran of Iraq II.  My time was before 2003/2004.  

*Takes Bow*
 
I am "Brian" in this particular episode.   I "star" in three others from this season.   Speak to my agent for interviews.   :)
Full disclosure, I am not a veteran of Iraq II.  My time was before 2003/2004.  

Interesting take.   I actually find the differing dice pools my favorite feature of the ruleset.   Followed closely by the "reaction" features.   It simulates to quality differences among the sides well.   I won't give away the results of this scenario, but my plan involved making full use of the dice system.  
 

*Takes Bow*
 
I am "Brian" in this particular episode.   I "star" in three others from this season.   Speak to my agent for interviews.   :)
Full disclosure, I am not a veteran of Iraq II.  My time was before 2003/2004.  

*Takes Bow*
 
I am "Brian" in this particular episode.   I "star" in three others from this season.   Speak to my agent for interviews.   :)
Full disclosure, I am not a veteran of Iraq II.  My time was before 2003/2004.  

I have a cow, a poor silly dog, an old Volkswagen (hey, the don't park here sign was there for a reason) and countless trees on my record as a driver.   I should add all these mishaps (save a few of the trees) happened at night, in the time before thermal vision for the driver.   Cleaning up the cow was...yuk.   I was moving pretty fast around a curve and the farmer needed to fix his fence.  
 
Like panzersauerkrautwerfer says....   Its both easier and harder than you think.   It is always wise to be kind to the driver.   He can rapidly ruin the turret crews day.   A M1 has GOOD breaks.   If you put the peddle to floor, the tank will stop RIGHT THERE.   If you are moving at any speed and do not warn them, they will be angry with you.   Especially the TC if he is unbuttoned.  
 
This random off track post brought to you by late afternoon boredom.

Re: driver spotting

When I was a driver, gunnery was pretty boring. The only fun I got to have was hauling ass back to the ready line after we were done. So I got way into helping spot. Especially when the TC was busting .50. I don't know how table 8 s done now, but in my day the most difficult was Bravo 3 Swing, the dreaded widowmaker. PC, rpg team and troops with a very short time hack. There was a "fire, fire heat and adjust. Caliber fifty!" Command in it. If the TC did not drill the rpg team in the frst burst, you lose that one. Was happy to help.
 
I hate myself for never thinking to do this.
 

 
Very good point. Crew safety is very important. If you fire the main gun when the loader is in the way, he is at least crippled for life, at best. I agree that first round fired he would be out of the way. However, just for the record, I would never fire the main gun without a loud and clear UP!

I trained my guys to holler it at the very top of their lungs. Had a younger kid once who was still coming into his voice. Fun times. Lol

Thanks for the fun chats. I could talk tanks all day. Miss it a lot.

Re: driver spotting

When I was a driver, gunnery was pretty boring. The only fun I got to have was hauling ass back to the ready line after we were done. So I got way into helping spot. Especially when the TC was busting .50. I don't know how table 8 s done now, but in my day the most difficult was Bravo 3 Swing, the dreaded widowmaker. PC, rpg team and troops with a very short time hack. There was a "fire, fire heat and adjust. Caliber fifty!" Command in it. If the TC did not drill the rpg team in the frst burst, you lose that one. Was happy to help.
 
I hate myself for never thinking to do this.
 

 
Very good point. Crew safety is very important. If you fire the main gun when the loader is in the way, he is at least crippled for life, at best. I agree that first round fired he would be out of the way. However, just for the record, I would never fire the main gun without a loud and clear UP!

I trained my guys to holler it at the very top of their lungs. Had a younger kid once who was still coming into his voice. Fun times. Lol

Thanks for the fun chats. I could talk tanks all day. Miss it a lot.

From my personal experience, I think calling it "propaganda" is a bit much.   You just learn to know the difference between what is important and what is not.   What makes you want to use the term "propaganda" anyway?   Also, your first question, the part about "for absolutely nothing" is an opinion not a statement of fact.   I would think such a statement would be rather insulting to most guys who got involved.  All that political crap is for Generals and politicians. 
 
My $.02

+1 to the whine-o-meter going off the charts. I already upped my stock of popcorn to get ready. I do not post often, but always am lurking. The things some people say......

Pnzrldr is an officer....  So he probably has less experience actually using the things.     "I just ride 'em, I don't know what makes them work."  LOL 
 
J/K <wink>