strac_sap

I've never seen the 165 mm actually fire, so I can't verify in that regard, but given that both of these use a HESH/HEP plastic explosive round it seems they prioritize breaching. The round is so huge its going to make a mess, but I suspect it will take a number of rounds to take out a building. TNT was for blowing stuff apart, C4 (plastic explosives) was for cutting things. This would be a great addition. I noticed they didn't add this to the later titles with the engineering Strykers, so wasn't sure that was a thing they planned to do in CMCW.

Thanks for sharing this, they went through a hell of a fight. I'm glad the vehicles worked so well, and the M2A2 ODS survivability is noted. Spent a lot of time in M113s and always felt them very vulnerable. It was spacious and fairly reliable, but being alive is preferred.

Yes, you are very correct I have over generalized. As you've stated I've seen a number of friendships amongst my friends, and friends of friends, on the left end over this narrative. I don't believe in being too personal on the internets, but I have strong feelings about all peoples rights to live decent lives out of poverty and war. But, I have heard this refrain repeated so often here in the US that it starts to be held as the whole truth. That the US is solely responsible for this war and for Russia it is a war for existence against US hegemony. There is always a thread of truth in this, but that denies the Ukrainians rights I wish them to have. Likely my far right narrative is also too truncated, and in fact I feel it is the greatest threat. Especially with the returning veterans from this war in Ukraine and Russia. For some reason veterans groups tend to be far right, which has been debated quite a bit since WWII and after. Nixon himself considered the far right the much greater threat, but then said to curtail the far right he needed to clamp down on the far left. Imagine that logic...(this is from the book: "Sideshow: Kissinger, Nixon, and the Destruction of Cambodia" by William Shawcross) I do appreciate the feedback.

On top of that, to decry their use of mines, and then not want to supply the weapons and tools they would need instead to defend themselves feels like peak narcissism.

The far right seems to have a thing for autocrats, thus Putin is alright by them and Ukraine can go to hell for all they care. But the far left for all sorts of reasons seems to come to the same conclusion. Somehow this war was directly started by the US and every chance they get they state the the US should end it. And eastern Europeans wanting to determine their own future through an alliance of mutual protection is imperialism. I've read articles in which the authors state that the war should be ended immediately in discussions and a treaty, and as examples of how wars must end this way they use both WWI and WWII! Their ignorance of history is astounding. Every chance I get I try to expand on people's understanding of history so these articles don't hold sway. I feel some relief that Ukraine, and eastern Europe in general, is no longer ignored or even demeaned by western Europe and the US. They seem to be now considered full fledged humans with the rights to self-determination. But given the extremes of political views that may be tentative. Coming back to the mines, I feel this is a similar example. I doubt anyone has an interest in mines (especially the Ukrainians who will suffer from them) as a reality but to ignore the fact that the Ukrainians are fighting against an enemy who seems to have no issues with mass murder, torture, and kidnapping feels smug. I will give the benefit of the doubt and assume they are trying to be even handed in condemning mines, especially for the civilian victims and children that are sure to come.

I blame Putin. Here is another video from Vice to remind us of Putin's crimes:

This above is a symptom above the answer below: So you are inoculated from making changes because you have in place those you believe you need to stay in power. My opinion is this has gone poorly and well for Ukraine. Poorly because the invasion even happened. Well because the Russians are unable to effectively prosecute the war, can't seem to really learn from their mistakes. Poorly because the Russians (Putin) can't/won't accept the reality of what is happening and withdraw.

Understatement. At least the AMX 10RC is fast. This is swiss cheese in the making. (I've enjoyed everyones quips about this thing). Won't lie, felt the same way about the M60 when I was a crewman in the reserves.

My experience is a loader in an M60A3 (TTS) and on the M68 you push the full 105 mm in and the breach closes solidly behind it. I'm now googling why one needs a rammer for this type of breach. T54/55 uses same full round, so I'm assuming it is an age/maintenance issue. Definitely slows loading. Edit: the 25 pdr uses a separate powder cartridge so needs a rammer.

If one is new to the game then figuring out how movement and spotting go is easier in a scenario like this, with fewer units and having an advantage, which was true for me when I played. I enjoyed it because it was just tanks, and just Starships. I was always curious about how they would perform and sometimes don't mind the steel beasts just roaming by themselves. Spent a year as an M60A3 (TTS) crewman so wondered how different the A2 was.

I've been wondering about this. Given the war why haven't all the heads been rolling? My assumption is that these are the loyalists around him, period. But I feel like this is the group that would understand this better. As an aside, I noticed this in the US during Iraq in the early 2000's. Generals were not getting fired even when outcomes were bad. I recall an article that read something like: "Privates in the army are punished more for losing a rifle than Generals for losing a war." EDIT: Here is the article.

Did he just use a crowbar to make sure the breach had closed? ...And make it seem normal?

Yes indeed, infantry can cross AT minefields as as long as no tilt-rod fuses are used. But, and its a big but, do not run. An already heavy fully loaded soldier can already be in the mid-250 lbs (110+ kg) range, and then running with the added impulse can shoot the force much higher. We discussed this often and generally took it seriously. AP mines and anti-handling devices were indeed a nuisance. They really slow down work, and that sucks if you're under fire. @Haiduk posted about these mines which I added below, and I wonder if there is some insider info on the prevalence of these. Most of the videos and images I've seen are of massive minefields of the Soviet TM-62 AT mine with a force of 300+ lbs (150+ kg) required; but how much of the other stuff is in there? I agree that massive numbers are needed for denial, but their morale effect can be pretty severe. The Ukrainians are moving small units up, and even vehicles in some areas. One video I noticed they used two MICLICs and then the BMPs drove nowhere near the cleared area. So definitely movement is available, and @The_Capt had some solid insight overall on this.

I'm hopefully not making a faux pas by being new to the forum and making a request, but I was wondering if there were plans to add the combat engineering vehicles? M728 CEV and Centurian Mk 5 AVRE with the BAOR expansion. I'm not sure for the Soviets. Personally I would love to try them out in MOUT, although leveling a building with one shot might be a bit overpowered. But will always be fun. They are both rather vulnerable to AT fire so getting close to town could be tricky.

I engage with young adults at work constantly, and the changes due to aging in my opinions are profound. I feel like it is absolutely true that they are less motivated, find less joy in overcoming hardships towards success, and rarely even show up. But hasn't this always been the case? Haven't the older generations always lamented the youth's frivolity and laziness? So are my beliefs about this influenced by this intrinsic push towards conservatism with age? Trying to use the analytic brain and not the emotional brain here...