CMSF: Euro/Nato Modul

[Smaragdadler]

Well, it still will take some time, but I start this thread because I found this little gem:

Danish Tanks in Serious Fire-Fight in Afghanistan

14-01-2008 hrs. 10:57

Christian Reinhold, press officer

On January 5th, three Danish tanks supporting the British Army against the Taliban proved their value. Danish infantry also came under fire.

A British Company (Map 1) under the Danish-led Battle Group Centre, advanced along the east side of the Helmand river. The British came under fire from small arms and RPGs [rocket propelled grenades]. Danish forces were positioned on the west side of the river to prevent any Taliban on that side from joining in the attack on the British. The Danish units were a platoon of mechanized infantry (Map 2) and the crews of three Leopard tanks. (Map 3)

However, the Danish mechanized infantry, themselves, came under hostile fire from Taliban positions on the western side of the Helmand River. The Taliban used local compounds to provide some cover for their advance. The Danish infantry successfully blocked a frontal attack by the Taliban and the enemy tried to disengage and flank the Danish unit (a manoeuvre used repeatedly by the Taliban which, if not stopped, can leave ISAF defenders in serious danger).

Leopard tank in desert edge overwatch position

This time, however, Danish tanks were emplaced on high ground on the edge of the desert. From these overwatch positions, Danish tank crews could see down into the “Green Zone” along the river’s edges. When the Taliban tried to move into positions among abandoned compounds to engage the Danish infantry, the enemy were in plain view of Danish tankers.

Taken by surprise by the tanks

Danish Leopard 2A5 DK tank

It was a clear mistake by the Taliban not to consider the tanks up above the Green Zone. With a great deal of machinegun fire and 20 rounds fired from the guns, the Danish Leopard tank crews engaged the Taliban both out in open terrain and when the enemy forces took cover in compounds. In this situation, the tanks’ supporting fire was a big help to the Danish infantry.

Easier reconstruction

By engaging the Taliban on either side of the river, the Danish and British ground forces reduced the need for air support. Tank fire, which is frightenly accurate, pentetrates walls but usually does not level a mud-brick compound the way large bombs dropped by aircraft can. This makes reconstruction in the area far easier once the Taliban have been removed.

Calm in the area

Danish Leopard 2A5 DK on the move

After the riverside clash, there has been very little hostile activity in the area. This may be due to the extreme cold in Helmand at present. But it may also be that the enemy suffered great losses as a result of precision shooting by the Danish Leopard tank gunners. At any rate, cooperation between the tanks and infantry is seen to be vital in the fight against the Taliban in the Green Zone.

source:

http://www.casr.ca/ft-leopard-2a5-denmark-2.htm

[Webwing]

Very Nice.

[SgtMuhammed]

Interesting.

[The Warrior]

Yes it is interasting. I have often wondered why the U.S. Army has not deployed M1s to this theater of operation. Or for that fact, Stykers. And no, there not all in Iraq.

[RSColonel_131st]

The Germans put some Leos into Kosovo (or Bosnia - can't quite remember) as part of their Peace Force contingent. They then arranged a live-fire demonstration in front of the Villagers. Sufficient to say that Sniper attacks and Mortar attacks went down a lot the next week.

[Chainsaw]

The Germans put some Leos into Kosovo (or Bosnia - can't quite remember) as part of their Peace Force contingent. They then arranged a live-fire demonstration in front of the Villagers. Sufficient to say that Sniper attacks and Mortar attacks went down a lot the next week.

Show of force always works