http://fmso.leavenworth.army.mil/fmsopubs/...log/softlog.htmGreat article describing the logistical problems the Russians encountered during the Chechen Crisis.
Some interesting points raised by the article;
1. The crucial items required by Russian infantry were grenades and explosives of all sorts ranging from fragmentation types to riot control smoke types.
2. Low-flying slow aircrafts and soft-skinned transport trucks were favorite targets of Chechen ambushes. The Russians lacked a adequately armored ground transporter to deliver crucial supplies to frontline troops.
3. There were signs that the Battle of Grozny was dominated by a "supply push" dilemma that resulted the accumulation of supplies at terminals. This problem can be attributed to point 2 where the Russians lacked the means to distribute the supplies to frontline troops.
4. Chechen rebels continously changed their positions of confrontation making it difficult for Russians to direct heavy weapons at their exact location in time. The delay cost by prepositioning of assets and establishing logistical lines also contributed to the delays.
5. The most effective weapon against rebels walled up inside high-rised buildings were AA self-propelled artillery. I suspect this is due to the barrels high angles of elevation and rapid swerve of the turrent.
6. Russian authorities had a difficult time identifying insurgents from civilian males. This led rise to "concentration camp" like conditions where the local male populace was filtered to seperate the militants from the innocents.
| QUOTE (Laplace @ Jul 22 2004, 08:47 PM) |
Some interesting points raised by the article;
1. The crucial items required by Russian infantry were grenades and explosives of all sorts ranging from fragmentation types to riot control smoke types.
2. Low-flying slow aircrafts and soft-skinned transport trucks were favorite targets of Chechen ambushes. The Russians lacked a adequately armored ground transporter to deliver crucial supplies to frontline troops.
3. There were signs that the Battle of Grozny was dominated by a "supply push" dilemma that resulted the accumulation of supplies at terminals. This problem can be attributed to point 2 where the Russians lacked the means to distribute the supplies to frontline troops.
4. Chechen rebels continously changed their positions of confrontation making it difficult for Russians to direct heavy weapons at their exact location in time. The delay cost by prepositioning of assets and establishing logistical lines also contributed to the delays.
5. The most effective weapon against rebels walled up inside high-rised buildings were AA self-propelled artillery. I suspect this is due to the barrels high angles of elevation and rapid swerve of the turrent.
6. Russian authorities had a difficult time identifying insurgents from civilian males. This led rise to "concentration camp" like conditions where the local male populace was filtered to seperate the militants from the innocents. |
".....Chechen rebels continously changed their positions of confrontation making it difficult for Russians to direct heavy weapons at their exact location in time. The delay cost by prepositioning of assets and establishing logistical lines also contributed to the delays....."
Good strategy on the part of the Chechen, this way, it creat confusion & frustration within the Russian command; well played out, it thinned out the Russian opposition....in fact back at Nam the Vietcong are master of this game.
