| Kuznetsov | 26 Jun 2024 4:29 a.m. PST |
The Marines recently landed their first fixed wing aircraft on a recertified airfield on the Pacific island of Peleliu, which jarheads captured after brutal combat in 1944. The KC-130J Super Hercules tanker with 1st Marine Air Wing landed Saturday, marking the first time the Corps has landed such an aircraft on the installation since the service recertified the airfield in early June, according to a Marine Corps press release. link |
 Old Contemptible  | 26 Jun 2024 7:56 p.m. PST |
Nimitz didn't make many mistakes but Peleliu was his worst mistake. |
| Zephyr1 | 30 Jun 2024 9:19 p.m. PST |
I don't think the modern USMC could take Peleliu if they went up against the WW2 Japanese defenses… |
| dogtail | 01 Jul 2024 3:25 a.m. PST |
@Zephyr1: Could you explain your thoughts? |
| soledad | 01 Jul 2024 3:40 a.m. PST |
Of course the modern USMC would be able to capture the island. There is a huge number of "if, when's and buts" but yes they would take it. There would be casualties but there is absolutely nothing that says modern troops are worse than old troops.
Modern troops are better trained than old troops. All equipment is much better.
It would be hard fighting and losses but I would without a doubt bet my life that the modern USMC would win and with substantially lower casualties. |
| Tortorella | 01 Jul 2024 6:03 a.m. PST |
Imagine the pre-landing bombardment, missiles, drones, tactical air support, rates of fire, etc. While the original softening up of the island was very intense, it was still old school high volume artillery. Today's tech might not leave too many opponents left alive, or functioning. |
 Legion 4 | 01 Jul 2024 5:55 p.m. PST |
FWIW, today's USMC is very small compared to what it was a few years ago. And of course, during WWII. |
| Tortorella | 01 Jul 2024 6:52 p.m. PST |
I think the 1st Marine Division today is around the same size as it was then. With the 81 Infantry Div. total US number ultimately was around 47,000 vs 12,000 very dug in Japanese fighting to the last man. Per Wiki… |
| Legion 4 | 02 Jul 2024 4:47 p.m. PST |
Yes, but overall, the USMC has been reduced/reorganized by IIRC their last Commandant. E.g. all 200 USMC M1s were mothballed … |
| Tortorella | 02 Jul 2024 5:21 p.m. PST |
Yes, their mission is apparently changing, related to Pacific ops, but I don't know how, except that ditching the M1s raised questions from vets and there are issues with the changes. |
| Legion 4 | 03 Jul 2024 2:24 p.m. PST |
There was a number of changes made. Reminded me of the British Commandos after the fall of France. Light and hard hitting relying on stealth and surprise. Sounds good anyway. Even later in WWII the RM CDO got a small organic armored force. But IIRC the "new" USMC has the mission of shooting at enemy ships with missiles from islands. |
 foxbat | 04 Jul 2024 6:24 a.m. PST |
If a shell is some kind of "missile", then it's back to the basics and Wake Island 1941.  |
| Legion 4 | 04 Jul 2024 7:17 a.m. PST |
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tackles two subjects from his favorite sculptor.