is there a role for the bayonet in modern warfare?

Question

micheal caine did not say "don't point those bloody spears at me" but i think everyone wishes he had....

Answer 1

Of course there is, you can use it to cut wire etc. I used mine in the Falklands, its a bit messy but it didn't half put the shits up the Argy's they could'nt wait to pack it in once we got in amongst them. Close up hand to hand is the best sort of warfare, anyone can drop someone at a distance but up close you can smell them. A few of the Argy's **** themselves before we dropped them. Vive la Garre

Answer 2

There is a common misconception that the technology of modern warfare has evolved to the extent that such unsophisticated weapons are no longer needed. However the reasons for having the bayonet in the first place - for close quarter situations where aiming a long barreled weapon would be difficult, or as a back-up when the weapon jams or runs out of ammunition, have not actually changed - it's still easy for an enemy combatant to push the barrel of your gun out of the way if he's standing at the end of it, your gun can still jam (indeed some "modern" weapons have a much higher incidence than those in use when bayonets were considered essential) and you can of course still run out of ammunition.

Answer 3

It's an intimidation thing, also a last resort thing. You could have asked "why do fighter aircraft still have guns?" If the pilot/soldier always has something to use as a last resort, he'll fight harder. Also, in CQB (close quarter battle), a bayonet may still be useful. It's used for many things anyway. The British SA 80 bayonet is a can-opener, wire-cutter, saw and knife all rolled into one. No soldier leaves home without it.

Forget the bayonet charges of WW1, they don't happen anymore (not usually, but it has been known to happen, imagine being an enemy fighting a British infantry squad, pinning them down with gunfire and hearing a guttural roar while seeing them charge, bayonets fitted. I think you trousers would be brown, mine certainly would be), but it's a great morale killer. It's definitely used in training to teach soldiers to channel their aggression on the battlefield.

Besides, in the words of CPL Jones, in dad's army,
"They don't like it up 'em, sir!"

Answer 4

Look at it this way. The bayonet is simply a knife (a long one, 5-7" blade), and people for centuries have used the knife as a tool. It can act as a screwdriver, hammer (the pommel, not the blade), razor, dinner knife, and yes, it can be used to kill people. But, by fixing the bayonet on the end of your rifle (or a stout stick), you now have a spear, and this can be used as an offensive or defensive weapon easily. As so many people have pointed out, yes your weapon can malfunction or you may run out of ammuntion. What happens if your position is being overrun and a grenade blast forces you to loose your grip on your rifle (which is still a powerful and deadly weapon in CQB without ammunition), well, if you packed your knife like you were told, you still have a means to fight back, as limited as that is.

Answer 5

Doesn't hand to hand fighting still exist? Close combat is still a modern warfare reality, so I'm sure bayonets or similar are a bit handy. I would want one if I was in Afganistan or Iraq, anything to give me a chance to avoid getting taken by the savages.

Answer 6

Well, yes. Firstly, the bayonet has more uses than just stabbing people. Secondly, we are still hearing of soldiers performing a bayonet charge to win a battle that would otherwise have been lost, such as charging an enemy position making them turn and flee or at least weaken their morale and resolve. I mean, wouldn't you be scared if you saw a line of men running at you with a knife to stab you?!

Answer 7

they're criminal, yet somewhat impractical and borderline valueless in present day conflict, quite at the same time as maximum combating is at major distances. In city conflict, a bayonet is merely better length on your weapon... the M16 is already merely shy of 40" lengthy through the undeniable fact that is - the terrific element those Marines needed at the same time as maneuvering down alleys and doors is an prolonged weapon.

Answer 8

An FFL class-3 firearms dealer, who legally specializes in "black guns", told me not long ago that he had a big open order from a Latin American government for bayonets. Probably for crowd control. There's still a role so far as I'm concerned. Don't want to get stuck.

Answer 9

While soldiers are still trained with them and they would come in handy in some cases, they are not pratical in all cases they are intended for. If using for hand combat, yes, but if you are planning to fix it on the end of your rifle, some don't fit (some units still have the onld ones that do not fit the new rifles), others don't lock (the little latch breaks easily) and others still take a while to adjust (a lot units do not practice this, so if a soldier had to fix it, he may stumble from lack of practice).

Answer 10

A friend of mine got a Purple Heart. He was a paratrooper and he landed on a guy in the Infantry and he had his Bayonet out.

Answer 11

My bayonet spent my entire Iraq tour in the bottom of a footlocker.

A Swiss Army knife or a Leatherman tool is a lot more useful in real life.