i believe the Marine Corps and the US army are equal in fighting ability. the only advantage the USMC has.....

Question

over the army is that it is forward deployed on navy ships so it is more mobile at the battalion level than the us army. beyond the battalion level, i think they are about equal in mobility. my question is, who invented air assault? when i was in boot camp we were taught that the Marine Corps invented it. the Marine Corps calls it "vertical envelopement". please military historians enlighten me. and by the way, please explain the logistics of air assault, how do they get there BBB's, (beans, bullets, and band-aids)?

Answer 1

How can the USMC be more mobile (using your words) when they are on navy ships? Ships, my friend, are kind of limited to where they can travel. The Army has the mobility with the various aircraft they can use.

As far as Air Assault goes, I can't tell you who "invented" it, but the Army teaches it. If the Marines thought it up, then they didn't do it right 'cause the Army shows them how to do it. *L*

BBBs are brought in later. Air Assault is designed to establish a foot hold close to / behind the lines, and the front troops can then break thru to them, or they are inserted and will find their way back home. It's used more for scouting than for assault.

Answer 2

As to your first statement, yes, both are about the same in mobility, beyond the battalion level. (don't forget the Army rangers, each of their battalions can be anywhere in the world within 18 hours)
on your question about air assault, It depends on what you define as an air assault. If you mean by parachute from a plane, then I think I can safely say no, it seems either the soviets or the Germans in WW2 were the first to use (I have no Idea of who "invented" it) air born infantry. But if you mean from a helicopter, you might be correct. I thought the Marines were the first ones to do a helicopter born assault, in the Vietnam War, but I could be wrong.

Answer 3

Air assult was pioneered by the Soviets in the war with Finland in 1939, as well as the Germans in the years leading up to the war. These were first units to use them operationally. The United States developed their own Airborne Divisions, redesignating the 82nd and 101st Infantry Divisions. The 101st has since been designated as Air Mobile, meaning the deploy by helicopter, while the 82nd would still parachute in.

In the early stages of air assault (vertical enveloment came with the advent of helicopters), the units would be supplied by parachute. Each indiviual would carry enough in (theoretically) to support himself for 24 hours in a combat situation, at which time it would be reasonable to expect either an aerial resupply (parachute) or linking up with the main body of your army, in which case you would partake in the traditional supply lines.

The trick is not to drop too far past the front line. In Normandy, Three airborne divisions (two american and one british) parachuted in to secure bridgeheads and knock out artillary positions, and were roughly ten-15 miles behind the front lines. On the other hand, in Operation Market Garden, the parachute drops into the Netherlands (also the basis for the book and movie titled "A Bridge Too Far), the objectives for the oberation were too much, so the last bridge in the line was A Bridge Too Far, because the British XXX Corps (Thirty Corps, not porn) couldn't move quick enough to consolidate the ground that had been gained.

Answer 4

Air assault spawned from the 101ST Airborne. In its first few years it was only available to members of the 101 before it became Army wide.

Dont take this the wrong way but the Army is far more capable the the Corp. The only reason the Marines still exist is due to the fact that they can be used at the President's will without seeking approval from congress. That is why the Marine's are the few. Be proud but understand your role at the same time.

Answer 5

You make a good point regarding the USMC forward deployment on ships. But don't forget that the Army has based all around the global where they can be notified by emergency alert and be anywhere in the world...battalion size and at least one regiment size...with in 48 hours.

When I served my my unit was rotated as part of the RDF (Rapid Deployment Force) where we were on 48 hour alert status when number came up. The main difference I see between the 2 is their mission....Army....land assault and the USMC...amphibious assault.

Answer 6

Beaujock

Are you over your post traumatic stress syndrome from boot camp?

What medication are using to manage your manic episodes of reality versus/ duh/ reality.

If you have finally got your your sh!t in a group, can you please forward a recommendation from Chesty Puller on your behalf.