Hey, any of you guys out there infantry/artillery?

I was watching Platoon and We were soldiers, and noticed that almost as soon as these guys called for artillery support, next thing you heard was the rounds incoming. Now, I know it doesn't happen that fast with intersection, resection, barrell adjustments, not to mention distance. But, I'm just wondering (I'm geeky like that) what is the muzzle velocity for a 155 shell, and a ball park number for the time it take for you to get the call, and for steel rain to start falling on the enemy.

Fire for Effect!

Barnes: "And you Lieutenant?! You know how many good men you just killed? With your *******ed up fire mission!" (Platoon: Second best war movie of all time.)

 

I guess it really would depend on what is going on. If the artillery was awaiting the call it could happen pretty quick.

Example, a platoon is going on a direct action, its pretty much a planned op so the artillery could have a pretty good fix on where they are. If the call comes across they might need to make a slight correction then its bombs away. Something like this I would say from call to the first shell hitting could be maybe 1-2 min. In a situation where artillery is just pointed in a general direction and has to completely adjust to the target area could take about 10 min or more.

Thank god for the AC-130 Spectre when used. Thoes things can fly over a target area just waiting for the call to let loose.

 

I've never been in fire fight, but I can imagine that if you're in a situation where arty fire, or air support is needed, 1-2 minutes can feel like 1-2 hours.

I saw a special on 60 Minutes about the AC-130 many years ago. One of the guys talking said if there was a "REGIMENT" of enemy troops poised to attack a platoon of American soldiers, and the call came in for AC-130 support, the regiment coudl be dispatched with no problem.



A REGIMENT! That can be 2,000 - 3,000 men.

No problem.

Dude, that's firepower.



In Nam, the equivalent was the AC-47, they called it "Puff the Magic Dragon"

 

Usually they have pre-selected targets in you area of operation. So you do what is called an adjust fire mission and just tell them where to adjust there rounds from the already dialed in target. Mortars anywhere from 30sec to 1 min. Arty is longer usually depended on the distatnce from you. Closer, unless the target is in their line of site, takes longer because the round has to make basically a u-turn in the air-goes up high angle and comes back down. Naval gunfire can take up to 12 min or more.

 

kings of battle follow me... oops thought you wanted some more of the cadence.

i was arty, albeit a few years back. last time in '91 recalled for desert storm. anyway, yep it takes a couple min to adjust to targets, then it's usually one shell for the fistys to check your position and quads.

fun shoots are in convoy when they call fire mission. takes a little bit but it's fun to throw the gun around and back it up on the spades and set to fire.

my favorite job was gun driver. did it for a couple years.

sorry i don't remember the velocity. i truly should, but time has worn my brain a little i guess.

 

Let's remember. Platoon and We Were Soldiers are movies. Did any of you former rotor-heads out there notice how many movies have the incorrect sounds for certain helicopters. Last time I checked, you cannot substitute the sound of a Huey with an OH-58, and be correct.

 

hmmm what about basic where sam jackson is wearing specialist rank the whole movie?

and yes, i am infantry. and you're right. it DOES not happen that way. IF you're lucky you get it in 10 minutes. THEN, IF you're lucky, they are ON target.