There’s a couple very interesting reports that made it through the transom this week which I couldn’t fit into the last writeup as they’re a bit adjacent to main developments. But nevertheless, they offer some fascinating views on the Ukrainian conflict, particularly some of the details of its origins.
Nov 22, 2023·edited Nov 22, 2023Liked by Simplicius
Reading this interview with "Fritz" and why he is called that sounds like a bad movie trope... You know what they say, reality is stranger than fiction...
So about the 3 hours late thing. I think this might be due to the fact that once you get a platoon or company within artillery range, you have to assume you'll be spotted and shot at within 10-15 mins. So you have to relocate, which makes it tough to cue up units to exploit or support the ongoing fight.
Fritz's interview brings the war down to earth. The admission of Polish involvement blew me away. Simplicius' explanation, stoking the fires of my interest.
"It was all a sort of heady whirligig of patriotism and puissance and that old-time grainy newsreel squeaky-Gramophone jazz American glory that was like a warm fur-coat of comfort about the sagging shoulders of these mentally traumatized Ukrainian fleischsoldaten."
To be fair, US training programs are pretty good. But the reason the Gulf war was a success was not because of the Bradleys or Abrams, or NATO magic fairy dust, it was because of rigorous planning and training. I believe their mechanized brigades trained a whole year specifically for the initial opening offensive, against an inferiour force in both equipment, readiness and competence. But even if the equipments were reversed, i.e. the Iraqis had the NATO gear and the US had the knockoff Soviet gear, the outcpme would not have changed much. Ukraine never stood a chance of winning this offensive, and not because NATO gear is superior or inferior, but because they were set up for failure on so many levels from the start.
Nov 22, 2023·edited Nov 22, 2023Liked by Simplicius
Old Fritz still wants to fight with no legs...The Ukrainians obstinacy is to be admired. I often say it takes Russians to beat Russians and this is the best force Russia could possibly face. NATO chumps would be crying for momma in two weeks. Ukraine comes up short this time just based on superior #'s of Russians proper and better/more materials of Russia but no other European army could beat Ukrainians.
Ukrainians that live will make very good Russian Soldiers when this is all over.
Great article - thanks. One question I have had for a while, is the extent of big unit training - that is the ability of units like the 47th to operate in units larger than a company? It seems to me that the failure to attack with co-ordinated masses of troops might have been due to the fact that whilst small unit and weapons training was undertaken, battalion and brigade size operations were not extensively practised. Does the first report give any indication of this? From what you write, it suggests a validation of my view.
"Admittedly, Russia too learned this lesson the hard way in the opening of the war"
You don't accept the Kiev operation was a feint in order to lock down half of AFU in Kiev in order for real push to secure land bridge? Here allow General Van Riper to explain.
Two comments. The amx-10 is no bad vehicle either. In fact it and particularly its sensors and the accuracy of its gun at long range got a lot of praise, as one would expect from a scout vehicle. Where things went sideways was when it was used like a tank.
Concerning the almost crash of the Polish Boeing; the pilot having to fight his own stick rather sounds like the cause that brought down the two 737Max some years ago. So maybe nothing sinister about that, although I don't know whether the NG-version has a similar problem as the MAX.
Well, you also have to take into account that this Fritz guy would not likely say bad things about the people who got him things "for free", like biting the hand that feeds.
Nothing new on the Polish politicians, bark and no talk like the chihuagua meme. They are traitors that sold themselves to the US.
"But a BMP-3 is a whole ‘nother story—I’ll take that anyday over the Bradley." And let's not even talk about the latest upgrade to the BMP-3 with the engine at the front, that's a first class IFV with the power of that 100mm gun and a VERY LOW turret. First class all the way.
Fritz sounds like a brainless meat pack, unable to grasp anything or get a meaningful conclusion. The Ukranian people happen to be some of the dumber offspring on earth and they are doomed to extinction. Fritz will go back to the front, crawling just to meet prengnant women, teenagers and teethless retired babushkas in the trench. Its almost comical. We have to take Crimea, boy! Their British masters must laugh in tears while recalling the Ukranian anecdotes round a pint of ale in the pub. Ukraine showed us the fate of the western LGTB, rave, soccer, porn, facebook, mall, nike populaces just as an appetizer. This Fritz is hopeless human waste. Russia is going to settle their Ukranian pain in the ass for the next couple of centuries. And rightly so. Add to that their NATO problem to. NATO is fully operating in Ukraine, all their members, with the excention of posibly Hungary, Turkey and maybe Slovakia. All the rest are full in, inclusing traditional allies to Russia like Greece, Bulgaria or Italy. So it wouldnt make much difference to openly engage NATO, because they are already doing it. Undoubtedly, Russia is the big winner of this war. Poland wins too. And the loses are, first Germany, then France and Italy whose industrial investments in Russia are now gone. Finally the US and Britain, whose plans to tear Russia into peaces using Ukraine and massive grab of Ukrainian assets failed miserably.
Reading this interview with "Fritz" and why he is called that sounds like a bad movie trope... You know what they say, reality is stranger than fiction...
Again, your pace of production is amazing. And the quality outstanding. As always many thanks.
Another one bites the dust;
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-11-21/australian-joel-stremski-killed-ukraine-battling-russians/103128292
any word on more Challenger Tanks burning? Really really wanna see some BURN!!!
So about the 3 hours late thing. I think this might be due to the fact that once you get a platoon or company within artillery range, you have to assume you'll be spotted and shot at within 10-15 mins. So you have to relocate, which makes it tough to cue up units to exploit or support the ongoing fight.
Fritz's interview brings the war down to earth. The admission of Polish involvement blew me away. Simplicius' explanation, stoking the fires of my interest.
Earth, wind, and fire. :)
Fantastically interesting piece.
And some great writing!
This line was brilliant:
"It was all a sort of heady whirligig of patriotism and puissance and that old-time grainy newsreel squeaky-Gramophone jazz American glory that was like a warm fur-coat of comfort about the sagging shoulders of these mentally traumatized Ukrainian fleischsoldaten."
Simplicius - and I don’t say this lightly - you are a marvel.
To be fair, US training programs are pretty good. But the reason the Gulf war was a success was not because of the Bradleys or Abrams, or NATO magic fairy dust, it was because of rigorous planning and training. I believe their mechanized brigades trained a whole year specifically for the initial opening offensive, against an inferiour force in both equipment, readiness and competence. But even if the equipments were reversed, i.e. the Iraqis had the NATO gear and the US had the knockoff Soviet gear, the outcpme would not have changed much. Ukraine never stood a chance of winning this offensive, and not because NATO gear is superior or inferior, but because they were set up for failure on so many levels from the start.
Old Fritz still wants to fight with no legs...The Ukrainians obstinacy is to be admired. I often say it takes Russians to beat Russians and this is the best force Russia could possibly face. NATO chumps would be crying for momma in two weeks. Ukraine comes up short this time just based on superior #'s of Russians proper and better/more materials of Russia but no other European army could beat Ukrainians.
Ukrainians that live will make very good Russian Soldiers when this is all over.
Great article - thanks. One question I have had for a while, is the extent of big unit training - that is the ability of units like the 47th to operate in units larger than a company? It seems to me that the failure to attack with co-ordinated masses of troops might have been due to the fact that whilst small unit and weapons training was undertaken, battalion and brigade size operations were not extensively practised. Does the first report give any indication of this? From what you write, it suggests a validation of my view.
"Admittedly, Russia too learned this lesson the hard way in the opening of the war"
You don't accept the Kiev operation was a feint in order to lock down half of AFU in Kiev in order for real push to secure land bridge? Here allow General Van Riper to explain.
https://imetatronink.substack.com/p/a-former-us-marine-corps-officershtml
Two comments. The amx-10 is no bad vehicle either. In fact it and particularly its sensors and the accuracy of its gun at long range got a lot of praise, as one would expect from a scout vehicle. Where things went sideways was when it was used like a tank.
Concerning the almost crash of the Polish Boeing; the pilot having to fight his own stick rather sounds like the cause that brought down the two 737Max some years ago. So maybe nothing sinister about that, although I don't know whether the NG-version has a similar problem as the MAX.
Well, you also have to take into account that this Fritz guy would not likely say bad things about the people who got him things "for free", like biting the hand that feeds.
Nothing new on the Polish politicians, bark and no talk like the chihuagua meme. They are traitors that sold themselves to the US.
Great as always, thank you!!!
"But a BMP-3 is a whole ‘nother story—I’ll take that anyday over the Bradley." And let's not even talk about the latest upgrade to the BMP-3 with the engine at the front, that's a first class IFV with the power of that 100mm gun and a VERY LOW turret. First class all the way.
Fritz sounds like a brainless meat pack, unable to grasp anything or get a meaningful conclusion. The Ukranian people happen to be some of the dumber offspring on earth and they are doomed to extinction. Fritz will go back to the front, crawling just to meet prengnant women, teenagers and teethless retired babushkas in the trench. Its almost comical. We have to take Crimea, boy! Their British masters must laugh in tears while recalling the Ukranian anecdotes round a pint of ale in the pub. Ukraine showed us the fate of the western LGTB, rave, soccer, porn, facebook, mall, nike populaces just as an appetizer. This Fritz is hopeless human waste. Russia is going to settle their Ukranian pain in the ass for the next couple of centuries. And rightly so. Add to that their NATO problem to. NATO is fully operating in Ukraine, all their members, with the excention of posibly Hungary, Turkey and maybe Slovakia. All the rest are full in, inclusing traditional allies to Russia like Greece, Bulgaria or Italy. So it wouldnt make much difference to openly engage NATO, because they are already doing it. Undoubtedly, Russia is the big winner of this war. Poland wins too. And the loses are, first Germany, then France and Italy whose industrial investments in Russia are now gone. Finally the US and Britain, whose plans to tear Russia into peaces using Ukraine and massive grab of Ukrainian assets failed miserably.