Classic Battlefield Tours’ Post

From World War II to modern conflicts like those in Ukraine, tanks have been a crucial part of warfare, evolving from the mechanized advancements of the Industrial Revolution. #Tanks #ArmoredVehicles #ModernWarfare #MilitaryHistory #WorldWarII #UkraineConflict #MechanizedWarfare #IndustrialRevolution #WarTech #BattlefieldTechnology #MilitaryInnovation #TankBattles #HistoricTanks #MilitaryAdvancements #WarfareEvolution #Slashgear https://lnkd.in/gvFz6CM4

We in the Western Hemisphere don’t always hear much about Eastern history, so we’re sometimes taken by surprise. Take, for instance, the Ilyushin Il-2, the most-produced combat aircraft in history. Soviet military tactics always focused heavily on ground maneuvers – a fact that persists in today’s Russia – so it’s perhaps unsurprising that an armored ground-support aircraft featured prominently on the Army’s wish list since the early 1930s. Though it didn’t enter production until a few months before Hitler invaded the Soviet Union, the Il-2 would soon gain a strong reputation among soldiers on both sides. The Il-2 was unique among WWII planes in that its 700 kilograms of armor made up part of its monocoque structure. Unfortunately, for the rear-facing gunners, this armor was thinnest at the rear. There were two wing-mounted 23mm cannons along with a rear-facing 12.7mm UBT machine gun, and some examples got forward-facing 7.62mm guns as well. The plane could also be fitted with antitank rockets, 100-kg bombs, or anti-armor cluster bombs. All the craft’s weapons suffered from poor accuracy, though, and experienced pilots leaned heavily on the cannons. The Il-2’s effectiveness is a point of contention. Apocryphal stories from the Battle of Kursk claim more tank kills than there were tanks in theater. Historians contend that the German losses came almost exclusively from ground-based weapons. There’s no denying the plane’s reputation, though. German soldiers dubbed it “the flying tank” and “black death.” Luftwaffe pilots called it the “concrete bomber.” Over 36,000 Il-2s were built and served across the Eastern Front through the end of the war. Only time will tell if Russia presses them back into service 80 years later! #aviationhistory #aircraftinteriors #refurbishment #noisereduction

#Dome vs. hashtag #Drone; hashtag #Tank vs. hashtag #Tiller!! Let's # predict who &/or which commodity or products of # businesses or # politics shall # dominate the # next decades; # Agriculture/Food grain, oil/fuel, health care, aviation, # fighters, # sub-marines, # tank, # missiles or # drone!! Just think , because of rapid spread of AI and in-obstruct-able other digital - remotely-controlled ever developing technologies, it may easily and so economically be possible to make, within ten to twenty years, Ababil or hamming-birds-like toy-type micro drones (to cost in future-value-costing at best @1(one) dollar per piece) even by a remote controlled - toy mechanic individually or in a small workshop and can also easily use flammable / igniting sodium like metal or materials as ammunition! The challenge for the world is : if say, #1(One) # million of those so tiny # birds-toy-like- self-propelled, auto-pilot or remotely controlled # drones are made by some small and scattered # terrorist group and sent at a time / simultaneously or one after another with say, one/two minutes interval to/in the air/sky over the state or # military- base of # super # powers who in spite of having so super defense system and millions of conventional or non-conventional atomic wire-head with super sonic or ultra-super-sonic missiles of mass destruction; then, # shall they really be able to # resist such a simple and so funny like millions - appearances of metallic identified objects even with their further series of ever advanced versions of so # sophisticated air, land or naval # defense # system !???; I am in doubt! So, my opinion and prediction is: it is not arms, ammunition or other allied products or businesses but agriculture, food and health care products and businesses shall dominate the future world leadership of businesses and politics or Geo-politics whatsoever ! # Therefore, MY OPINION AND ADVICE , priority, path-way and prime mover should and shall go or be given to Agriculture and the Peasants with confirmed related crop and health insurance for the security of # Food, # Health and # employment # for # all so that no one, now or never and no more be compelled to choose to take the # arms instead of # pen ; ride # tank instead of # tiller; think to # destroy instead of # creation for suffering from unemployment, poverty, discrimination and for also being deprived of their basic needs and fundamental rights of freedom and democracy! Regards and best of luck! Mohammed Iqbal Mazumder ACII 27A/6 Dhakeshwari Road, P.O: Posta-1211, Lalbagh, Dhaka, Bangladesh Mobile No. +8801817565695 E-mail: [email protected]

ETERNAL WAR STATE ⚫ Is existing in an eternal-war-state part of the human condition (or are only certain individuals afflicted)? "The bombard is a type of cannon or mortar which was used throughout the Late Middle Ages and the early modern period. Bombards were mainly large calibre, muzzle-loading artillery pieces used during sieges to shoot round stone projectiles at the walls of enemy fortifications, enabling troops to break in. Most bombards were made of iron and used gunpowder to launch the projectiles." (wikipedia) This largest known example (pictured) weighs 8-ton, is over 2.5 metres in length and capable of firing 31-inch / 690 kg stone balls 2,000 feet. 🖼 image credit: wikipedia #Belligerence #WarPredisposition #EternalWarState

Shermans in Russia during WW2 Under Lend-Lease, 4,102 M4A2 medium tanks were sent to the Soviet Union. Of these, 2,007 were equipped with the original 75 mm main gun, with 2,095 mounting the more capable 76 mm gun. The total number of Sherman tanks sent to the USSR under Lend-Lease represented 18.6% of all Lend-Lease Shermans. The first 76 mm-armed M4A2 Shermans started to arrive in the Soviet Union in the late summer of 1944. The Soviet records reported the receiving of 3,664 tanks; the difference was mainly due to deliveries being sunk on the way and discrepancies between the United States and Soviet Union archives. The Red Army considered the M4A2 to be much less prone to catch fire due to ammunition detonation than the T-34/76, but the M4A2 had a higher tendency to overturn in road accidents and collisions or because of rough terrain than the T-34 due to its higher center of gravity. By 1945, some Red Army armored units were equipped entirely with the Sherman. Such units included the 1st Guards Mechanized Corps, the 3rd Guards Mechanized Corps , and the 9th Guards Mechanized Corps, amongst others. According to Soviet tanker Dmitriy Loza, the Sherman was held in good regard and viewed positively by many Soviet tank crews, with compliments given to its reliability, ease of maintenance, generally good firepower (referring especially to the 76 mm gun version) as well as an auxiliary power unit (APU) to keep the tank's batteries charged without having to run the main engine, as was required on the T-34. However, according to Soviet tank crews, the Sherman also had disadvantages, the greatest being its high center of gravity and the ease of hitting it by enemy fire. The Sherman’s relatively narrow-set tracks struggled to negotiate muddy terrain compared to the wider-set tracks of the T-34 or German Panther tank.

Since 1949. 75 years ago, the AK-47 rifle was adopted into service. Its reliability, effectiveness, and ease of use have made the Kalashnikov rifle the most widely used weapon in the world. Mikhail Kalashnikov, the genius behind this masterpiece, gave the world a tool that's seen more action than a summer blockbuster. It's like the "Swiss Army knife" of firearms—if your cheese slices were a global revolution. This rifle's been in the hands of everyone from soldiers to rebels, crossing borders and causing mayhem. It's probably the only thing both sides in a conflict can agree on. Love it or fear it, its impact is undeniable. The AK-47: turning geopolitical disputes into high-stakes action films since 1949. #AK47 #Geopolitics #militarytechnology #technology #defencetechnology #Guns #History

Alright trying something different - #Fires Friday - Artillery things of note this week ⬇️ 1️⃣ Qatar is sending PzH2000s to Ukraine in exchange for Germany supplying RCH 155mm Mobile Fires. There was once a time when a tracked self propelled howitzer was the gold standard - and Guns on a Truck reviled. KNDS Deutschland's Artillery Gun Module + Rheinmetall modular Boxer 8×8 chassis isn't exactly a GOAT but gone are the days when if it wasn't tracked it didn't count (Land 17 Phase 2). Interesting to see Qatar overtly supporting Ukraine as well. ⬇️ https://lnkd.in/gvUZq2QT 2️⃣ Hanwah has a GOAT in the works. I'm surprised this hasn't happened earlier or been more widely marketed, but Hanwah appears to be utilising its highly successful K9 turret and a 8x8 wheeled tractor to offer a competitor to the reinvigorated KNDS Nexter Caesar GOAT offering. The lower cost, lighter weight and increased maneuverability of a GOAT are driving take up by numerous countries on both sides of the NATO / Arc of Autocracy divide. Could be a great option for Australia to consider should the opportunity arise. ⬇️ https://lnkd.in/gxSd2MBf 3️⃣ Don't over do the Precision in your Munitions. A trend I'm noticing is a high degree of focus on long range precision. Precision is not a panacea when your near peer competitors operate world leading electronic warfare capabilities down to the tactical level. Million dollar missiles miles off the mark = an ongoing need for unguided munitions like the mighty 155mm high explosive round. Comments from 3 x 4 Star Generals in the article below ⬇️ https://lnkd.in/gB9-bZKZ #Artillery #FiresFriday #ReadyNow #FutureReady #GodsofWar

Pentagon Announces $1 Billion-Plus in New Saudi Arms Sales Lockheed Martin, RTX Corporation, and potentially other U.S. companies stand to benefit. Rich Smith October 12, 2024 The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress Friday that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia intends to purchase more than $1 billion worth of missiles and tank and artillery and machine gun ammunition in a series of three foreign arms sales announcements. Specifically, Saudi Arabia has asked permission to purchase: 2,503 AGM-114R3 Hellfire II air-to-ground missiles from Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) for $655 million. 220 AIM-9X Block II Sidewinder air-to-air missiles from RTX Corporation (NYSE: RTX) for $252 million. “Various types of tank, howitzer, and machine gun ammunition; propelling charges; fuzes; primers; grenades,” including 10,000 rounds of M456 series 105mm High Explosive Anti-Tank Tracer cartridges. The latter will be drawn from both existing U.S. Army stockpiles and new production. The companies providing new stock have not yet been determined. https://lnkd.in/gm3rZCmj

Friends It pains me to know the obvious, and I am stunned at how quiet the truth is … For WW1 AND WW2, the USA out produced the USA of today by enormous ammounts of war stocks … Here is just one critical example relative for today’s World War in Ukraine: The US, after knowing for TEN years Russia has wanted to destroy a Free Ukraine, still ‘hopes’ to produce 100,000 rounds of 155mm ammunition per month next year. Much of our current production replenishes what we consumed in Afghanistan. In 1942, we were producing 300,000 rounds per month, easily. With three years notice, we easily outperformed the USA of today by over 3 to 1. And the 155 was not the main artillery gun of WW2, the 105 was. And our ‘planners’ say we must be ready to pivot towards China? Do you think we can pivot to China? Do you think the USA has lost her leadership position in the world? Or, is my example just an anomaly? Roy

Russia designs Titan rifle for commandos The rifle is reliable with precise and dense fire MOSCOW, November 26/ Semiautomatic Titan rifle of .308 caliber was designed for commandos. It is lighter than analogues, enjoys high precision and is already engaged in the zone of the Ukrainian operation, the Izvestia daily reported quoting SWC producer company. "Semiautomatic Titan rifle of .308 caliber has been designed for Russian special task units. It can be used as a sniper or assault rifle. Experts say the new universal rifle has good characteristics and is in demand of scouts and commandos," it said. The rifle is reliable with precise and dense fire. "The density is 0.3 minutes of angle. It means a hit into a circle of less than one centimeter in diameter from a distance of 100 meters. The .308 caliber cartridge is powerful and reliable. Russia produces it in various options, including armor piercing. Therefore, the rifle is popular among the Russian military," the company said. #business #finance #financialservices