[The KG9 Kid]

Recent events prompt this old Chechen thread to surface from the archives:

RUSSIAN ARMY LESSONS LEARNED FROM THE BATTLE OF GROZNY

Interesting pre-9/11 comments in that thread too.

[Stultis]

Good find. Excellent thread to be reviewing at this time. The following paragraph is commended to those who scoff at the logistical excesses which have typically characterized modern American military deployments:

11. Both the physical and mental health of the Russian units began to decline almost immediately upon initiation of high intensity combat. In less than a month, almost 20% of the Russian soldiers were suffering from viral hepatitis (very serious, very debilitating, slow recovery). Most had chronic diarrhea and upper respiratory infections that turned to pneumonia easily. This was blamed on the breakdown of logistical support that meant units had to drink contaminated water. Unit sanitary discipline broke down almost completely.

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3. The psychological impact of high intensity urban combat is so intense units should maintain a large reserve that will allow them to rotate units in and out of combat. If you do this, you can preserve a unit for a fairly long time. If you don’t, once it gets used up, it can’t be rebuilt.

4. Training and discipline are paramount. You can accomplish nothing without them. You may need to do the training in the combat zone. Discipline must be demanded. Once it begins to slip, the results are disastrous.