Halevi.

This is coolbert:

"We shall go on to the end. We shall fight in France, we shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, we shall defend our island, whatever the cost may be. We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets" - W. S. Churchill.

That from the famous speech of Churchill 1940. See the whole text and additional good stuff of interest. 

This Israeli general officer Herzi Halevi must have been reading too much Churchill!

From https://www.breitbart.com | the article by JOEL B. POLLAK | 31 Oct 2023.

Here with the speech of the general to his troops prior to massive Israeli entry into Gaza:

"Stations of the Southern Command, attention:

We are going into the attack against Hamas and the terror organizations in the Gaza Strip.

Our objective is one: victory.

It does not make a difference how long the fight will be, how difficult. There is no result other than victory.

We will fight in professionally and powerfully, in the light of the values of the IDF in which we were trained, the first of which is commitment to the mission, and the pursuit of victory.

We will fight them in the alleys, we will fight them in the tunnels, we will fight them wherever it is necessary.

And we will strike the abominable enemy against which we stand.

My brother soldiers: the residents of Be’eri, Sderot, Nir Oz, Kfar Aza, and the towns of the western Negev, and with them all the nation of Israel — everyone is watching us at this time.

Like me, they are relying on you, and they believe in you.

You are the generation of victory.

Attention: embark on your missions, strike the enemy. Over and out"

I hate to be pedantic but "over and out" is incorrect! Either over OR out but not both!

"pedantic: adjective - Characterized by a narrow, often ostentatious concern for academic knowledge and formal rules."

coolbert.

Fire!

This is coolbert:

Within context of the Gaza War see from the archives of The New York Times during that era of the American Civil War.

"New-York, Saturday, October 31, 1863."

"Supplemental News."

"CHARLESTON."

"Three Heavy Guns Turned upon the City."

"'Greek Fire' Shell Thrown Into its Heart."

"Our batteries on the Islands at work."

"The Enemy Surprised, and Reply Reservedly."

"FOUR MONITORS IN POSITION."

"Doubts about the Seriousness of the Assault."

Comments:

* Greek fire as defined during the American Civil War: "'Greek fire.' This was a special chemical combination that looked like water but, when exposed to air, after a delay, would ignite in flames."

* Monitor warships: "shallow-draught armored shore bombardment vessels [having big-bore guns]"

Charleston and South Carolina that city and state USA perceived by the Union forces the American Civil War that locale where the rebellion of the Southern states began. A city meriting and worthy of being on the receiving end of extreme measures.

Charleston 1863 in for a rough time. Gaza 2023 in for a rough time also.

coolbert.

Mirage.

This is coolbert:

Sounds easy! Too easy! The magic bullet the Ukraine Conflict. Or rather the magic missile the Ukraine Conflict should I say?

ATACMS and HIMARS the war-winning measure? 

1. "Army Tactical Missile System could finally break Russia’s spine"

From https://www.wearethemighty.com | the article by Logan Nye | Oct 23, 2023.

"Weeks ago, this author celebrated the liberation of Robotyne. Robotyne marked Ukrainian forces officially reaching the point where they could launch HIMARS strikes against the M14/E58 road that runs along the coast of the Sea of Azov. That meant Ukraine could, technically, sever the land bridge with fires."

"Ukraine could choke Russian forces over the long winter of food, ammo, fuel, and, most importantly, winter clothing."

An effective and continuous bombardment of the M14/E58 road by ATACMS will mean a rapid and quick end to the Conflict? I am doubtful.

2. "THE PRESIDENT SHOULD APPROVE THIS LAST WEAPON SYSTEM  AND IT WILL HELP WIN THE WAR:  M26/M26A1 HIMARS ROCKETS"

https://smallwarsjournal.com |  article by Dan Rice  | 10/29/2023.

"The United States can help Ukraine win the war with one final decision:  Send the short to mid-range HIMARS cluster rockets in large quantities. We have tens of thousands of these rockets, and they are all being scheduled for destruction. They are obsolete. But they remain lethally effective."

American HIMARS rocket artillery rounds of an antiquated variety stockpiled USA in an abundance and awaiting destruction. Send to Ukraine and fire them all off. Stockpiled outmoded ammunition done away with with at ZERO cost. 

Personally I doubt that the Russian killed-in-action 300,000 troops at this juncture of the Conflict. More like 300,000 total casualties KIA, POW, MIA, WIA combined. 

Calculations of Dan Rice too neat and clean, too precise to be real-world. Formulae of such sort rarely if ever battlefield accurate!

I must admit this Dan Rice does have an impressive curriculum vitae [CV]. And is an artillery officer. Presumably he does know what he is talking about.

But again, sounds easy! Too easy! War over, lickety-split fashion, Ukraine prevails. More than likely a mirage!

coolbert.

Amalek.

This is coolbert:

"Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel in Rephidim." - Exodus 17:8

 Think at this exact moment in time not the Islamic State 2017 but rather Hamas 2023.

"Military Intelligence Analyst Identifies ISIS as Ancient Nemesis Amalek"

From https://www.israel365news.com | BIBLICAL NEWS | article by Adam Eliyahu Berkowitz | APRIL 27, 2017.

"The violent, ongoing conflict between Egypt and the Islamic State currently raging in the Sinai is a reenactment of the Biblical confrontation between Israel and Amalek, even taking place on the same battlefield, pointed out a military analyst who has turned to the Bible to make sense of current events."

"Exodus tells of the legendary battle between Amalek, the ancestral enemy of the Jewish people, and the Israelites, which took place in a place called Rephidim, located in the Egyptian desert."

"Two thousand years later, a new battle against Israel’s enemies is being staged in exactly the same place: an Egyptian airfield in Bir Gafgafa, which is located precisely on the Biblical site of Rephidim in the Sinai Peninsula."

More than likely greater than three-thousand years ago and not two-thousand!

"The connection was made, surprisingly, by Debka Files, an Israeli military intelligence website. Giora Shamis, the editor of the website, immediately saw the Biblical context as the framework for understanding a situation that pits ISIS-affiliated fighters against Egypt"

Bir Gafgafa a considerable distance from Gaza. Amalek seen in historical terms both literally and figuratively as the eternal enemy of the Hebrews. Perpetual warfare of everlasting adversaries, yesterday, today, tomorrow, forever?

coolbert.

Prophetic.

This is coolbert:

"Thus said Hashem: Do not learn to go the way of the nations, And do not be dismayed by portents in the sky; Let the nations be dismayed by them!" - JEREMIAH 10:2. (THE ISRAEL BIBLE)

GREAT SIGNS AND PORTENTS IN THE HEAVENS. THE GAZA WAR?

"The solar eclipse and the attack on Israel"

From https://www.israel365news.com | BIBLICAL NEWS | the article by Adam Eliyahu Berkowitz | OCTOBER 18, 2023.

"As the horrific Hamas attack against Israel on Saturday captured the world’s attention, an event with dire prophetic implications took place with little fanfare’ a Ring of Fire solar eclipse passed over the United States."

"The eclipse was visible along a path covering parts of the United States, Mexico and several countries in Central America and South America, beginning in Oregon at 9:13 a.m. PT (12:13 p.m. ET) and ending off the Atlantic coast of Brazil at 3:48 p.m. ET."

An eclipse annular rather than total! Nonetheless creates a sense of foreboding! Some sort of Biblical prophecy is being fulfilled?

NATIONS OF THE WORLD BEWARE BUT ONLY THOSE THAT FOLLOW THE SOLAR CALENDAR.

The last time an annular eclipse seen within the context of mortal combat action the Battle of Isandlwana 1879. British versus Zulu. Eclipse actually darkening the battlefield a spectacle that could hardly be seen by participants as less than some sort of omen!

coolbert.

Lancet II.

This is coolbert:

“It’s important to understand that these drones are quite expensive, costing, according to some sources, a couple of million rubles [about $21,200 US, ed.]. Therefore, the drone’s target must be more expensive than that – a tank, a self-propelled artillery unit, a HIMARS launcher, etc,” - Viktor Litovkin.

More Russian Lancet combat drone stuff. Thanks to https://sputnikglobe.com

"Russia’s Lancet Drones Just Got Deadlier: Here’s Why"

"First appearing on the battlefield in limited numbers in Ukraine in 2022, ZALA Lancet loitering munitions gained international attention this spring and summer, when they were used en masse to target Ukrainian military equipment ranging from vehicles and tanks to artillery and even naval gunboats during Kiev’s attempted counteroffensive."

This Litovkin correct! The cost of whatever target destroyed must exceed by a considerable margin the cost of the drone. Judicious use of Lancet drones mandated!

Dig that wing configuration the drone when launched. From what I read I can reasonably [?] infer the Lancet latest version has electro-optic sensors programmed to pick out from the background clutter the image of a high-value [in the sense of monetary value] target of whatever type. A tank, artillery firing piece, multiple-rocket launcher.

Lancet now has an autonomous "hunt" capability and swarm feature?

See previous blog the topic Russian Lancet combat drone:

https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2023/08/lancet-3.html

https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2022/11/lancet.html

coolbert.

Yardstick.

This is coolbert:

For Official Use Only but also as available to and can understood by the dabbler or just plain old ordinary average citizen.

"Defense Intelligence – communicating probability"

Have you ever wondered why Defense Intelligence uses terms like “unlikely” or “realistic possibility” when we assess Russia’s war in Ukraine?

From: https://www.gov.uk | Ministry of Defense | 17 February 2023.

"A common yardstick to convey the language of uncertainty was developed by Defense Intelligence in the early 2000s, and an updated form is now in use across the UK intelligence assessment community. This ensures that government officials understand how likely it is that an event will or did occur."

"The yardstick splits the probability scale into seven distinct numerical ranges. Terms are assigned to each probability range. The yardstick was informed by academic research and corresponds to the average reader’s understanding of each term. The scale is not continuous to avoid a false impression of accuracy."

Keep in mind the intelligence business is a difficult business. First your adversary whoever that be is constantly engaged in all sorts of measures to conceal what is deemed secret. Secondly your foe can and will employ a plan of deception to deceive you. Separating the wheat from the chaff and the true from the false difficult at best.

Probability of some event in the "almost certain" category only 5 % of the time!!

coolbert.

Bloodbath.

This is coolbert:

When nationalist Russian mil bloggers are "harshly critical" of ANY Russian military operation you KNOW something is VERY wrong!

That latest UK MoD intelligence update the situation Russian offensive the city of Avdiivka.

Yet one more bloodbath siege the Ukraine Conflict. First Bakhmut and now Avdviika. Adversaries both of them stubborn and determined! In the American manner of organizing military forces, eight brigades would be a Corps ++ scale operation. Russian victory will be seen as pyrrhic in nature? The gain not worth the expenditure of men and material?

coolbert.

Civilization.

This is coolbert:

Here for the novitiate some You Tube Shorts explaining the technology some of the various weaponry as used by the combatants the Ukraine Conflict:

"A cluster munition is a form of air-dropped or ground-launched explosive weapon that releases or ejects smaller submunitions. Commonly, this is a cluster bomb that ejects explosive bomblets that are designed to kill personnel and destroy vehicles."

"The AHEAD ammunition (Advanced Hit efficiency and destruction, improved hit effectiveness and destruction) . . . is also called KETF ammunition designated. kinetic energy time fuze, time-ignited ammunition of kinetic energy “), which describes how the ammunition works." German Gepard anti-aircraft weapon system in use by the Ukrainian firing AHEAD rounds with effectiveness against kamikaze combat drones.

American ATACMS now being used by the Ukrainian and delivering a DPICM round: "A dual-purpose improved conventional munition (DPICM) is an artillery or surface-to-surface missile warhead designed to burst into submunitions at an optimum altitude and distance from the desired target for dense area coverage. The submunitions use both shaped charges for the anti-armor role, and fragmentation for the antipersonnel role, hence the nomenclature 'dual-purpose'."

“you can't say civilization don't advance, in every war they kill you in a new way”

― will rogers.

How true!

coolbert.

CG USA.

This is coolbert:

See this You Tube short, American Coast Guard [CG] in action boarding a narco-submarine the open ocean.

 As posted on Twitter by Jorens@TRUEJORENS

   

Devoted readers to the blog can refer to the H. I. Sutton narco-submarine guide for further details.

American Coast Guard? Coast Guard special operations unit board a narco-submarine in the manner of naval warfare during the time of sail. 

That listing of Coast Guard special operations level trained personnel quite extensive. Beyond anything I thought ever existed. Quite a revelation really!

* Deployable Operations Group [DOG].

* Tactical Law Enforcement Teams [TACLET].

* Maritime Security Response Team [MRST].

* National Strike Force [NSF].

* Regional Dive Lockers.

* Naval Coastal Warfare.   

Back in my day decades ago now, volunteering for the Coast Guard was seen as a honorable way for young men to serve their country without having to worry about being killed or having to kill on a battlefield. 

You saved lives rather than taking them! Times surely have changed. And for the worse too!!

coolbert.

Inflation!

This is coolbert:

Cost inflation during wartime monumental. Demand far exceeding manufacturing capacity!

"155 mm shells price is growing – $8.6 million for 1,000 units"

From https://bulgarianmilitary.com |  the article by Boyko Nikolov | Oct 25, 2023.

"The head of the NATO military committee, Admiral Rob Bauer, announced the current prices of conventional artillery 155-mm ammunition, which can really just shock. Because according to him, now their price is €8 million euros for one piece [a thousand rounds] of ammunition."

One thousand artillery rounds 155 mm the cost €8 million euros or $8.6 million USD! Whoa boy!

"This 'price' is much higher than the current estimates, which were formed based on the Rheinmetall contract for last year, according to which one 155-mm projectile costs €3.3 thousand euros."

See links here and here further discussion of that same inflated cost a single 155 mm artillery round!

"The reasons for such a gallop in the price from €2 thousand euros at the level of 2021 to four times are quite clear: the need for a huge amount of artillery ammunition against the background of their relatively small current production. That is a deficit."

Increased production a long way off. A huge investment in fabrication facilities and assembly line production first must be made. Time plus money needed and fast!

As usual refer to the wiki entry "The Shell Crisis" of 1915. How some things never change!

coolbert.

Stunning!

This is coolbert:

"'It's more dangerous than the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962. And with each passing day, we're getting closer to setting the world on fire,' . . . 'nobody's taking their foot off the accelerator' . . . 'just sort of stunning.'" - Larry Johnson. 

The Gaza Crisis more dangerous that the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962? I am sure this is debatable!

"Palestinian-Israeli Conflict ‘More Dangerous Than Cuban Missile Crisis’ – Ex-CIA Analyst"

Polarization in the world order combined with the perception by the Israeli of an existential threat!

From https://sputnikglobe.com | Russian controlled [?] media.

"The latest escalation of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict may further deteriorate if Iran decides to get involved and if the US continues to view Russia and China as enemies, Larry Johnson, an author and ex-Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) analyst, told Sputnik."

"The situation surrounding a new escalation of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict shows no sign of getting resolved, with Tel Aviv already into the third week of its bombardment of the Gaza Strip, currently under a full blockade."

"These developments are unfolding as the US signals its full-fledged support for Israel, while Arab nations and Iran have indicated their intent to lend a helping hand to the Palestinians."

The Executive branch USA has formed an EXCOMM to monitor the Gaza situation and make further decisions regarding same? The circumstances of a very fluidic and chaotic crisis mandate that this be so. EXCOMM or analogous does exist, up and running?

Cuban Missile Crisis 1962 the ONLY instance where American military forces placed at a readiness level DEFCON 2. And in that instance the increased readiness status ONLY applied to the Strategic Air Command, nuclear-equipped units.

coolbert.

Yair I.

This is coolbert:

“'Yair is enjoying his life at Miami Beach while I’m on the front lines,' . . .  'It’s us who are leaving our work, our families, our kids, to protect our families back home and the country, not the people who are responsible for this situation,' . . . 'Our brothers, our fathers, sons, are all going to the front line, but Yair is still not here. It does not help build trust in the leadership of the country.'”

NOT GOOD FOR OPTICS! NOT GOOD AT ALL!! YAIR! SON OF THE ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER!

"Israel soldiers blast Netanyahu's son vacationing on Miami Beach"

From https://www.middleeastmonitor.com |  Middle East Monitor |  October 25, 2023. 

"Israeli soldiers have blasted the son of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for staying in Miami, Florida, while thousands of reserve soldiers have been called up, the Times newspaper reported."

"According to the paper, 32-year-old Yair has been living in Florida since April, doing 'non-profit charity work' while some 360,000 reserve soldiers have been called up to serve in the Israeli army abandoning work and obligations around the world."

The Netanyahu family having quite a distinguished military record really. Jonathan the brother of Benjamin killed during the Entebbe Raid 1976. Benjamin serving in Israeli ranger/commando units during his military service.

Yair a shirker? Yair must return to Israel at once, volunteer for combat duty, see some smoke. Redeem himself.

And do it now too!

coolbert.

Apprize.

This is coolbert:

The top twenty military powers of the world. See the animated You Tube short video.

Courtesy https://www.youtube.com/@1minuteranking

"World military power ranking(2005~2022)"

I am sure a lot of persons will have a problem with this rating scheme. No criteria as mentioned by which such evaluation is done. Atomic weapons included in the calculations?

Those three nations at the very top, USA, China and Russia I don't think anyone has a problem with.

The nation of Israel however their degree of military power understated rather drastically? In 2022 Israel their standing ONLY number eighteen on the list? Israel is generally accepted to be a nuclear power with a capacity of several hundred atomic bombs at their disposal. 

A number of years ago the esteemed Israeli military historian and theoretician Martin van Creveld his appraisal of the Israeli military as either number two or three most powerful in the world. That evaluation undoubtedly based on the professor his calculations to include atomic munitions and the capacity to use same.

Personally I cannot think otherwise.

coolbert.

BS-3.

This is coolbert:

Antique and antiquated Cold War weaponry once AGAIN makes an appearance the Ukraine Conflict.

See my prior blog entry the Soviet-era KS-19 anti-aircraft artillery gun.

"Ukrainian unit fires a 100 mm gun that took part in World War II"

From https://bulgarianmilitary.com |  article by Boyko Nikolov | Oct 21, 2023

"A photograph has surfaced in the public domain, providing evidence that a contingent of the [Ukrainian] military, presumably part of the airborne forces, possesses a 100-mm BS-3 cannon, which was in active production between 1944 and 1951."

"The image showcasing a pristine or relatively new 100 mm shell, held by a military personnel of the BS-3 unit, authenticates the possibility of utilizing this artillery in contemporary warfare against Russian armored vehicles. The photographs in question were disseminated to the public by OSINT analyst Aloha via his Twitter account."

BS-3 the PRIMARY mission an anti-tank gun to be used ordinarily as a direct-fire weapon BUT can also be employed as conventional tube artillery in the INDIRECT fire role.

Apparently BS-3 ammunition incompatible with the T-12 gun also has been spotted in action Ukraine.

The Ukrainian has numbers of these weapons mothballed and warehoused? And I believe IF used in a judicious manner can destroy Russian light armor. Russian beware.

coolbert.

Fallen.

This is coolbert:

"Perhaps this indicates that Israeli officers were actively involved in frontline combat, as part of their military doctrine - commanders lead their subordinates from the front ranks." - Yulia Kaplan.

As has been noted in several prior blog entries, a number of high-ranking Israeli officers have lost their lives in combat since 6 October.

“'Colonel Fall' in Israel: Losses of IDF officers are critical"

ABNORMAL AND CRITICAL BOTH!! 

From https://avia-pro.net | 2023-10-20.

"Following the release of official IDF death tolls, many analysts and observers noted the high percentage of senior officers among the dead. This issue came up on the agenda and caused a wide resonance."

"Of the 170 military personnel killed, 24 were senior officers. This represents almost 15% of the total death toll. For an army where senior officers make up a significantly smaller percentage of the total military personnel, such losses seem truly anomalous."

Below is a list of losses only for the first four days: [beginning 6 October]

List of dead Israeli colonels:

Colonel Roy Yosef Levy, Special Forces, "Multi-Domain Unit"

Colonel Yehonatan Steinberg, Nahal Brigade

Lieutenant Colonel Avichai Amsalem, Special Forces Reserve Brigade

Lieutenant Colonel Elim Abdalla Mianuh Jat, Deputy Commander of the 300th Brigade

Lt. Col. Eli Ginsberg, Navy

Lieutenant Colonel Yonatan Tzur, Nahal Brigade

Lieutenant Colonel Sahar Sion Makhlouf, Gaza Division Headquarters.

 -----------------------------------------------

List of dead Israeli majors:

Major Ili Zisser, military intelligence

Major Israel Amichai Witzen, Border Guard Corps

Major Eitan Menachem Naaman, Special Forces Reserve Brigade

Major Uriel Bibi, Parachute Brigade

Major Yuval Gabbay, Law Enforcement Unit

Major Mordechai Shamir Mikir, Golani Brigade

Major Lior ben Yaakov, military police

Major Tal Maman, Military Police

Major Ido Israel Shani, Nahal Brigade

 Major Tal Cohen, Special Forces

 Major Roy Chapel, Nahal Brigade

 Major Peleg Salem, Logistics Officer

 Major Ariel Ben Moshe, Special Forces

 Major Vitaly Skipkevich, special forces

 Major Ido Yehoshua, Air Force Special Forces

 Major Abraham Khovlashovili, Border Guard Corps

 Major Chen Bukhris, Special Forces

 -----------------------------------------------

List of dead Israeli captains:

Captain Ben Bronstein, Special Forces

Captain Yuval Livni, Special Forces Reserve Brigade

Captain Raz Peretz, Golani Brigade

Captain Roy Negri, instructor

Captain Tal Grosh, Nahal Brigade

Captain Or Yosef Ran, Special Forces

----------------------------------------------------

Consequences for the IDF:

"Such losses in command personnel can cause significant problems in the coordination and control of troops. The lack of experienced commanders can also affect the moral and psychological state of the troops."

NOR must we forget the capture of the Israeli retired General Nimrod Aloni as taken hostage. A high-value target if there ever was one!

Personally I totally concur with the observations of Yulia Kaplan. Israeli senior commanders in the thick of the fray, exposing themselves fully 100 % so to the dangers of the personnel under their leadership. Leaders leading!

[P.S. The thought occurred to me that these senior officers took the initiative and formed ad hoc units of whatever armed Israeli they could find and rushed to the area of the incursion without waiting for orders. Senior officers leading about a squad level element into a chaotic situation.

coolbert.

Kometa.

This is coolbert:

The Ukrainian resourceful, resilient, adaptive and innovative!

"Ukrainians using Russian chips for drones – media"

Chips as micro-electronic integrated-circuitry. 

"Kiev’s forces have reportedly been using components [micro-electronic integrated-circuitry] salvaged from Moscow’s suicide UAVs"

From https://www.russiaherald.com via RT.com | 22 Oct 2023.

"The Ukrainian military is using electronic components salvaged from Russian Geran-2 loitering munitions to assemble their own suicide drones, the online outlet Mash reported on Saturday."

"The outlet [Mash] circulated imagery of a Ukrainian homebuilt suicide drone, apparently containing a navigation module from a [Russian] Geran-2 [combat drone]."

"The re-purposed navigation component used in the Ukrainian drone was identified by the outlet as a Kometa (Comet) module that is utilized in Geran-2 drones. The module is said to be located in the wing section of the Russian loitering munition and usually survives impact. The Kometa is said to use the Russian satellite navigation system GLONASS for setting the course of the drone."

GLONASS Russian variety of Global Positioning System. GLONASS in some manner impervious to jamming? GPS guidance for Ukrainian drones subjected to Russian electronic warfare attack too vulnerable!

coolbert.

Mudrak.

This is coolbert:

From the Twitter account of Anton Geraschenko this item I believe as dated from February of this year:

Ukrainian prisoner of the Russian severe malnutrition the cause of death. Poor to non-existent diet the red blood cell count very poor. Not enough oxygen being pumped to vital organs of the body. Heart over-worked and too stressed. Eventual heart failure. You cannot almost believe that is one and the same person the before [left] and after [right] images!

See previous blog entry the Ukrainian prisoner Dianov and his similar mistreatment.

Regarding Anton Geraschenko:

Anton Gerashchenko

@Gerashchenko_en

"Ukrainian patriot. Advisor to the Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine. Founder of the Institute of the Future. Official enemy of Russian propaganda

Social Media Influencer"

coolbert.

Sled.

This is coolbert:

Go figure such a thing. Battle sleds. Carry troops into combat, protection guaranteed?

Sounds preposterous? Does appear to me to be so!

Go see the You Tube Short:

"The battle sled, invented by Brig. Gen. John W. O'Daniel (Truscott's successor as commander of the 3d Division), was half a torpedo shell, just large enough to hold one soldier lying down. Six were hooked together and attached to each side of a tank and the twelve sleds were pulled forward in the paths made by the tank's tracks, enabling an infantry squad to accompany a tank without being exposed to small arms fire and antipersonnel mines"

Does NOT seem to have a great success. An expedient thought to be worth a try at the time. Anzio at one point in the battle the situation dire, conventional methods not working, something had to be tried. Even if outrageous and "preposterous".

coolbert.

Similarities.

This is coolbert:

"The Japanese, despite their extensive preparation of the battlefield, were almost doomed to fail as soon as the Americans had encircled the city. Once isolated, as seen in other urban fights, the defenders lost the ability to resupply, and were consigned to either starving or being rooted out one by one by the advancing Americans. With a force of nearly twenty thousand men, the Japanese should have been able to mount a counterattack and break out from the encirclement of only thirty-five thousand Americans in three divisions, but the lack of coordinated Japanese counterattacks and overall static defensive strategy allowed the Americans to effectively trap the defenders and clear the city."

The Battle of Manila 1945 the most accurate representation of what will be seen if and when a massive Israeli ground force invades Gaza?

"FIGHTING FOR THE PEARL OF THE ORIENT: LESSONS FROM THE BATTLE OF MANILA"

From https://mwi.westpoint.edu | thanks to Benjamin Phocas | 08.01.23.

Devoted readers to the blog strongly encouraged to read the entire Benjamin Phocas article.

Gaza [2023] and Manila [1945] similar with regard to:

* Hamas and the Japanese both fanatical. Battlefield preparations more than ample and well thought out, according to a defensive plan.

* The presence of large number of civilians Gaza and Manila complicating any sort of military operation. A prolonged ground assault Gaza by the IDF will produce a lot of bad optics for the international media as detrimental to the Israeli cause. 

* Gaza and Manila you have the presence of hostages and internees their rescue a primary goal creating difficulties most profound. Israeli hostages of Hamas held Gaza and American POW and civilians held Manila captives of the Japanese!

HEY! DID ANYONE EVER SAY THIS WAS GOING TO BE EASY!

coolbert.

Tourism.

This is coolbert:

Dangerous? Golly? Why would anyone ever think such a thing?

"'Israel to be classified as dangerous': Tourism industry embraces for tough recovery"

"With the war in full swing, tourism comes to a complete halt and the immense damage is already becoming apparent; The biggest concern is that travel agents abroad will refrain from returning Israel to their vacation packages"

From https://www.ynetnews.com | the article by ‏‎Iris Lifshitz Klieger‎ | 10.l20.23.

"As the second week of the war unfolded, it became increasingly evident that the impact on incoming and outgoing tourism would be particularly challenging. Once again, echoing the days of the COVID-19 pandemic, the term 'unpaid leave' is heard everywhere. Most of the flights arriving at Ben Gurion Airport are for Israelis returning home, while other families with children are choosing to stay abroad during the war."

About 4 % of Israeli employment dependent on tourism. 

coolbert.

Gallant.

This is coolbert:

"'Hezbollah decided to join the fighting. He decided to go to war and he is paying a heavy price for it ,' . . . 'We have to carefully evaluate every possibility – there are bigger challenges ahead ,'" - Yoav Gallant. Israeli Minister of Defense.

The Second Front not just a possibility. Now a reality?

"The Israeli Ministry of Defense requested permission for a ground operation in Lebanon: "Hezbollah entered the war - It is a main war zone" - Barrage of raids by Israeli fighters"

"Hezbollah: 'We Will Win - The War Has Now Begun'"

 From https://warnews247 | 21/10/2023. 

"The Minister of Defense of Israel, Yoav Gallant, asked the war council and M. Netanyahu for permission for a ground operation in Lebanon against Hezbollah after yesterday's rapid escalation of the conflicts."

"The request of the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs was rejected for now, but the developments are not good."

APPROVAL NOT GRANTED! FOR NOW! AND TOMORROW?

coolbert.

Needles.

This is coolbert:

More than anything else the Russian will find this to be quite amusing. Personally I find it to be amusing also!

"EU state wants to deprive Russians of needles – media"

"The items could be included in the bloc's 12th package of sanctions"

From https://www.rt.com |  21 Oct, 2023. Russian controlled Internet media.

"Lithuania has suggested including exports of buttons, nails, and sewing appliances in a 12th round of sanctions on Russia, EU observer reported on Friday."

Twelfth round of sanctions. Nothing yet has even amounted to anything other than a minor bite to the Russian?

"According to the proposal, prohibiting the items is intended to 'degrade Russian industrial capacities.' The list, among other things, is also said to include non-electric radiators for central heating and spare parts for them."

Consider this as part of a much larger whole, NATO combined resolve and determination with regard to the Ukraine Conflict lacking. Collective response tepid at best.

One can always reason that needles needed to sew buttons on trousers is a vital necessity during a time of war. Soldiers need buttons to hold their pants up!

coolbert.

Golani 51.

This is coolbert:

With regard to the expected Israel ground assault into Gaza, here an edited version of a blog entry as first posted in 2009. Even more germane and pertinent today.

"Golani 51 commander: Death before capture"

Story The Jerusalem Post from 2009.

"In a tape recording of a briefing the commander of Battalion 51 gave his soldiers before entering Gaza during Operation Cast Lead the senior officer was heard saying: 'Hamas's strategic weapon is to kidnap a soldier and I don't have to tell you but no soldier from Battalion 51 gets kidnapped at any price and under any situation even if it means that he has to blow up his grenade together with those who are trying to kidnap him.'"

"it was clear that the officer did not mean that soldiers should commit suicide but that he was trying to motivate them"

NO, that commander is telling his troops to avoid capture at all costs. Even if it means dying in the process!! Not necessarily suicide, but an admonition to go down fighting, no matter what!!

This was the standard procedure for American troops in Vietnam to some degree. Wounded American soldiers, laying on the battlefield and unable to protect themselves or move, would lay still with a hand grenade under them. If the enemy approached to execute you or worse, the idea was throw the grenade at them at the last possible moment.

Here with the account of Private Jack Smith, Ia Drang valley Vietnam 1965.

"I lay there shivering. At night in the highlands the temperature goes down to 50 or so. About midnight I heard the grass swishing. It was men, and a lot of them too. I took my hand grenade and straightened out the pin I thought to myself that now at last they were going to come and kill all the wounded that were left. I was sure I was going to die and I really did not care anymore. I did not want them to take me alive."         

The Israeli has a very grim and sad history with prisoner exchanges vis-a-vis the Palestinians, Hezbollah, other Arab military forces. One or two men, alive or even dead bodies, exchanged for hundreds of prisoners held in Israeli prisons.

coolbert.

Terrifying.

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Escalating conflict the war between Israeli/Hamas can easily become a regional conflict even with the possibility of a worldwide dimension! So says the retired British Admiral West.

"'REAL DANGER' Six terrifying steps that could see Gaza crisis spiral into WW3 with Brit & US boots on the ground, warns ex-Navy [RN] chief"

From https://www.the-sun.com | the article by Iona Cleave | Oct 21 2023.

"THE Gaza crisis could spiral into an all-out world war in six terrifying steps, an ex-Navy chief has warned."

"If things 'go really wrong', Admiral Lord West predicted the UK and US could see boots on the ground in Israel - and Lebanon, Syria, Iran and Russia might be drawn into the fight."

The biggest danger right now the two-front war! Combat action Hezbollah enters the fray with corresponding Israeli military reaction. I would also imagine that Iranian DIRECT involvement into the war beyond that of proxies necessitating an American military reaction with consequences unforeseen!

No fence-sitting by parties interested or those merely observing in a casual manner!

"fence-sitting: noun - a state of indecision or neutrality with respect to conflicting positions"

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10-fold.

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As it was for the Ukraine Conflict in 2022 so as it is now for Israel in 2023?

The Taiwanese merchant merchant shipping company Evergreen declaring force majeure. Contracts unable to be fulfilled due to extenuating circumstances!

"War risk insurance rates have soared more than 10-fold in the past few days to Israeli ports with growing concerns over an escalation in hostilities."

"Evergreen declares ‘force majeure’ for Israel stop"

From Reuters via https://www.taipeitimes.com , JERUSALEM | Oct 19, 2023.

"Taiwanese container shipping line Evergreen Marine Corp . . . has declared force majeure on a shipment to the Israeli port of Ashdod, with its Ever Cozy vessel diverted to Haifa due to safety concerns, a customer note said."

From the wiki explaining force majeure:

"In contract law, force majeure . . . is a common clause in contracts which essentially frees both parties from liability or obligation when an extraordinary event or circumstance beyond the control of the parties, such as a war, strike, riot, crime, epidemic, or sudden legal change prevents one or both parties from fulfilling their obligations under the contract."

"This is one of the first force majeures declared since Hamas launched attacks on Israel on Oct. 7 and amid preparations by Israel’s military to launch ground operations into Gaza in retaliation."

See previous blog entry the declaration of force majeure the Ukraine Conflict:

https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2022/03/blocked.html

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Burdened.

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War is always no damned good for the economy! Israel the military mobilized in 1973 and 2023 both! You had better believe it!

"Israel's Economy Burdened by War"

From the archive of the New York Times | the article by Moshe Brilliant  |  Jan. 27, 1974.

"TEL AVIV—Between 150, 000 and 200,000 Israelis are now in their fourth month of military reserve duty. That's 10 times as many as in the relatively normal times before the war that broke out on Yom Kippur, the day of atonement."

"The reservists represent some 15 per cent of the country's labor force, but the effect of their removal from their civilian occupations has been disproportionately great. The mobilization of drivers created transport bottlenecks. The absence of foremen reduced efficiency in factories. Many small enterprises have remained shut since their proprietors were called up."

"Officials in Jerusalem estimate the mobilization in the first three months of the war [1973] cost the economy some $750‐million. That loss, 15 to 20 per cent of the gross national product, was separate from the billions spent for the upkeep of the armed forces and for the replacement of material destroyed in fighting."

Israel not the same country it was fifty years ago. Fairly wealthy and reputed to be # 1 in the world [?] for high-technology start up companies. So perhaps the strain of so many able-bodied young men removed from the work force will not be so injurious to the economy after all. But if the wat CONTINUES for an indefinite period, what then can be expected?

Moshe Brilliant unfortunately not with us any longer. And to the Gaza situation in 2023 Moshe would have said exactly what?

coolbert.

Roundtable.

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Read this discussion of urban warfare combat both ancient and recent.

As so very pertinent to the forthcoming invasion of Gaza City by massed Israeli ground forces.

From reddit r/WarCollege and thanks to same.

"Credible military history and science."

"Alesia or Fallujah? - How best to take down a modern fortified, built-up area."

"The two battles took place millennia apart, but they both solved the same problem, but in different ways. At Alesia, Caesar had the main enemy force surrounded in a large hilltop fort but was fighting against the arrival of a relieving army. In Fallujah, the enemy had dug themselves in and shaped the environment to make reduction of their strongpoints expensive."

Perhaps rather than Alesia and Fallujah as to methods/techniques/tactics of urban warfare and the tremendous difficulties as encountered see both these You Tube video documentaries:

"ABS-CBN News Special: 'Di Ka Pasisiil | Marawi Documentary"

Siege of Merawi, the Philippines 2017.

"Mosul (full documentary) | FRONTLINE"

Siege of Mosul, Iraq 2016.

Urban warfare the force that prevails after quite often a prolonged and protracted battle almost always in the matter of course having only a ruined and totally uninhabitable landscape remaining. Often the cost much greater than the gain!

Massive firepower the Israeli able to muster against Hamas undeniable! That Israeli dilemma how to eliminate Hamas as a dangerous entity without obliterating Gaza City.

coolbert.

Luxembourg.

This is coolbert:

Devoted readers to the blog believe me when I say I am not impressed!

My blog entry here short and terse!

"terse: adjective - Brief and to the point; effectively concise."

"Luxembourg [Lux] Army developing sniper capability with training by Belgian commandos"

From https://www.armyrecognition.com | 20 OCTOBER 2023.

With regard to the Luxembourg Armed Forces see the wiki entry:

"The Luxembourg Armed Forces . . . are the national military force of Luxembourg. The army has been a fully volunteer military since 1967. As of December 2018, it has 939 personnel."

Consider that Lux a constituent member of NATO. Yearly expenditure of Percent of GDP for military [NATO] spending a half of one percent 0.56% 

Lux allocations as agreed upon for NATO contribution well below average. A paltry sum. Lux hardly a poor nation too.

Lux troops when activated for NATO mission fight as a component of the Belgian army? They did so in Korea.

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LATV.

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The Hamas Conflict! The first shipment of American war material arrives Israel!

"David to the rescue?  US delivers David light armored vehicles to Israel amid ongoing war"

From https://www.armyrecognition.com | 20 OCTOBER 2023.

"According to the Israeli Ministry of Defense on October 19, 2023, the United States recently delivered the initial shipment of US-made David light armored vehicles, which is part of a Foreign Military Sale (FMS). This FMS was awarded on April 6, 2023, to the American company MDT Armor, for a total value of $21,913,585. For the first time in decades, a US cargo plane has delivered armored vehicles to Israel during a period of ongoing conflict. These armored vehicles are intended to replace vehicles within the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) damaged during the war against Hamas militants that began on October 7, 2023."

First time in decades specifically since 1973! The Yom Kippur/Ramadan War!

Primarily David designed for military law enforcement and NOT a combat fighting machine. Referred to as a light-armored or up-armored vehicle.

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Debut.

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American hesitancy to send this weapon in the Ukrainian Conflict seems to have vanished!

"Ukraine uses US-supplied ATACMS for the first time, says Zelensky"

From BBC Homepage | article by Robert Greenall & Chris Partridge, weapons analyst | 17 Oct 2023 

"Ukraine has used US-supplied long-range missiles for the first time, President Volodymyr Zelensky has said."

Yeoman service the American ATACMS missile. Depends primarily on INERTIAL GUIDANCE and not GPS. ATACMS relatively if not 100 % immune from jamming?

"His comments follow reports the weapons, known as ATACMS, destroyed nine helicopters at Russian bases in the east of the country. Ukraine has not confirmed the missiles were used."

"Ukraine said an air defense system and other equipment were among the targets hit in Berdyansk and Luhansk."

The great fear of the American administration would be this missile [longer range than the HIMARS system] would present too much temptation for the Ukrainian! Targets within Russian proper those borders as having existed in 2014 being too great and alluring for the Ukrainian to resist laying waste to using ATACMS.

Russian occupied Ukrainian territory to include Crimea, Luhansk and Donetsk however NOT exempt from ATACMS engagement. Such has evidently been agreed upon by Zelensky and Biden?

coolbert.

Diversion.

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Insanity continues!

American stockpiled 155 mm artillery rounds held in storage for contingency to be shipped to Israel. First the Ukrainian, now the Israeli!

Everybody it seems wants some 155 mm!

"Scoop: U.S. to send Israel artillery shells initially destined for Ukraine"

From https://www.axios.com/2023 the article by Barak Ravid.

"The Pentagon plans to send Israel tens of thousands of 155mm artillery shells that had been destined for Ukraine from U.S. emergency stocks several months ago, three Israeli officials with knowledge of the situation tell Axios."

"Why it matters: The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and the Israeli ministry of defense told their U.S. counterparts they urgently need artillery shells to prepare for a ground invasion in Gaza — and a potential escalation of the war by Hezbollah along the Israel-Lebanon border, Israeli officials say."

HEY! What about that ammunition depot of American 155 mm artillery rounds already stored in Israel. Pre-positioned and designated as for use by American troops in case of American involvement in a regional Middle Eastern war. Strictly for American use BUT are on-call for the Israeli if a need exists.

I guess now the need exists. Insanity in that the USA military has little capacity [at this given moment] to replace the expenditure of ammo from stockpiles as compared to production now and in the near future. 

And IF American forces do become involved in "a regional Middle Eastern war exactly where they going to get more ammo?

coolbert.

DDG 64.

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The finger of a Houthi Yemeni on the trigger but an Iranian giving permission to fire?

"First on CNN: US Navy warship near Yemen intercepts multiple missiles, US officials say"

Article Jim Sciutto, Oren Liebermann and Natasha Bertrand | CNN | October 19, 2023. All thanks to CNN.

"A US Navy warship operating in the Middle East intercepted multiple projectiles near the coast of Yemen on Thursday, two US officials told CNN."

"One of the officials said the missiles were fired by Iranian-backed Houthi militants, who are engaged in an ongoing conflict in Yemen. Approximately 2-3 missiles were intercepted, according to the second official."

"Later Thursday Pentagon press secretary Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder confirmed that the USS Carney shot down three land attack missiles as well as several drones that were launched by Iran-backed Houthi forces in Yemen."

Indeed! The Iranian saying engage as a means of testing the USA during a time of severe crisis. Pushing the envelope as they say! My instantaneous and intuitive response!

"'Push the envelope' means to attempt to extend the current limits of performance, innovate, or go beyond commonly accepted boundaries"

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Extremely.

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Excessively alarmist headlines the Hal Turner Internet web site maybe this time not so excessive!

"FLASH: Black flag is risen on Razavi Shrine - Islam is going to all-out war"

From https://halturnerradioshow.com | HAL TURNER | 17 OCTOBER 2023.

"FLASH: Black flag is risen on Razavi Shrine - Islam is going to all-out war"

"With the bombing of Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital in Gaza, which killed over 500, and is being BLAMED on Israel and the U.S., the black flag is risen on Razavi Shrine in Mashhad, Khorasan province, Iran, shown above. This is in Islamic Scripture!"

"When the black flags come from Khorasan go to them, even if you have to crawl on snow, for among them is the Khalifa from Allah, the Mahdi"

"According to hadith (prophetic tradition or report), the black flag was the flag of the Prophet Muhammad and it was carried into by many of his companions. The image of the black flag has been used as a symbol of religious revolt and engagement in battle."

See all embedded video the Hal Turner article.

See too the Imam Reza Holy Shrine web site. That slide show very good!

See also a history of black flagging. Not an object or a tradition confined to Islam.

coolbert.

Bonus.

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"Under the new EOD bonus system, eligible lieutenants can sign a four-year contract to score a $72,000 bonus, or agree to $12,500 annually for two more years of service, according to the naval administrative message, or NAVADMIN. Those who sign on for another two years after that can receive another two-year incentive, totaling $50,000 over four years."

Navy [USN] Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) cash incentive to remain on active military duty. EOD personnel USN must all be diver qualified?

"Navy [USN] offering up to $100K in EOD officer retention bonuses"

"The Navy is offering big bucks to some explosive ordnance disposal officers — if they remain in the service for a few more years."

From https://www.militarytimes.com | article by Diana Stancy Correll  |  Oct 16, 2023.

"The Navy's explosive ordnance disposal community is offering big retention bonuses to keep officers in its ranks."

"Under a new policy, the Navy is now breaking up its incentives into two-year increments, while also offering larger amounts of cash to those who agree to four more years of service up front, according to a message to the fleet issued Friday."

For EOD personnel of the officer class only? Should be for everyone. To qualify and be certified for EOD a tough process. Mentally stable and highly trained military men and additionally DIVER qualified. Physical requirements for DIVER qualification stringent.

EOD a high-level security clearance also a must. You have to know how to disarm an atomic weapon if need be!

coolbert.

Speculation.

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Imminent but delayed?

Softening them up? Israel preparation of the battlefield?

Jerusalem Post  Israel News  Defense News

1. "Why has the Gaza ground invasion been delayed since Friday? - analysis"

"Is Hezbollah waiting to strike until forces are in a Gaza quagmire?"

From https://www.jpost.com | article by YONAH JEREMY BOB | OCTOBER 16, 2023.

"It seemed crystal clear on Thursday: the IDF counter-invasion of Gaza would start either Friday [13 Oct.] or Saturday."

"The IDF had given certain deadlines for Palestinians to evacuate northern Gaza, with the deadlines expiring by midday Friday [14 Oct.]."

"The drum beat toward an invasion had started as early as Sunday-Monday and was only getting louder, with the air force having already paved the way with several days of withering bombing."

"Yet, now we have arrived at late Monday, and if anything, the signs (which could also be psychological warfare) are that the invasion is further away, and not yet imminent."

2. "Israel Delay in Ground Invasion of Gaza Prompts Speculation"

From https://www.breitbart.com | JOEL B. POLLAK | 17 Oct 2023.

"Israel appears to have delayed a ground invasion of Gaza that was expected as early as Friday, and speculation is mounting as to why."

"Last Thursday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) issued a warning to civilians in northern Gaza to evacuate south, giving them 24 hours to do so (though a spokesman later said that the IDF understood that the evacuation might take several days)."

"One reason is Lebanon. Iran’s proxy terrorist army, Hezbollah, has been firing anti-tank missiles at Israeli posts on the border sporadically, and commandos have been trying to breach the Israeli border at various points. Israel has maintained a policy of firing back, but only at the positions from which they were attacked, not at broader Hezbollah targets."

Seems our good friend General Ivry had the correct appreciation of things. His admonishments have been taken into consideration.

coolbert.

Guesthouses.

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THE TWO-FRONT WAR! NO MORE ISRAELI HOSTAGES NEEDED! GET OUT WHILE YOU CAN!

"Israel evacuates towns near Lebanon, threatens to ‘destroy’ the country if Hezbollah enters war"

From https://nypost.com/2023 | the article by Melissa Koenig | Oct. 16, 2023.

"Israel has started to evacuate residents in villages close to the border with Lebanon while threatening to 'destroy' the country if its Iran-backed terror group Hezbollah enters the war with Hamas terrorists"

"The Israeli military ordered people living in 28 communities within 1.2 miles of the border with Lebanon after an exchange of rocket fire Sunday with the Lebanese Shiite militia, Hezbollah."

That greater threat to Israel best light-infantry in the world militia of Hezbollah armed with more conventional firepower than the medium-sized world powers of Great Britain and France.

Beware Hezbollah more or less an autonomous entity in Lebanon, the central government in Beirut having an almost totally 100 % lack of any authority over the Shia militia! Pity the plight of the average Lebanese citizen.

Hold onto your hats everyone. You don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind is blowing!!

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Active/Passive.

This is coolbert:

Such a statement by Vlad should be seen as significant. I reasonably infer that is the case.

"Putin: Russian Armed Forces switches to 'active defense'”

"The Russian Armed Forces are improving their position and switching to active defense along the entire contact line, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on the program 'Moscow. Kremlin. Putin' published by journalist Pavel Zarubin on his Telegram channel on October 15."

From https://eu.eot.su | article by Rossa Primavera, Olga Skopina © Rossa Primavera News Agency |  15.10.2023. 

“What is happening now all along the contact, this is called ‘active defense’. And our troops are improving their position almost all over this space. On a quite large space,” 

"Putin specified that this applies to the Kupyansk, Zaporozhye and Avdeevka directions. The Ukrainian counteroffensive is not stalling, but has completely failed, Putin summarized."

RUSSIANS NOW CONTENT WITH THEIR POSITION VIS-VIS THE UKRAINIAN? RUSSIANS REALIZING THEY NO LONGER CAN SUSTAIN OFFENSIVE MILITARY OPERATIONS. LACK THE WHEREWITHAL NOW AND FOR THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE? RUSSIAN PLANNING FOR THE LONG TERM!

Think active defense as a retrograde operation with a mobile defender in a planned manner engaging the enemy as the rearward movement occurs. Shoot, you move, you shoot again.

Think passive defense as defense from strong-points. Passive non-mobile combat as in contrast to active mobile combat.

The consequence will be static-warfare as defined, heavy casualties both combatants, neither adversary able to prevail. Sort of like the trench-warfare situation that lasted in the War in Donbass from 2014 through 2022!

coolbert.

Posture.

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Three ship posture the Irish navy! Mission fisheries protection! 

"Only two Irish Naval vessels operational"

From https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk | By George Allison | October 15, 2023.

"Only two of the eight vessels in the Irish Naval Service are currently available for offshore patrols, raising concerns about Ireland’s maritime security."

"A third ship is on standby. Cathal Berry, an independent TD (MP) and former Irish Army Ranger, was quoted as saying, 'there are ‘huge implications’ for Ireland’s security', and mentioned that the present scenario was 'completely abnormal and would not be normal in any other EU country'."

"The Defense Forces attribute the lack of available ships to the ongoing loss of experienced personnel and difficulties in recruiting new staff."

Obviously so this Cathal Berry is not aware the militaries of other EU nations and NATO their naval forces the fighting component just with regard to naval warfare also absent or severely impaired.

See previously a blog entry the entire German submarine fleet out-of-action at one moment entirely so:

https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2017/12/u-boote.html

See also within the NATO context Canadian submarine force either inoperable or not deployable:

https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2023/09/windsor.html

coolbert.

Reservists.

This coolbert:

Reservists at the ready, move fast men!

Israeli counterterrorism special units reservists only. LOTAR.

From the wiki entry LOTAR:

“LOTAR . . . is an IDF special force unit whose mission is to protect the safety of the residents and tourists of Eilat against terrorism and is also specialized in hostage rescue operations. Unlike the other units within the Israeli army, LOTAR Eilat is made up of reservists between the ages of 20 and 60 who live in southern Israel and volunteer to protect their city”

Reservists when called to action the response must be instantaneous.

See the You Tube video LOTAR.

“The time they have to arrive is very short, so they must respond to the calls quickly. Once the alarm goes off, they only have seven minutes to get to the location and another seven additional minutes to put on their uniforms and equipment. That makes a total of 14 minutes. They can proceed fast since these men meet to perform drills and train for an eventual situation several times a year”

LOTAR units deployed throughout Israel apparently on a regional basis. LOTAR Eilat just one such contingent. The Israeli military has dedicated LOTAR unit of local residents ready-to-go on a moments notice? To a degree this resembles the theme system of the Byzantines?

coolbert.

See-Shoot.

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RCWS Gaza. Remote Controlled Weapon Station.

"Connected via fiber optics to a remote operator station and a command-and-control center, each machine gun-mounted station serves as a type of robotic sniper, capable of enforcing a nearly 1,500-meter-deep no-go zone.

The IDF’s [Israeli Defense Forces] Southern Command is also considering adding Gill/Spike anti-tank missiles to extend the no-go zones to several kilometers, defense and industry sources here said."

"Robo-Snipers, 'Auto Kill Zones' to Protect Israeli Borders"

From www.wired.com | article by Noah Shachtman | Jun 4, 2007. The tip from Allison.

"For years and years, the Israeli military has been trying to figure out a way to keep Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip from crossing over into Israel proper. The latest tactic: create a set of 'automated kill zones' by networking together remote-controlled machine guns, ground sensors, and drones along the 60-kilometer [about thirty-six miles] border."

"Defense News' Barbara Opall-Rome reports that 'initial deployment plans for the See-Shoot system call for mounting a 0.5-caliber [12.7 mm] automated machine gun in each of several pillboxes interspersed along the Gaza border fence'"

See at the wiki a description of the Israeli Samson Remote Controlled Weapon Station as probably to be found on the border between Gaza and Israel.

As described operator remote, not co-located with the weapon. Fiber-optic data link between weapon and operator severed during the initial attack by Hamas?

Hamas did have good intelligence as to Israeli weakness. Too much reliance on machines rather than men?

coolbert.

Earthquake.

This is coolbert:

Drown in rivers of your own blood! Walk into the furnaces of hell!

How many times must I say it. Eyes on the prize. Consider the perspective once more of David Ivry.

"WWIII Watch: Iran Threatens Intervention if Israel Invades Gaza; Warns of 'Huge Earthquake' Attack by Hezbollah"

From GATEWAYPUNDIT ^ | 10/14/2023 | the article by kristinn taylor that tip from Freeper.

"Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian publicly warned Israel of an attack by Lebanon based Hezbollah that would cause a 'huge earthquake' in response to Israel’s attacks on Hamas controlled Gaza after Hamas slaughtered over 1,300 Israelis and kidnapped 150 last Saturday in a surprise attack. Amir-Abdollahian also privately warned Israel via the UN that Iran would intervene if Israel invades Gaza, according to Axios."

That fear and concern of the Israeli obviously so a two-front war. Hamas and Hezbollah simultaneously in mortal combat with the Israeli Defense Forces in a major way! Perhaps even aided and abetted by additional Iranian proxies and Israeli Arabs.

The existential threat!

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Treachery!

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"But whether the [Israeli] armed forces were careless with their secrets or infiltrated by spies, the revelations have already unnerved officials and analysts who have questioned how the Israeli military — renowned for its intelligence gathering — could have inadvertently revealed so much information about its own operations."

Hamas good! Too good! Look for the hidden hand! Good in the sense meticulous planning and put into an effect a plan!

"The Secrets Hamas Knew About Israel’s Military"

 From https://dnyuz.com | October 13, 2023.

"The 10 gunmen from Gaza knew exactly how to find the Israeli intelligence hub — and how to get inside."

Devoted readers to the blog strongly encouraged to read the entire dnyuz.com article for themselves.

Information as to the Israeli intelligence hub [other border defenses too between Gaza and the Israeli border] so accurate as to be obtained more than likely from espionage and treason at a high level.

That hidden hand Iran the obvious culprit. Consider just a single case of this man quite willing by compromise to spy on his nation and people. Other besides this Gonen undoubtedly exist.

coolbert.