Devildoc
Verified Military
I am a Sailor and a Seawolf
- Thread starter Devildoc
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Very interesting article, Doc. Thanks for sharing. I'd never heard of them...but we didn't have the extent of open waterways up in I Corps that existed in the Mekong Delta.
Most of the PBRs on our rivers were SVN.
The article illustrates the improvisational nature of warfare in Vietnam, with certain specialty units--like this unit and the Combined Action Groups; thrown together kind of piecemeal at first in response to a tactical or strategic need...and gradually becoming fully established official units. And like CAG, stood down and disbanded before the last flight home.
Most of the PBRs on our rivers were SVN.
The article illustrates the improvisational nature of warfare in Vietnam, with certain specialty units--like this unit and the Combined Action Groups; thrown together kind of piecemeal at first in response to a tactical or strategic need...and gradually becoming fully established official units. And like CAG, stood down and disbanded before the last flight home.
Devildoc
Verified Military
Good examples, both Seawolves and CAG, of units stood up to serve a purpose, to be disbanded at the end of the war. I just read an article about how almost every WWII unit was disbanded; most in the theater before they left for the US.
The SAS started out that way, improvised at first. The Marine Raiders were the brainchild of Evans Carlson. I'm talking about units formed from the ideas of lower-ranking officers or officers who aren't in top command slots.
I still think the Marine Corps should bring back at least one 600-man Combined Action Group, even though Raiders now handle the FID aspect.
I still think the Marine Corps should bring back at least one 600-man Combined Action Group, even though Raiders now handle the FID aspect.
Devildoc
Verified Military
Rogue Heroes is a great book about the origins of the SAS, and their disbanding at the end of the war. At least England realized in a very short manner that they needed the capability. I guess the US wasn't too far behind with SF after disbanding 1stSSF, et al.
I fully understand the tension, at the end of the war when there is no war, no money, no conflict on the horizon, but it seems to me a good way to handle it is 'mothball' the plans and TO&E for future 'just in case.'
