Ukraine Always Get What You Want

Ever read about the "German Tank" problem? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_tank_problem#Historical_example_of_the_problem

 

One of the narratives in the first couple of months was that the Russians were sending in their older equipment that was close to the scrap heap anyway. At this point, it seems like that's all they have left. It looks like even the T-62s are seeing front line combat, based on how many are being destroyed.

 

Fascinating. ...

I like to think I'm a reasonably smart fellow, but FUCK there are some smart people in the world thinking this shit up. I had need to read The Radar Handbook for work, to learn about how radar worked. Shockingly much of the math is just algebra, so I could follow. ... but it's a super dense book and a difficult read.

The whole time all I could think was, "holy hot damn there are actual humans who came up with this shit."

 

There's no way this doesn't have a cascading effect on Russian military readiness, even if they're using their old stuff.

I'm reading Clay Blair's "Hitler's U-Boat War" right now, and it's pretty consistent: When a U-Boat became unsuitable for combat, it was generally retired to become a training sub. If Russia is feeding all its shit into Ukraine, WTF are the guys in the rear training with?

I'm guessing they're not, and "Here's how to operate your tank," is becoming OJT for tankers.

 

Haven't a large number of their officers been killed? That's death on an army in which NCOs have almost no practical experience.

 

Which, of course, creates a lot more work for the Oryx and UWT guys.

There have been some stories about the conscripts showing up to their staging areas and being handed rusty rifles, being told to bring their own equipment, no officers to marshal them, etc. Hard to tell what's propaganda and what isn't sometimes, but if even a third of the stories are true things are only going to get worse for them as winter sets in. We all know what happens to invading armies in that part of Europe in winter, when they aren't supplying their troops with cold weather gear.

 

Another big problem the Russians have had is that they reportedly don't have a great NCO corps, if they have one at all. Their doctrine hasn't stressed it like the U.S. and other Western armed forces do.

 

Hey good news!

In Soviet/Russian military doctrine, NCOs are empowered to make almost no decisions themselves, so they might as well just be another private.

 

That is good news! Ёб твою мать, Ivan!

 

I just can't believe how much credit we gave the Russians.

We thought the Soviets were badass ... and then declassification madness happened after the cold war and it became clear their military was 10 miles wide and an inch deep.

Fast forward 30 years, and I guess we assumed Russia learned lessons from that. But nope: Still 10 miles wide. Still an inch deep.

 

If you're going to treat your infantry as cannon fodder, you don't want some sergeant at the front going, "Yeah these orders are fucked; we're going to do something different."

 

Reminds me of the South Park episode where the kids put on this elaborate version of "The Miracle Worker" to beat the kindergartners, who they keep hearing are putting on a great show of their own. Their play kicks ass, and then the kindergartners' play is a joke.