Lt. General Victor Krulak
As another Lame Cherry exclusive in matter anti matter.
In the study of warfare it is the mechanics of warfare which contest the matches and provide for the survivablity of the Soldier whereby victory is achieved.
- Lame Cherry
This is one of my enjoyment posts in dealing with educating you beyond the ignorance of a Donald Trump praising the disaster of a Normandy Invasion in World War, because he has no conception, except the few who know the art of warfare as to what war essentially is which brought an American victory in theaters of war.
It was a young Marine officer observing Japanese landings on Chinese shores in World War II, who created mock up models of them to be presented as the future of American projections of power in the Landing Craft.
Without the landing craft the horror Omaha Beach at Normandy would have been repeated in a million casualties from Europe to Asia for Americans, but with it, the Americans learned and overcame the dangers of beach landings and it is owed to Victor Krulak.
In the prelude to World War, the Marines were alerted by Krulak of the necessity of landing craft. From this the Marines created three versions for their operations to assist their Soldiers from being slaughtered. That is what Omaha Beach was, the landing craft sunk and the Soldiers were exposed. In other battles, the landing craft performed superbly as they were designed.
The three designs were the ship landing craft.
The amphibious tractor.
The amphibious tank.
These were remarkable creations, and as long as they were not sunk, hung up on coral reefs, troops did not leap out from them too early in 30 feet of water with 90 pound packs, the landings and their precious cargoes did their jobs.
The danger in landing was the shore defenses. Heavy fire could be suppressed by Naval guns and Fighter bombers strafing the enemy positions, but from shore to the high water line, is where the killing fields were for landing troops.
The Marines soon deployed as did the Army thousands of these specialized craft to take the majority of troops to that beach head, and in the case of the tractors and tanks, make available close range suppressing fire to knock out pill boxes and dug in enemy positions.
The new landing craft of the United States Marines are behemoths in which the old craft could now fit in. Where as in World War II, landing craft would put ashore platoons of 30 to 40 men, the new landing craft can deploy not just a company in a landing, but a battalion.
A company is comprised of four platoons and a bazillion is comprised of 4 companies.
A battalion is made up of 3 or 4 Companies. Generally commanded by a Lieutenant Colonel or a Colonel.A brigade is made up of 3 or 4 Battalions. Generally commanded by a Brigadier.A division is made up of 3 or 4 Brigades. Generally commanded by a Major General.A corps is made up of 3 or 4 Divisions. Generally commanded by a Lieutenant General.
It is possible under safe conditions for the United States to place a Division on shore within hours, with full supply to prosecute a war. This is the luxury which the Brute provided the American military.
Victor Krulak is a man who saved numerous lives in his advocacy for war to protect Soldiers. The Brute was a name he was given in satire at the Naval Acadmey, where the 5.4 and 120 pound Soldier was more inclined to tunnel warfare in Vietnam and large scale landings.
Always the innovator, Krulak in the Korean War would be the first advocate for Air Cavalry in moving and supplying troops by helicopter which would become a trademark of the United States in prosecuting the war in Vietnam and be the method by which the United States still prosecutes mobile warfare to project United States power.
The greatest secret weapon of World War II, was not Adolf Hitler's jets and missiles. The weapon which did more damage and won the war was the Krulak series of landing craft to protect and project American power.
Nuff Said
agtG
