DSII: Arty Direct Fire

In a message dated 97-07-24 20:28:36 EDT, you write:

<< Perversely I know nothing about the US doctrine on direct-fire
artillery but it would not surprise me if the US artillery branch assumed they
would never actually have to worry about seeing the enemy.;)
> [quoted text omitted]

If my memory serves me correctly the artillery in Veitnam had a fair number of
fights with the VC and the Arty Boys used a Beehive round out of their main
guns to repel the attacks. It was quite effective.

Also if you check the stats on American Arty you will find that they have the
ablity to deperss their guns to below the horizon (eg: -5degrees) .
They are
also switching to the self-propelled guns with armor protection "against
artillery fragments and small arms."

With all the modern emphisis on infiltration, I have no doubt that the ability
of modern arty to defend itself depends on the energy of the unit CO's in
enforcing a defensive policy. [As we all know, preparedness is more spoken of
than practiced!!!]