Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Military Tactics - Defense - Reverse Slope Defense and Defilade use

A reverse slope defense is a positioning technique characterized by the location of defensive forces on a slope of a hill, ridge, or mountain that descends away from the enemy. It is one of several time tested techniques that may be used as part or all of a unit defense.[1]


There are numerous recorded instances of this tactic being effectively used throughout military history from the Falklands War of 1982 all the way back to the Second Punic War fought between 218 and 201 B.C. It is clear that it is a time-tested and still currently well-documented by the U.S. Army's wide array of field manuals.

The reverse slope defense protects the infantryman from enemy long-range direct and indirect fires.

Defilade is also used to refer to a position on the reverse slope of a hill or within a depression in level or rolling terrain. Defiladed positions on hilltops are advantageous because "dead space" – a space that cannot be engaged with direct fire – will be created in front of the position. Ideally, this dead space should be covered by the interlocking fields of fire of other nearby positions, and/or by pre-planned indirect fire.

Artificial entrenchments can provide defilade by allowing troops to seek shelter behind a raised berm that increases the effective height of the ground, within an excavation that allows the troops to shelter below the surface of the ground or a combination of the two. The same principles apply to fighting positions for artillery and improvised fighting vehicles or technicals.

Below is showing the prevention of "skylining" with background cover to conceal the outline or silhouette of a vehicle (or in this case a tank) while in a defilade.

Uses of defilade and concealment. (Clockwise) 1.) Turret-down position, no background concealment 2.) Turret-down position, background concealment 3.) Hull-down position, no background concealment 4.) Hull-down position, background concealment

These tactics for tanks and armored vehicles can be easily extrapolated for use with improvised fighting vehicles. Being armed on top of a piloted-pickup truck (for example), while hiding in a defilade (See Figure 0-1) allows for an effective ambush position as well as cover to move to another another fighting position or concealed exit route if needed.


In a survival scenario use of the reverse slope defense may become invaluable to those avoiding detection from hostiles.  This tactic can be used when seeking refuge or looking to ambush a force of much greater strength and numbers.

  

References

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

The B.O.V. or "Bug Out Vehicle"

A Question of Personal Transportation

So when it's all said and done what are you using to get yourself from place to place when proceeding on foot will either take too long or be too dangerous?

Public transportation is most likely going to be one of the first public services to go when things go to hell. So... what do you have at your disposal besides your own two legs to get you around?

Realistic Possibilities and Things to Consider:

  • Automobile (i.e. cars, trucks, suvs, etc.)
    • Diesel or gas? 
      • If it's diesel will it run on vegetable oil?
    • Off-road capabilities?
    • Fuel efficient?
    • Maximum driving range?
    • Ease of concealment?
    • Reliability?
  • Motorcycle
    • Carry capacity?
    • Maximum driving range?
    • Reliability?
    • Protection?
  • Bicycle
    • Carry capacity?
    • Protection?
With any motorized vehicle there is a major question of fuel availability unless you're competent enough to build something like a wood gasifier for a carburetor-based engine to create a car or truck that could run on burning wood.

Wood Gas-run Volvo
Motorcycles are a better option for being quick and allow the user a good ability to avoid conflict and obstacles, but at the same time give the rider little, to no protection. And motorcycles will break down eventually - it's just in their nature to do so.

Bicycles have been overlooked quite a bit as a transportation option, but every once in a while I find a decent video or little snippet (or a friend brings it to my attention, which prompted me to write the whole post) about someone modifying or keeping a bike just for a WROL\SHTF scenario, which is a great idea. The only fuel you use is your own calories and bikes are relatively cheap especially when comparing them to any car, truck or motorcycle.
The drawbacks are pretty apparent to begin with though. Limited carry capacity, no protection from the elements or hostiles and the main advantage can be a disadvantage too: your only fuel is your own calories... what happens if you haven't had much to eat in a week's time? How much farther can you peddle all your supplies and yourself with only a few calories intake a day or less?


But a lot of this can be overlooked by the fact that you can travel much farther and faster on a bike than on foot and you can travel in places that most motorized vehicles wouldn't be able to reach.
As always many factors are based on your location. 
Location, location, location!
If you haven't already heard that a million times already, you'll hear it again from me!

Always find what works best for you - where you plan to start your excursion and the possible places you may end up or have to go when that crap does hit the fan.












Jeep Comanche 29er Mountain Bike - Mountain & Hybrid Bikes (Google Affiliate Ad) 

Thursday, August 2, 2012

Best buys - Ammunition (per box) *Updated

I have listed some common calibers and their price per box. These prices may change after this posting. For more prices go to http://www.ammoengine.com/

If you go back to an earlier posting on 04/05/12 of these specific calibers you will see that prices have gone up drastically for boxes of .223 and .308.

For example the average of the 5 cheapest 20-round boxes of .223 in April 2012 was $4.88 now it's about $15.37 - a high increase in average costs (+$10.49/per box avg).

Always be mindful of events in the news and pricing trends before buying in bulk!
9x19mm
Manufacturer
Grain
Bullet Category
Rounds/Box
Price/Box
Wolf
115
FMJ
50
$9.50
Prvi Partizan
115
FMJ
50
$10.45
Blazer
115
FMJ
50
$10.45
CCI Blazer
115
FMJ
50
$11.00
CCI Blazer
124
FMJ
50
$11.00

.40 S&W
Manufacturer
Grain
Bullet Category
Rounds/Box
Price/Box
CCI Blazer
180
FMJ
50
$15.00
Federal
165
FMJ
50
$15.00
CCI Blazer
165
TMJ
50
$15.50
Independence
165
FMJ
50
$15.90
Independence
180
FMJ
50
$15.90

.45 ACP
Manufacturer
Grain
Bullet Category
Rounds/Box
Price/Box
Blazer
230
FMJ
50
$16.90
Blazer
230
FMJ
50
$17.25
CCI Blazer
230
FMJ
50
$19.50
Double Tap
230
FMJ
50
$20.95
CCI Blazer
230
FMJ
50
$21.50



.223/5.56x45mm
Manufacturer
Grain
Bullet Category
Rounds/Box
Price/Box
Prvi Partizan
55
SP
20
$8.50
Wolf
55
HP
20
$15.89
Wolf
55
FMJ
20
$15.89
Hornady
55
JHP
20
$17.60
Federal
55
FMJ
20
$18.99

7.62x39mm
Manufacturer
Grain
Bullet Category
Rounds/Box
Price/Box
Wolf
123
FMJ
20
$4.40
Wolf M Classic
124
FMJ
20
$4.40
Wolf
123
FMJ
20
$4.50
Golden Tiger
124
FMJ
20
$4.90
Wolf
124
HP
20
$6.50

.308/7.62.51mm
Manufacturer
Grain
Bullet Category
Rounds/Box
Price/Box
Federal
170
HPBT
20
$21.50
Federal
168
HPBT
20
$21.50
Winchester
180
SP
20
$24.48
Federal
150
FMJ
20
$26.99
Winchester
147
FMJ
20
$28.50