Ammunition Support for Operation Dragoon, the Invasion of Southern France - Could We Do It Today
Abstract
The campaign initiated in southern France is very representative of the type of logistical support that would be required in places like Southwest Asia or Central America. This study found a number of areas that were problems in 1944 that have still not been fixed. The bottom line is that if we had to conduct a similar campaign today, we could not successfully provide the required ammunition support. The main reason is that the volume of ammunition required would be from 8 to 25 times greater today than it was in 1944. We do not know the exact amount of the increase because we have no approved ammunitions rates (rounds per weapon per day) and ammunition rates are the key to ammunition logistics. The increase in volume is so great that it will have major impacts on everything from the production base to the transportation to deliver the ammunition to forward ammunition supply points. The problem is further complicated by containerization, the lack of material handling equipment to move and unstuff containers, and lack of training in over-the-shore operations. These problems can be fixed if accurate ammunition rates are developed and approved and resources devoted to ensure that the required ammunition can be produced, transported, stored and issued. This will be expensive but it is essential to the success of future campaigns.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 23, 1987
- Accession Number
- ADA180608
Entities
People
- James W. Boddie Jr
Organizations
- United States Army War College