Weapons of West Point -18- Assault Rifle
0A discussion of the German invention, using the trade-offs shown in the academic model, of the Sturmgewehr; a weapon they hoped would help turn the tide in World War II. The trade-offs are sacrifice in combat range and terminal effect, in exchange for a lower recoil impulse and, hopefully, an increase in usable volume of fire. This development led directly to the Soviet AK-47 (in 7.62x39mm Russian Short) and the US M-16 (in .223 or 5.56x45mm NATO). These are compared and contrasted, on the shooting range, to the M-14 main battle rifle (in 7.62x51mm NATO). This tape then re-emphasizes the necessity for leaders to evaluate their weapons and adapt their organization and tactical doctrine to accommodate both technical changes and the enemy threat. The viewer is left with the admonition to properly evaluate his weapons, doctrine, and organization; so as to give his troops the victorious winning edge.
A second major point, which is heavily illustrated, without being stated in the clear, is the belief of LTC Alphin, and many, many others, that the trade off to the assault rifle was/is not appropriate for a nation such as the USA. A shorter range rifle inevitably leads to a war of attrition at the tactical level. For a nation that places a high value on the individual life, this is stupid. We are now learning that lesson in Afghanistan and Iraq, where we have suffered thousands of needless dead and wounded (KIA and WIA). The Army and Marines tried to solve the shorter combat range problem by creating the designated marksman program. That was not satisfactory. There is now a movement to find a new rifle in 7.62x51mm NATO, so as to increase combat range to 1,000 meters and beyond. LTC Alphin, as an exterior ballistics expert, told the Army that, in his after-action reports, nearly 40 years ago.
LEGAL DISCLAIMER:
I do not own the copyright for these videos.
ANY reproduction, downloading, or use outside of the YouTube terms of service is expressly prohibited.
All living persons depicted in the tapes were US Army officers on active duty at the time. They participated in these official Army training tapes as part of their official duties. Further use of their likeness is not authorized.