MovieChat Forums > We Were Soldiers (2002) Discussion > Custer would have done just fine...

Custer would have done just fine...


... if he had the air support to wipe out 90% of the opposition like Mel's gang did.


In these days of different demographics, there aren't so many surplus working age men in the USA; I think we should focus, as we are, more on obliterating the enemy from the skies and less on having our cannon fodder battle mano a mano with theirs.

Let's not ever ever enter a fight we aren't certain we're going to win. Fewer Col Custers; more air bombardment makes good sense.


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Bombs cost money to make, airplanes that drop said bombs cost money to make, fuel that enables those airplanes to fly and drop said bombs cost money.

Nobody can afford to have their entire foot infantry units cast aside permanently for a full air assault unit.

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That and air power can't hold ground. Combined arms is the way to go, and every military man on the planet knows it.

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...cost money... ...cost money... ...cost money...
LOL. If Go/No-go decisions on wars were made for economic reasons we would have very very few wars.

And obviously, the Soldiers in the title were the foot infantry that you're talking about. They were outplayed until the air support showed up. Ditto with Col Custer. His ground forces would have been victorious if a few F-35s softened up the people trying to slaughter him.

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Custer would of done just fine if he brought the *beep* gatlin guns he was equipped with. My point? In the end, it doesn't matter if you have air power or not, it comes down to your planning vs theirs, airpower can help but it can't win battles on its own.

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At the time 1876, the Gatling gun used by the army was similar to a towed piece of artillery. really not suited to a cavalry outfit. Notice Custer did not uses a wagon train for supplies. same reasoning, he would have been breaking axles right and left. The terrain at the last stand looked like rolling hills and meadows but was anything but.

The US Army was not big on marksmanship until after the last stand. A trooped was lucky if he shot 10 rounds a year in practice. The trapdoor carbine was underpowered at 45/50, unlike the rifle at 45/70, although with a 405 grain bullet would still do some damage at short range. lastly the cartridges were made of copper would overheat and jam, so in the heat of battle you're left with a club.

Lastly Custers second in command, Maj. Reno was a drunk, and hated him. his third in command also hated him and often did not follow orders, particularly his last order, to come quickly with the ammo train



Mongo like candy!






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JonahVarque - A-10s are much better at close air support than F-35s; A-10s can loiter for long periods down low, and then there's the Gau-8 they pack!!

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The men depicted in this movie who criticized Custer had at least EARNED the right to condemn him. THIS guy, on the other hand, didn't.

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