Author Topic: Could America fight a War? (Read 15649 times)

Scout26 · « **Reply #50 on:** February 17, 2010, 12:16:18 AM »

Quote from: Hutch on February 14, 2010, 09:31:29 AM

Trying to imagine the PRC attempting a coup de main attack against Western (or Japanese) territory just exceeds the scope of my imagination. The PRC doesn't have sealift or blue-water capability to sustain and protect it against the USN.

Quote from: Zardoz Savalas on February 14, 2010, 06:03:24 PM

I can't see China invading the mainland US, but they would like to have Taiwan. I figure that a fight between China and the US would be similar to the Falklands - short, violent, and limited in scope.

We always referred to how the only way the Chicoms could take Taiwan is via the "Million Man Swim".

drewtam · « **Reply #51 on:** February 17, 2010, 06:54:09 PM »

Quote from: MechAg94 on February 15, 2010, 03:14:48 PM

Didn't that philosophy pre-date the draw down of forces in the 90's? Do we still have the manpower to do that?

I would assume that a draft would be instated during major 2 front war. Current forces would be used to forestall devastating loss until full capability is trained and brought to bear, e.g. pacific theater vs european theater during WW2.

doczinn · « **Reply #52 on:** February 17, 2010, 06:58:08 PM »

You think a draft would work today? I don't.

Scout26 · « **Reply #53 on:** February 17, 2010, 06:59:56 PM »

Quote from: doczinn on February 17, 2010, 06:58:08 PM

You think a draft would work today? I don't.

If the Chinese hordes were pouring into Nevada via their beachheads in California, then I think a draft might be feasible.

sanglant · « **Reply #54 on:** February 17, 2010, 09:01:38 PM »

i think it's more likely they'll come in though mexico, everyone else does.

Scout26 · « **Reply #55 on:** February 17, 2010, 09:18:32 PM »

I'm betting that the Chinese will think it will be easier to come ashore relatively unopposed in Kali, then having to fight their way through heavily (civilian) armed TX, AZ and NM.

Plus they'll clear out some of the hippies and other left-wing loonies.

sanglant · « **Reply #56 on:** February 17, 2010, 09:37:59 PM »

they can do both, tijuana.

Scout26 · « **Reply #57 on:** February 17, 2010, 09:53:45 PM »

Quote from: sanglant on February 17, 2010, 09:37:59 PM

they can do both, tijuana.

Too close to San Diego and the Marines. LA and SF on the other hand are rather undefended......

sanglant · « **Reply #58 on:** February 17, 2010, 10:08:36 PM »

true

doczinn · « **Reply #59 on:** February 17, 2010, 10:14:22 PM »

Quote

If the Chinese hordes were pouring into Nevada via their beachheads in California, then I think a draft might be feasible.

If the Chinese were invading, a draft wouldn't be necessary.

Scout26 · « **Reply #60 on:** February 17, 2010, 10:17:48 PM »

Quote from: doczinn on February 17, 2010, 10:14:22 PM

If the Chinese were invading, a draft wouldn't be necessary.

Umm, untrained mobs get themselves and everyone with them killed. There will be a need to train troops.

doczinn · « **Reply #61 on:** February 17, 2010, 10:18:55 PM »

You're reading something into my post that isn't there. Recruiting offices would be swamped.

wmenorr67 · « **Reply #62 on:** February 18, 2010, 06:21:52 PM »

Quote from: scout26 on February 17, 2010, 06:59:56 PM

If the Chinese hordes were pouring into Nevada via their beachheads in California, then I think a draft might be feasible.

Wouldn't be a problem until they got to Nevada. But you know that they may just take a few minutes of how things are in California and realize that they don't need to fight us, we will be imploding before long anyway.

Stevie-Ray · « **Reply #63 on:** February 18, 2010, 06:33:16 PM »

Quote from: doczinn on February 17, 2010, 10:18:55 PM

You're reading something into my post that isn't there. Recruiting offices would be swamped.

Yup, much like 12/7/41 and 9/11/01.

As far as the original question goes, I know for a fact that assembly lines of today are far more modular than they were when tooling up for WWII. CAD programs for the toolplates and such have guaranteed us a much quicker entry into licensed assembly of government contract weapons, which we all know will happen in a world war. It wouldn't take much time for the huge corporations like the auto industry to be churning out whatever weapons were needed in comparison to the year or two it took in the 40s. I'm guessing, of course, but I also think that government contractors already know which corporations employ the types of assembly best suited for a quick turnover to their products.