Can you win a war with only light infantry in the 21st century?

solarz

Brigadier
Is it possible to have an army equipped only with small arms and civilian-grade communication equipment to win a war against a modern, top-tier, combined arms army? I'm not talking about dragging out an insurgency until the more powerful army calls it quits, but actually winning battles through tactics, organization, and yes, numbers.

Let's assume that the infantry army can get access to top-tier small arms, but small arms only. No tanks, no aircraft. Civilian grade vehicles are available. Assume a landlocked battleground and navies are irrelevant.

What kind of equipment would make this scenario possible? What kind of tactics? What would be the numerical advantage necessary?
 

TerraN_EmpirE

Tyrant King
Only if the enemy force is in equal conditions so maybe some poorer third world nations vs the same. Your looking at a rather bloody fight though.
 

i.e.

Senior Member
Depends upon what the objective of the other side was.
If the combined arms army's goal was to inflict maximum casulty then , the combined arms army can just sit back and pound your infnatry with artillery.

also what type of terrian? if it is build up urban area, witness Grozny I and II.
 
by small arms, will this include MANPADS or other forms of explosives? i don't think guns alone will stand too much of real chance. because the firepower disadvantage is so great, i'd think the standard approach will be asymmetric "insurgency" with extreme organizations, speed, and surprise in order to hold out effective opposing troop presence for those particular grounds. anything more, you'll be required to overrun enemy positions, steal equipment, and pretty much use everything you have up your sleeves just to be able to maintain cohesiveness and survival. since technological and firepower is so much of an advantage to the other party, they will have quick support and recovery times, therefore it is very crucial to totally exploit any chance in order to maintain the shock value to keep up the momentum. another question is also the type of power your enemy has. if you're talking about an US expeditionary force with their shock & awe tactics, advanced capabilities, self-sustaining logistics, it's no doubt that they will recover quick then retaliate with rapid deployment of airborne, air power, and armor to not only blunt your advances, but overwhelm you and roll right over you. i don't see the scenario to win the war unless you have a lavish numerical advantage. being handicapped to only small arms puts you in a position nearly as feeble as al-qaida

of course i ain't no expert, so im just rambling.
 
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solarz

Brigadier
Only if the enemy force is in equal conditions so maybe some poorer third world nations vs the same. Your looking at a rather bloody fight though.

No, I'm talking about an enemy force with top-tier technology and competent leadership.

Depends upon what the objective of the other side was.
If the combined arms army's goal was to inflict maximum casulty then , the combined arms army can just sit back and pound your infnatry with artillery.

also what type of terrian? if it is build up urban area, witness Grozny I and II.

The objective is to simply defeat the enemy force. The terrain is an entire small to medium sized nation.
 
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solarz

Brigadier
by small arms, will this include MANPADS or other forms of explosives?

Yes it does. Any civilian equipment that can be easily refitted for military use is also available, but assume that the infantry army does not have a functioning heavy industry base, so it cannot produce more cars and trucks. They do, however, have access to top-tier small arms either because they have underground production and the know-how, or because they're being covertly supported by another powerful nation.
 

TerraN_EmpirE

Tyrant King
Getting too that point is well the nightmare sinario. the kind of thing modern armor, Airforces and Navys are built too keep from happening sure you can't hold ground with out grunts but World war one proved that light infantry can't stand on it's own unless fighting a force of lesser value.
As a rule you need air and armor too support unless in light raiding or limited actions like killing OBL. The only feasible way too end up that way is if you are dealing with some kind of E-Bomb sinario. In that condition a modern army would normally start too break down in theory, However in the best case scenario they would likely revert too guerrilla tactics in a fight and flight conflict of withdrawl until command and control could be regained. other wise well World war 2 late 1944 early 1945 is the likely outcome a crippled force hanging on by a thread, Or a bloody holding action until you can be met up with by a Allied column who has the advantages and can force a opening Alla Blackhawk down.
 

i.e.

Senior Member
The objective is to simply defeat the enemy force. The terrain is an entire small to medium sized nation.

Is the light infantry force on offensive or on defensive?
does the light infantry occupy valuable territory that the other force is trying to capture?

Is the terrain Hilly? flatland? desert? Urban? Himalayas?
 

i.e.

Senior Member
Yes it does. Any civilian equipment that can be easily refitted for military use is also available, but assume that the infantry army does not have a functioning heavy industry base, so it cannot produce more cars and trucks. They do, however, have access to top-tier small arms either because they have underground production and the know-how, or because they're being covertly supported by another powerful nation.

So it is 1937 Northern China Scenario?
 

solarz

Brigadier
Remember that the infantry army will likely enjoy a substantial numerical advantage. The question is, how substantial of an advantage would be needed?

I imagine that the best cover for the infantry army would be large urban centers, with possible bases in remote mountain ranges like the Taliban.

However, would the infantry army be capable of disrupting the supply lines of the combined-arms army, and launch attacks on its military bases and airfields?

If you feel that the infantry army really has no chance with the current restrictions, what would you give them in order for them to have a fighting chance?
 
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