| I'd say it is more important than most leaders think. Remember operation anaconda in Afghanistan? Well, someone very high up decided that artillery was NOT going to be used in the operation. As soon as troops hit the ground, poop hit the fan. The apaches had a tough time hovering in the high altitude and the Air Force is only available when they are directly overhead. The infantry had to rely on 88 mm mortars, which have a range of 5400 meters and do not pack that big of a punch. The 105 artillery in the army has a range of 11400 meters. I bet those guys on the ground with they had some suppressing fire from the big guns. Lesson learned; you cannot rely just on the air force and choppers for indirect fire. Artillery remains to be the only indirect firing system that is "on call" 24/7 and can fire day or night in any weather condition.
I have to say it was fun seeing some 3 star general try to explain to the press why artillery had not been used in the operation. Someone in the press had been doing their homework.
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"The best form of taking care of troops is first-class training, for this saves unnecessary casualties." Erwin Rommel
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