Technology adapted for jungle warfare; jungle theatres provide some of the most challenging conditions for military operations anywhere on earth. Unlike the wide-open spaces of the hot deserts or the Arctic tundra, which offer their own challenges of extreme climatic conditions, the confines of the jungle hinder navigation and movement, forcing the soldier closer to nature than any other type of operation.

Summary

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Ground Warfare

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Technology adapted for jungle warfare; jungle theatres provide some of the most challenging conditions for military operations anywhere on earth. Unlike the wide-open spaces of the hot deserts or the Arctic tundra, which offer their own challenges of extreme climatic conditions, the confines of the jungle hinder navigation and movement, forcing the soldier closer to nature than any other type of operation.

Man can survive in the jungle by adapting to his surroundings, but without highly specialist equipment he cannot wage war, unless he turns to the blowpipe or bow and arrow of the few native human inhabitants of these regions. Logistics, navigation, weaponry and even the need to find pure water present problems for the modern jungle combatant.

Transporting the Troops

Rapid movement of military personnel in jungle regions is severely limited by both the dense foliage and the uneven terrain, with even helicopters being only of limited use. Suitable natural gaps in the canopy are scarce and it will almost certainly be necessary to clear a landing site by hand if aircraft are to land. Even assuming that an infantry patrol carries sufficient explosives to fell trees it may take several hours to level an area of sufficient size to allow even the smallest of transport helicopters to land safely. If only basic hand tools and manual labour are to be used for the cleara...

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