Article

2006-03-27 Iraq

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Posted by Steve 2006-03-27 09:05|| || Front Page|| [11137 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 No mention of one of our best tricks, how we first created killzones away from the residence areas, in the industrial district, then lured the more aggressive fighters into the KZ. This excised almost all of the "offense" fighters, leaving only "defense" fighters to systematically root out.

This meant that from that point on, we didn't have to keep our "gloves up" as much, spending much of our resources on defense, and to totally commit to offense.

Posted by Anonymoose 2006-03-27 09:44|| 2006-03-27 09:44|| Front Page Top

#2 I find the sleep issue to be interesting. Did our folks fight "in shifts" to get sleep?

Posted by Nimble Spemble 2006-03-27 09:52|| 2006-03-27 09:52|| Front Page Top

#3 I would assume so. Keep up the pressure on the enemy, don't let him sleep, while rotating your troops around.

Posted by gromky 2006-03-27 12:19|| 2006-03-27 12:19|| Front Page Top

#4 Somehow I just knew this wasn't a New York Times article.

Posted by Darrell 2006-03-27 12:28|| 2006-03-27 12:28|| Front Page Top

#5 Moose- They obviously didn't watch those great shows on the island campaigns in the pacific on the History Channel.

Posted by Penguin 2006-03-27 13:20|| 2006-03-27 13:20|| Front Page Top

#6 US Commanders treated Fallujah somewhat like Hiroshima and Nagasaki, prior to the spectacular VJ termination: militarized to the extent that they were not civil entities. That consideration enabled use of short range artillery/mortar cover for blitz movement by the infantry. In most cases, once an enemy perceives overwhelming force, they either surrender or retreat. Having secured both sniper positions and with ground controlled air support, retreating elements were cut down.

A factor in quick defeat is: captives blame leadership and turn against their commanders. Hence, there is ripe picking for intelligence. Information gathered led to quick attacks on command structures, which would have caused jihadis to believe that resistance was futile. The elements who chose to fight to the death did so in easily renderible pockets. The least publicized aspect of the Fallujah Operation was the fact that most arms caches were found in mosques.

Prior to the capture of Fallujah, jihadi websites spoke of the city's nominal invinciability. They wrote freely about the place of Medina, the last Muslim defensive battle (Batle of the Trench) led by Mohammad. The fact that it was crushed so quickly under conditions where morale collapsed,
would discredit the clerical class that is perpetuating terrorism. Perhaps, US Defense doesn't want to tempt further terror by treating the Fallujah Operation with triumphalism, but I think the value of exploding cleric bravado overweighs the decision not to tell the story. Heroes win wars because they inspire other heroes. What was achieved at Fallujah was more than a footnote in a history book.

Posted by Listen to Dogs 2006-03-27 14:50|| 2006-03-27 14:50|| Front Page Top

#7 Just another Nakba.

Posted by 6 2006-03-27 16:55|| 2006-03-27 16:55|| Front Page Top

#8 Once the Americans were on to you, it was like being stalked by a machine.

I knew our guys were impressive, but still! I was proud of them when we read about their activities then, and I am proud again today.

Posted by trailing wife 2006-03-27 17:40|| 2006-03-27 17:40|| Front Page Top

#9 of course, the fiery clerics slinked off - too valuable to die for Allan. To incite ~~fight~~ another day

Posted by Frank G">Frank G 2006-03-27 19:30|| 2006-03-27 19:30|| Front Page Top

#10 Listen to Dogs; where does your name originate? I'll tell you mine if you choose to tell us from whence you come. Not much of a trade, but something I can offer.

Posted by Whiskey Mike 2006-03-27 20:32|| 2006-03-27 20:32|| Front Page Top

#11 I'm a little ticked / non-plussed by this article since we are developing assault armor. I'd have killed for this stuff in RVN. Weight is one thing, absolute (ex-.50-.51 cal.) survivability is another.

Posted by Whiskey Mike 2006-03-27 20:58|| 2006-03-27 20:58|| Front Page Top

#12 Just thought of something; when tired, they make mistakes. Therefore, start probes days before the actual attack, moving from place to place with a lot of fanfare, armor, air cover, vehicles, but few troops. When the attack actually starts, the enemy is dog tired and prone to sit rather than respond to calls and shots, never being sure it's the real thing.

Posted by wxjames 2006-03-27 21:09|| 2006-03-27 21:09|| Front Page Top

#13 sounds like the all-weekend hazing during initiation in y SDSU fraternity - no sleep = a different reality

Posted by Frank G">Frank G 2006-03-27 23:31|| 2006-03-27 23:31|| Front Page Top

23:31 Frank G
23:25 Seafarious
23:10 Tibor
22:58 JosephMendiola
22:47 JosephMendiola
22:40 JosephMendiola
22:37 Hupeater Flith2113
22:30 JosephMendiola
22:22 gromgoru
22:15 JosephMendiola
22:07 JosephMendiola
22:05 JosephMendiola
22:01 twobyfour
21:54 anonymous5089
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21:49 wxjames
21:38 wxjames
21:25 Listen to Dogs
21:21 wxjames
21:19 Robert Crawford
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20:59 Frank G
20:58 Whiskey Mike
20:53 Frank G