Article

2003-03-23 Iraq

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Posted by Fred Pruitt 2003-03-23 06:10 pm|| || Front Page|| [6 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 I'm getting seriously pissed off at Rumsfeld because of today's events.Ditching the Powell Doctrine will cause more needless Allied losses at the expense of protecting enemy soldiers.How the hell are you (I'm not even American,you know) going to fight future wars if the leadership cares more about the enemy than your own GIs?

Posted by El Id 2003-03-23 16:18:44|| 2003-03-23 16:18:44|| Front Page Top

#2 This is part of the aspect of mobile warfare. You do leave pockets of resistance in your wake, rather than eat up time reducing each and everyone of them. Because Bastogne was on the critical road junction, the Germans didn't have much of a choice in going around it in Dec. '44. The result was the offensive floundered upon the village and the 101st. If the Germans had a viable alternative, they would have taken it and simply masked the 101st's position. Time was critical. Appearently, it is considered the same here. So we will have fights in the 'rear' areas as the follow on forces 'clean up' the pockets. Unfortunately, those in the pockets can attempt to hamper the critical supply line with hit and run ops out of the pockets.

But, you may have a point. Is the administration afraid of another 'Highway of Death' on TV?

Posted by Don 2003-03-23 17:06:32|| 2003-03-23 17:06:32|| Front Page Top

#3 I'm with El Id. The purpose of war is to DESTROY THE ENEMY. Fighting with half-measures is a sure road to defeat. Another "Highway of Death" is exactly the kind thing we should be hoping for. The Iraqis are prepared to take heavy casualties. So why aren't we prepared to inflict them?

Posted by Scooter McGruder 2003-03-23 19:18:15|| 2003-03-23 19:18:15|| Front Page Top

#4 Shock the enemy forces hard, then see if anybody sings a different tune, or flies a different flag. Dead buddies will change the tune quickly after a surround and a good pounding.

Posted by Alaska Paul 2003-03-23 19:50:22|| 2003-03-23 19:50:22|| Front Page Top

#5 It would be better to have these brainwashed Iraqi military dead anyway, or else they'll be a problem in a new Iraq.

Posted by RW 2003-03-23 20:12:54|| 2003-03-23 20:12:54|| Front Page Top

#6 Encircled troops are part of a defeated army. Their only purpose if to kill. I would think that civilians would get as far away as possible from fortified sections of encircled "pockets." Is there any reason for tactical restraint?

Posted by Anonon 2003-03-23 21:53:46|| 2003-03-23 21:53:46|| Front Page Top

#7 Hope they were making more than just baby formula for the French in that plant.

Posted by Brew 2003-03-23 22:50:58|| 2003-03-23 22:50:58|| Front Page Top

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