[ccmay]

I had no idea it was such a near thing.

I hope we do not now think such tactics will win any war. If this were tried against even a minimally competent army instead of a rabble of wild eyed ragheads, they would have been cut to pieces in hours.

-ccm

[reluctantwarrior]

It is the norm for battles to be studied and held up as examples of how it should be done, however you are on point. A marginaly more competent force would have isolated then eliminated these brave soldiers. I applaud Perkins decision since as the on scene warrior he knew best the cost of not staying. It is important to recognize this bravery and prepare for the day when we do fight a more competent force. Recall the skinnies in Mogadishu did isolate the separated units and tried to reduce their strongholds, again the bravery of teenagers prevented a rout. Where do we find such men?

[Tony61]

Good unit commanders are able to evaluate what they are up against, and take appropriate action for any particular situation. In many cases being up agaist fanatical ragheads is more challenging than being up against a disciplined military force. MOdern day professional militaries do not typically use suicide bombers and vehicles. (WWII Japanese were the exception). When you are up against people who do not care if they die, you are in a tough fight. I am sure this commander would have not let his troops be reduced and wiped out. He had the forces, he only needed resupply. He positioned them well. They are all heros.