Posted on 04/19/2011 2:15:51 AM PDT by Cardhu
Britain risks losing the war in Afghanistan because commanders are more concerned with protecting soldiers than defeating the Taliban, a senior army officer has warned.
The officer lashed out at the British strategy in southern province of Helmand, where the UK troops are stationed as part of the NATO-led operation in Afghanistan. The senior army officer said soldiers are now laden with equipment they are incapable of launching effective attacks against insurgents.
According to anonymous officer, the Taliban have dubbed British troops "donkeys" who move in a tactical "waddle" because they now carry an average weight of 110lbs worth of equipment into battle.
The consequences of the strategy, he says, is that "our infantry find it almost impossible to close with the enemy because the bad guys are twice as mobile".
The officer claims that by the end of a routine four hour patrol, soldiers struggle to make basic tactical judgements because they are physically and mentally exhausted.
"We're getting to a point where we are losing as many men making mistakes because they are exhausted from carrying armor (and the things that go with it) than are saved by it," he warns.
Britain's military's command structure in Afghanistan also comes in for criticism and is described as a "bloated over complex system that sucks the life out of operations" and where "decision and action get lost in Chinese whispers and Chinese parliaments that turn most of operational staff 'work' into operational staff waste".
LOL - Armies the world over are all the same filled with the rejects from the other Services.
Now I am in trouble...
Not a better response than that image. LOL!
Lets bet the grunts are whining like this officer. Then again, maybe this officer is taking a cue from McCrystal.
Lets bet the grunts aren't whining . . .
The US won the World War because of individual soldiers’initiative and cleverness. The US lost Vietnam because too many decisions were made remotely, including the decision to capitulate. This war will not end happily for our young men, women, transgenders, gays and lesbians. Our men are weighed down with cameras and lawyers.
I’m not so sure that the Wehrmacht, man for man, wasn’t better than the American military. The U.S. success in World War II required enormous sacrifice and incredible initiative on the part of individual servicemen, at all levels. At the end of the day, however, the U.S. simply had more heavy weapons, including aircraft and ships, than our enemies could muster. Admittedly, they would have been worthless without courageous human beings to employ them.
We lost in Vietnam because we fought aimlessly and indecisively and because the enemy propaganda had control of our media.
Should be some way to lighten up. The VC did -- they only carried 30-40 rounds or so plus water.
I've had a few career Army guys tell me that when the soldiers are complaining, it means they're happy soldiers. ;-)
Au contaraire, the Taliban love their donkeys.
All troops gripe...even the good ones do. Doesn’t mean they are bad, just means they gripe...:)
The taliban call the Brits donkeys.
...and the Brits call the taliban corpses.
I thought they learned all about that on Bunker Hill.
They made it on the 3rd try, sans packs—albiet after the Rebels WERE OUT OF AMMO.
Here is the way I see it. Nobody wants to lose troops. However, I’m guessing since the COIN strategy prevents troops from actually killing the enemy they load them down with more armor to hopefully stop the bullets while they help win hearts and minds.
[it means they’re happy soldiers.]
True, when they aren’t complaning, it’s time to start worrying.
If they called them goats or sheep that would be one dipped dunked DADT moment.Oi mate they do it with donkeys too? I ain't your Bacha BaziBoy curious George
When you are fighting to not lose the war instead of fighting to win the war, then you have already lost. Make the generals and civilians wear 110 pounds of equipment all the time, and things would quickly change.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.