In principal, I don’t agree with what you are saying in your post regarding the NVA/band aid comment.
That said, I THINK WAR is different than any other human endeavor and therefore those of us who WERE NOT THERE should refrain from commenting.
Remember, the principal is your pal.
There are times when you can’t take prisoners, a LRS team for example, but the rules of war serve a purpose and are best followed, for best long term results.
The Germans used the methods that we frequently see pushed on the internet and in bars, the 10 for 1 retaliations, the scorched earth responses and to strike fear into the heart of the enemy, even the harsh treatment of those who wanted to join them by the huge numbers, everything they did was destructive to their goals of winning the war.