Posted on 11/03/2001 6:04:22 AM PST by Diogenesis
MAG: 12 U.S. DELTA MEMBERS WOUNDED ON RAID OF OMAR'S COMPLEX, THREE SERIOUSLY; PENTAGON RETHINKS 'SPECIAL FORCES OPERATIONS'
Seymour Hersh has filed yet another controversial report for coming editons of the NEW YORKER, publishing sources tell the DRUDGE REPORT.
In ESCAPE AND EVASION, Hersh claims: In the wake of a near-disaster during the assault on Mullah Omar's complex during the early morning of October 20th, the Pentagon has been rethinking future Special Forces operations inside Afghanistan.
Delta Force, which prides itself on stealth, had been counterattacked by the Taliban, and some of the Americans had had to fight their way to safety. Hersh has filed his report for the November 12, 2001 issue of the NEW YORKER, on sale Monday.
Twelve Delta members were wounded, three of them seriously.
The intensity and ferocity of the Taliban response "scared the crap out of everyone," a senior military officer tells Hersh.
The Delta team stormed Mullah Omar's complex, but found little of value, Hersh reports, and then, "as they came out of the house, the shit hit the fan," one senior officer says. "It was like an ambush. The Taliban were fighting with light arms and either [rocket-propelled grenades] or mortars." The team immediately began taking casualties and evacuated.
"The Delta team was forced to abandon one of its objectives: the insertion of an undercover team into the area and the stay-behind soldiers fled to a previously determined rendezvous point, using a contingency plan known as an E. & E., for escape and evasion," Hersh writes.
Another reason that this smells like a overblown version of what really happened; where are the Taliban claims of victory. It is not credible that the loudmouth Taliban would not have claimed "to have routed the infidels" if that had indeed been the case.
Of course they could be embarassed that Allah didn't come to their aid and set the Delta Force's hair on fire. Its a tough call to know whats really going on.
One thing is certain - Hersh needs to button his lip. If Franks isn't up to the job - Rumsfelt will dump him in a minute!! Thats the one guy (Rumsfelt) that I trust in this whole deal.
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His agenda has always been on the LEFT and not pro-US, going back to Viet-Nam.
The comments do not sound like Ranger/Special Ops guys to me, but I could be wrong.
If you are too scared to want to hear both sides of any story, you don't deserve your freedom. If you want to hide any unpleasant facts you have no faith in your fellow Americans.
Wake up you bunch of ostriches.
Please daddy government, only tell me good stories, I don't want to be scared boo hoo
So is Seymour Hersh Jewish, or am I reading too much into his name?
However, one should keep in mind that SOME of the things we hear from the Taliban may have a grain of truth in them somewhere and we shouldn't just assume that our government is telling us the whole truth.
There are going to be casualties and there are going to be major screw-ups. THis is war and not a scripted Hollywood movie.
Shut up the reporters who border on treason when trying to reveal things to the enemy with their questions.
1 posted on 11/3/01 12:01 PM Eastern by holman
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To: JD86
My 2 cents:
It is difficult to believe Hirsch in the light of the information freely released by Pentagon previously.
For example, this 18 MEG mpg video of the inclusion.
IMO, the DOD has been more open, frank, and detailed -- in contrast to Hersch in this matter.
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G d bless the United States and its troops in Enduring Freedom.
3 posted on 11/3/01 12:21 PM Eastern by Diogenesis
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To: holman
Hersh needs to stop interviewing McPain...lol
4 posted on 11/3/01 12:24 PM Eastern by linn37
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To: holman
Well, this report "confirms" a previous one, or is this the same guy? I dont know if I believe it. However, if something like this DID happen, I dont doubt that they would in fact keep it a secret. Maybe the "failure" of this mission is one reason the US has started really bombing the Taleban frontlines position in an effort to help the northern alliance....
5 posted on 11/3/01 12:26 PM Eastern by Paradox
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To: holman
I know two people in the miltary. A C-5 pilot and a tank driver. A Lt Colonel and a grunt. But both are exactly alike. This is what they signed up for, this is what they do and both know they might die doing it. Articles such as this from simpering snotty liberals do not amuse them.
6 posted on 11/3/01 12:26 PM Eastern by LarryLied
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To: Diogenesis
I am proud of these men. If they were wounded, thank God that they were not killed. It does seem that reporters often want to paint any military incursion as one which has no effect on the campaigners unless they themselves are killed. Then the reporters, media mavens, can say, "See the US is suffering loss in a war in which they cannot win." It does seem that the media of the Big 3 types are often anti-American and want our military to suffer a blow so the media can then say , "What bullies the USA are." I can only pray that many more Special Ops incursions occur and that our people are safe but I do want them to continue to seek out and destroy. That is their annointed job and all Americans should support them. When the body bags do come, our prayers, support and resolve should stiffen against our barbarian enemies, not go pacifistic and weak.
7 posted on 11/3/01 12:27 PM Eastern by phillyfanatic
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To: LarryLied
Rumsfeld better unscrew that mess and quick. Right now, I prefer to believe it was an intelligence breakdown and poor planning. There should be no doubt that a force of Delta's reputation cannot acquit itself in battle. In any case, the most unpleasant thing about the report is that it got out.
8 posted on 11/3/01 12:35 PM Eastern by holman
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