U.S. Special Forces Joined Charge On Horseback Against Taliban

Bloomberg.com | November 15, 2001 | Tony Capaccio

[Prodigal Son]

Not too long ago on FR, somebody posted something that mentioned how the Special Forces receive training in how to use and care for horses and mules.

That is entirely correct. An 18D (SF Medic) is trained in veterinary science as well as human medicine. The goal of SF is to train and encourage indigenous people to oppose oppressive armies. One aspect of this training is the recognition that animals as a source of labor (water buffalo, horses, camels, donkeys etc) are very important to a people's survival. In fact, in the last phase of a SF Medic's training, the cadre shoot a goat with a .22 rifle and the candidate must keep the animal alive. If it dies, he fails.

[TEXASPROUD]

I bet if someone got in contact with Major Mike Williams a Texan that was in command of the Rhodesian "Grey Scouts", he could probably tell about a couple of attacks on CT's that turned into full cavalry charges. The Grey's were mounted infantry, but I know there had to be a couple of times they forgot to dismount.

[Prodigal Son]

Riding horses sure beats walking.

Exactly. I've heard a lot of criticism of the NA for their use of horses against armor. But even the US Army uses dismounted Infantry against tanks. Why would putting an Infantryman on a horse be that much of a shock if it increases his mobility?

[lepton]

The last ever mounted charge by a Western power was by the Italians in, of all places, the Eastern Front in 1942. It was successful.

Mobility has its advantages...especially against mortar and artillery fire. You either hunker or move it.

[MetalHeadConservative35]

CHARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!

general george custer bump!

[Rebelbase]

And I thought the Movie was farfetched!

[Billthedrill]

Riding horses sure beats walking.

Oh, yeah. My late father joined up in 1937 as a buck private in the 106th Illinois Cavalry. And yes, they rode horses, McClellan saddles and the whole bit - he cried (and he wasn't alone) when, in 1941, they took them away. But the Army had mules all throughout WWII, and in the very rough country in Italy, in particular, that was a primary means of supply.

I still have his original sidearm, a .45 ACP revolver. And the 106th still has an association. About 10 years ago Dad went to a reunion and came back shocked - "Damn, boy, those guys are old!" Uh, yeah. But they'll smile when they read this story.

[Himyar]

What we really ought to do is revive the horse soldiers on a limited basis and use them to close off our borders in the remote areas of the country.

[in the Arena]

A rush indeed, breaths new life into the "saddle up" order...

[Azzurri]

The Duke would be proud!

[Tennessean4Bush]

This is why they do it

This article is amazing.

[Frumious Bandersnatch]

True, since his actual name was Temujin and his title was Ghengis Kha Khan.  No matter, we quite understood what was meant.

[cynicom]

Frum....

If we look closely at these people and their circumstances, they have changed little in hundreds of years.

[allthingsnew]

This is one of the reasons I love Free Republic! There's someone here who knows something about almost anything. Excellent link.

[Prince Caspian]

Just wait until we make a "stealth" horse. Or maybe that's been tried before.

Would that be a Trojan Horse?

[quebecois]

I believe that the last cavalry charge in any war occured in the Soccer War in the late 1960s. The Army of El Salvador charged Honduran lines on horseback.

[3catsanadog]

Ditto that! Going into a horse barn is like a tiptoe through the tulips for me! (You'd have to love horses to understand.)

On another equine subject - some weeks ago it was reported that donkeys would be transporting supplies and aid into Afghanistan because that's the only way it could be brought into the country due to the geographics. I haven't heard much more on this. Anybody know anything more on this?

[3catsanadog]

From what I've seen on the news, Afghanistan sure appears to be one ugly piece of real estate. Doesn't anything grow there???

[AuntB]

Darn right, UncleWes. I'll bet more than a few of our special forces were raised out west and KNOW how to ride!