[Calvin Coolidge]

I was typing my above post when yours went up, and wanted to take time to respond to your point.

It is possible that heavy tanks would have sent the skinnies running. However, that is what the Black Hawks were supposed to accomplish, too. Hiding in a building with an RPG and taking pot shots at tank treads or the rear of the turret while the armor column waits for the lead tank to clear the roadblock was well within their capabilities. I think I remember that they were also concerned about the possibility of anti-tank mines being incorporated into the roadblocks.

[MattinNJ]

Hindsight is 20/20 and you may be correct. I do know that if I ever had the guts to be a Ranger and I was in that situation I would not mind having a tank next to me. An earlier post indicated that all the brass wanted armor to be available.

What I found really interesting in the book that seemed to be glossed over, was that Clinton was keeping us there at the behest of Bhoutris-Bhoutris Ghali (sp?)who was from the same tribe as Aidid.

[johnny7]

American tanks would have made the rescue quick even though the “sammis” were hopped-up on drugs.

Never rely on UN support unless they are Brits, Aussies or South Koreans.

The Rangers and Delta guys were thrown in without a viable plan for extraction in case of worst case scenario.

I blame Les Aspin and Clinton. They were the ones that denied the A-130's and American Bradleys and armor.

The military will try to achieve political objectives with what is at their disposal.