Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Allies Risk 3000 Casualties in Baghdad - Ex-General
Reuters ^ | 3-24-03

Posted on 03/24/2003 7:37:15 PM PST by oursacredhonor

LONDON (Reuters) - The U.S.-led force in Iraq risks as many as 3,000 casualties in the battle for Baghdad and Washington has underestimated the number of troops needed, a top former commander from the 1991 Gulf War said on Monday.

Retired U.S. Army General Barry McCaffrey, commander of the 24th Infantry Division 12 years ago, said the U.S.-led force faced "a very dicey two to three day battle" as it pushes north toward the Iraqi capital.

"We ought to be able to do it (take Baghdad)," he told the Newsnight Program on Britain's BBC Television late on Monday.

"In the process if they (the Iraqis) actually fight, and that's one of the assumptions, clearly it's going to be brutal, dangerous work and we could take, bluntly, a couple to 3,000 casualties," said McCaffrey who became one of the most senior ranking members of the U.S. military following the 1991 war.

"So if they (the Americans and British) are unwilling to face up to that, we may have a difficult time of it taking down Baghdad and Tikrit up to the north west."

McCaffrey said Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld had misjudged the nature of the conflict. Asked if Rumsfeld made a mistake by not sending more troops to start the offensive, McCaffrey replied: "Yes, sure. I think everybody told him that."

"I think he thought these were U.S. generals with their feet planted in World War II that didn't understand the new way of warfare," he added.

U.S. forces have advanced more than 200 miles into Iraqi territory since the start of the war and are beginning to confront an elite division of the Republican Guards deployed to defend the capital.

"So it ought to be a very dicey two to three day battle out there." McCaffrey said of the confrontation with the Republican Guards.

He said his personal view was that the invading troops would "take them (the Iraqis) apart."

"But we've never done something like this with this modest a force at such a distance from its bases," he warned.

McCaffrey, a former Commander in Chief of the U.S. Armed Forces in Latin America, served overseas for 13 years and took part in four combat tours.

He twice received the Distinguished Service Cross, the second highest medal for valor in the United States.


TOPICS: Extended News; News/Current Events; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: battleforbaghdad; casualties; handwringers; mccaffrey
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 121-140141-160161-180 ... 201-203 next last
To: Scott from the Left Coast
Bomb them with these?

ROFL

141 posted on 03/24/2003 9:08:30 PM PST by Diddley
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 126 | View Replies]

To: fiftymegaton
Do the people here REALLY not think that our advantage in weaponry, plus the fact that we own the skies with weapons that the Iraqis can only dream of in their worst nightmares, offset any such disparities of numbers.
142 posted on 03/24/2003 9:08:40 PM PST by Illbay (Don't believe every tagline you read - including this one)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 29 | View Replies]

To: jwalsh07
The antithesis would be the chickenshits who likewise never served but insist on using the term chickenhawk.

ROFL, ROFL, ROFL.

Thanks for the information.

143 posted on 03/24/2003 9:11:16 PM PST by Diddley
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 135 | View Replies]

To: FRgal4u
I'd feel a lot better if we had some more troops on the ground in Iraq.

It seems that we're relying upon our air-power to compensate for our small numbers but we're not being honest about the fact that we're not willing to fully utilize that air-power because of humanitarian reasons.

144 posted on 03/24/2003 9:11:32 PM PST by G-Bob
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 44 | View Replies]

To: blam
Seems the General has a credibility problem.
145 posted on 03/24/2003 9:11:40 PM PST by diamond6 ("Everyone who is for abortion HAS been born." Ronald Reagan)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 137 | View Replies]

To: jwalsh07
Now we have the Medina Division mapped out and as we speak I suspect the B-52's, the A10's and the Air Force sharpshooters are kicking the crap out of them.

A retired officer told Greta tonight that the Longbows gave sufficient granularity to the battlefield picture.

Now, death from the air will destroy it in detail.

146 posted on 03/24/2003 9:12:30 PM PST by PhilDragoo (Hitlery: das Butch von Buchenvald)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 128 | View Replies]

To: Fury
"I guess I am weary of McCaffery, as he is a bit political. "

After all the defending I have done on McCaffery, I don't like him on TV either. I can't run him down because of his GW1 record though.

147 posted on 03/24/2003 9:13:07 PM PST by blam
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 134 | View Replies]

To: jwalsh07
"ChickenHawk is a term of art used by the anti war left and right to describe pro war "neo cons" who have never served in the armed forces.

The antithesis would be the chickenshits who likewise never served but insist on using the term chickenhawk."

So, does this mean you haven't served?
148 posted on 03/24/2003 9:13:16 PM PST by NeilSmith
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 135 | View Replies]

To: FRgal4u
Gee, what a horrible situation for a war less than a week old, and irresistable force being unleashed on the enemy!

People like you are kind of amusing. Don't you long for the days of Bill Clinton, when no one got their hands dirty except Monica?
149 posted on 03/24/2003 9:13:38 PM PST by Illbay (Don't believe every tagline you read - including this one)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 44 | View Replies]

To: Scott from the Left Coast
LOL
150 posted on 03/24/2003 9:14:01 PM PST by Maynerd
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 126 | View Replies]

To: NeilSmith
Nope.
151 posted on 03/24/2003 9:14:07 PM PST by jwalsh07
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 148 | View Replies]

To: G-Bob
We have plenty of troops to take care of business. Don't worry.
152 posted on 03/24/2003 9:14:09 PM PST by diamond6 ("Everyone who is for abortion HAS been born." Ronald Reagan)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 144 | View Replies]

To: blam
I agree with assessment on Barry.
153 posted on 03/24/2003 9:15:18 PM PST by fooman (Free NASA! Save NASA!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 147 | View Replies]

To: diamond6
I don't disagree with you at all. Casualties could be as high as McCaffrey suggests but there is no way to know until we've fully engaged the forces around Baghdad.

This war is obviously being fought under different rules of engagement than previous efforts. As much as I'd prefer to provide maximum protection for our soldiers (and my brother is out there somewhere with them) it's my opinion that a preemptive war, such as this, places a greater moral burden to limit the potential of civilian casualties. It's a high standard, to be sure, but that's part of what elevates our country above all others.
154 posted on 03/24/2003 9:16:12 PM PST by BoomerBob
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 136 | View Replies]

To: FreedomCalls
We've had casualties before. We'll have more before Baghdad is freed. It won't stop us.

I wonder if that US blood is the sacrifice at the alter of credibility owed to make up for the cruise-missile lobbing Clintoons?

I mean, the terrorists continue to think we're weak livered, and that's why UBL attacked WTC, Saddam bullied the UN and Kim Jong Dong is launching missiles.

Sadly, maybe only a swath of blood down the highway into baghdad will jerk their respect for the Star-n-Stripes back?

155 posted on 03/24/2003 9:17:00 PM PST by sam_paine
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 27 | View Replies]

To: sinkspur
Don't go anti-semite on us, son.

Most of the time I respect your opinion. But I'm rather sick of hearing this stupid charge thrown around like it actually means something.

156 posted on 03/24/2003 9:17:28 PM PST by Illbay (Don't believe every tagline you read - including this one)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 57 | View Replies]

To: diamond6
I never heard this story about Franks. Tell me more.

Fred Franks had his left foot severely damanged by a thrown grenade in Snoul, Cambodia in 1970. After healing and some therapy, he decided to have the lower part of his left leg amputated in 1971, as his damaged leg was just too mangled. He was fitted with a prosthetic lower left leg and went on to command the VII Corps and eventually TRADOC. The guy is amazing in my book.

157 posted on 03/24/2003 9:17:35 PM PST by Fury
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 140 | View Replies]

To: BoomerBob
Tell us more about your brother. What service, rank, specialty, unit, etc. Can you give us his name? We will keep in our prayers, definitely.
158 posted on 03/24/2003 9:18:26 PM PST by diamond6 ("Everyone who is for abortion HAS been born." Ronald Reagan)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 154 | View Replies]

To: Will_Zurmacht
Saddam must surely realize he is not attacking secretaries and salesmen this time.

Wrong bad guy.

159 posted on 03/24/2003 9:18:30 PM PST by KCmark
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]

To: Fury
Awesome! This reminds me of the movie I saw called Men of Honor, starring Cuba Gooding.
160 posted on 03/24/2003 9:21:33 PM PST by diamond6 ("Everyone who is for abortion HAS been born." Ronald Reagan)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 157 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 121-140141-160161-180 ... 201-203 next last

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.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson