I understand that political problems with the Nepalese government kept the Gurkhas out of this war. How and ever, I suspect that the war itself is about to play out as we planned.
After some hemming and hawing, I believe that ComCentCom has realized that outfits like the Fedayeen Saddam and the Ba'athist party militia need uncompromising and ruthless action taken against them. As in "shot while trying to escape" or "we saw a load of buses with civilians in them. Our bombs accidentally fell of their racks...". There is only so much nonsense we'll put up with. I also believe that the Brits have had about enough of this nonsense and are about to go out and show the Iraqis the reason why the Royal Army is considered the best in the world.
V Corps is in the process of several days of probing, rest, refitting, and rearming for the final big push. All we have seen so far is aerial degradation of the Baghdad defense line.
Seventh Cav's Remagen Bridge moment occured earlier today. By getting a bridge over the Euphrates, we are able to move laterally and support the advance of First Marines and Third ID. Makes supply a whole hell of a lot easier as well.
Be Seeing You,
Chris
Since they spend so much less on their military than we do; have a much smaller pool of talent; and are less likely to get experience in combat -- I wonder whether some British troops could be "the best".
Chris, I'm certain that I saw a photo of Gurkha troops in action in Kuwait last week. I'll see if I can find the reference again.
I'm enjoying your analysis. I've heard little about the forces we are massing to the west, save that the 101st Airborne and a brigade of the 82nd is out there, and the 173 Airborne Brigade is coming. Know any more?
Regards,
Tony
Just saw an interesting report on MSNBC from Mike Taibbi (I think?) on the Iraq/Jordan border saying they've been waiting for refugees that have not come from Iraq.
However, he reported that "hundreds" of Iraqis who have been hanging out in Jordan are returning to Iraq to "join the resistance" against the U.S. and Coalition forces. He noted they are hearing reports of cities that have not been secured, such as Basra, and they intend to go help out the Fedayeen, per this reporter. He even helpfully showed video of these guys in a restaurant with a tv on showing war coverage and then they took off, ostensibly to fight for Saddam.