War On The Cheap-where were the supplies?

The Salt Lake Tribune ^ | 8/3/03 | Dawn House

[skyman]

War On The Cheap-where were the supplies?

Waiting in Kuwait for the invasion to begin, Davis and others in Fox Company had reason for optimism -- they were, after all, part of the greatest military force on Earth. But on March 19, the night before the 2nd Battalion, 23rd Regiment, crossed the Iraqi border, Marines in Fox Company, drawn mainly from Utah and Nevada, learned they would not have armored vehicles equipped with powerful weapons. Instead, they would ride into combat in soft-sided trucks with few heavy arms. "It was probably one of the scariest things I had ever been told," Cpl. Scott Lee of Ogden wrote to his wife. "Everyone was freaking out.

[skyman]

I meant to add this is is a good first hand account of troops first going into Iraq in battle and the shortages they faced.

[steplock]

"Marines in Fox Company, predominantly from Utah and Nevada, hence their Saints and Sinners nickname, were relegated to the rear"

There's an old Marine Corps saying: "IN THE REAR WITH THE GEAR" That's why they had to scrounge for equipment from the wounded etc. That was their job to retrieve the gear and being in the rear (probably supply clerks or Remington Raiders) who have no earthly use for night-vision other than it looks "cool" on them.

The entire story has the air of left-wing radicals version of news. Look all around until you find some spoiled lil kid who joined the reserves for the college money and is now crying because he's expected to EARN IT!

I was still waiting for the stories of the the women getting pregnant so the wouldn't have to go! Oh! I forgot - that would NOT be P.C. news

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Why the excerpt?

[SamAdams76]

I'm not going to second guess Marines who were actually on the front but as one who served in the Marines, I can tell you that this was a common complaint even back in the 1980s. We never seemed to have enough of anything. But we learned to make do with what we had. Granted, I never had to go to war like these guys did.

[vbmoneyspender]

Maybe Dawn House should offer to do the planning for the next war we get into -- I am sure she could do a better job than Tommy Franks. After all reporters know everything and are able to do anything better than anyone else. They are regular geniuses -- that's why they are reporters.

[EGPWS]

I'm not going to second guess Marines who were actually on the front but as one who served in the Marines, I can tell you that this was a common complaint even back in the 1980s. We never seemed to have enough of anything. But we learned to make do with what we had. Granted, I never had to go to war like these guys did.

And considering the outcome of battle and the statistics throughout the battle, who would question the upper command in the desicions that were made?

[meenie]

This is unbelievable. Sending men this ill-equipped into combat is criminal.

[SamAdams76]

Not me.

[Gumption]

How in the world would a DU leftist like you know anything about criminality? You worship at the feet of a known rapist for cryin' out loud.

[Capt. Tom]

This is unbelievable. Sending men this ill-equipped into combat is criminal

That's what happens when you are stuck with the remnants of Clinton's army. Things are improving now. - tom

[EGPWS]

And you reflect the attitude of most I can say without hesitation.

[Eaker]

"I got a lump in my throat when I saw the Marines fixing their bayonets,"

Scariest sentence in the entire article.

I broke out in a cold sweat when I read this.

Eaker

[EGPWS]

Sending men this ill-equipped into combat is criminal.

The outcome AND the number of brave soldiers who did gallantly gave the highest sacrifice in their service to protect our freedoms in this battle proves that this endeavor as it was planned was NOT criminal.

[Joe Marine 76]

"We never seemed to have enough of anything. But we learned to make do with what we had."

During my time I believe the expression was:

"We've done so much with so little for so long, that we could do anything with nothing forever!"

Marines will ALWAYS do what has to be done no matter what situation or circumstance they are in.

[mark502inf]

This is unbelievable. Sending men this ill-equipped into combat is criminal.

It's all relative. Did they have enought to accomplish the mission? Apparently yes. Were they able to do so with as few casualties as could be reasonably expected? It seems so--as I read the article the only death was due to an accident--not denying that wounds aren't terrible, but 18 purple hearts for that size unit does not seem inordinate.

Troops will never have all they want & will loudly say so. Moving forward in sandbagged trucks carrying primarily small arms was the same way much of the 101st and 82d did it as well--nothing criminal, just brave Americans doing the best they could with what they had.

The only thing that struck me as problematic about the article was that they could not keep their one major weapon system, the Mk-19 Automatic Grenade Launcher, operational. But that--just like the 507th situation--is most probably explained by lack of maintenance or training at the operater level.

[fini]

No it's not unbelievable. That's what happens when you trade speed for deliberate movement. You take risks, believing that the casualties caused by not having everything you want/need is more than off set by keeping the enemy off guard by staying ahead of his reaction times (planning and actions).

Remember that the war started ahead of schedule because we thought that they were starting to burn the oil fields. From all reports, this early assault also caught the enemy off guard. Thus, likely saving a lot of lives.

Additionally, remember that the Marines went up the middle of the country. Cnsequently, they had more towns/enemy to fight through. The very fact that they moved as fast as they did as far as they did is incredible. If anyone had tried this in a "war game," it would not have been allowed because it was "logistically impossible."

[meenie]

Who keeps pulling your chain? Does your handler know you are off the leash???

[Squantos]

If bayonets make ya squeamish you should attend E-Tool & Steel Pot 101 .........OJT version.

Stay Safe Eaker !!

[kms61]

The 23d Marines are an INFANTRY Regiment, and they did see combat.

These threads always seem to attract snide comments from the chairborne ranger types.