Posted on 11/21/2004 10:48:48 AM PST by usmc1775
The rule of thumb for the last century or so has been that for a guerrilla force to remain viable, it must inflict seven casualties on the forces of the government it is fighting for each casualty it sustains, says former Canadian army officer John Thompson, managing director of the Mackenzie Institute, a think tank that studies global conflicts.
By that measure, the resistance in Iraq has had a bad week. American and Iraqi government troops have killed at least 1,200 fighters in Fallujah, and captured 1,100 more. Those numbers will grow as mop-up operations continue.
These casualties were inflicted at a cost (so far) of 56 Coalition dead (51 Americans), and just over 300 wounded, of whom about a quarter have returned to duty.
"That kill ratio would be phenomenal in any [kind of] battle, but in an urban environment, it's revolutionary," said retired Army Lt. Col. Ralph Peters, perhaps America's most respected writer on military strategy. "The rule has been that [in urban combat] the attacking force would suffer between a quarter and a third of its strength in casualties."
(Excerpt) Read more at post-gazette.com ...
Congratulations to the USMC and to all of the U.S. military. I'm so grateful to them for the hard, dangerous, difficult work they are doing to make the world a better place.
"The victory in Fallujah was also remarkable for its speed, Peters said. Speed was necessary, he said, "because you are fighting not just the terrorists, but a hostile global media.""
Well, there you go.
I hate to see the operations in Fallujah compared to Iwo Jima. I respect very much to the men who fought in Fallujah, but they faced nothing like Iwo Jima. Perhaps others will disagree.
Agreed.
Perhaps in scale, there is a difference. But to the troops I doubt if they would split hairs when on the receiving end of bullets and rockets and grenades.
Congratulations on posting this for the zillionth time today. Try searching next time.
Army too. And we should remember the incredible job they did on al Sadr forces a few months back.
I have to agree. The Marines have been getting the most press but the Army guys are also doing a stellar job. Parley
Great read BUMP! Marines kick ass!!
Marines = awesome bump
Hoppy
I agree, it's not quite Iwo Jima, but urban warfare is a relatively new type of warfare, particularly on the scale we're doing it on now.
Our military, up until very recently, has been structured to fight Vietnam-- in the jungle with large open terrains, cover, etc. Now we're fighting insurgents in urban or desert warfare. Check out the flak jackets-- most of them are still green colored. It's a new type of evolving warfare, and our military is meeting the challenge and exceeding any and all expectations. It's pretty awesome.
The Marines are especially doing a nice job, I think it's due to the way their forces are set up. The MEU really is the most effective way to fight these kids of wars, I'm guessing the Army is going to have to restructure a little to meet the challenge... though the 82nd is EXTREMELY impressive and effective for this type of combat. (And yes, the Army has been doing a great job... they're just not devil dogs :) ).
What is amazing in this PC world of imbedded anti-American journalists is the fact that there are more kills than captured. I'm waiting for some organization stateside to start a lobby......your next corner quickmart owner was last weeks insurgent.
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