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Anon · 03-15-2006, 14:23 PM

I would normally not argue this with a WP Officer, but i feel pretty strongly about this issue, so here's my best shot to defend the man:

IMO the decision to bybass light resistance in the rear area is clearly the right call when you are in the midst of a major blitzkrieg campaign. The essence of the blitz is speed, and therefore one of it's most basic tenets is the deliberate bypassing of large numbers of isolated and fairly immobile light or static forces.

You leave those forces behind for your less mobile(or reserve) follow on infantry to destroy while your mechanized and armored spearheads push ahead unabated.

If 1Cav had been deployed as scheduled i am fairly confident this would've never gotten this far out of hand.

Speed- not thoroughness- is the essence of blitzkrieg aka AirLand aka Force XXI.

Remember what we all biitch at Freddie Franks for...for being too tenative, and letting the RGFC escape.

Unlike Fred, Tom did not let distractions take his eye off the ball, and he kept the dagger thrust moving fast and kept it focused on target.

He HAD to IMO, he simply lacked the mass to attempt a more broadfronted gradual offensive campaign. Iow, he did not have the troops for a conquer in detail strategem.

Regardless of what Franks says, i think we all know the lack of troops had a HELL of a lot more to do with Dumsfeld than it had to do with Tommy Franks.

Had the aftermath been handled properly(and it most certainly was not), things would've been much different. Again, mnre than anyone esle, that was Dumsfelds fault.

You can't have it both ways Sirs. You can't have so small a force and still conquer a country in detail. Attacking with a single heavy division, a Bde of Abn, plus the brits pretty well FORCED franks into an extremely focused campaign.

Finally, 4th ID not getting the go ahead to come in via Turkey is not Franks fault at all.

I think it was a brilliant campaign and achieved its objectives with stunning success.

I think it's everything and everyone in charge since that's been messed up.

03-15-2006, 14:23 PM	#5 (permalink)
Anon New Member Join Date: 08-03-03 Posts: 0	I would normally not argue this with a WP Officer, but i feel pretty strongly about this issue, so here's my best shot to defend the man: IMO the decision to bybass light resistance in the rear area is clearly the right call when you are in the midst of a major blitzkrieg campaign. The essence of the blitz is speed, and therefore one of it's *most basic tenets* is the deliberate bypassing of large numbers of isolated and fairly immobile light or static forces. You leave those forces behind for your less mobile(or reserve) follow on infantry to destroy while your mechanized and armored spearheads push ahead unabated. If 1Cav had been deployed as scheduled i am fairly confident this would've never gotten this far out of hand. Speed- not thoroughness- is the essence of blitzkrieg aka AirLand aka Force XXI. Remember what we all biitch at Freddie Franks for...for being too tenative, and letting the RGFC escape. Unlike Fred, Tom did not let distractions take his eye off the ball, and he kept the dagger thrust moving fast and kept it focused on target. He HAD to IMO, he simply lacked the mass to attempt a more broadfronted gradual offensive campaign. Iow, he did not have the troops for a conquer in detail strategem. Regardless of what Franks says, i think we all know the lack of troops had a HELL of a lot more to do with Dumsfeld than it had to do with Tommy Franks. Had the aftermath been handled properly(and it most certainly was not), things would've been much different. Again, mnre than anyone esle, that was Dumsfelds fault. You can't have it both ways Sirs. You can't have so small a force and still conquer a country in detail. Attacking with a single heavy division, a Bde of Abn, plus the brits pretty well FORCED franks into an extremely focused campaign. Finally, 4th ID not getting the go ahead to come in via Turkey is not Franks fault at all. I think it was a brilliant campaign and achieved its objectives with stunning success. I think it's everything and everyone in charge since that's been messed up.