Quote:
Originally Posted by Bluesman
A good plan, but that airborne thang: I know why you would've done it, but the fact is, they expected it. In the best report I ever wrote, I covered it, and my analysis concluded that the Iraqi command thought we were going to do somethin g like the Kandahar Plan, in which we seized airbridges, established bases as hubs to spread out and attack the surrounding areas. They were geared towards reacting rapidly and in massive force to whip a sizable but isolated American unit, and I wouldn't advise giving them the opportunity, even if we COULD kick their ass with airpower when they mass to fight; after all they COULD get lucky and inflict a bunch of casualties on us.
And also...I'm SERIOUS about the information realm being vital. I'd recommend that ANY plan get that part as right as possible. If we don't, THIS is what we get.
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I agree with your point about the informational realm, and I understand your point about the airborne, but U.S. Airborne could easily stand against the Iraqi army. Let's compare and contrast-
The British 1st airborne against 2 SS panzer divisions during the invasion of Holland. The British held out for nine days with little or no communication, no heavy weapons, no air support, and no supplies. Compound this with the fact that Germans and the British were about equal in technology, and that the German tanks were superior compared to all the allied tanks of the time.
The 82nd, and 101st airborne divisions. We have air superiority so we can provide them with air support. We don't need to hold drop zones because we have helicopter. We are far more advanced than the Iraqis. The airborne also maintains heavier weapons than it did in WW2, and these weapons are superior to those of the Iraqis. We already have about 60-70 thousand invading from the south. Compound this with the fact that, remember during the initial war, Iraqi divisions were constantly surrendering. In my plan the initial casualties would probably be higher, but the aftermath would have gone much more smoothly. The Airborne would in my opinion serve a very valuable purpose.