Ex-General: 3000 casualties to take Baghdad

Enlightenment · Post by **Enlightenment** » 2003-03-25 03:39am

http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtm ... ID=2440793

He doesn't have much of anything nice to say about Rumpsfelt's handling of the war, either.

Post by **Vympel** » 2003-03-25 03:45am

Hmmm- city of 5 million, defended by the best units in the Iraqi Army, as well as fanatical loyalists- yeah, I could see casualties in the low thousands, perhaps.

The media's emphasis on reaching Baghdad (24 hours to Baghdad! Next day: 24 hours to Baghdad! Next day: 24 hours to Baghdad) is quite stupid. You actually have to take the place when you get there. Ahhh dumb ass reporters.

Rubberanvil · Post by **Rubberanvil** » 2003-03-25 04:12am

I want to know who haves a bug up their ass in trying to finish the war so fast?

Post by **Vympel** » 2003-03-25 04:19am

Rubberanvil wrote:I want to know who haves a bug up their ass in trying to finish the war so fast?

No idea. Brain bug. The longer the war, the worse it looks to the public perhaps. People like quick wars. Like that one the British fought against Zanzibar:

"On the 25th of August 1896 Sultan Hamad died and his cousin Hamoud was declared as his successor by the acting British Consul, Sir Basil Cave. This appointment was not met with agreement by Khaled, another cousin of Hamad who, as the son of Barghash, considered that he had the rightful claim to the accession. By the time that Cave reached the royal palace Beit el Sahel, the doors were barred. Khaled had gained access through a broken window, along with around 2000 supporters and had proclaimed himself Sultan, raising the Zanzibar flag.

The British authorities refused to recognise Khaled's claim and tension rose as a potentially explosive stand-off ensued. Cave had marines from the three British ships in the harbour stationed around the town, evacuating Europeans to the British Consulate under heavy guard, where they gathered excitedly on the roof to watch the drama unfold.

The night passed off without event and the following morning two further ships arrived in Zanzibar harbour to reinforce the fleet. At dawn Rear Admiral Rawson turned his guns on the palace and issued Khaled with an ultimatum. Either he was to surrender and walk out to the customs shed by 9.00am or the fleet would open fire.

At 8.00am Khaled sent a message asking for talks, but his request was curtly turned down. As the seconds ticked by the sweat must have stood out on the brows of all involved. At 9.02am the fleet opened fire a barrage of shells on the palace and when the dust settled the building was in ruins, with up to 500 bodies strewn amongst the rubble. At 9.40am, the flag was lowered as Khaled surrendered, escaping through the maze of streets to seek sanctuary at the German consulate. From there he escaped to Mombasa, where he lived out his life in exile.

The battle is officially listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the shortest war in history."

Post by **Darth Wong** » 2003-03-25 09:08am

Hitler bragged that the troops invading Russia in WW2 would be done long before winter. Overconfidence is the mother of catastrophe.

kojikun · Post by **kojikun** » 2003-03-25 09:37am

best plan in war is to expect the worst (ie defeat) so that you end up with more-then-necessary forces and you wont loose.

Post by **Sea Skimmer** » 2003-03-25 10:08am

Darth Wong wrote:Hitler bragged that the troops invading Russia in WW2 would be done long before winter. Overconfidence is the mother of catastrophe.

The Germanys didn't even have accurate maps of the Soviet Union, no one did until the 50's and 60's.

Post by **Vympel** » 2003-03-25 10:09am

Sea Skimmer wrote:
The Germanys didn't even have accurate maps of the Soviet Union, no one did until the 50's and 60's.

Roads that were dirt tracks- villages that just weren't on the map, etc ...

Not to mention their vehicles weren't even winterized.