[MrEdd]

”One of the majors told the investigators that he denied further requests for fire support “for various reasons including: lack of situational awareness of locations of friendly elements; proximity to the village;

How is that not ROE?

Explain your thining. Also, since it is Stars and Stripes, assuming everything is factual is like assuming the same of the New York Times.

[DoorGunner]

>>”How is that not ROE?”

My statement WAS: “The new ROE were undoubtedly a factor, but, assuming that the article is factual, they were NOT the major issue.”

“A factor” is not the root cause. The ROE may very well have precluded firing artillery ON the ville. well aimed arty would have been effective on the Tallies OUTSIDE the ville. The had the high ground, and were behind solid rock cover, and so were relatively safe from an infantry assault, at least from the canyon floor. But they had no OVERHEAD cover, from artillery.

And, yet, they did not do it. The could have airlifted in a platoon or two onto (or behind) the two ridge lines, and had the high ground, thus the advantage.

Maybe the two Majors were staff officers, with no training. They could have had an experienced NCO help them with the arty. Maybe they were afraid of the new ROE; afraid to DO something that would cost their Oak Leaves.

An officer who is more worried about his career than he is about his mission, and his men, is not fit for command.

DG