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From: rigney@uokvax.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.politics
Subject: Re: Helpless in Lebanon - (nf)
Message-ID: <3612@uiucdcs.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 9-Nov-83 00:21:57 EST
Article-I.D.: uiucdcs.3612
Posted: Wed Nov  9 00:21:57 1983
Date-Received: Sun, 6-Nov-83 03:19:19 EST
Lines: 31

#R:ihuxw:-54800:uokvax:5000005:000:1351
uokvax!rigney    Oct 30 13:32:00 1983

I've heard that troops aren't allowed to carry a round chambered in
their rifles, but the time spent chambering probably couldn't have
made the difference in stopping the deathtruck, if 5 shots couldn't 
stop it 10 probably couldn't either; what was needed was something
considerably in excess of a M-16.

I've also heard that the reason the Marines weren't better protected
(strong barricades, fortified, dug in, etc.) is to avoid giving the
impression that they're there to stay.  In other words, since it is
a temporary mission there is much reluctance to put up permanent
construction and turn their base into a fort.

As well, apparently the Lebanese Army troops manning some of the
checkpoints are inexperienced and let the truck (and many others)
through.  Once the truck had penetrated the outermost checkpoints
it could get close enough to ram through the inner obstacles (manned
by marines) too quickly for the marines to take effective action.

The marines have never liked the position they were given, it's a
lousy area to defend, without sufficient clear zones, overlooked
by "hostile"-held points, etc.  But they weren't given a choice,
the marine philosophy isn't really geared to standing around and
getting shot, their training is to take obstacles regardless of
cost.

			Carl
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