Comments for Afghanistan: Rumors of War

Afghanistan: Rumors of War

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 00:41:38 -0600

Update: Gateway indicates four French troops were killed by the Taliban after being captured. I just caught our evening news reporting on the failed attack on FOB Salerno and the death of 10 French Soldiers. Our news reports that the suicide bombers attempted to attack Salerno, were discovered and pushed back or "cornered" by US and Afghanistan forces. They then blew themselves up, killing 10 French soldiers and wounding many others. My first response was "WTF?" Blackfive's note of the AP headline maybe at fault for this really bad reporting. And, points us to Confederate Yankee's post on the subject and the NYT's coverage. The truth of the attack on the French is not complete, but original information indicates that the attack was a completely separate event. In fact, a far distance from the original attack on Salerno. The French were on a security convoy with Afghanistan troops and were attacked by an estimated 100 (?) Taliban. The French and ANP were supported by American air assets that eventually drove the attackers off. Sarkozy is on his way to Afghanistan to meet the wounded and support the French troops. According to the report, 24 French have died in Afghanistan to date and 176 international soldiers beyond American losses. I started to leave the last without comment beyond a link, but ten soldiers died and 21 were wounded, not inlcuding their Afghan counter parts. We have certainly seen our share of very large scale attacks ending with many dead and wounded. I hope, with all sincerity and respect for the sacrifice of these soldiers, that our French allies review their convoy protocols and institute some updated training. For the sake of your men. Just a thought. God bless these young soldiers, comfort those who were wounded and those whose families must surely grieve today.

Comment from Ymarsakar on 2008-08-21

Thu, 21 Aug 2008 01:15:38 -0600

that is what happens when you are a local company trying to act

Personally, I think this is what happens when you let treason prosper.

Comment from Ymarsakar on 2008-08-21

Thu, 21 Aug 2008 01:14:17 -0600

Making up demoralizing stories about your allies, the Taliban, isn't exactly a moral thing to do, Bill. You can't blame them for upholding their honor.

Comment from BillT on 2008-08-20

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 17:29:22 -0600

They don't want to get burned with propaganda yet they are spreading propaganda simply by printing it.

But they're *creating* it in order to print it. The number of retractions the NYT has had to publish would embarrass the editor of a supermarket tabloid...

Comment from Katherine Optima Maximae on 2008-08-20

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 17:02:52 -0600

"Taliban Conducts Banzai Charge and Gets Waxed" don't sell papers

You know what's wrong with that? It still bleeds and it still leads, it just changes who is bleeding and who is leading. In effect, I believe such a headline would get more reading from US citizens. however, it is full of hubris as they say and we are so trying not to be too proud or loud. At least, that is the media's other excuses. They don't want to get burned with propaganda yet they are spreading propaganda simply by printing it. They have an international audience, but the ones that actually pay their bills and that they are losing are right here in the USA.

that is what happens when you are a local company trying to act like a global corporation without creating separate divisions while trying to sell a product as "universal" when the product, information, truth, etc has never been universal in the first place.

Comment from BillT on 2008-08-20

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 16:12:46 -0600

The truth?

Headlines like "Taliban Conducts Banzai Charge and Gets Waxed" don't sell papers.

Or advance the Democrat agenda.

Comment from Heartless Libertarian on 2008-08-20

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 15:51:12 -0600

Two totally distinct attacks. The French fight took place in Sarobi district, just east of Kabul.

FOB Salerno is near Khost, well south of the capital, near the Pak border.

Comment from John of Argghhh! on 2008-08-20

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 13:38:46 -0600

The Taliban may also come to regret taking on the Legion that way, too.

Comment from Ymarsakar on 2008-08-20

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 12:23:47 -0600

The thing about a government or a nation thinking that there's no need to go to war, is that they often sacrifice their soldiers just because it's not a war, and thus doesn't particularly require any real government or national will/unity.

Comment from Grumpy on 2008-08-20

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 10:25:03 -0600

Kat, Great post. I just have one suggestion, don't put away your original response, "WTF !?!?!" I figure you'll be yelling it many more times, in a way only YOU can do it! -Grumpy

Comment from Katherine Optima Maximae on 2008-08-20

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 10:09:08 -0600

Depends on what they were driving. The "frog" only holds 3 tops. So, I suppose that would put it at 2 vehicles = most of the losses.

Still, I think my original point is correct. these folks need to review their SOP for convoys before the Taliban AAR for this attack gets passed around and the French find themselves favored targets.

Comment from Chuck Simmins on 2008-08-20

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 09:37:27 -0600

From what I've seen, the French were attacked from some buildings, in tight terrain where they had little maneuver room. The deaths were almost immediate though the fight went on for many hours. If they were mounted, the loss of one or two vehicles would account for the death toll.

Comment from RetRsvMike on 2008-08-20

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 07:13:40 -0600

thx for bringing this important report.

earlier instructions regarding briefing techniques are hereby revoked.