Guardian Unlimited | Special reports | The final battle War is hell and terrible things most be done, get over it. No mistake about it, Fallujah had to be neutralized as a base of action for the opposition. But immediately after those points are given, our actions there fall far short of the multiple requirements of fighting this war.

Combat commanders are very pragmatic people. They are also very proud of the people that serve under them. They don't want to see the brave work of their soldiers and Marines in any way diminished or denigrated. It should also be pointed out that the Marines in Iraq have employed some of the more enlightened approaches to dealing with the complexities that are faced.

However, it was announced early in the second Fallujah campaign that a primary objective was the principal hospital in that area. It had been identified as a source of "inflated" civilian casualties from the first battles in Fallujah. I assert that this directive came from above the field commanders and that it was wrong.

Combat commanders have very little concern about how the battle is being spun while it is going on. When they have to assign a limited amount of resources to a tactical situation, their immediate concern is for the mission and their men. I believe that only the pride felt for brave warriors would allow a target with so little tactical weight to be assigned such a high priority. They let their feelings get the best of them and cloud sound judgment.

The result was a most inhumane situation for civilian residents of the city. That will ultimately result in a far tougher tactical situation.
  ¶ 11/15/2004 07:53:00 PM