Italy Bribes Taliban, Stops, Gets 10 French Soldiers Killed

[Mikey]

Exactly - the French were under-prepared because they based their threat assessment on what occurred under the Italians.

[sunnyside]

It wasn't the local warlords who were the culprits - it was the Taliban. The warlords at least pay lip service to Kabul.

Well, call them what you want. Cell leaders? But from the quotes it sounds like the people in town knew they were around, and that they weren't attacking.

Technically, it isn't - AFAIK it's aid to the civil power, no different legally to being used as riot police. Plus, based on the Italians' track record, there wasn't much going on in the area, so they had good reason to treat it as glorified police work, unlike the chaos down south.

Ok, I believe Vietnam wasn't technically a war either. But still, when cops patrol nice neighborhoods here it isn't like they decide to leave their guns and radios behind. The platoons should have had the appropriate equipment, they must have simply not brought it along.

Though I should be careful about not blaming the victim here. The soldiers at least managed to put up a fight and didn't lose that many people considering the circumstances. But some commander should have had them with proper kit.

[Captain Seafort]

Well, call them what you want.

Getting terminology right is important. The various warlords generally support Kabul, or at least don't go after Afghan or NATO troops unless said troops start sticking their noses into said warlord's fiefdoms (usually trying to destroy the poppy crop). The Taliban do go after the security forces, regardless of what they're doing (unless, of course, they've been bribed not to).

But still, when cops patrol nice neighborhoods here it isn't like they decide to leave their guns and radios behind.

They do not, however, go in with full body armour, assault rifles and armoured support when it's not necessary.

[Aaron]

Jebus, I'm not going to have to explain how threat assessments, escalation of force and postures work again, am I?

[Lighthawk]

Jebus, I'm not going to have to explain how threat assessments, escalation of force and postures work again, am I?

Hey, what do you think we pay you for?

[Sionnach Glic]

From all indications, this area was less dangerous than Belfast during the 80's. Given that the French were performing similar duties to the British military back in the Troubles, it doesn't surprise me at all that they weren't walking around as though they were marching into battle.

[Aaron]

Hey, what do you think we pay you for?

Pay?

[Lighthawk]

Hey, what do you think we pay you for?

Pay?

What, you don't get paid?

[Sonic Glitch]

Hey, what do you think we pay you for?

Pay?

What, you don't get paid?

You see, the economics of Canada are somewhat different, you see money doesn't exist in Canada's Arsehole. They work to better themselves, and the rest of humanity

[Deepcrush]

So, Italy fraked up... No big deal. Its only the french.

Then the french fraked up. If you've ever met them, you wouldn't be shocked.

As to police actions and combat actions. DOESN'T MATTER. If you are a soldier then you have no excuse not to be equipped as such. Proper weapons, body armor, supply, support services and information are YOUR responsibilty. Don't blame someone else because you didn't ask the all important "Why" question.

[Sionnach Glic]

Uh, is the gear that the troops get and use not the choice of the officers?

[Aaron]

Uh, is the gear that the troops get and use not the choice of the officers?

Yes, in lots of cases far higher then the Regimental level.

[Sionnach Glic]

Thanks. I'd thought as much.

[Deepcrush]

Uh, is the gear that the troops get and use not the choice of the officers?

The Corps uses a preset equipment list based on the needs of the region in which said unit is being deployed. Equipment from this list cannot be removed, only added too.

To my knowledge the United States Navy and Army have similar protocals. There was a huge stink about it a few years ago when Bush Jr deployed non-equipped personel and then got upset when their commanders refused to send them into combat.

[sunnyside]

Actually, I suppose I don't know all that much about French troop loadouts.

Due to the admonishment for lack of heavy weapons, and that if it were US army troops they'd have more standard, I figured they'd sent out their troops with lighter equipment. But I suppose it's possible that the French just roll light. Or even that maybe this was a light infantry mountainering unit, though you'd think they'd have mentioned that.

I can understand that there is a limited number of troops, and you may not want to drive a tank column everywhere. Where some senior officer deserves a demotion is if they were out on patrol without full and proper combat gear nor provisions for air support.