Mish, <<Do the Iraqis have hand held weapons that will easily take out our tanks?>> I do not know and am only repeating what I have read or saw on TV.
I believe the Iraqis have a lot of RPGs hidden away, and I understand, perhaps wrongly, that RPGs launched at (a) tank tracks or (b) radiator at the rear of the tank will do the necessary damage to unnerve the crew; ... and same with very large pre-positioned remote detonated mines as in West Bank.
Also, the armor on the top of the turret and engine compartment is not as thick as the front and sides. Urban warfare presumably involves folks shooting from building tops.
Also, at 0.5 miles to the gallon of gas, and 3 crew per tank, the tanks are presumably vulnerable to supply (gas, water, rations, munition) disruption.
Some media has reported that the military has said that war may extend for several months barring a lucky break (Saddam dying). With the onset of hot weather, the turning off of fuel consuming aircon and the taking off of heat trapping anti-CB gear would still be a non-starter.
A taxi driver who used to drive a tank had said that a bucket of paint dropped from above on the tank optics may also create a sense of isolation, as in a submarine.
Over all, HK investors feel that any delay is not good for a lot of reasons, but that the US can capture Bagdad is still a given. The timing of final resolution, as in return to peace and constitution of elected government, if these are the political objectives of the military campaign, would appear to depend a great deal on the Iraqi civilian attitudes.
Chugs, Jay |
