Off Topic:
CK,
The capture of those GIs over in Macedonia was their own fault as well as the fault of the patrol leader. The exact facts of the event that lead to their capture are still not being made public, if known. There seems to be confusion as whether Serbian forces crossed into Macedonia and "flushed" this lone vehicle into Serbia by firing at it, or whether they just inadvertently crossed the border through their own stupidity.
What I do know from my own personal experience (having started out my military career as a Cavalry Scout and being trained for patrolling missions), is that they violated the first principle of patrolling. They left their convoy and tramped off alone. Patrols usually consist of at least 3 vehicles operating in what we used to call "traveling overwatch". There is mutually supporting firepower from other vehicles in case one vehicle is ambushed.
Second, these soldiers had been part of an on-going UN peacekeeping mission and only recently had switched their blue UN berets and white vehicles for US Army issue. They knew the terrain, having been patrolling the region for some time already. But they apparently did not realize that the Serbian Macedonians who had used to wave at them before, now resented their presence under a US flag.
It is my opinion that someone "dropped the ball", became complacent, and permitted that vehicle to go off on its own. The Sergeants in charge of that vehicle bear the immediate responsibility (there were two E-6s who were captured) because they should have known better than to separate from the rest of the patrol. They were probably bored and decided to take some back trails, a common desire when you're driving what is the ultimate off-road vehicle and have been doing the same mission day in and day out. But it is still their fault for letting the Serbs catch them with their "pants down" and no support nearby to cover their retreat.
GPS would not have helped them, especially if there were a Serb special forces unit targeting them. Once their path of retreat back towards Macedonia was eliminated, they had no choice but to move away from their attackers, even if it meant moving into Serbia.
Just thought I might share my thoughts on that.
Regards,
Ron |
