🚀 go-pugleaf

Ben Howard wrote:

> John Childress wrote in message <398FFE8E.1F3FC625@link.com>...
> >
> >
> >Ben Howard wrote:
>
>     Remember the context.  We're talking about a hypothetical invasion of
> Iwo Jima using modern tools and tactics.  The B-52 can carry 75,000 pounds
> of conventional bombs.  By comparison, the
> B-29 carried 5,000 pounds (long range mode), and the B-17 carried 2,000
> pounds.  The smaller attack aircraft (A-4, Helldiver, etc) used by the navy
> carried 1,000 pounds of bombs at most.

 Correct, but the Naval Battleships firing 14" shells with more explosive than
a 2000 lb. bomb in with greater armor, (read rock, stone), piercing ability
pounded the rock continuously for days.  Looking at photo's & movies of the
battle would give you the impression that Iwo Jima was nothing more than a lump
of rock sitting in the middle of the Pacific.  That was not the case, but the
island had been totally denuded of all plant life due to the preparatory
bombardment.  Our technology has given us the ability to destroy most clearly
identified targets.  The problem is that the targets need to be clearly
identified.  We destroyed the Chinese embassy building intentionally, we just
didn't know that the building was the Chinese embassy.  An entrenched enemy
will have emplacements that we miss.  The Vietnamese were very skilled in
hiding their locations.  When we found them, we could destroy them, but first
you had to find them.  There are tactics that make detection nearly impossible
to do.
    You also must take into account the newer technology to which whatever
opponent we face will have access.  The Argentine's were able to sink British
ship not directly involved in the landings.  How many of the marines hover
assault vessels need to be sunk to make the landing insupportable?
    In all honesty, I do not believe that we will face another Iwo Jima. God
grant that this is so.  However, we will likely face a more determined
adversary than we have in recent history.  Not being prepared to adequately
defend yourself from a determined adversary invites trouble.  The wolves are
always watching, so we must have the meanest of dogs guarding our flock.

John