Problem with the Americans are that they have a damned "cowboy"
gung-ho exagerated mentality of "go get them mother-f*+#@".
They are mostly brash, young, and parochial in their outlook.
Most of them do not even know where Washington is on the map of the
world, let alone that of Baghdad or Iraq.
It is little wonder that casualties have been so low, after the
passage of Ten days, and with most of the casualties a result of
accidents, and friendly fire.
The main casualties and loss men had occurred when a rear echelon
Logistics Team wandered into an Iraqi held town, and like
non-combatant "goofers" that they normally are, these Logistic
clowns are easy meat for the waiting Saddam's elite troops.
The majority of the UK soldiers are more professional than those
found in the US Marines and the 101 Airborne, with most having
experience in battle torn Northern Ireland and good at FIBUA from
experience gained in Belfast.
All the same, the casualties arising from real combat is much lower
from the US Combat Teams, and their training must have contributed
much to their present status.
Those few casualties that they have lost, was due to their
innocence and trust towards the Iraqi "civilians", who now turned
out to be murderous "Fedayeen" gangsters dressed as surrendering
civilians, only to ambush the unsuspecting US soldiers.
Now the US-UK Force has to deal with a new threat from Suicide
Bomber in civilian cars.
A relevant reminder from a US General is that as Combat Soldiers,
the Commanders will have to respond to the situation on the ground,
and come up with new strategies and tactics.
No commander worth his salt will stick to doctrines, and tested war
games. A military commander must respond to the situation and
threats and move on to achieve the set objectives.
One skirmish lost does not mean the lost of an entire War.