Quote:
Originally posted by johnny:
I don't know where you got the information that Karremans himself called off an airstrike, since everyone is giving different statements. I've heard that airsupport was denied by a French General named Janvier. Janvier himself put the blame on a British officer, and so everyone keeps pointing at eachother
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Answer=Nederlands Instituut Voor Oorlogsdocumentatie
Quote:
Originally posted by Johnny:
I think Karremans did what every other officer from whatever other nation would have done, knowing that noone was gonna cover his back. He made a deal with the enemy, and saved the life of all his troopers. That's his first and most important responsibility.
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Sorry Johnny, but similar situations occured with British, Canadians and yes even other Dutch soldiers - they opened fire and called the Serbs bluff - and won. Soldiers rarely fight under 'perfect' circumstances.
Look what happened in Iraq - *many* US troops divisions were constantly complaining that they didn't have the airpower that they needed. Did it stop them? NO - they carried out their orders and took the pain. How many soldiers were *slaughtered* in vietnam carrying out orders? What about in WWII when a few allied troops dropped into Arnhem and carried on fighting a hopeless cause?
When the Argentinians invaded the Falklands, 20 British soldiers held out for two days against the entire Argentine invasion force - because they were ordered to hold their ground!
I want to be *clear* here that Dutch soldiers are NOT cowards - the responsibility for what happened lay with the commanding officer - it was his decision and his decision alone. And this was *not* the first time that he did this. He did something cowardly before in the middle east, lying face down in the dirt in front of his men while he was disarmed. We know that story too, don't we?
Most Dutch servicemen are real solid blokes - anyone would be happy to have them covering your tail - but this guy, well, I would definately want to have him in front of me rather than behind - at least I'd know when he was going to run and get the option for a 'friendly fire' incident...