Setting the record straight

Interaction

I am not always right. I make mistakes. And readers sometimes point them out. I don’t spent enough time to acknowledge their input and credit them. So….This post.

Reading through the comments to my last post I realized that some bear further discussion and explanation. I have quoted the comments in question in part — but please read the originals in full.

Tactical maneuvering

Just amazes me how the NATO/Ukronazi's don't catch on the Russian strategy of retreating to create a fire cauldron Dacolec

Ordering a strategic retreat, while making perfect sense, would mean immediate shrieks of defeatism.Discount Plaque Doctor,

The reason that the UAF doesn’t catch on to the Russian strategy of retreating to set up in an advantageous position for counterattackis NATO military doctrine, part of which ironically is based upon the eminent strategist John Boyd's lectures on maneuver combat , including the OODA Loop, which was incorporated in Marine Corps strategies, but never fully understood.

John Boyd, whom I have written extensively about in other articles, is also mentioned in the comments later —and we will get to him in due course.

Boyd was arguably the best read strategist of all time — with an encyclopedic knowledge of historical strategic theory. Tricking an opponent into attacking and occupying a position where they are vulnerable and cannot easily defend themselves is a time-honored tactic — because it works.

NATO’s basic strategy is based on the assumption it will have overwhelming advantage in a artillery, reconnaissance, and aerial support-- further, that its goal must be to occupy or at least dominate territory. Winning = territory.

That didn’t work in Vietnam or Afghanistan — or in Ukraine.

So the idea of retreating to attack and attrit your enemy with territory is irrelevant : it simply does not fit the template, which at best just allows for tactical positioning.

Another thing is what the Plague Doctor says: given the previous assumptions, tactical retreats are seen as defeatist if not cowardly-- as was the case with the Japanese who would die rather than retreat.

For the Russians, however, tactical retreat is part of maskirvoka. Just smart.

Ideological factors

I imagine the ground commanders know the situation very well and try to develop tactics to cope. But as the 'invaded' party needing financial support from an increasingly hypocritical West the Ukrainians do have to look like they are succeeding. kr James

I think KR James is correct but I would qualify that.

The UAF forces command structure is set up with oversight by Azov and Right Sector fanatics who are aware that ordinary Ukrainian soldiers lack ideological motivation. I am sure there are exceptions, but if they were really intelligent they wouldn’t be Nazis, would they? Their job is basically to shoot anyone who doesn’t look enthusiastic.

Ukrainian barrier troops

IQ

I know of a man who I greatly admire who's IQ was 90. He had an engineering degree and was a great fighter pilot. His name is John Boyd. When asked how he could be so brilliant with on IQ of only 90 he replied, "I read lots of books. Longtrail

John Boyd had a BA economics and an general engineering degree (one year program) There is no record of his IQ score.

As PFC Billy says….

Um, another reason being that during most of their history, IQ tests were (and still mostly ARE) of very limited value in determining actual capabilities of individuals, even more so when applied outside the culture/subculture designed them.

Boyd was a high functioning autist -with the so-called da Vinci Trait – he was an autodidact and polymath and highly creative. These qualities are extremely rare and not measurable by IQ tests, which are standardized for “normal” populations and theoretical concepts of competence not relevant to real world abilities.

I should know.

In one of occupational incarnations I was hired as a linguistic expert (LOL— I attended exactly two of my linguistics classes in college!). Among other things. I created standardized tests for linguistic competence as well as performance tests for large groups. I even gave presentations at international academic conferences-- not too well received —when I argued that standardized testing was 50% bullshit!

My brother’s IQ scores varied between 90 and 150. He failed first year university – twice! I myself once did a test for a job and just checked off the answers randomly. I scored to high and didn’t’ get the job!

So, while I comment about my IQ being 90 was intended to be humorous, there is a backstory.

The Laws of War

The mercenaries will be slaughtered. They are not protected under the laws of war. Is that true? The 'not covered by the laws of war" bit, I mean. kr James

kr James is right. Me? Wrong.

Mercenaries are covered by the laws of war – as human beings— but are not considered “lawful combatants”. They must be treated humanely but can be prosecuted under law as unlawful combatants – and suffer legal consequences —prison or even execution. The legal bar for proof that someone is an “unlawful” combatant varies.

So of all of the prisoners in Gitmo, but almost none of them actually qualified. That was clear from the beginning but made no difference to the US.

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Wanna win a war? Drink coffee. It will also get you access to all those special articles, which have stuff no one else talks about. High level strategy…..LOL

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