WAR and technology

Replying to Paul Simon's trust in the superiority of US military technology, Cameron Sawyer says "One hopes that this is the case, but pride cometh before a fall. And speaking of Mein Kampf, what about the Wehrmacht in 1939-41? Talk about your poorly shod, armed and equipped rabble. Their transport was predominantly horse-drawn throughout the war when even the Russians were almost completely mechanized (thanks in part to the wonderful Dodge 2 1/2 ton trucks they got in quantity under Lend Lease). Even the Czech army looked pretty good in comparison. The French army was larger and better equipped at the beginning of the war. I will bet that they expected to make short work of the Nazi invaders; in the event it was the French who were made short work of".

George Sassoon also has his doubts: "Fine, but sometime over-reliance can be placed on technology. Is it true that US intelligence agencies claimed to be able to track Osama bin-Laden to within 6 meters using the signal from his satellite phone? And is it also true that it never occurred to them that he might give the device to a friend with instructions to go off in the opposite direction? Or just strap it to a camel's hump and turn the animal loose?" RH: With a friend like bin Laden, who needs enemies?

Ronald Hilton - 2/28/03