Pentagon Plans for Iraqi Army Dissolved in Postwar Chaos

[NNN0LHI]

http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGAV4FX93MD.html

WASHINGTON (AP) - Pentagon planners had assumed Iraqi soldiers would surrender under American attack. Instead, they just picked up and went home.

Thus U.S. plans to use former Iraqi soldiers as an army of construction and security workers evaporated quickly as 300,000 to 400,000 troops simply disappeared after the war started.

Some Iraqis now blame that major miscalculation by U.S. officials for much of the violence in their country.

"My expectation was that they would either surrender or capitulate," said Lt. Gen. William Wallace, who commanded U.S. Army forces in Iraq until June. "What actually happened is that they just melted into the woodwork."

more

[J B]

1. Hint: The Iraqi Army was deployed within Iraq.

Duh!

[hadrons]

2. great planning huh, William Wallace ....

don't expect Mel Gibson to play you in a movie, Einstein

[Sushi_lover]

3. I call B.S.

They planned to deal with a surrendering Iraqi army? Only if they had to.

In fact, our planners were concerned we would be slowed down if we had to sort and care for surrendering forces. Bypass them, the planners said.

The plan was for a light fast force that could penetrate quickly, and capture key targets, thus causing the Iraqi army to quit.

[DUreader]

8. Yes, this is an outright lie

[Barrett808]

9. Um, didn't Bremer dissolve the Iraqi army?

As I recall, there were thousands of pissed-off soldiers demonstrating for pay. Soldiers who would have been perfectly happy to be employed.

[Minstrel Boy]

4. Not only that, but Pentagon plans for

American Army dissolved in postwar chaos, too.

[ConcernedCanuk]

5. ????? "Postwar" ????? - feckadee - it's just STARTED !

. . One staged PhotoOp on a boat with a banner reading "Mission Accomplished" does not a victory make.

. . This WAR is LONG from being over

- and accurate replacement for "postwar" would be "post invasion and occupation" ! !

Just my Humble Canuk Opinion

[kentuck]

6. And that is what a big part of that $87 billion is for....

the troops! But not necessarily the American troops. They will offer the former Iraqi Republican Guard the best pay they have ever received. If you were a soldier in Iraq, with no job, would you accept a job as a soldier for George W Bush?

[UpInArms]

7. how about a reality check?

http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/World/Iraq/2003/05/23/93669-ap.html

Fri, May 23, 2003

Iraq's army dissolved, new force to be formed, U.S. administration says
By SLOBODAN LEKIC

U.S. civil administrator in Iraq Paul Bremer, right, toured the ancient city of Babylon on Thursday. On Friday, he ordered that Iraqi security services and paramilitary groups be abolished. (AP/Alexander Zemlianichenko)

BAGHDAD (AP) - The military that failed to protect Saddam Hussein's regime took its final fall Friday, as the U.S. occupation force ordered the dismantling of the Iraqi army and the Republican Guard, to be replaced by a "New Iraqi Corps."

The security services and paramilitary groups that formed the pillars of Saddam's Iraq also were abolished by the decree issued by Paul Bremer, the top civilian administrator.

The move leaves tens of thousands of professional soldiers out of work, their future uncertain as U.S. officials work to build a new army without Saddam supporters.

...more...

and

http://www.islamonline.net/English/News/2003-06/03/article10.shtml

Sacked By U.S., Iraqi Officers Become Sellers, Drivers

by Ali Halani, IOL Iraq Correspondent

BAGHDAD, June 3 (IslamOnline.net) - With the Iraqi army dissolved by the U.S. occupation power, the once-proud 400,000 uniformed members are now struggling for life in tough conditions afflicting the war-torn country.

Few high-ranking officers of the army managed to cope with the new reality by selling their properties to feed their families. Many others could not.

Some turned to be taxi drivers, others tomato sellers, with not-so-bright prospects looming in the horizon.

...more...

[Rex]

10. What poor excuses generals have become.

I believe Genghis Khan was about the only person able to successfully use a conquered enemy army (it was either join him or die horribly). Once he had their obedience, he would line them up in front of his REAL army and push them into the direct fire of whatever town or fort he was assaulting next. It worked like a charm.

Gen. Wallace not only defames the real Wallace's name, he is no Khan.