2007-03-23 22:39:09 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Military
Pick your battle field.
Fighting from a rubber boat doesn't give you much of a chance.
2007-03-23 22:43:34 · answer #1 · answered by ? 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Because they were outgunned--the Iranian Revolutionary Guard boats had machine guns mounted to the bows--and because it could have resulted in an international fiasco, possibly leading to a premature war. There is another main reason, one that most civilians can't get their heads around--the ROA, or rules of engagement. In a war where every single microscopic mistake made on the parts of the Americans or British is blown out of proportion on the news and makes life even more difficult for those deployed (and believe me, it does--I say that as someone who was in Baghdad during that Abu Ghraib nonsense), soldiers and marines have to be very, very careful about who they engage in combat with. Tackling Iranian gunboats when all you have are sidearms, and when you're outnumbered, is not only stupid, it's literally illegal, because Britain is currently not at war with Iran. If, and only if, the Iranians had shot at them, would they have been able to fight.
2007-03-23 23:59:05 · answer #2 · answered by ಠ__ಠ 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Wasnt worth risking their lives to a bunch of F**k heads. I tell you this though if Iran does not release those marines or if they are harmed in any way it will be seen as an act of war and iran will get a visit some day soon from a few F- 16s. No not a few but a lot of F-16s and a few Harriers to boot.
2007-03-23 22:42:10 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
because they knew they were in Iranian water and they were in the wrong. I don't believe any British soldiers will surrender if they believed they were doing the right thing at the right place.another question is why the mother ship HMS Cornwall just watched and did nothing to save their sailors.
2007-03-24 02:51:13 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Because they had no chance.
Small arms against .50 cal machine guns and rubber boats vs metal hulled patrol boats is a VERY bad answer.
The sacrifice would've been pointless - there was no dishonor in their surrender at that place and time and no honor to be gained and no purpose in fighting.
Orion
2007-03-23 22:59:15 · answer #5 · answered by Orion 5 · 3⤊ 1⤋
They were on police duty, not engaged in a military action. The best is to surrender and let the two governments discuss...
2007-03-23 22:46:25 · answer #6 · answered by Thom Jefferson 1 · 5⤊ 1⤋
I wish they would but they were in a boat made out of rubber so that doesnt give u much choice
2007-03-25 20:24:52 · answer #7 · answered by linkinicarus273 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, does the name "CUSTER" mean anything to you?
Sometimes discretion is the better part of valor...only someone who has never been in a situation such as this would ask a question like this.
2007-03-24 00:32:15 · answer #8 · answered by Team Chief 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Out manned,out gunned and under orders not to resist if something happened.
2007-03-24 01:44:31 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because they probably would have been charged with murder like the other ones were....can you believe that? Something is very wrong with this and this war!
2007-03-23 22:54:17 · answer #10 · answered by chatticathi52 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋