Who do you command to die?

Question

You are a lieutenant commanding a small force of 15 soldiers who have been pinned down and are encircled by a vastly superior enemy force of 100. Its nighttime, and you have discovered a route of escape and have deviced a plan. its touch and go, and very risky but you have decided to give it a shot. Only thing is one man must stay back and cover your retreat from a spot where one man can really hold off and delay the enemy for at least a few minutes while the others escape. Problem is that he is sure to die as the enemy will eventually maneuver so they can get him in their sights.

How do you select who stays? Do you ask for a volunteer? Do you volunteer yourself as the officer? If no one volunteers, do you draw straws?

Answer 1

I would think of something else, so, all of my men can get out alive.

Answer 2

As the American Infantry officer in command in this morality question, it would be my duty to see the men out, I would have to stay behind.

In the real world, I am calling "Broken Arrow" - meaning US ground forces are about to be overrun. This will divert every air and ground asset to my disposal, without question.

It will free up anything for my choice of ordnance: gunships and fast movers as Close Air Support and artillery of all kinds. Anything within range to assist will help, anything not within range to assist will correct that situation expediently. I will pick targets and they will annihilate them.

Meanwhile friendly forces will be marshaling for both reinforcement and rescue while we pile up the enemy dead. I would bring all my men out alive. The enemy that chooses not to run will die in place. Those that do will die tired. But they will ALL die.

Today's armed forces will never fight a battle where men on the ground are in any real danger of being cut off and isolated.

We learned many lessons from The Battle of Mogadishu on 3 OCT 1993, yet it is a good personal morals question.



Edit: Sorry Gunny, I meant the Infantry, not pogues.

The Jessica Lynch thing was a screw-up, anyway.

My last combat tour finished last September, I finished out-processing in December.

From a Paratrooper to a Marine: Semper Fi!



To ChrisL: Respecfully Master Sergeant, I did say "Broken Arrow" and NO ONE could ever refuse that call if it came over the net.

I cannot tell you how many times a counter-battery was refused to deal with an enemy mortar team plaguing us due to "Collateral Concerns" ad nauseam.

We had three registered Point Of Origin sites outside the FOB. A ten-digit grid on each, they even had six inch deep holes dug the exact size for the base plates.

Frustratingly, I know all too well about the refusal of assets outside the wire. Certainly when I could find POO sites 1, 2, or 3 with my eyes closed.

If you note, I said nothing about the routine uses of indirect fires, I was specific about an American ground position in danger of being overrun.

Answer 3

That is the burden of command. The LT, knowing one of his men would definitely be killed, would probably ask for volunteers. If no one volunteered, he would have to order someone to cover the escape or volunteer himself to save his men but the decision rests with the LT, not drawing straws.

Contrary to one poster, soldiers have been unable to call in artillery or support due to a number of reasons and it will, even with all of our high tech gear, happen again. Combat is fluid and things can happen unexpectedly.

Answer 4

Marines Never leave a man behind, so the question is moot.

as for the guy who said "Today's armed forces will never fight a battle where men on the ground are in any real danger of being cut off and isolated. "

He hasn't been in combat latley or read the news.

Does the name Jessica lynd ring a bell, or the others involved in the convoy. It happens more than you think combat can be very confusing when the heat of battle is going on.

Answer 5

What I would do is pick the one I thought might have the best chance of coming through alive.

If one of the troops was wounded and had limited mobility that might also be the one to choose.

I would get my 14 out and try to find a way to rescue the one left behind, wounded or not.

Better yet, call in artillery or air support and cream the enemy before he can get my guys.

Answer 6

I would do it myself; have my senior NCO take over and lead the men to safety while I hold the advance with a machine gun and all the ammo the unit can sacrifice.

I'd ask for volunteers to assist me, but I would not allow anyone other than me to do it alone.

Either we all leave together or we all die together.