Damian Brooks interviews BGen David Fraser;
Before speaking with the general, I talked and corresponded with people who had served under him in Afghanistan. I heard two main things from them: that Fraser took each casualty on his watch very personally, so the idea that he would risk troops lives recklessly would be laughable if it wasn’t such a serious matter; and that he has big shoulders, so he won’t be pointing any fingers at anyone else. On the first point, I’ll have to take their word. On the second, he proved true to their assessment.
We spoke for over an hour about the circumstances leading up to Operation Medusa, about the operation itself, about the consequences of Medusa, and about some widely held misconceptions about the mission and its effectiveness.
It certainly seems the mission was successful. According to the NP today, when Canadians moved in to retake these positions, due to the Afghan police and Army’s inability to hold the area, the Taliban abandoned their AK-47s and ran away.
Lincoln had a pussy of a general named McLelland. Delayed, and procrastinated to no end. Was eventually demoted.
Like the BrigGen said, you only get a tiny window, a very short opportunity. Smart man.
One thing for sure. No way on earth will the taliban engage the Canadian army head on. We are the most efficient killing machine amongst today’s armies, and the taliban are very aware of that fact. Why do you think they are using layton and company for their propaganda? It is the only chance they have of defeating the Canadian troops. GO ARMY!