The Custer Doctrine

Apparently the U.S. Navy has taken its rules of engagement either from the Japanese defenders of Okinawa who fought to the second-last round and then killed themselves or Gen. Custer's final engagement at Little Big Horn.

"The U.S. Navy rules of engagement say we have not only a right to self-defence but also an obligation to self-defence," Horner explained. "(The British) had every right in my mind and every justification to defend themselves rather than allow themselves to be taken. Our reaction was, 'Why didn't your guys defend themselves?'"

Lt. Cmdr Gung Ho needs to give his head a shake. A pair of inflatable Zodiacs full of men and women armed with rifles and side arms can't really be expected to fare too well against a half-dozen patrol boats armed with heavy machine guns. The term Swiss cheese comes to mind. But at least they wouldn't be a bunch of effete British nancy boys.