HI Bob,   
      
   On Sat 2039-Jan-15 12:20, BOB KLAHN (1:123/140) wrote to RICHARD WEBB:   
      
   KW>> untaken. Such are the disastrous effects of a siege.   
      
    RW> YEp, and here in the new world we have "remember the   
    RW> alamo!" a perfect example of this.   
      
   BK>  The fortified position has always been the easiest to defend,  and   
   BK> the hardest to take. The Mexican Army could have taken the  Alamo   
   BK> easily if they used cannon against it. Whether they held  off on the   
   BK> cannon or it didn't arrive until late, I don't know.  But once they   
   BK> did use the cannon the Alamo fell easily.   
      
      
   I've read conjecture having it both ways on the question of   
   the cannon on that one.  But, as you note, a fortified   
   position, or a narrow passage are both showstoppers.   
      
      
   BK>  Go back to the Roman Bridge. When the Etruscans attacked Rome  they   
   BK> were stopped at a bridge by three Romans. They delayed the  invasion   
   BK> long enough for the Roman engineers to knock down the  bridge and   
   BK> save Rome. There is a painting, "Oath of Horatii" in  the Louvre,   
   BK> and a smaller version by the same artist at the  Toledo Museum of   
   BK> Art, depicting the three soldiers taking an  oath to defend Rome to   
   BK> the death.   
      
   YEp, destroy the bridge then troops have to figure another   
   way in .   
      
   More later when I'm not getting my rear end kicked by this   
   bug.   
      
      
      
   Regards,   
              Richard   
   --- timEd 1.10.y2k+   
    * Origin:  (1:116/901)