Franks: supply lines coping with dangers

Iraqi guerrilla attacks on allied supply lines will not slow the advance to Baghdad, US commander General Tommy Franks said today.

He said the communication lines were “very, very dangerous” but British and US forces had become battle hardened and adapted to terrorist style strikes from resistance fighters.

“Difficulties? Of course, to be expected, but we won’t see anyone run of water, we won’t see anyone run out of ammunition, we won’t see anyone run out of fuel,” General Franks told US radio network, Infinity Broadcasting.

Coalition troops had been “shocked” by Iraqi forces feigning surrender and then opening fire on them.

“It doesn’t comport with any behaviour we’ve ever seen as acceptable on the battle field.”

But he added: “American soldiers, and Brits and Aussies have a marvellous ways of adapting to these conditions.

“Every day turns out to be a day that is better informed. Our troops are battle hardened and they respond to these kind of situations in a very effective way.”

And he stressed the attacks would not delay the advance to Baghdad.

“That’s one of the blessings of having a reasonably large and competent force. The force is able to do several things at the same time.

“They’re keeping the supplies moving. What needs to get through is getting through.”

He would not comment on how they expect to attack Baghdad, but said it was a “very flexible plan.”

US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld has been accused of putting allied troops at risk for insisting on a smaller invasion force has left the 300-mile supply line from Kuwait to Baghdad vulnerable to guerrilla attacks.

General Tommy Franks’s draft invasion plan proposed using up to five heavy divisions moving slowly towards Baghdad, but the US Defence Secretary is said to preferred a smaller force relying heavily on special forces and air power.