Charlie: What do you think soldiers thought of their leadership at this point in the war? Why?

I believe one of the soldiers answers this question for us when asked to assist in overtaking a Chinese gun. The soldier said,
“You want it, you go take it, Lieutenant.”
“Take it and shove it up your ass.”

The situation the Americans were in at the time seemed to have no resolution. Plans were merely how to get out alive, not anything of offense or defense. When moving from one place to another, there was no integrity in reference to company or platoon elements. Officers were only in control of their one vehicle. It got to the point where it was literally every man for himself.

“It’s every man for himself! We are trapped! Get out anyway you can!”

Overall, I think the soldiers weren’t confident in their leadership at all. There was poor communication and no one really knew what was going on. Incoming soldiers were still being told this conflict was a “police action”. The young lieutenants had never been soldiers before, much less leaders in a nasty conflict, and they were being asked to do the impossible. Leaders were trying to do the best they could, but it was almost impossible with the circumstances. Soldiers didn’t believe in their leaders because of the constant losses they were taking.