On Sun, 27 Jan 2002, Alberto Monteiro wrote:

> I have to agree with Jeroen. *If* there is anything as a just war - which
> I don't say the 1967 war was - then it makes sense to use all valid ways
> to make it an easier win.
>

A possible historical example:

"Trenton, on the Jersey side of the Delaware, only thrity miles from
Philadelphia, was the foremost British post, held by Hessians.  The
Hessians celebrated Christmas vigorously and were sluggish the next
morning.  They had also been deceived as to American intentions by the
testimony of a supposed Tory spy, actually an American agent (Washington
was a great believer in spies and disinformation).  Washington planned to
ferry his army across the Delaware on Christmas night in three divisions.
Because of snow and ice, two turned back.  One was enough.  After the
brief clash, an American soldier remembered, the two dozen dead Hessians
looked like 'sheaves of wheat lying in a field over which reapers had just
passed.'  Nine hundered of their comrades had been taken prisoner.  Only
two Americans had been wounded...."

 - Brookhiser, Richard. _Founding Father: Rediscovering George
Washington_.  p. 29

The 1967 war was much bigger in scope compared to this battle, but the
basic principles of deception and of taking advantage of unwariness
stemming from a religious observance remain about the same.


Marvin Long
Austin, Texas

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