In particular, commanders feared the 16 pounds (7.3 kilograms) of equipment would only make soldiers less mobile and more vulnerable.
Now American commanders fear that the military will be undermined by too much caution.
Mutiny was the one thing that a commander feared above everything else.
While they did have a small squad out in front to act as scouts, clearly their commanders feared no trouble until they reached the frontier.
American commanders feared the concern for procedure might be swept away by the urge for revenge.
Without new bases by that deadline, American commanders fear there could be an interruption in the interdiction flights.
The stern-faced commander did not fear such procedure.
Military intelligence officials said there were no immediate signs of Iraqi retaliation, as some commanders had feared.
Also, the British commanders feared that a resupply helicopter might be shot down, giving a propaganda victory to the insurgents.
American commanders fear that many Iraqi units are penetrated by informants.