"A Battle in the Mountains"

Introduction
Students are generally familiar with the war in Afghanistan. In this article they will read a special report on the Battle of Takur Gar. Although the story was published in the Washington Post and does not contain graphic descriptions of violence, it does describe people using weapons in combat, and being wounded. The content is more appropriate for high school students than for middle school students.

Lesson Description
Students will read part 1 of the article entitled "A Wintry Ordeal at 10,000 Feet" at the Washington Post Web site. The story is intended to demonstrate the difficulties facing Americans in Afghanistan. Although the story describes acts of heroism by individual Americans, it also illustrates that war involves great hardship, fear, confusion, and violence. After reading the article, students will answer five questions. Four of the questions test student comprehension of the material. The final question requires students to write an essay.

Instructional Objectives:

1. Students will increase their knowledge of the war in Afghanistan.
2. Students will be able to use their knowledge to discuss with others the dangers and problems of sending troops into battle. As citizens and future voters, they will be better able to assess whether going to war is worth the risks and costs entailed.

1. The article notes that the soldiers faced three-foot-deep snow and extreme cold on the mountain. It also mentions that the air was so thin that the soldiers had trouble getting enough oxygen, and that their throats were sore and bleeding.
2. The article notes that the troops were carrying 80 pounds of gear, and were wearing the wrong boots and clothing for the climb up a steeply sloped mountain. It also notes that scouts had not been sent in to place fixed rope lines, and that the climb was longer than expected because the helicopters had difficulty finding places to land. The soldiers also had to contend with enemy fire as they climbed.
3. The Navy aircraft bombed an enemy position that had been firing at the Rangers and keeping them pinned down. Airpower helps American troops by attacking enemy positions that would otherwise have to be attacked on foot at the cost of many American lives.
4. Commanders did not want to send in helicopters in daylight to rescue the Rangers because they feared enemy troops would see the helicopters and ambush them as they landed.
5. Student answers will vary. In general, the American policy of retrieving fallen soldiers helps to keep morale high, and encourages the troops to continue working as a team. Soldiers are more likely to take risks in battle if they know they will be retrieved if they are hit. The policy also reflects American ideals and values because it makes it clear that individuals matter. Soldiers are not treated as expendable cannon fodder. Instead, in the American tradition of individualism and democracy, every soldier is seen as equally important and all possible efforts are made to retrieve those who fall in combat and bring them home.