I don't regard it as a failing of the superiors.

BTW, you couldn't be more wrong about this. It's the job of the superiors to make sure the troops have adequate equipment to do the job they are willing to risk their lives to do. If the troops are willing to put their lives on the line for the job, it's hardly too much to ask those who are putting them in harm's way to make sure they are not doing so in vain. You are obviously one of those armchair generals who delight in the thought of good and brave men and women getting killed so you can feel powerful and mighty.