It’s pretty interesting reading. Pop along here for the series.
My reply?
While I enjoyed reading this incredibly nerdy analysis of the battle for Gondor, The author forgets several points.
1. These are orcs. Every prisoner is food. The city of Minas Tirith is therefore a larder even if the inhabitants eat their food stores. The fallen soldiers of Gondor are food. Got hungry and aggressive orcs? Just point them at the enemy. Yum Yum. They’ll eat grubs, rotting meat, drink brackish water – they’re not subject to the same supply lines. And heck, Orcs will eat each other.
2. There is magic. Not only is Sauron a powerful sorcerer but those magic rings the Ringwraiths have also have impressive abilities to enhance the command structure. Orcs ain’t rebelling. They’re literally thrall to the whims of magic. At the back of the 30 mile column is an orc being birthed from wherever they come from and being given a sword and helmet. The column does not end. And heck, maybe magic can summon up rations?
3. There is evil. Sauron isn’t trying to attain control of the bountiful Pellenor Fields, he’s trying to end mankind. He himself is in thrall to Morgoth. Morgoth is evil, Sauron is evil, Orcs are evil. You can’t compare the motivation of land barons in mediaeval times to the motivations of a 12pm tall immortal demigod. And heck, he’s a Maiar, like Gandalf.