This is a well-told vignette of war life, @stormlight24. Even those in command suffer from anguish and despair.
I have heard the expression "take no prisoners" many times, but I have never really thought about what it actually means. Now I realize, that an outfit which does not take prisoners is too ruthless to let them live.
I came across these expressions many times when reading war fantasy so I explored it and then understand it. I just thought this is a good story to implement it.