Information, not winches, would have saved lives
Gar,
I think you're hitting the nail squarely there. The maps and location of minefields around that position were known - why didn't the guys in that position have the information?
Additionally, why weren't the coy and bn commander front and centre at the coroner's court to explain these lapses?
I think the whole issue of winches is spurious to the more basic and simple failings of the immediate command chain and training system.