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FreeRepublic , LLC PO BOX 9771 FRESNO, CA 93794
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FreeRepublic , LLC PO BOX 9771 FRESNO, CA 93794
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What can I say. Impressive.
Soldiers of A Company, 3rd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, relax on the elaborate furniture in one of Saddam Hussein's palaces in Baghdad on Monday. They had been searching the building, damaged in bombing. (John Moore/The Associated Press)
By Greg Grant
Special to The Tribune
WITH THE U.S. 3RD INFANTRY DIVISION, BAGHDAD -- Iraqi tank-killer teams armed with rocket propelled grenades have been stalking the huge American tanks as they moved tentatively in narrow streets since the lightning U.S. thrusts began into the capital.
"Iraqis were firing down on us from rooftops that we were lighting up with every machine gun we have," said tank commander Lt. Mike Flynn. "We could see them try to get into position to shoot RPGs [rocket propelled grenades] into our engine deck. We couldn't move because there wasn't enough room on the road so we just kept up a high volume of fire."
The huge American M1 tanks are out of their element in the constricted streets and alleys of the Iraqi capital, where mobility is greatly restricted and an enemy on foot can get in close for an attack.
Iraqis have learned that the frontal armor of the M1 tank is impenetrable so they have adopted a new technique of firing numerous rocket propelled grenades at vulnerable sides and rear engine compartments. Cleverly camouflaged Iraqi anti-aircraft guns and tanks backed into buildings and side streets, try to hit the huge M1s in the side as they drive by.
Iraqis have even resorted to kamikaze-type attacks. During fighting Monday they drove sport utility vehicles loaded with high explosive at U.S. armored vehicles. One M1 tank was knocked out by Iraqi fire.
U.S. tank commander Sgt. Steve Smith had his tank temporarily disabled by an Iraqi anti-tank missile.
"I wasn't expecting enemy fire from the left and we were firing off to our right and suddenly the tank rocked on its side and a fireball filled the crew compartment and almost at the same time I felt an intense heat wave and then it was gone as the Halon [fire suppressant system] immediately kicked in."
The tank was still drivable but the crew couldn't raise or lower the gun or move the turret. Other tank crews directed Smith as he reversed back down the narrow street to the safety of the rest of the tank company. Determined to have every available vehicle in the fight, U.S. forces quickly patched up the tank and sent it back into the fighting.
Caught unawares and still recovering from the battering they took in the fight for the Baghdad international airport, the Iraqis were slow to react to the first U.S. strikes into the city. But by Monday, Saddam Hussein's fanatical paramilitary fedayeen fighters and soldiers from his multiple security services are putting up a spirited resistance.
"When you back a tiger into a corner it fights twice as hard," said an M1 tank gunner.
Roadblocks are going up around town and the Iraqi military concealed tanks, artillery and other fighting vehicles throughout the city.
Artillery fire coming from the center of Baghdad was causing heavy casualties among American units forming a cordon around the capital. A headquarters unit was hit, resulting in a number of dead and wounded Americans. An artillery duel continued between U.S. artillery spread around the airport and Iraqi batteries hidden in the streets and parks of Baghdad.
Iraqi artillery periodically emerged from concealment to fire off a few rounds in the direction of American units and then hurriedly move into hiding to avoid the inevitable American response.
As darkness descended on the battlefield Monday, the tank crews passed around cups of coffee, some drinking them from newly liberated Iraqi canteens. Iraqi anti aircraft fire lit up the night sky.
----- Greg Grant is a Salt Lake City resident and correspondent for The Salt Lake Tribune with the 3rd Infantry Division in Iraq.
How does one of these behemoths move "tentatively"?