Be very afraid, Saddam

The Sun ^ | March 12, 2003 | GEORGE PASCOE-WATSON

[MadIvan]

BRITAIN’S top commander in the Gulf warned Saddam Hussein last night: Be afraid — be very afraid.

Air Marshal Brian Burridge said Iraqi troops will face hand- to-hand combat with Royal Marine Commandos — the world’s most terrifying fighting force.

He added: “They scare the sh*t out of me. Heaven knows what they’ll do to the enemy.”

His words echo the remarks of the legendary Duke of Wellington who said of British troops fighting Napoleon in 1810: “I don’t know what effect these men will have on the enemy but, by God, they frighten me.”

Burridge told how 5,000 Green Berets are ready to go into battle on the streets of Baghdad.

He said they were determined to destroy Saddam’s military and crush the “dangerous bastard”.

The Air Marshal went on: “We are now not just over the horizon, we are over the fence.

“The guys on the ground have a job to do. They recognise their duty and are ready to get on with it.

“The mission is to disarm Iraq of weapons of mass destruction.”

He added: “Saddam is a dangerous bastard. For the sake of his own people and regional stability, he needs removing.”

Burridge told how Saddam hopes to suck allied troops into street-fighting in Baghdad.

Mission ... Air Marshal Burridge

About 40,000 of Saddam’s Republican Guard have already dug in on the outskirts of Baghdad.

A further 20,000 are defending an inner ring round the capital.

But Burridge insisted fearless Commandos and Paras are ready for the onslaught and will be more than a match for their enemy. He even predicted Saddam’s men will crumble at the sight of invading British and US troops. He said: "They want to entice us into urban warfare.

But this assumes there will be hand-to-hand fighting and that those ordered to do this will do so willingly. There have to be doubts.

If there is a war and they fight, we will hit them hard. We are deft and professional and clever enough to do it quickly."

There are fears Saddam may target coalition forces with chemical weapons — and kill thousands of Iraqi civilians in the process.

But top brass believe he will not sabotage oilfields as he did during the first Gulf War 12 years ago.

British troops will play a key fighting role in military strikes and will not be sidelined by advancing American forces.

The 7th Armoured Brigade — the Desert Rats — 3 Commando Brigade and 16 Air Assault Brigade will spearhead much of the action.

Burridge, who will work with America’s General Tommy Franks at US Central Command in the Gulf state of Qatar, had one word for the Desert Rats: “Awesome.”

Meanwhile, British tanks are being adapted to cope with the huge amounts of sand they churn up.

A Commons report will today slam the MoD for failing to “desertise” equipment during a massive Gulf exercise 18 months ago.

But Burridge dismissed fears about British equipment.

And a senior military source told The Sun last night: “Our people will not go into action without every possible advantage.”

[MadIvan]

Just a little morale booster from our military.

As Blair said, with you at the first, with you to the last.

Regards, Ivan

[MadIvan]

Bump!

[js1138]

But will Blair last?

[Samwise]

Bump

[Happygal]

Why will there be any need for 'street fighting'?

Surely the bombing campaign from the Allied troops won't necessitate this?

[cmsgop]

You Guys ROCK! I know you are not going anywhere.....

I just wish some of these "Flip-Flooping FReepers" would get some backbone....

[swarthyguy]

I have the funny feeling that even if the politicos dictate otherwise, British troops will take part in the campaign regardless.

"you mean it wasn't a training exercise?" So sorry about that, old chap...but since we're here, we may as well move on to Basra and Baghdad.

[MadIvan]

I just posted an article about how difficult it is to remove Blair. In the words of your Casey Stengel, "You could look it up."

Regards, Ivan

[Aracelis]

Thanks, Ivan!

[EternalVigilance]

BUMP and thanks!

[NewLand]

"But will Blair last?"

Yes...if he switches parties, dumps Labour, and joins The Tories! How 'bout that!

[TEXOKIE]

Great article!!

I was in London MANY years ago with a youth orchestra, and just fell in love with her. What a great city, and what a great nation. I was at the Tower of London...got lost and found myself in the guard quarters...the young men were just getting back to their barracks from their duty shift. They salved my embarrassment by letting me try on one of their big fur hats! Then a couple of them graciously escorted me back to the turn I had missed in the rabbit warren hallway.

That has been a very treasured memory of mine over the years.

If your young men now are as wonderful as those young men I encountered were then, (as I have no doubt they are) then yes indeed, Saddam has MUCH to fear!

[sit-rep]

Ya know Ivan, this just seems a little story book. I never met the 'chaps', but all I can picture is a group of guys sitting around an RP drinking tea... some may even have a pinky extended.

But hey...who am I? If they are the real deal, good for them, good for the motherland...

SR

[Darheel]

"crush the “dangerous bastard”."

I am quite pleased.

[dixiechick2000]

Gosh! I love "war talk"! I bet it's even better with a British accent. ;o)

"As Blair said, with you at the first, with you to the last."

I believe it, and I thank Great Britain.

[aBootes]

Bump for the Brits -- lookin good over there.

[jslade]

Ivan, I want the Ghurkas in there. They are the most lethal fighters in the world. Bring them on.

[Darheel]

Yeah! Bring on the Ghurkas, with those curved knives they use (cut 'cher head off, man).

[reagan_fanatic]

God bless you and the fighting British!

Thanks for posting, Ivan!

[SICSEMPERTYRANNUS]

MadIvan,
I read today in the Navy Times that our 15th Marine Expedtionary Unit(Special Operations Capable)will round out 3 Commando Brigade to make up for 45 Commmando still serving in Afghanistan. History in the making!

Per Mare Per Terram and Semper Fidelis

SIC