An M1A1 Abrams tank with the 1st Armored Division was hit by enemy fire in Baghdad at 5:20 a.m. on Aug. 28. The paper in the photo covers the hole.
The hole in the M1A1 Abrams tank is marked by a circle in the above photo, showing the damage behind the skirt.
A close-up of the mysterious round’s point of entry.
The round penetrated the turret well to reach the inside of the tank.
The round passed through a nuclear, biological, chemical hose inside the tank behind the gunner’s seat and bent the basket
The projectile then tore a hole in the gunner’s seat.
The round pierced the left kidney area of the gunner’s flak jacket. According to the damage report, “The gunner said it felt like someone hit him in the back with a hammer.”
The round then crossed “under the breech and hit the safety guard,” the report said. The photo shows the entry side of the safety guard.
The round then exited the safety guard.
Next, the projectile slammed into the turret networks box.
The round then pierced the breaker panel on the tank.
The mysterious projectile finally buried itself in the hull of the M1A1 Abrams tank on the opposite side from where it entered. The hole is 1½ to 2 inches deep.
