THE WAY THINGS REALLY WORK: Why Baghdad Fell in 23 Days

StrategyPage.com ^ | December 29, 2003

[John Jorsett]

The 23 day campaign to defeat Iraq in 2003 is now being examined by all the participants to determine what made the big difference. Researchers at the Army War College did a study, interviewing 176 participants (including Iraqis) and concluded that the major factors were the new technologies (GPS smart bombs and satellite communications like Blue Force tracker) and the much higher skill levels of coalition troops. The Iraqis had expected smart bombs, but they were unable to cope with the sheer speed of the advance and the fighting. And when the Iraqis fought, and they often did, and quite steadfastly, the better trained American troops just blew them away. The Iraqis were in shock from all this, and after about 20 days, resistance collapsed. The word got around that to fight the Americans was to die quickly. Nothing worked against them, and they would keep coming at you and kill you.

This is nothing new to a military historian. The ancient Assyrians, Alexander the Great's Greeks, the Roman legions, the medieval Mongol army and the German blitzkrieg of 1939-41 were all examples of a "skill imbalance" (as the army researchers put it) that regularly brought the more skillful armies quick victories. The new technologies allowed the better trained coalition troops to move even faster and with more devastating effect. The "battlefield Internet," as best exemplified by the Blue Force Tracker, made it possible for the American commanders to always know where all the friendly troops were. This capability was unique in the history of warfare, and it took well trained officers to quickly adapt to this new tool. Same with the JDAM GPS (satellite guided) bombs, which got their first real front line workout in Afghanistan. The army also used new long range, GPS guided rockets for the first time, but their achievements were overshadowed by the JDAMs.

It's easy to assume that a bunch of new technologies will just come together fine the first time they are used in combat. Historically, such is not the case. It takes very well trained troops to get it right the first time with this new stuff. We tend to be fascinated with the technology and lose sight of how important the skill of the troops is. A common reaction among the 700 embedded reporters was along the lines of, "these guys are real pros." Yes they were, and that's why Baghdad fell 23 days into the campaign.

[vox humana]

Was the media reporting at variance with the facts?

Media reporting is always at variance with the facts.

[Ditter]

Didn't you get sick of hearing from the media that the "ELITE" Republican Guard was going to get the best of our guys? Fat chance!

[warchild9]

Everyone please note that our next REAL opponent, the Chinese, are preparing to meet our modern tactics with satellite-killing technology, and their usual penchant for overwhelming quantities of lower-tech weapons. And they're not coming here; they'll settle for both Koreas, Taiwan, Northern Viet Nam, some of India and Siberia, and every oil field in sight.

[xp38]

Yeah I know. I think I need to hone my rhetoric. :)

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Well said, TEX. Thanks for the ping. (^:
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The Iraqis had expected smart bombs, but they were unable to cope with the sheer speed of the advance and the fighting. And when the Iraqis fought, and they often did, and quite steadfastly, the better trained American troops just blew them away...The word got around that to fight the Americans was to die quickly. Nothing worked against them, and they would keep coming at you and kill you.

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What our enemies (and our military) learned about our awesome troops over 23 days of major operations on the way to Baghdad last Spring.
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If you want on or off my Pro-Coalition ping list, please Freepmail me. Warning: it is a high volume ping list on good days. (Most days are good days).

[SAMWolf]

A common reaction among the 700 embedded reporters was along the lines of, "these guys are real pros." Yes they were, and that's why Baghdad fell 23 days into the campaign.

God Bless Our Troops!

[Grampa Dave]

To our great warriors! They may just be the best!

"The word got around that to fight the Americans was to die quickly. Nothing worked against them, and they would keep coming at you and kill you."

Add that reality to the reality of the Rat Soddomite being rooted out of his root cellar and getting his medical exam on world wide tv, and the despots around Iraq understand Shock and Awe. A prime example is Krazy Kaddaffi, who ain't dumb enought to be the next guy in our cross hairs.

[Soaring Feather]

God Bless our Troops, bump

[Darksheare]

May they STAY pros.

[Soaring Feather]

God Bless our Troops bump


Sam thanks for the ping.

[AmericanBabe]

If anyone is interested, please check-out this website. There are many Iraqis on there who support what they call the "honest Resistance", - killing our boys!

http://www.4iraqis.com/viewtopic.php?t=4273

[LS]

And one more thing---superior training and weapons used in the context of the "western way of war." That is key. Good training and modern weapons used by non-western armies is still ultimately inferior.

[Squantos]

HUA !

[BOBTHENAILER]

A common reaction among the 700 embedded reporters was along the lines of, "these guys are real pros." Yes they were, and that's why Baghdad fell 23 days into the campaign.

Great quotes throughout this piece. I'm currently reading "The March Up, Taking Baghdad with the 1st Marine Division". Great book about some great troops.

I will be eternally grateful to these magnificent heroes.

Great tagline GD.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

A prime example is Krazy Kaddaffi, who ain't dumb enought to be the next guy in our cross hairs.

Just Excellent , the despots are getting the message!!

[SamAdams76]

I sure hope this word gets around the whole Middle East.

It will. One way or the other.

[RightOnline]

"Superior training coupled with superior weapons coupled with superior tacts destroyed the Iraqis."

Allow me to add...........superior leadership, superior attitude, superior guts, and a moral cause.

[RightOnline]

Dead-on right. Rest assured that there isn't a tinpot, pissant dictator.......especially in the Middle East........who didn't get the message LOUD and crystal clear.

Pardon the expression here, but the message is "just don't even THINK about f**king with the US of A any more, or we will quite simply kill you".

[JimRed]

The word got around that to fight the Americans was to die quickly.

I sure hope this word gets around the whole Middle East.

It did; that's why most of those interested in fighting our guys are the Jihadis, who want to die!

[Radix]

Many of the Iraqi's wanted to be liberated from Saddam and refused to fight.

Bingo!