US Troops First Encounter Iraqi Republican Guards [50 mi. out at 'Gateway to Baghdad']

DEBKAfile Security Newletter 'Iraq War Diary' ^ | March 24, 2003 | Gioria Shamis 'Economist Magazine' Reporter

[ewing]

The first frontal engagements between united States troops marching on Baghdad and Saddam Husseins Elite Special Republican Guards began near Al Amarah, a small town on the Tigris River, and at al Kut, some 100 miles upriver to the Northwest.

Al Amarah is geographically the southern gateway to Baghdad.

The United States led column driving towards Baghdad along the easternmost route up the Tigris River led by 1st and 2nd Marine Divisons.

Sunday, they bypassed Basra, leaving behind the 7th British Division to assert control over Iraq's second largest city and dashed north towards Al Amarah.

Waiting for them were three Iraq divisions, the 10th, the 11th, and the 4th Corps, which is the Special Republican Guards Nida Armoured Division.

By the end of the day, the Marines and the Nida tank force had entered their first clash of arms in the series to come. (Three additional United States columns are also now pusing towards Baghdad)

[archy]

Where are the AC-130 Gunships?

Overhead. Particularly at nighttime.

If they are not in this war , why not?

They're very much in the war, just much less visible because the best time for their operations is nocturnal, when our enemy attempts to move forces under what he believes to be the cover of darkness. And hopefully, they're raining their fire and steel far from US units- the last sort of *blue on blue* or *friendly fire* incident we'd want to see is ine involving US troops and a Spectre gunship.

For further light reading, see the details of *The Angel of Death* in Afghanistan, as reported by Robin Moore in The Hunt for bin-Laden, his account of our previous several months of war in Afghanistan.

-archy-/-

[thermodynamics]

Give em HELL troops! I, my family, and AMERICA is behind all of you. Fight Hard and Fast! God Bless

[gitmogrunt]

Thanks for that bit of info. on Spectre, it's good to know they're in use.

[veryconernedamerican]

air defense in the area is still operational, or they would be. too dangerous, they need all anti-air to be clear.

[butter pecan fan]

Careful everybody, don't step in the debka!

[browardchad]

FNC reported this morning that the Predator had delivered a a greeting card to Iraqi forces this morning -- not sure exactly where.

[Scarlet_Pimpernil]

You will see the AC 130 later I'm sure. They do very well as an anitpersonnel weapon, to demoralize and otherwise decimate the enemy. To my knowledge, they aren't any better against armor than more conventional platforms, and alot more target

[Scarlet_Pimpernil]

God Bless the USA.
I am sure I am not the only Desert Storm Vet who feels a twinge of guilt at others having to finish something that should have been done on our watch.....all we can do is pray, but, well that is really quite alot. Pray.
Cry Havock, and unleash the dogs of war....
And pray that our troops don't give in to the human urge to revenge over what they have done to our fallen brothers.

[LaGrone]

The 4th Infantry has some serious armor. Wish we had them in the fight from the beginning. Thanks Turkey.

[Toskrin]

How many M1 tanks in those three divisions? They were all in Kuwait, right?

[EricT.]

The Iraqis have far more SAM's than Afghanis did. AC-130's have to fly low and slow enough to be effective, and the low skys ain't safe enough to do it yet.