Key battle looms south of Baghdad

BBC ^ | March 24th, 2003 | Paul Reynolds

[Sabertooth]

By Paul Reynolds BBC News Online world affairs correspondent

While media attention is on trouble spots further south, the main military engagement of this war so far is beginning to get under way south of Baghdad in fighting which will help determine if there is to be a siege of the capital.

The UK Prime Minister, Tony Blair, said in the House of Commons that there would be "a crucial moment" when coalition forces encountered the Medina division of the Republican Guard who are defending the route to Baghdad.

The Republican Guard (which has two other divisions south of Baghdad) is facing the heavily armoured US 3rd Infantry Division, with the 1st Marine Division following behind.

US-led forces are keen to avoid risky street battles

General Tommy Franks revealed the extent of the engagement when he said that 30 to 40 Apache helicopters had taken part in an attack on the Republican Guards.

It was during that operation that a helicopter came down and was captured by the Iraqis. The two man crew was missing.

But the attack on the Republican Guards has been held up by sand storms, according to reporters with the US division and Iraqi resistance is slowing up the advance northwards of the Marines.

In addition, reporters with the helicopter unit say that the attack, near the Shia holy city of Karbala, did not go quite according to plan. It stirred up what one pilot called a "hornets' nest" of anti-aircraft fire.

But plans for the offensive continued with the construction of a desert airstrip by American engineers for use by unmanned aerial vehicles whose job will be to go up and search out targets.

American firepower

The American intention is to bring the Republican Guards to battle outside Baghdad and not allow them to get back into the city.

That gives US forces an advantage because they can use their firepower in the desert or countryside. Otherwise, as one US colonel put it, it becomes a "knife fight in a telephone booth".

If the war ends in a damaging siege it will undermine, and possibly destroy, the concept that this is a war of liberation.

Street fighting in Baghdad in which civilians are killed is not supposed to be the way it ends.

Retired General Barry McCaffrey, who commanded a division in the Gulf War of 1991, said that in an open battle, the Republican Guard would be "destroyed" within 12 hours (the general is known to be optimistic) by the tanks and in particular the helicopters and aircraft with the 3rd Division.

Targeted air attacks have aimed to break down resistance

The battle with the Republican Guard, he said, was the "central reality, which Tommy Franks (the commanding general) is engaged on".

The Iraqi army commander indicated the Iraqi tactics of fighting in the cities when he said dismissively that the Americans could have the desert.

Retired Air Marshal Sir Timothy Garden remarked with understatement that there would be a "difficulty" if the end game were ultimately played out in "clearing Baghdad street by street".

There is instead supposed to be a collapse of the regime amid the destruction of its armed forces, the bombing of its key buildings and the uprising of the people. Only the bombing has so far taken place.

Leadership defiant

Which is perhaps why US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld is sounding increasingly urgent as he calls on Iraqi commanders to surrender.

"It's over," he said in an interview on CNN. "The regime will shortly be history."

However, the signs from the Iraqi south are that elements at least of the Iraqi army will make a stand.

Indeed, Mr Rumsfeld, a student of history, will know that regimes facing even certain defeat do not necessarily crumble. The Argentine commander in the Falklands, the hapless General Menendez, fought on until the end.

Hitler knew he would be defeated yet held on until the Russians were at the doors to his chancellery.

Saddam Hussein's latest TV broadcast indicates that he is might join the list.

[Sabertooth]

[Sabertooth]

((((((growl)))))

[exnavy]

May God go forth with our troops, may Gods will be done, AMEN.

[skeeter]

Screw street to street fighting. Lay seige to Baghdad and treat the rest of Iraq to four course meals, American cigarettes and satellite TV.

Offer a years supply of beef ribs for those able to produce the scalp of former republican guard members. Throw in a half dozen cases of Fat Tire for each dead Ba'ath party official.

[lasereye]

Saddam Hussein's strategy from the start has been to take it to street fighting. They're betting large amounts of civilian casualties and/or high casualties incurred by our forces will cause an uproar that will force the coalition to a ceasefire. I hope I'm wrong but probably this scenario will come to pass (I don't know about the ceasefire).

[MeekOneGOP]

If they are HE** bent on 'fighting to the death', let's hope Tommy Franks & Co. give them what they want !

The American intention is to bring the Republican Guards to battle outside Baghdad and not allow them to get back into the city.

That gives US forces an advantage because they can use their firepower in the desert or countryside. Otherwise, as one US colonel put it, it becomes a "knife fight in a telephone booth".

If the war ends in a damaging siege it will undermine, and possibly destroy, the concept that this is a war of liberation.

Street fighting in Baghdad in which civilians are killed is not supposed to be the way it ends.

These Republican Guards are the ones that have been protecting Saddam all these years, right? If that's so, I don't know how they can say getting rid of the folks wouldn't be Liberation. We SHOULD just blow these guys off the face of the earth, I agree. But if some get back into Baghdad, that shouldn't stop us from finishing the job, right? I think the average Iraqi on the street would be glad to see them go.

Many folk in Baghdad have deserted the city and fled for the relative safety of rural surrounding areas is my understanding.

As JH2 says, just my 2 cents.

. . .and WELL worth the $$. :O)

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

OFFICIAL BUMP(TOPIC)LIST

[section9]

But if some get back into Baghdad, that shouldn't stop us from finishing the job, right? I think the average Iraqi on the street would be glad to see them go.

Right now the average Iraqi is sitting this war out. They are waiting to see which way the wind blows. If you were an Iraqi, you would too. After all, Saddam has his thugs going around killing people. For thirty years the average Iraqi has survived by keeping his head down and his mouth shut.

But remember, this is a regime that builds loyalty out of fear and malice. It cannot inspire people to stand with it forever.

I strongly suspect that V Corps will go ahead and exact a vicious price on the Medina, the Hammurabi, and the Nebuchadnezzar Divisions. They should wait until the sandstorms come and go. That will give us time to bring up the UK 7th Brigade and the First Marine Division. I do not want to attack in the middle of a sandstorm, because if I'm the American commander, I don't want my Apaches and Blackhawks grounded. I don't want my A-10's neutralized. So as we bring up the supplies and the men, let us undertake a 48 hour intensive bombing campaign using every bit of shock and awe we have, including lots of dumb bomb sticks from B-52's. This should allow us to attack with relative ease and, hopefully, make a surprise roll into Baghdad before the local goons can get their act together.

By the way, have you noticed that there's been not one bit of news about the H3 airbase out in the Western Desert? I'm looking for a big surprise to come out of the west. I don't know what or how, but I'm sure that we captured that airbase for a reason.

Be Seeing You,

Chris

[Scott from the Left Coast]

This is why we got our forces up there as fast as we did. Today they have pounded the Republican Guard where they are dug in -- this will go round the clock to force them to stay in place, hunkered down and not able to move back to the city center. We needed our ground forces there to fix the front in place while they were pinned down with the air pounding. Once we've taken out their triple A, the Apache's will be able to pick off their armored vehicles.

[tutstar]

I received an email today claiming this scripture for our troops....

But I will deliver you on that day,” declares the Lord, ‘and you shall not be given into the hand of the men whom you dread. For I will certainly rescue you, and you will not fall by the sword; but you will have your own life as booty, because you have trusted in Me,’ declares the Lord.” (Jer. 39:17,18)

[MeekOneGOP]

Thank you.

. . .have you noticed that there's been not one bit of news about the H3 airbase out in the Western Desert? I'm looking for a big surprise to come out of the west.

Hmm? I guess I missed that. Do you have a link to that information?

Anybody ? . . .

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SAS causes havoc behind lines
By staff writers
March 25, 2003

AUSTRALIAN Special Air Service (SAS) soldiers have played an integral part in disrupting the Iraqi war effort, army chief Lieutenant-General Peter Leahy said this morning.

Gen Leahy said the SAS was performing "shoot and scoot" missions where troops deploy, observe and, if necessary, destroy targets before redeploying soon after.

"The operations they have been conducting have provided invaluable information on enemy movements, on bases and on likely intentions," Gen Leahy told reporters.

"Special forces have been active destroying enemy installations either using their own resources, or directing coalition air support for destruction mission.

"Our forces are denying freedom of movement to the Iraqi forces.

"They are generally creating havoc and uncertainty behind lines, and are constantly redeploying in their area of operations.

"My conclusion is that the special forces have been very successful in interrupting enemy operations."

Australian forces have suffered no casualties to date, said Brigadier Mike Hannan.

Bdr Hannan also said Australian navy clearance divers had "just arrived" in the port city of Umm Qasr where they would work with US personnel in removing ordnance and debris from the harbour.

He also said F/A-18 Hornet aircraft successfully completed a bombing mission overnight and had returned to base.

Hand-to-hand combat

The SAS troops helped capture two crucial Iraqi air bases in the biggest and most daring mission in the regiment's history, it has been revealed.

The Australians joined 100 British SAS soldiers in a raid on two bases on Iraq's western border.

When the dust had cleared the Allies had suffered no casualties.

But defence spokesman Brigadier Mike Hannan confirmed they had killed dozens of Iraqis troops.

The SAS was involved in hand-to-hand fighting at one of the bases' terminals as they removed Iraqi troops guarding missile launchers.

Specifics of the operation were kept secret but officials did confirm they had found electronic equipment used to direct bio-chemical weapons. It is also believed they captured several hundred Iraqis.

The bases, codenamed H2 and H3, are on either side of the desert town of ar-Rutba, near the Jordanian border, 380km west of Baghdad.

They had to be captured for two vital reasons.

First, satellite pictures showed the Iraqis were moving missile launchers to the bases. Military planners feared they would be fired towards Israel in a repeat of Saddam Hussein's Scud attacks in 1991.

Second, the airfields will be essential in the battle for Baghdad.

They are now being used as a base for American Black Hawk and Apache helicopters which will provide close air support to armour closing in on the Iraqi capital.

Pre-war deployment

The SAS operation began more than a week before the war officially started when a dozen SAS men were dropped close to ar Rutba by Chinook helicopters.

Their reconnaissance provided a detailed breakdown of the Republican Guards protecting the bases.

More than 100 SAS troops were flown in by RAF Chinooks. They had Land Rovers, armoured vehicles and even quad bikes so they could move as quickly as possible. The SAS are also understood to have been accompanied by Royal Marines reconnaissance and demolition experts from 45 Commando.

The force quickly began a series of devastating attacks on guard posts, communications equipment and the missile launchers.

Laser targeters were also used to call in air strikes by RAF Tornado GR4s. They hit command centres.

With contributions from News Ltd correspondents and AAP
LINK

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There's Ar Rutba, all by itself in Western Iraq.

[OKSooner]

Yo, Chris: Got a link to the screensaver?

[Prince Charles]

We don't need to enter Baghdad -- just surround the city and it will collapse from within. But first, the enemy divisions which choose to stand and fight must be exterminated with air power.

[section9]

Yo, Chris: Got a link to the screensaver?

"What? You have not downloaded my screensaver yet? I thought that every patriotic Iraqi was a loyal follower and had my screensaver on his PC. Since you do not have my screensaver on your PC, you must not be a patriotic Iraqi, and are, therefore, a traitor.

I'm terribly sorry, but I'll have to have you shot. Now if you don't mind, please go over to the captain of the firing squad, take a number, and sit down in the lobby. We have fruit juice, Iraqi dates, and entertaining Arab newsmagazines, each with my face on the cover."

Thank you ever so much.

Your bestest buddy,

Saddam

[MeekOneGOP]

Re #12-13: Thanks, Saber. "Captured for a reason" is right. I should have known from it's proximity to Israel. Great news that Allied Forces were able to capture that without any casualties, too !

[OKSooner]

Thanks. The patriotic Saddam screensaver has been duly forwarded to my in-laws and my boss.