U.S. Marine supply convoy attacked in Iraq

Reuters | 3/26/03

[kattracks]

U.S. Marine supply convoy attacked in Iraq

SOUTHERN IRAQ, March 26 (Reuters) - A U.S. Marines supply convoy came under attack in southern Iraq on Wednesday in a firefight lasting some 30 minutes, a Reuters reporter with the convoy said.

There were no immediate reports of casualties in what the U.S. troops called a coordinated attack carried out by unidentified assailants from several different directions.

Reuters correspondent Matthew Green said the attack started with a sudden burst of automatic weapons fire during a routine stop which sent the Marines diving for firing positions.

They used machineguns, mortars and anti-tank missiles as tanks arrived to support the convoy which was halted on a road north of the southern town of Nassiriya.

"I had eight rounds come over the top of me," one U.S. serviceman told Reuters as the firefight ended and the convoy moved on. "You could see the muzzle flashes."

03/26/03 11:02 ET

[Rammer]

Attacking the United States Marine Corps = very bad idea.

[b4its2late]

Attacking the United States Marine Corps = very bad idea.

Yes, supply convoy or not.....

[JohnHuang2]

Amen.

[sean327]

Every Marine a rifleman, still holds true today!

[fightu4it]

Attacking the United States Marine Corps = very bad idea.

Trying to destroy Marine chow even worse idea!

[KriegerGeist]

"Every Marine a rifleman, still holds true today!"

True! And because they are, I say give them back the M-14 in 7.62mm. Toss those M-16s. The M-14 will perform far better under the current conditions...especially in this sand. Plus, the 7.62mm will penetrate far more effectively than the 5.56mm

[Ajnin]

LOL, those RG pukes probably thought they were attacking a defenseless re-supply convoy instead of a bunch of battle ready Marines. Little did they know that combat support was the other thing that Marines do well.

[astounded]

I think it's time to resurrect the quad .50s for these convoys - they are a fearsome weapon that would put a quick, brutal end to these attacks, especially in the open. They played a key role in the battle of Hue City, keeping the supply lines open to the USMC in the city proper.

[ErnBatavia]

I sure wish I coulda kept mine!

[Poohbah]

True! And because they are, I say give them back the M-14 in 7.62mm. Toss those M-16s. The M-14 will perform far better under the current conditions...especially in this sand.

Both weapons require extensive maintenance in sandy conditions--both will perform equally well (or poorly).

Plus, the 7.62mm will penetrate far more effectively than the 5.56mm

Great. Instead of the round pinballing around inside the Iraqi's torso and doing massive (read: FATAL) damage, you want the bullet to rip right through without stopping, leaving a guy who can remain combat effective long enough to shoot a Marine.

[teletech]

True! And because they are, I say give them back the M-14 in 7.62mm. Toss those M-16s. The M-14 will perform far better under the current conditions...especially in this sand. Plus, the 7.62mm will penetrate far more effectively than the 5.56mm

The M-14 is what I was issued when I was in the Army and it is just a terrific weapon. Easy to maintain, and accurate.

[Michael Barnes]

Problem is, most Marines today have no idea how to properly use an M14, nor how to disassemble it to clean it..yada..yada...

[fightu4it]

I sure wish I coulda kept mine!

Clark Clifford came over to Siagon in 68 for a little look see. Was there a couple of days and when he left they presented him with the prettiest AK-47 I ever saw. It was in a wooden case that folded out like an attache case with a green felt lining and a polished brass plack inside giving the technical info on the weapon.

Two freekin days and look what he took home! I was over there 14 months and have a few pictures.

[sean327]

That is crap, I have bought many weapons in the past that came with no field srtipping instructions, and have figured out how to do it in less than 5 minutes. If The M-14 were to be brought back as the our primary weapon, all it would take is a ten minute class and every Marine would be able to strip and clean it just as fast as the M-16. By the way, every infantry platoon now has a Marine who is the "Designated Marksman" Guess which weapon he uses. The M-14. Semper Fi.

[PISANO]

Notice the report is ONLY negative even with a POSITIVE outcome, nothing like the MARINES decimated the enemy or the enemy fled under heavy fire by the US MARINES. Nothing of the sort. Only...... the firefight ended and we moved on. One is left with the impression that they did NOT win the battle but that the enemy just quit for now and will be there again soon. If the outcome of a battle is UNKNOWN then say that.....don't leave it open to interpertation one way or the other. That is NEGATIVE reporting at it's finest IMHO.

[the_doc]

Instead of the round pinballing around inside the Iraqi's torso and doing massive (read: FATAL) damage, you want the bullet to rip right through without stopping, leaving a guy who can remain combat effective long enough to shoot a Marine.

I have never been in the military, but my NRA background tells me that you are correct. During the height of the Vietnam War, a Marine Gunnery Sergeant told me that the M-16 was by far the best all-purpose rifle in the world. He said it was quite a bit a lot more lethal than the AK-type rifles (7.62mm).

During the Vietnam War, the VCs and the NVAs referred to our M-16 as "the little black rifle with the little bitty bullet that makes a great big hole."

[elbucko]

True! And because they are, I say give them back the M-14 in 7.62mm. Toss those M-16s.

Amen to that. The Navy/Marines still use the M-14 shipboard.

[Michael Barnes]

I know all about the desiganted marksman, own an M14, and can tell you no 10 minute infomercial is gonna prep the entire Corps to use this weapon properly. I will chose the M16 for urban fighting any day of the week over the M14.
Semper Fidelis back at ya.

[elbucko]

....nor how to disassemble it to clean it..yada..yada...

Hey! Anybody seen the gas cylinder wrench?