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American forces engaging Iraqi forces at Samawah (My title)
BBC ^ | 3/27/03

Posted on 03/27/2003 1:48:35 AM PST by LdSentinal

0845: American troops using tanks and attack helicopters engaged in heavy fighting with Iraqi forces at the town of Samawah, about 150 miles south of Baghdad and on a crucial supply route. Black smoke reported above the town.


TOPICS: Front Page News; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: cas; iraq; samawah; supplyroutes; tanks; us

1 posted on 03/27/2003 1:48:35 AM PST by LdSentinal
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To: LdSentinal
Samawah, next stop for coalition forces and the continuation of our successful tour. On lead vocals, the Screaming Eagles, on the Bass is BUFF, 3ID on the Keyboards, Tommy playing the Qatar (did you like that?) and Rummy bangin drums. Tour managers Blair and Bush are very pleased with the band!
2 posted on 03/27/2003 2:07:51 AM PST by Professional
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To: Professional
This is not good. Samawah is the SW most route to Bagdhad and the 3rd ID. If it's cut the 3rd ID is cutoff.
3 posted on 03/27/2003 2:24:38 AM PST by Justa
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To: Justa
I guess it depends on the meaning of "engagement". Unless they sneak up on a handful of us, the devastation our weaponry can inflict is awesome. I really wonder if 10 Abrams couldn't take out 100 of their T72's? Throw in some airpower and it's a no brainer. Iraqis are very good at killing defenseless people, not so good at taking on the best army the world has ever seen. So far, accidents are leading combat deaths on our side. Not bad for the size of this thing and the fact that we've been balls to the walls for a week.
4 posted on 03/27/2003 2:31:01 AM PST by Professional
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Comment #5 Removed by Moderator

Comment #6 Removed by Moderator

To: seventhcalvalry
And the longer they sit out there beyond the reach of spare parts and mechanics the less mobility they'll have. Once they stop moving the Iraqis can move in with truck-mounted rocket artillery and do shoot-n-scoot operations on them. They've already done this against the Marines. The truck mounted rockets have a typical range of 12 mi.s and can fire chemical rounds which the Iraqis reportedly have thousands of.
7 posted on 03/27/2003 8:48:44 AM PST by Justa
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To: Justa
What about air drop? I am sure we can get supplies into these guys.
8 posted on 03/27/2003 8:59:46 AM PST by samuel_adams_us
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To: Justa
Samawah was bypassed on both banks of the Euphrates. It is a river crossing over the Euphrates, and a considerable town. There is no doubt it always had a garrison.

I expect it is being attacked to isolate it similarly to Najaf, to suppress its use as a base for interfering wiuth supply lines.

I doubt the bulk of the 3rd Infantry has been involved in any serious action.
9 posted on 03/27/2003 9:07:19 AM PST by buwaya
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To: Justa
I guess we had all just pack it in, Scott. I guess you are right...we have already lost the war!
10 posted on 03/27/2003 9:09:31 AM PST by Redleg Duke (Stir the pot...don't let anything settle to the bottom where the lawyers can feed off of it!)
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To: Justa
3rd ID is within 50 mi of Baghdad, and are wet of the river. This is probably the 7th cav.
11 posted on 03/27/2003 9:14:02 AM PST by ez (Advise and Consent = Debate and VOTE!!)
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To: Redleg Duke
What it means is we have to drop the 'civilian casualty' crap and declare everything within a kilometer of the highway running from Kuwait to the 3rd ID a free fire zone. We only have so many fuel tankers in theatre and they're too vulnerable to leave the initiative with the Iraqis.
12 posted on 03/27/2003 11:03:07 AM PST by Justa
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To: LdSentinal
82nd engaged here and according to one who would know: "the most intense close combat of the war so far". Please, if anyone has links to photos of this engagement, would you ping me?
13 posted on 04/06/2003 7:33:55 PM PDT by condi2008 (Pro Libertate)
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