Brits glory night

News of the World ^ | March 30, 2003 | Keith Gladdis

[MadIvan]

DEADLY: Marines with an anti-tank Milan missile launcher yesterday


PROUD: Salute from a Challenger tank crew off for night patrol in Basra city


HUMBLED: PoW is escorted away by British soldier at camp in south Iraq

SADDAM GIVES TWO MEDALS IN SICK HONOUR TO SUICIDE KILLER

SICK Saddam yesterday awarded two posthumous medals to the suicide bomber who lured four American soldiers to their deaths at an Army checkpoint.

And as the killer, Ali Hammadi al-Namani,was named and hailed a hero on Iraqi TV, the country's Vice-President warned the US could expect MORE suicide attacks on its troops.

Gloating Taha Yassin Ramadan told a news conference: "This is just the beginning...you'll hear more pleasant news later...It will be routine military policy. We will use any means to kill our enemy in our land."

Ramadan also claimed thousands of Arabs were volunteering to fight US and British forces. He said: "People are arriving in Iraq to join us as volunteers...to confront the aggressors."

Desperate

But last night Major General Victor Renuart, of US Central Command, said suicide attacks were a sign that Saddam's regime is beginning to realise it won't be able to hold off the coalition forces.

"That kind of an activity is a symbol of an organisation beginning to get a little bit desperate," he said, adding the tactics would have "no operational effect on the battlefield".

The four Americans who died, all members of the First Brigade, were killed at around 10.40am local time yesterday at their unit's checkpoint near the holy city of Najaf, south-east of Baghdad.

The brigade's Captain Andrew J. Valles told how al-Namani—a junior army officer—pulled up in a taxi and called out to the soldiers. As they approached the vehicle, he detonated the bomb.

Saddam appeared on Iraqi TV last night chairing a meeting, which was said to have happened yesterday. There was no way to verify that independently.

OUR MISSIONS ACCOMPLISHED

We killed 320 militia

300 prisoners were taken

Six tanks destroyed

Five mortars blasted

Six armoured vehicles KOd

One bunker blasted

TV station knocked out

Ba'ath HQ flattened

Two militia bases KO'd

Two Saddam statues pulverised.

And we suffered no casualties.

JUST 20 infantrymen of Scotland's elite regiment The Black Watch spearheaded a stunning British blitz on Basra.

On a night of stunning victories across several fronts, the daring Scots crept into the city under cover of darkness.

They evaded hundreds of fanatical Iraqi militia to DESTROY five T55 tanks with handheld Milan missiles and WRECK more than five mortar positions.

A propaganda TV station was BLASTED and a bunker sheltering a paramilitary death squad was BLOWN UP.

During other actions around Iraq's second city in a night of British glory, 320 senior Ba'ath party militia were KILLED and 300 Iraqis taken PRISONER.

Many of the actions involved targeting by SAS and SBS men.

And as a parting shot eleven Challenger II tanks of the Scots Dragoon Guards entered the city, defying rocket-propelled grenades bursting on their armoured sides.

The Desert Rats attacked three targets—and symbolically toppled two Saddam Hussein statues, one a 15ft monstrosity made of cast iron.

Tank commander David Ross, whose Challenger II destroyed the iron statue with one shell, said: "It just sort of crumpled, there was a big flash and sparks, and it disappeared. I wish it was the real thing."

There were NO British casualties and it is believed not one civilian was killed.

Routed

The Black Watch have been in every major British conflict for 278 years, winning 169 Battle Honours, six VCs—and instilling fear into all their enemies.

They last fought in Basra in World War I—and went on to drive the Turks from Baghdad.

Meanwhile, on the outskirts of Basra yesterday troops from the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers knocked out three Iraqi troop carriers—and Cobra helicopters zapped three more.

As the victories racked up, Marines from 3 Commando blew up a T55 tank and destroyed enemy mortar positions on the Al Faw peninsula. They also destroyed two enemy militia bases and took 300 prisoners.

In nearby Az Zubayr more Desert Rats of 2 Royal Tank Regiment Battle Group routed a nest of Al Qa'eda terrorists and secured the town. As in Basra the tanks and armoured personnel carriers attacked in the face of rocket propelled grenade (RPG) strikes. Lieutenant Colonel Piers Hankinson, the officer in charge, said: "Air strikes were called in and a series of precision bombing missions carried out. We followed with a dawn attack with Challenger II tanks and Warrior armoured personnel carriers.

"The enemy were armed with RPG 7s and many of our vehicles suffered multiple strikes from these. The Challenger II and Warrior APC are superbly well protected vehicles and this enabled our men to remain safe. The enemy's headquarters was paralysed and then destroyed.

"At the centre of the headquarters area was the town hospital. This was left practically unscathed although the head doctor mentioned a tank round passing through his office —causing him to duck!"

As at Basra there were NO Allied casualties, but many of their tanks and APCs displayed two-inch dents and grenade scars.

IN THE NORTH Saddam Hussein's vital Medina Republican Guard division protecting Baghdad were dealt scores of crippling blows in air attacks.

Clear skies after a spate of sandstorms allowed our overwhelming air power to take full advantage of a four day "pause" in the Allied ground advance.

Our advance infantry, armour and artillery are restocking with ammo, and reinforcing supply lines, before the big assault on Saddam's capital.

RAF Harrier pilots are operating four hours on and four hours off, knocking out the Medina Guards' tanks and artillery and infantry—softening up Iraq's strongest troops.

At the Harriers' desert base Armour Chief Tech Chris Snodin totted up the bomb tally launched in one day by the RAF — just five per cent of Allied air power.

"Eight free falls, twelve Paveway, two laser guided bombs, two enhanced satellite guided Paveways, four Maverick missiles and two large free falls," he said. "I wouldn't want to be an Iraqi under all that."

Apache helicopters of America's Screaming Eagles—the 101st Airborne—also attacked the Medina Guards. "including tanks, armoured personnel carriers and trucks, and at least 50 dead."

High level bombing and missile attacks on Baghdad continued for a straight 10th day. What was left of the Information Ministry was flattened.

Group Captain Mike Harwood, commander of our Harrier squadron, spelled out how the Allies are stepping up the pace of the war.

He said: "We are not now using indiscriminate force we are still using precision bombing—but the percentage of planes now coming back Winchester (having dropped all their bombs) is much higher than the first couple of days we went kebab side (RAF slang for over the Iraqi border).

"When we first arrived there was the hope we wouldn't fight at all and then we had to say we meant business.

"If the regime doesn't buckle under the first bit of pressure then you mount the pressure, and if they meet that then you go to the next level."

[MadIvan]

Just a little morale booster. ;)

Regards, Ivan

[MadIvan]

Bump!

[dandelion]

God bless those mighty, tenacious British Bulldogs!

[Caipirabob]

Guess the enemy hadn't seen "Braveheart" previously. Now they have...

[Hazzardgate]

God bless the Scots!

[Happygal]

FREEDOM!!!!!!!!!!!!

[hemogoblin]

Dang I wish the U.S. press were like this.

[xsmommy]

truly sounds great! thanks for posting it.

[xsmommy]

and thank YOU for posting THAT, happygal! ; )

[300winmag]

Just a little morale booster. ;)

Just a little morale booster? I wish the American press could write something as upbeat and inspiring. But thanks for the mention of us Americans in a supporting role. :)

[VOA]

Just a little morale booster. ;)

I just pray that the "Bad Boys of Basra" come forth fully to oppose the UK force.

That way they won't be around to try and screw up the establisment of a
post-Saddam Iraq.

[Living Stone]

It is comforting to know the blood of Alba flows true.

I am glad you guys are on our side.

[green team 1999]

great posting,thanks,much needed info.

[try phecta tom]

The Desert Rats attacked three targets—and symbolically toppled two Saddam Hussein statues, one a 15ft monstrosity made of cast iron. Tank commander David Ross, whose Challenger II destroyed the iron statue with one shell, said: "It just sort of crumpled, there was a big flash and sparks, and it disappeared. I wish it was the real thing."

wasn't there a scotsman on second city television (SCTV) that always said "Away with ya"

[Don'tMessWithTexas]

Outstanding.

[Gumption]

JUST 20 infantrymen of Scotland's elite regiment The Black Watch :

We killed 320 militia
300 prisoners were taken
Six tanks destroyed
Five mortars blasted
Six armoured vehicles KOd
One bunker blasted
TV station knocked out
Ba'ath HQ flattened
Two militia bases KO'd
Two Saddam statues pulverised.
And we suffered no casualties.

WOW!

Now that's what I call tenacious fighters. The media seems to reserve that designation for enemy soldiers that act as human bullet cushions.

[Travis McGee]

The Black Watch have been in every major British conflict for 278 years, winning 169 Battle Honours, six VCs—and instilling fear into all their enemies.

They last fought in Basra in World War I—and went on to drive the Turks from Baghdad.

[Gumption]

BTW, anyone know how a RPG works? Does the grenade explode when it hits the target, or does it have a timed fuse that has to be set before firing?

[Mister Baredog]

The Black Watch have been in every major British conflict for 278 years, winning 169 Battle Honours, six VCs—and instilling fear into all their enemies

My wife and I went to Great Britian last year. The Scottish Military Museum at Edinburgh Castle blew my mind. They have fought and died in just about every war they could find. They are absolutely amoungst the fiercest fighters ever, God Bless these guys.