Iraqi trenches show soldiers better trained than thought

Stars and Stripes ^ | Apr 1, 2003 | Mark Oliva

[Diddley]

SOUTHERN IRAQ —
When snipers from the 2nd Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment came upon a dug-in fighting position along the highway south of Nasiriyah, they were shocked at what they found.

While the Iraqi soldiers were gone, they had left behind significant quantities of weapons, chemical protective gear, food stores and even unit rosters. The complexity of supplies suggests the Iraqi units are better supplied and trained than previously thought.

“I’m shocked at how well-organized they are,” said Sgt. Fred Kittman, part of the sniper team that uncovered the trench line. “We were told that these Iraqi units down this way weren’t this well-supplied and trained.” Among the weapons recovered:

• 13 French-made Milan anti-tank rockets, primed and ready to fire.
• Five rocket-propelled grenades.
• 48 60 mm high explosive mortar rounds.
• 13 80 mm white phosphorous mortar rounds.
"It looked liked everyone just walked off the line and stripped down,” said Kittman. “You could see flip-flop impressions leading away from the fighting positions.”

The Marines collected tan and olive Iraqi uniforms, black berets and boots. They also found a unit roster that they believe details the members of Iraqi 3rd Battalion, 47th Brigade, 11th Infantry Division. The Iraqi unit, garrisoned near Nasiriyah, surrendered to U.S. troops and sat out the fighting.

Personal items in the trench line included gas masks, water purification devices and instructions on how to use the chemical protective gear.,P. “All the NBC gear was in the plastic with extra canisters,” said Marine Sgt. James Zourek, another sniper involved in the recovery. “We saw instructions on how to use atropine.”
Finally, the Marines found stashes of fresh vegetables and oil, which suggested that the Iraqi troops hadn’t been gone long.

“There was bags of fruit and bread out there,” Zourek added. “It couldn’t have been there more than a couple days.”
What the Marines didn’t find in the trench also spoke volumes. There were no small arms, heavy machine guns or mortars.

“We didn’t find anything indigenous to a person trying to protect themselves,” Kittman said. “Nothing that would suggest they abandoned their personal gear that they carried.”
The Marines discovered that the Iraqi troops had two lines of defense along the supply route.
“They had the forethought to think we were going to come down here and they were waiting for us,” Kittman said.

[Revelation 911]

Give me a ****ing break, man. I'm sick of this kind of "Iraqi bogey-man" cr*p.

charming mouth - good thing this kind of talk isnt habitual (sarcasm)

I stand amazed that any discussion regarding LDS figures, polity or history is verboten while this type of foul mouthed personal attack is tolerated.

The rest of us are obligated to live by the rules set forth by JR - what makes you exempt and why is it tolerated?

[restornu]

You got something against peace?

[Alex Murphy]

You got something against peace?

You got something against ****?

[restornu]

You got something against ****?

I have not a clue what you are saying?

[restornu]

I have asked for a while now if someone is going to fix "My Comments" Indicator? The dark blue hilight has not been seen for days!

Thank you

Rest

[CCWoody]

I have not a clue what you are saying?

Gee, and I thought it was a Mormon proverb as many times as it comes from the mouth of Illbay. Here let me translate what Illbay means by constantly using "four star" words. You see, it is obviously a reference to Tommy Franks, a **** general. So, all you have to do is add the man's name to get the appropriate compliment coming from the mouth of Illbay. Try it on the previous post. It's a real riot.

[restornu]

You see, it is obviously a reference to Tommy Franks, a **** general.

******

Did you ever hear of a 4 star General Woody?

I like Tommy Franks, so you don't like Tommy Franks Woody?

BTW even though the LDS are one with the Lord we are individual enity! Just like the Father, Son and Holy Ghost are one in accord for good, they are seperate personages!

The LDS are NOT like some folks here who are one in accord no matter how another behaves!

We have no redicules thinking like if you ~ insult one of us, you insult Jesus Christ!

Each LDS is responsible for our deportment! Even though we are submissive to Jesus Christ!

[XJarhead]

When snipers from the 2nd Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment

23rd Marines is a reserve unit. I wasn't aware that Marine reserve infantry regiments were active in the assault.

[Corin Stormhands]

What's the [FR 5th Amendment] stance on profanity? None of the [FR 5th Amendment]s that I know ever cursed - at least not in my presence.

[hollywood]

All the NBC gear...

Another network name defined:
- ABC = Al-Jazeera Broadcasting Company
- CBS = See B.S.
- NBC = Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical.

Seem appropriate.

[Alex Murphy]

Salt of the Earth = Salty language?

Or maybe **** is what's known as the fabled "Word of Wisdom"?

[Pete'sWife]

To run for their lives.

Obviously, they were trained by the French, as well.

[fishtank]

Why are you so sympathetic to the enemy?

Not to mention profanities.

[Diddley]

[20]
.. . . our guys will sprain their backs lifting all the crap they leave behind in their abandoned positions.

Nice people, Huh?

[Illbay]

"Sympathetic"?

"Profanity"?

On both counts you prove you're adept and seeing what isn't there.

[marshmallow]

The fact that the trenches left by a disappearing group of Iraqi fighters impresses us, says rather more about our initial perception of their capabilities than it does about the Iraqis. We must have truly thought that they would roll out the red carpet for us and provide us with an escort to Baghdad.

[Diddley]

[28]
.23rd Marines is a reserve unit. I wasn't aware that Marine reserve infantry regiments were active in the assault.

I don’t know military tactics. Thanks for the information.

[Diddley]

[30]

These make more sense now. :-)

[snerkel]

Would it be possible for you to state your opinion without the asterisks or does the program automatically censor foul language?

[Illbay]

(WARNING: My posts have been known to offend.)