3rd Infantry Encountering No Resistance Taking Towns on Highways 55km from Baghdad..(debka_

DEBKAfile Security Newsletter ^ | April 2, 2003 4:43PM Middle East Time | Gioria Shamis Economist Magazine Reporter

[ewing]

UNITED STATES 3RD DIVISION CAPTURES AL ISKANDIRYAH, HEADING NORTH TO NEXT STOP AT AS SUWAYRAN 55KM SOUTH MILES SOUTH OF BAGHDAD

--WITHOUT ENCOUNTERING ANY RESISTANCE--

MILITARY EXPERTS FEAR THE UNITED STATES 3RD DIVISION UNOPPOSED HIGH SPEED PUSH TO BAGHDAD MAY BE A TRAP FOR IRAQI ARMY TO HIT DIVISIONS FLANKS

(WHEN TEMPERATURES SOAR TO 100 F IN NEXT TWO DAYS)

[ewing]

Simple, anything shows its head we send it back to the stone age with airpower..

[xJones]

I was just thinking that. I'm no military expert, but with no air force of their own, they're sitting ducks. And we've been bombing the hell out of the Republican Guard already. I heard on Fox this morning about Daisy Cutters being dropped.

[ewing]

Saddam's version of rope a dope extending supply lines even futher to 20 mi outside of Baghdad?

[e5man_r_u?]

Very doubtful.
Saddam knows that once it looks like Baghdad will fall he will have mass surrenders. It is more likley that the Iraqi army is pinned down where they are.

[ewing]

Or the Iraqi chem weapons stocks are posted at 20 miles out..god forbid

[xJones]

The heat's going to be a real problem. Even our very brave, very strong troops will feel like limp rags at the end of a 100 degree day. But on the other hand, the enemy won't be feeling so great either - plus they'll be running from bombs.

[ChadGore]

Please don't quote debka as a reliable source. They are a steaming heap of jihadist bs.

[ewing]

I heard we might be fighting at night to get away from the heat..

[section9]

Saddam's version of rope a dope extending supply lines even futher to 20 mi outside of Baghdad?

My thinking is that Saddam thought his RG's would be able to resist more than they have. Right now the whole front appears to be in a state of collapse. Some units might make Baghdad by nightfall. I just don't see the RG's being able to get at the Americans in a serious way without the use of Chem.

That Chem hasn't been used yet might be another indication that Saddam is taking a dirt nap. I think Saddam would have used gas by now.

Be Seeing You,

Chris

[sarasota]

I think Saddam is saving chem weapons for the finale.

[m1911]

I'm starting to wonder about that because of one thing - the bridges. How are we capturing all these bridges intact? If they want to slow the advance, every commander should have standing orders to take out the bridges in his area at first contact if not before?

[m1911]

every commander should = shouldn't every commander

[ewing]

Or the unit leaders dont know what the heck to do, Ive seen the same reports in the London Evening Standard that we might be in Baghdad by tonight..

[ewing]

Right it sounds like total disarry in the Iraqi command since we took out their communications.

[Petronski]

The Marines seized/crossed the bridge at Al Kut last night. I'll bet the map is out of date in other ways.

[bucephalus]

"How are we capturing all these bridges intact? If they want to slow the advance, every commander should have standing orders to take out the bridges in his area at first contact if not before?"

This has been a mystery to me, too. Would love to hear what various homeys in Freepland think about that.

[section9]

The Marines seized/crossed the bridge at Al Kut last night. I'll bet the map is out of date in other ways.

We might, just might be thinking of making the Bum's Rush into Baghdad tonight, before giving Saddam's people a chance to catch their second wind.

Be Seeing You,

Chris

[ewing]

Our Marines are moving too fast for the maps to catch up!

[cookcounty]

"The heat's going to be a real problem."

Daughter #2 (in Israel) says it's suddenly much warmer there. Heat should hit Iraq in 48 hours.

[cookcounty]

The only thing I like about Debka is their map, which is nicely done.