Marines fight their biggest battle of war

SJ Mercury News ^ | 4/4/03 | Juan O. Tamayo - Knight Ridder

[Badger1]

So the final casuality tally for the M1A2's in this battle is -
2 field repairs
1 depot repair
0 destroyed

[Grampa Dave]

Any idea of how many Soviet Tanks were distroyed in Iraq the past two weeks?

[Reagan is King]

Marines also were warned that Iraqi civilians perceived them as being "very rude" at highway checkpoints and did not like it when they burned, stomped on or tore the Iraqi flag, since it includes Allah's name.

"The perception that coalition forces are arrogant or dominating is a critical issue in the willingness of the local populace to cooperate and support efforts to root out the Baath Party apparatus," Marine intelligence said.

What did this blurb they tacked onto the end of the article have to do with the story except to try and make the Marines look bad? Are they supposed to be sugary sweet when the car might have a bomb in it? Did they think Saddam's thugs were rude when they raped their wives and killed their sons? I think they can handle a frisking at a checkpoint.

Plus, as others mentioned, an RPG can't destroy an Abrams so what's with the "The Marines lost three of their best tanks" and "one of their 70-ton Abrams tanks was destroyed"? Am I overly suspicious or do I smell a liberal?

[Blood of Tyrants]

The only places that an Abrams is vunerable is the treads and the engine intakes. Either of which is easily fixed in the field. Just button up, keep the turret turning and guns blazing.

[Blood of Tyrants]

Only about 2000.

[Blueflag]

Thank you for getting the math right. These tanks are 'damaged' but repairable. 3. Three!

Geesh, you can throw a tread hot-rodding on the autobahn. A buddy of mine was a tank commander in Bad Kissigen (sp?) area. He had complete faith in his Abrams.

Also the article reads as though 8 men were wounded when their tank was "destroyed." Must be a new kinda tank with a crew of 8.

Maybe a Bradley was whacked and the guys who dismounted were wounded.

To some of these reporters, a Bradley IS a tank (but it's not an M1-A1)

[timydnuc]

The brave people that fight this war, and the pond scum that "report" it are as far removed as night and to day. The courage that these men and women have exibited is above reproach. The Jackels of the press now move in to take thier glory from them with lies. Words that mean nothing, words that desicrate the honor of the sacrifice of brave men. Are we going to permit the Jackels to shout down the silent sacrafice of one good man?

We had better not, or the best of freedom will be lost.

[Badger1]

The reason reporters are reporting that tanks have been destroyed is because they do not understand what a "Mobility Kill" is. Three tanks in this battle were rendered immoble (i.e. a "Mobility Kill"). Upon hearing this, the stupid reporters think the tank has been destroyed.

[xp38]

You smell a rat all right. The odor wafts throughout this piece.

[mickie]

Do you know whether the division which was supposed to come down from the North.....and then had to send their equipment through the Suez ever arrived on the fighting front?

[NormsRevenge]

No. They were enroute a few days ago was all I had heard , not sure when they hit the sand. They supposedly have the best gear and latest gadgetry and should be able to unleash tremendous whoopass, but alas, may be late for the ball. Ironically, we may not need them.

[mickie]

Thats what I thought. Last I heard is that they wouldn't be in Iraq until Monday at the earliest....and might miss all the action.
What is their outfit name....do you know?

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Marines said the battle space had become so reduced - to just Baghdad and its immediate environs - that some 100 planes were stacked west of the capital Friday afternoon waiting their turn to bomb.

Turn those airplanes loose and let them bomb something!

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

OFFICIAL BUMP(TOPIC)LIST

[Hillarys Gate Cult]

Channel surf results;

CNN - We're losing.

MSNBC- We just have a toehold in Baghdad.

FOX News- We're kicking butt.

I think Fox is closest to the truth

[lawdog]

RUCK FUSSIA and the horses they rode in on !!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Grampa Dave]

How many tanks did the Iraqis have to begin with before losing 2,000?

[NormsRevenge]

The 4th , I think. Mechanized Cavalry

[Tribune7]

I thought the military's plans were to phase out heavy tanks.

[1stFreedom]

Eventually, but for an untold number of years they will be invaluable.