U.S. forces move into Baghdad; Marines battle with bayonets in marsh

Associated Press ^ | 4-5-03 | DAVID CRARY

[Oldeconomybuyer]

The U.S. incursion was not an attempt to capture large sections of Baghdad, which remained under tenuous Iraqi government control. Rather, said Air Force Maj. Gen. Victor Renuart, "it was a clear statement of the ability of coalition forces to move into Baghdad at the time and place of their choosing."

[Oldeconomybuyer]

Amazing.

[Jalapeno]

"All are liars. Bush is a liar. Saddam is a liar," the man said. "We are an exhausted people."

One has to admit, that is balanced...

[Benjamin Dover]

Perhaps Iraq was fighting with bayonets since Saddam doesn't trust his own soldiers with bullets, but I series-ly doubt that our guys are out of bullets.

[Clara Lou]

I hope our Marines didn't have to use those bayonts very much. I'm imagining that bayonetting a human, enemy or otherwise, is a horrible memory to keep for a lifetime.

[LS]

"All are liars. Bush is a liar . . . . (I had to put that in so I wouldn't get shot, you understand)."

[GirlShortstop]

"It's like a jihad. They were given a rifle and told to become a martyr,  said McCoy, whose troops used bayonets while battling in the reeds of a marsh."

"Allah Ak....ugh.  thump" To have had time for the pig fat dipping treatment would've been a handy touch.

[Gang of Five]

"On the southern outskirts, Marines engaged in close-quarters fighting with pro-Saddam volunteers from Jordan, Egypt, Sudan and elsewhere, according to Lt. Col. B.P. McCoy of 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines. "It's like a jihad. They were given a rifle and told to become a martyr," said McCoy, whose troops used bayonets while battling in the reeds of a marsh."

God bless and protect our brave American fighting men.

[No Truce With Kings]

"I hope our Marines didn't have to use those bayonts very much."

They are probably using them a lot. A bayonet is great weapon. You can use it to open cans or MREs, cut down brush, as a screwdriver, and a pry tool. It's useful for drawing a map on sand or dirt. You can blaze a trail or build a shelter with one.

You can also stick it on the end of your rifle, although when it is there it is used more often for intimidation than for military purposes. The sight of a Marine, in full battle dress, in MOPP protection, coming at you with a fixed bayonet is enough to make all but the most steady soldiers drop their weapons and run. And the Iraqis don't seem that kind of steady.

Think of it as a crowd control weapon.

[SauronOfMordor]

An Iraqi television broadcast Friday showed Saddam -- or someone posing as him -- greeting civilians in the streets of Baghdad and giving a speech urging Iraqis to strike back at the invaders.

One fox commentator noted that the people surrounding him seemed to be dressed rather warmly for the 90-100-degree daytime temps they've been having lately

[Norman Arbuthnot]

Yet Iraqi Information Minister Mohammed Saeed al-Sahhaf contended the Americans were ousted from the airport.

"Today, we butchered the force present at the airport," al-Sahhaf said. He also indicated that Iraqi fighters would stage "creative operations," including suicide attacks.

I hope somebody is compiling a list of Baghdad Bob's greatest hits. This stuff is incredible.

[SauronOfMordor]

You can also stick it on the end of your rifle, although when it is there it is used more often for intimidation than for military purposes.

The article mentioned that they were using them "in the reeds". When you're moving through thick reeds, it's possible that you and an enemy may first notice each other when you're just a few feet apart. At which point a bayonet may come in handy.

[headsonpikes]

"Think of it as a crowd control weapon."

Gets less crowded in a hurry, I'd imagine.

[Daus]

"All are liars. Bush is a liar. Saddam is a liar," the man said. "We are an exhausted people."

Sounds like a quote from a CNN producer. :)

[verity]

In one skirmish, Marines with bayonets battled Arab fighters from abroad in a marsh on Baghdad's outskirts.

The "personal touch" facet of USMC diplomacy :~)

[Jim Noble]

On the southern outskirts, Marines engaged in close-quarters fighting with pro-Saddam volunteers from Jordan, Egypt, Sudan and elsewhere, according to Lt. Col. B.P. McCoy of 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines. "It's like a jihad. They were given a rifle and told to become a martyr,"

No time like the present.

If we don't kill 'em today, we'll just have to do it tomorrow.

[mware]

Marines with bayonets battled Arab fighters

What was that line from Gettesburg, "That's the style."

[Jim Noble]

On the southern outskirts, Marines engaged in close-quarters fighting with pro-Saddam volunteers from Jordan, Egypt, Sudan and elsewhere, according to Lt. Col. B.P. McCoy of 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines. "It's like a jihad. They were given a rifle and told to become a martyr,"

We should send 747s to Amman, Cairo, Damascus, Khartoum, Mogadishu, and Karachi to pick 'em up.

Air Jihad, we can call it. I fly, you die-Kinda catchy, huh?

[txrangerette]

I heard some MSNBC embed report on the
1st Marine Div. battling the foreign
fighters who came to "jihad" America's
finest. Good show, because now these
ignorant dupes got what they wanted...

AND SO MUCH MORE!!!

[NoControllingLegalAuthority]

I've never liked the command, "Fix bayonets!"

It always seems like the gathering is about to become very rude and personal.