U.S. Troops (3rd ID) Reach Downtown Baghdad [No casulties]

World Tribune ^ | April 6, 2003 SGT | Major General Gene Renuart-CENCOM Chief of Operations

[BushMeister]

I don't think it's 120,000, but we should have at least 50,000-60,000 there when the 1st Marine division arrives in full (3rd ID (Mech), 1st Marine div. and elements of 101st and 82nd airborne). As to the number of Iraqi troops in the capital, estimates have run from 15-25,000 SRG and assorted fedayeen and RG units that may have escaped into baghdad.

On another thread, I saw a soldier quoted in Iraq (I think he was around Karbala) who was supposedly from the Army's 1st armored division. I had no idea that 1st AD was anywhere near Iraq right now. I thought they were still in Germany.

[ewing]

But we still don't know where the 42,000 from the II Marines Expeditionary Force are going to show from Jordan.. (possibly rooting out Saddam's Hometown Tikrit and the North??)

[Carry_Okie]

I'll bet they've blown that rail line too.

[BushMeister]

I'd be surprised if we put any major formations into Iraq from a primarily Palestinian country. We have all been wondering where II MEF is.

On a happy note, we have heard that a brigade (4,000+ troops, 70+ tanks) from 4th ID might be ready to cross into Iraq from Kuwait early in the coming week. I'm sure that some of the 3rd ID and the 1st Marine Div. troops would love to be relieved (at least on a rotating basis) in the front lines 10 days or so from now).

[Dog]

I lost the MSNBC cam also....

[Cboldt]

How large are the units with the little "Xs" above, and how large are those without?

The symbols inside the box indicate the nature of the force. The marks outside the box indicate the size of the force.

"xxx" = Corps
"xx" = Division
"x" = Brigade
"iii" = Regiment

Do a google search on "Military Map Symbols" and you'll get a few hits

Link -> Field Manual Including Map Symbols (Caution, 3.4 Mb -- the www.adtdl.army.mil site does permit downloading by chapter)

[xkaydet65]

I think I read on globalsecurity.org that an armored battalion of 1AD had deployed with 3ID to augment its armored component. This had been done during the initial deployment to Kuwait.

[Proud Legions]

A number of folks have answered and given you the bits and pieces. Three other peices of info you or others may find useful:

First, if there is not a symbol above the box (like an "x" or "xx") they did not want to say the size of the unit for some reason, or did not know the size.

Second, a mechanized infantry brigade is not pure mecahnized infantry, nor an armored brigade pure armor. They will each actually contain 2 mechanized infantry battalions and 1 armor battalion, or vice versa.

Third, in the war right now, they have also cross-leveled tank (M1A1) and mechanized infantry (Bradley) companies. Thus you may have seen the report yesterday that said 30 M1A1 tanks and 14 Bradleys went into one section of Baghdad...don't let that confuse you. It was a battalion-size unit with 2 tank companies of 14 each, and one mech infantry company of 14 Bradleys, plus the Tank Battalion Commander and his Operations Officer (S-3) each with a tank. When that happens we no longer say it is a tank battalion or a infantry battalion, but rather call it a "Task Force"...thus the headline at the front of this thread saying 2 Task Forces go into Baghdad. That tells you it is 2 battalions who have switched out/cross-leveled tank and Bradley companies.

We almost always fight as task forces...when I commanded my tank battalion and we deployed I would always give up one of my tank companies to the infantry battalion commander who was in our tank brigade, and he would give me one of his mechanized infantry companies. Infantry and armor help keep each other alive. When that happen we were no longer called tank and mechanized infantry battalions, but rather "Task Forces"...just like the "battalions" going into Baghdad now are called.

Whew...sorry for making that too long! And apologize those in the Army or Marines who already knew all that.

[Justice]

Baghdad Bob says
"U.S. Forces are not in Baghdad...er...wait a minute."

[blam]

"U.S. Troops (3rd ID) Reach Downtown Baghdad [No casulties]"

Should read:

3rd ID Goes Trolling In Baghdad Again

[BushMeister]

Thanks for that excellent reply. One can only learn so much from printed material. Someone who has real-life experience can explain things so much more clearly.

[infowarrior]

While some may say that loose lips sink ships, I'll inform you of the following...

The "x" above a unit designator would indicate something larger than a breadbox...

the infowarrior

[ewing]

Actually, I misspoke..it's 47,000 Marines from II Expeditionary Force

[FlyingEagle]

All your Baghdad are belong to US.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Great cartoon!

OFFICIAL BUMP(TOPIC)LIST

[spokeshave]

"wonder what Bagdad Bob's beret would bring on ebay?"

Probably a lot less than Monica's

[TenthAmendmentChampion]

Kevin Bacon was in that movie??

[txradioguy]

"I think I read on globalsecurity.org that an armored battalion of 1AD had deployed with 3ID to augment its armored component. This had been done during the initial deployment to Kuwait."

Golbal Security is right. It's the 1AD's 3rd Brigade that's over there. It's normally based at Ft. Riley, Kansas.

[txradioguy]

"Kevin Bacon was in that movie??"


Yeah he was a cadet in the ROTC program.

[IMRight]