Posted on 04/06/2003 8:34:21 PM PDT by Oldeconomybuyer
BASRA, Iraq, April 7 (AFP) - Spurred on by jubilant locals, British forces won a bitter battle with inspired Iraqi fighters Sunday to take near total control of Basra at the end of what a British officer described as "one hell of a day."
British tanks advanced into the center of Iraq's second city, surrounded the local Baath Party headquarters and accepted cheers and thumbs-up from local people, correspondents reported.
Tanks and troops from Britain's legendary 7the Armoured Brigade -- the Desert Rats -- first mounted a dawn raid on a headquarters of the Fedayeen, a paramilitary militia fiercely loyal to President Saddam Hussein.
As soon as the building was taken, civilians poured into the streets as units from the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards and Irish Guards surged deep into the city to secure a vital gateway foothold.
Backed by infantry, Desert Rat tanks then drove further toward the outskirts of Basra's old city and were in sight of the Shatt Al-Arab waterway.
At least 300 Fedayeen were killed in operations Saturday and Sunday, according to British officers, some of whom displayed a grudging respect for their adversaries and their readiness to fight to the death.
Colonel Hugh Blackman, of the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, spoke of how the Fedayeen, clad in black suits and red head-dresses, had been brave yet wickedly wily in their defense of Basra.
"They have fought hard and have been cunning and tenacious in the face of superior fire-power.
"There have been instances where Fedayeen fighters ... have picked up a child to give themselves cover after firing at us.
"As we advanced into Basra today they favoured a new tactic -- playing dead.
"There were several instances where we passed what appeared to be bodies lying in bunker positions only for them to spring up and attack us after we passed by."
Parts of Basra overrun by the British -- mainly in the west and southwest -- were collapsing into turmoil by late Sunday, with locals beginning to take revenge on Baath Party stalwarts.
Widespread looting was also reported as the 24-year-rule of Saddam Hussein, loathed by much of the Shiite population of southern Iraq he is accused of having abused and oppressed, began to unravel.
But British forces took heart at the display of relief and happiness by more orderly Basra residents.
"The reaction of local people spurred us on," said Captain Roger Macmillan of the Scots Dragoon Guards.
"As soon as we hit the Fedayeen buildings they came out cheering on the streets and started pointing out the enemy.
"People on the streets first appeared in a group of about 200 -- then 200 more -- until finally it was a flood.
"They were welcoming us openly for the first time. Giving us the universal sign of approval - the thumbs up.
Irish Guard Lance Corporal Dougie Pannent recalled watching British troops swinging into action.
"We reached a college building at the entrance to the city and were ordered to clear premises occupied by the enemy.
"It was an amazing sight watching the Irish Guards pour out of the back of their Warriors and sprint into the thick of it.
"They ran full pelt to the doors of the building where we thought enemy troops had been firing Kalashnikovs and RPGs (rocket-propelled grenades) but found the doors had been locked.
"But they wasted no time and slapped plastic explosive onto the doors to blow them open before rushing in. There was shooting as they ran from room to room throughout the building.
"By the gates of the college I passed a dead Iraqi who must have taken four or five shots.
"Later during one of eight runs up and down the road we have just secured I took two prisoners back to base.
"It's been one hell of a day."
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| Sun Apr 6, 4:40 PM ET |
|
An Iraqi civilian waves at British troops in a Basra neighborhood April 6, 2003. British forces launched a second thrust into Basra, moving from the south to the edge of the old city after a drive in from the west earlier in the day, a spokesman said. (Yannis Behrakis/Reuters) |
Disgusting beyond words. But the Brits are doing a magnificent job.
Inspired, my patootie.
Demon-possessed would be more accurate.
Inspired, my patootie.
Demon-possessed would be more accurate.
Nah. Just a typo. Should have read ...British forces won a bitter battle with insipid Iraqi fighters Sunday...
My own editorial spellchecker has failed to catch similar semantic glitches in the past.
-archy-/-
You may well be hearin' more of such around this place. And you should expect be hearin' more from the &th Brigade's Desert Rats and the Black Watch, as well.
-archy-/-
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