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| Iraq |
| British Engage Column of Iraqi Vehicles |
| 2003-03-26 |
| British forces engaged a column of Iraqi armored vehicles — tanks and armored personnel carriers — that filed out of the southern city of Basra late Wednesday, a British military source said. The source said coalition aircraft as well as ground units were hitting the column, which he estimated at about 120 vehicles. The vehicles were moving south along Highway 6. That's a lot of vehicles. Nice of them to come out into the open instead of hiding next to hospitals. Basra had been largely quiet for much of the day, with British forces trading occasional fire with some of the estimated 1,000 die-hard Iraqi loyalists fighting for control of the country's second-largest city. 1,000 people would be about right for 120 tanks, APCs, etc. The British said they were coming to the defense of inhabitants who rose up in the streets against Saddam Hussein's regime. Britain's 7th Armored Brigade — the famed Desert Rats — was said to be awaiting orders to enter the heart of the city. On Tuesday, inhabitants of the mostly Shiite Muslim city started attacking members of Saddam's Baath Party and other Iraqi fighters, who responded by firing mortars at their own people, the British military said. The British, in turn, shelled the mortar positions and bombed Baath headquarters. This is a very confusing battle. I can't figure out why they'd leave Basra and move south unless they were getting their asses kicked in the city and they had to leave or die. Now they leave and die. I guess we won't know for sure until the Brits move in. FOLLOWUP: From al-Guardian: Coalition war planes have launched air strikes on a 120-strong convoy of tanks and armoured personnel carriers heading south-east out of Basra. The column, including artillery and Soviet era tanks, is heading towards Royal marines. Allied commanders called in air support, including RAF harriers, to bomb and strafe the convoy as it headed towards the coalition forces. It is believed the column could signal a tactical retreat in the face of last night's limited uprising in Basra. More likely, it signalled the beginning of an Iraqi counterattack in a bid to regain ground lost over the last two or three days. The convoy was described by witnesses as "sitting ducks." It is understood to have splintered with vehicles heading into the country. British radar spotted the column following the coast road along the Shatt al-Arab waterway. Another "Highway of Death"? Here's hoping... And the same for the ones reputed coming south from Baghdad. |
| Posted by:Steve |
| #11 Had a stray thought when I was on the way to the local library a few minutes ago: Seems there were some very sophisticated Russian-made cruise missiles found in Al Faw. Then there's the report that 3ID discovered some Russian chemical warheads and a Russian technician. Wonder if these two deployments are tasked with "destroying the evidence". May not do them any good, but they may have to try, or face some really embarassing questions in a couple of weeks. |
| Posted by: Old Patriot 2003-03-26 19:39:45 |
| #10 Chieftains and Warthogs vs. T-55s and BTR-50s. Not very sporting, but this ain't the Summer Olympics, either. |
| Posted by: Mike 2003-03-26 15:35:33 |
| #9 Call me paranoid, but I also hope this isn't a distraction, hoping to get the Marines engaged in a firefight then pop some chems in the area. Marines faced with a choice of dropping their weapons to don gas masks or continue to fire at the advancing enemy. I'm pretty sure our vehicles will be buttoned up, but that doesn't help the grunt on the ground with an M-16. |
| Posted by: Old Patriot 2003-03-26 15:30:23 |
| #8 Latest from BBC: A number of vehicles in this Iraqi column of armour have been hit by Coalition jets. The attacks from the air and ground have been going on now for over two hours. This was after a huge column was seen to be leaving the south-eastern approach roads of Basra heading towards our position down on the Al-Faw peninsula. Coalition planes are using thermal imaging and night vision so they have an advantage over the Iraqis. At the moment it would seem the Iraqis are sitting ducks. They're extra crispy duck about now. |
| Posted by: Steve 2003-03-26 15:21:25 |
| #7 Perhaps its a desperation move to attack the port area after it was declared safe. First, this would be an embarisment to the coalition forces. Second, it would take the "food and water" incentive away from the revolting Basra residents. |
| Posted by: Canaveral Dan 2003-03-26 15:12:32 |
| #6 It looks like a general counterattack. Iraqi forces are striking south; from Baghdad, from Basra, from Al Kut. Under the cover of sandstorms, they are now attacking Army, Marine, and British forces that are in the open and away from cities. Motives? 1. Saddam believes that absent airpower, American ground troops can't fight, and will run. 2. By just sitting and waiting, his army will have too much time to think; Attacking at least gives them something to do (If it was use ‘em or lose ‘em with Saddam now seeing the end, I think we would also be seeing WMD use. Saddam is about to learn the truth about the American fighting man. This attack could shorten the war and reduce our, and civilian casualties. Think Battle of the Bulge lite and the West Wall. |
| Posted by: Dave 2003-03-26 15:05:38 |
| #5 Special Forces tapping phone lines or high ranking turncoats order the most loyal units on suicide charges, saying "the sandstorm will give you cover." Afterwards, Commando Solo says, "They were ordered into the grinder by the regime. Saddam might have been disposing of units he distrusted... or maybe he's just that inept a commander." If we knew about the sandstorm in advance (and we probably did) then this scenario makes a lot of sense. |
| Posted by: Dishman 2003-03-26 14:52:45 |
| #4 There was a comment I saw last night on FOX that said that Saddam had ordered his troops to "Just fight them". If someone in the enemy command received that order and he happened to be on the business end of a Fedayeen pol's pistol, he might just order his troops out to do just that in spite of the knowledge that he was committing military suicide. Sounds like the same thing is happening up north near Baghdad (I don't think anyone in their right mind really wants to pick a fight with US Marines). |
| Posted by: FOTSGreg 2003-03-26 14:22:32 |
| #3 Highway 666 |
| Posted by: Alaska Paul 2003-03-26 14:21:54 |
| #2 Or they fill those vehicles with women and children attempting to "escape" coailition bombing in Basra. I pray that's not the case. |
| Posted by: Domingo 2003-03-26 14:11:11 |
| #1 Yeah, the "that's odd" factor is getting a bit high. Those troops would have been a bit more of a problem for us if they had sat in Basra. Like the large Republican Guard troop movements from Baghdad, this seems to indicate a ridiculous level of faith in the cover provided by sandstorms, or a "use it or lose it" mentality, or some incredibly stupid orders to attack no matter what, or some combination of the above. |
| Posted by: Patrick Phillips 2003-03-26 13:47:14 |