The Command Post - Iraq - Calm before the Storm

March 30, 2003

Calm before the Storm

Central Iraq :: Gavin Hewitt :: 1126BST

There is much talk of a possible pause in the advance but this doesn't look the case from where we are.

There continues to be huge movements of logistics and armour towards the south of Baghdad and overhead we can hear American aircraft going in to attack the Republican Guard positions which are not too far from where we are now.

The impression we're getting here is that there is a steady build-up towards obviously what will be the decisive encounter of this war.

From this and other reports over the last few days on Command-Post, it looks like the USAF/USN/RAF/RAAF will be methodically dismantling the Medina, Hammurabi and Baghdad divisions around Baghdad over the next few days while they're still out in the open. After that "pause", a battle like Kursk(1943), Chinese Farm(1973), or 34 Easting(1991).

Posted By Alan E Brain at March 30, 2003 06:00 AM | TrackBack

Comments

:-P :-)

Posted by: gabriel at March 30, 2003 06:59 AM

For the less initiated: Kursk 1943 was the largest tank battle in history, and a key turning point in the German invasion of Russia: one reason the submarine was named for the city. Comprehensive analysis of Kursk.

The Battle of Chinese Farm was an Israeli victory commanded by Ariel Sharon over Egyptian defensive positions opposite the southern Suez Canal, a bitter three day relief battle that opened a bridgehead for the IDF.

As for the last, I suspect it's a mindpo for the Gulf War Battle of 73 Easting, a key engagement with Iraqi Republican Guard armor that sealed the fate of the war.

Posted by: Dan Hartung at March 30, 2003 08:21 AM

Ta for the correction, I should ahve looked up the number rather than relying on memory.

Spot on with the facts and links.

Posted by: Alan E Brain at March 30, 2003 08:31 AM

Although I agree that a major battle is in the making, following the link in Dan's great comment above reminds me that the Allied foces at 73 Easting consisted of two armored divisions (US 3 and UK 1), one heavy infantry division (US 1), and an armored cav regiment (US 2). That's more heavy force than we've got in the entire theatre today. Just an observation.

Posted by: Murdoc at March 30, 2003 10:20 AM

The combat at 73 Easting was essentially fought by one cavalry troop of the 2d ACR versus a brigade of Iraqi armor from the Tawakalna Division. The citation is from the Center for Military History. There are better ones that give a much more extensive description of the fighting but the ones I have are hard copy. http://www.army.mil/CMH-PG/books/www/www8.htm

Posted by: Paul K at March 30, 2003 04:05 PM