Into Iraq: Part 2 of a frontline account of the liberation

1 posted on 02/01/2004 9:15:29 PM PST by Pokey78

Wasn't Dowdy relieved up around al Kut and replaced by Toolan? In the serious works on the war published thus far (The March Up and the Murray history) this incident is alluded to but never fully explained (Dowdy was too slow?). What's the full story? Someone out there must know.

2 posted on 02/01/2004 9:44:49 PM PST by BroncosFan (Howard Dean, M.D. -- coming soon to a state near you!)

World War II: the British Long Range Desert Group waits out the tail end of a North African sandstorm, circa spring, 1942.

U.S. Army unit during a sandstorm near Karbala, Iraq - 3/25/03:

3 posted on 02/02/2004 6:33:09 AM PST by archy (Angiloj! Mia kusenveturilo estas plena da angiloj!)

4 posted on 02/02/2004 10:47:35 AM PST by Valin (Politicians are like diapers. They both need changing regularly and for the same reason.)

To: Pokey78; MJY1288; xzins; Calpernia; TEXOKIE; SwatTeam; Alamo-Girl; windchime; Grampa Dave; ...

0929Z--Gas alert. Reportedly Iraq launched two missiles at British camps in Kuwait. They missed, but we MOPPed up (Mission Oriented Protective Posture; to "MOPP" up is to put all the chemical gear on, including suit, boots, gloves and masks). Garrard and Jensen were selected for unmasking. It was a heavy thing watching them take their masks off and waiting for signs of chemical sickness. But the "all clear" sounded.

Speckled Jim, the company NBC pigeon (a caged pigeon for chemical detection. If the bird died, then there might be chemical contaminants in the area. Ours was named Speckled Jim) was "non-recced" for promotion yesterday. There are NCOs who allege that he was disrespectful so his fast track to staff has been put on hold.

1128Z--The scud attacks have begun. Three times now the words "Gas! Gas! Gas!" or "Incoming!"

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Brian Taylor's amazing war journal continues....

God Bless those who serve our country

* * * Past, present and future! * * *

Pt. 1 ~ FR thread:
8 A MARINE'S JOURNAL: The Wait in Kuwait ~ Part 1 of a frontline account of Iraq's liberation.
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5 posted on 02/02/2004 11:02:33 AM PST by Ragtime Cowgirl

6 posted on 02/02/2004 11:04:34 AM PST by AngryJawa (It Is Not One World...)

To: Ragtime Cowgirl

Brian Taylor's amazing war journal continues.... ~ Bump!

7 posted on 02/02/2004 11:49:34 AM PST by blackie (Be Well~Be Armed~Be Safe~Molon Labe!)

Good photo archy , thank you very much .

8 posted on 02/02/2004 4:43:35 PM PST by serurier (We come here for the freedom of the world)

Good photo archy , thank you very much.

Some 60-plus years seperates the two photographs; the soldiers in the first could be grandfathers of those in the second, maybe great-grandfathers. The tools of war changed considerably in that time, and yet, they'd have found their common experiences strikingly similar. I think that may be a point worthy of note as America tries now to occupy the Middle Eastern territory so quickly won, as if by magic. There are likely other older lessons worth remembering as well.

-archy-/-

9 posted on 02/02/2004 4:56:42 PM PST by archy (Angiloj! Mia kusenveturilo estas plena da angiloj!)

I think , that in the photo, the army has already adapted to the fight under the sandstorm .

10 posted on 02/02/2004 5:04:08 PM PST by serurier (We come here for the freedom of the world)

To: Ragtime Cowgirl

11 posted on 02/02/2004 5:28:15 PM PST by windchime (Podesta about Bush: "He's got four years to try to undo all the stuff we've done." (TIME-1/22/01))

12 posted on 02/02/2004 6:04:46 PM PST by spodefly (This is my tagline. There are many like it, but this one is mine.)

To: Ragtime Cowgirl

13 posted on 02/02/2004 8:06:42 PM PST by Alamo-Girl

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