Posted on 03/26/2003 1:48:43 PM PST by Axion
Tigris Thrust Unlikely Summary
Mar 26, 2003 - 1925 GMT
U.S. Marines appear to have abandoned an attempt to launch another advance up the Tigris. British troops could continue that advance, but operational constraints suggest they more likely will be called on to support advances at An Najaf and An Nasiriyah. Before they do, they will need to secure Basra, a time-consuming battle. As such, U.S. advances toward Baghdad may need to await U.S. troops still en route for the region.
Analysis
After a two-day media blackout, elements of the 7th Regiment, 1st Marine Division turned up near An Nasiriyah on March 26, loaded with supplies to support the Marine thrust north across the Euprates from that city. The last known location of the 7th Regiment was somewhere north of Basra, possibly involved in attempts to cross the Euphrates at Al Qurnah.
The 1st Marine Division's 1st Regiment has been identified defending the crossings at An Nasiriyah, and the 5th Regiment has crossed the Euphrates and engaged Iraqi forces in combat at Ash Shatra, 25 miles north of the river. With the arrival of the 7th Regiment, it now appears that Marines have abandoned attempts to take bridges at Al Qurnah.
The U.S. 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, formerly engaged in fighting in Umm Qasr, has reportedly turned over control of the town to British forces and packed up in preparation for redeployment to an unknown location. However, it is unlikely that they will take over the fight at Al Qurnah: The unit is simply too small to push across the river against resistance from the Iraqi 6th Armored Division.
British forces from the 7th Armoured Brigade are tied down in Umm Qasr and around Basra, and the 16th Air Assault Brigade was last reported securing the Rumaila oil fields. Elements of 3 Commando, Royal Marines, or the 1st Armoured Division could attempt to push north at Al Qurnah, but they would face the 14th and 18th Infantry Divisions and 10th Armored Division north of the Euphrates around Al Amarah.
Given the difficulties already experienced supplying the U.S. 3rd Infantry Division near An Najaf and the Marine thrust north of the Euphrates, a third thrust along the Tigris may be too taxing on logistics. Finally, the marshy terrain around the Tigris is more difficult to traverse than the desert south and west of the Euphrates, and favors irregular attacks on advancing forces.
Therefore, it appears that terrain and logistics constraints -- combined with U.S. forces' need for reinforcements -- mean some British forces will move west to join the forces near An Najaf or An Nasiriyah. Before that can happen, coalition commanders must make an operational decision regarding what to do with Basra. The city must be secured or blockaded, or Iraqi forces in the southeast can attack coalition supply lines from the rear. Neither U.S. nor British forces want to fight in major cities, but they cannot afford to keep major combat units tied down outside the city. Moreover, if reports of an Iraqi uprising in Basra are true, the British may need to take steps to materially support the rebels in order to build the confidence necessary to encourage further uprisings across Iraq.
In the meantime, U.S. forces advancing on Baghdad may need to await reinforcement from U.S. troops still arriving in the theater, such as the 26th MEU and 4th Infantry Division. This will delay a final push on Baghdad.
This seems to be a...penetrating...analysis.
Well, you know what they say about riding the Tigris...
But it's the pelvic thrust, that really drives you insaa-a-a-a-ane...
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