Update: Iraqi Units Reported Moving to Challenge U.S. Troops

Washington Post ^ | 3/26/03 | Thomas W. Lippman and William Branigin

[jimbo123]

...U.S. military officials said the convoy leaving Baghdad consisted of 1,000 vehicles that were believed to contain fighters hoping to reinforce Iraqi forces engaging U.S. troops near Najaf. The movement was detected about 4 p.m. (8 a.m. EST). "Something big and metal is moving," one radio operator reported.

About two hours later, U.S. jets began bombing the front of the convoy after receiving confirmation that the column carried militiamen. Eventually, B-52s flew over, dropping 500-pound bombs every 500 meters along the length of the convoy. The casualty total was not immediately known, but the attack appeared to add significantly to the Iraqi militia losses in recent days.

[homeschool mama]

This must have been a little like playing Dominos. :o)

[Mike Darancette]

heres hoping for column after column peaking out of their holes.

As Sgt. Alvin York said to the Germans that kept their heads down. "Gobble Gobble Gobble".

[RetiredArmy]

Just say about three football fields. Easier to see in your mind's eye.

[RetiredArmy]

Just say about three football fields. Easier to see in your mind's eye.

[Bahbah]

SMEDLEY, why would the Iraqi's do anything so dumb as to mount a convoy and head down the road. They have no air cover and no chance? (Your screen name led me to believe you might have some ideas on this.)

[Texas_Jarhead]

it sucks that the B-52s have to travel so far to reach the target severely limiting their availability

[samtheman]

Maybe the hidden strategy is to block the road to Baghdad with piles of dead Iraqi soldiers.

[skeeter]

Cruise Till Death. Without a doubt.

[madison46]

Why every 500 meters? (back seat general here ;-)) How bout 20 A-10's, 20 F-18's, 20 F-16's to go with it???!!!

KILL THEM !

[Leatherneck_MT]

My opinion (for what it's worth) is to sit and consolidate what we've gained so far and wait. Eventually it will unnerve Saddam so much he will try a broad attack on our forces to drive us into the sea. THAT is what we want. All of this skullduggery about poking around in towns is horsepoop. Coax them into the open and then kill every last man of them.

Semper Fi

[finnman69]

Eventually, B-52s flew over, dropping 500-pound bombs every 500 meters along the length of the convoy.

Shhhhheeeeeeeeeoooooooooooooooooooooootttttttttttttt.

That's gonna leave a mark.

[Steve_Seattle]

Here's a stupid question: After the Gulf War, Saddam was supposed to "disarm." Does that just mean destroying WOMD and certain kinds of missiles, or was he supposed to dismantle his entire army?

[omega4412]

Shouldn't this read ...U.S. military officials said the convoy leaving Baghdad consisted of 1,000 targets...

Remember that picture of the B-52 with the caption "The terrorists have won the toss and have elected to receive"?

[JoeSchem]

Into the valley of death rode the six hundred, correction, three hundred, correction, one hundred, correction, fifty, correction, ten, correction . . . .

Obviously, General Saddam was a better coup plotter than he is a military strategist.

[IronJack]

B-52's? That's GOTTA hurt!

[Steve_Seattle]

"sit back and consolidate what we've gained so far"

I agree - wait for the reinforcements that will be arriving in the next 7-12 days.

[N. Theknow]

"Something big and metal is was moving,"

[Mark17]

This must have been a little like playing Dominos. :o)

I am reminded more of the Great Marianas Turkey Shoot.

[Humbug]

"cant believe that these idiots dont know that there only hope for making this difficult is to bunker down in Baghdad??"

Maybe the bombing on their positions around Baghdad was starting to have devestating effects on them, or at least was definitely getting a little too close for comfort, and so they figured they'd rather try to do something, no matter how desperate a move it might seem, rather than just sitting around and wondering whether the next bombing raid would be the one that finally killed them all off.

If this is what is happening, then obviously it's great news for us and would indicate that the end game is in sight.