White flag over Basra

News of the World ^ | April 6, 2003 | Chris Bucktin and Keith Gladdis

[MadIvan]

SPARE US: Defeated and weary Iraqi militiamen line up with hands in the air

WE RULE THE ROADS: British tank crew patrol outskirts of Basra

89 PER CENT BACK WAR - POLL

89 per cent think we should see the battle through, with just eight per cent saying the war should be stopped.

PM Tony Blair's personal approval ratings also remain high. Forty nine per cent like the way he is handling the Iraq crisis, while 38 per cent do not.

ICM Research interviewed a random sample of 540 adults aged 18+ by telephone on 4-5th April, 2003. Interviews were conducted across the country and the results have been weighted to the profile of all adults.

BRITISH DEAD

THIRTY-TWO brave British servicemen had given their lives in the war by last night.

IN ACTION: Stf Sergeant Chris Muir, 32; Marine Christopher Maddison; Sapper Luke Allsopp, 24; Stf Sgt Simon Cullingworth, 36; Sgt Steven Roberts, 33; L Cpl Barry Stephen, 31;

IN FRIENDLY FIRE: L Cpl Matty Hull, 25; Cpl Stephen John Allbutt, 35; Trpr David Jeffrey Clarke, 19; Ft Lt Kevin Main, 37; Ft Lt Dave Williams, 35;

IN ACCIDENTS: L Cpl Karl Shearer; L Cpl Shaun Brierley; Capt Philip Guy, 29; Rtg Ian Seymour; WO2 Mark Stratford, 39; Marine Sholto Hedenskog, 26; LBdr Llywelyn Evans, 24; Colour Sgt John Cecil; Maj Jason Ward, 34, Sgt Les Hehir, 34; Lt Philip Green, 31; Lt Antony King, 35; Lt James Williams, 28; Lt Philip West, 32; Lt Marc Lawrence, 25; Lt Andrew Wilson, 36.

THREE divisions of the Iraqi army in Basra yesterday made a desperate attempt to wave the white flag of surrender.

Senior officers persuaded Shi'ite clerics in the city to act as middlemen—saying they were ready to lay down their arms.

The Mullahs then put the deal to Coalition intelligence officers—the Iraqis would surrender if they were allowed to form the core of the country's armed forces after liberation.

The divisions, the 10th, 12th and 14th, are all regular army units and not Saddam Hussein's Republican Guard or Fedayeen troops.

The surrender offer was being seriously considered by Allied commanders last night.

A source said: "We have received contact from high-ranking officers of the 10th, 12th and 14th Divisions with a view to them surrendering and handing over the city.

"As part of any deal they have asked to become the mainstay of the country's army once the war is over. We are not here to decimate Iraq, we are here solely to change the regime.

Harm

"Their request to lead Iraq's military is not one that has fallen on deaf ears. It is a request we would look favourably on."

Significantly the 10th Division is one of the most heavily armoured Saddam possesses. It is equipped with T55 tanks which have provided most of the resistance to Allied troops around Basra.

Even with a surrender in place, British troops still expect to meet fierce resistance in the city. The source added: "Of course there will be small pockets of men still loyal to Saddam. They will be intent on causing the greatest possible harm to the Coalition and supporters."

Basra, Iraq's second biggest city, is now surrounded by a "ring of steel" including tanks from the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, part of the 7th Armoured Brigade.

The British plan is to bottle up the city, while launching surprise incursions. Special forces and elements of the Black Watch and 3 Commando are conducting night-time raids to destroy "command and control" targets.

Other special forces are lodged in safe houses, from where they gather intelligence and call in strikes by Allied aircraft.

A military source said: "We learn that Ba'ath Party militia or Saddam Fedayeen are meeting in a building, and two or three hours later that building isn't there."

British commanders have made it clear they are in no rush to take the city by force. But the commander of Britain's Desert Rats believes the regime in Basra is already "on the run". Brigadier Graham Binns, CO of the 7th Armoured Brigade, said: "They survive in Basra because of their ability to impose their will on the people, and that ability is evaporating.

"Our intelligence tells us that morale is low among the defenders of the city, that the population is glad to see us, can't wait to see us."

Ba'ath Party hardliners are now running scared—and considering surrender to prevent bloody reprisals from locals once the city falls.

A dozen of Saddam's most hated followers are said to have been begging Shi'ite cleric Mohammed al-Bosslimi to arrange a deal. A military source at Central Command in Qatar said: "These people have been responsible for a reign of terror.

"They have forced people into fighting by threatening to slaughter their families, they have shot at refugees fleeing the city and they have held public executions.

"Now Baghdad is set to fall they are the ones living in fear. There is a real possibility they could end up hanging from a lamppost."

UK military spokesman, Group Captain Al Lockwood, confirmed British troops would consider a surrender. He said: "There are many avenues available to them to contact our forces. If they wish to surrender, we would help them."

But it IS crucial the city falls. Basra is key to Coalition plans to get the oilfields working again.

Brigadier General Robert Crear, of the US Army Corps of Engineers, revealed capturing the city would ease the fears of Iraqi workers now too frightened to return to their jobs in the oilfields.

He said: "Basra is critical, that's where the pipelines are going to flow to the pumping stations. And that part of the country is not totally under control. There are still bad guys, and we can't bring civilians in to work."

Meanwhile, the British are also using psychological operations to seek out and destroy any opposition left in Basra.

Troops

One tactic is to broadcast recorded "tank noises" and fool the Iraqis into believing a military formation is heading their way.

Speakers mounted on Land Rovers play the sound of Challenger 2 tanks at ear splitting volumes.

On one occasion, the recording forced three Iraqi mobile artillery units with mortars—hidden behind a concrete hut—into making a retreat. The units were immediately exposed to a barrage of fire from British artillery.

Meanwhile, in the north of Iraq Kurdish forces have started massing troops near the border within striking distance of the oil-rich city of Khaneqin.

Kurdish troop strength along the frontline has risen from less than 400 a few weeks ago to between 1,500 and 1,800 now.

It is to rise to about 3,000 within days, said Mola Bakhtiyar, a Kurdish political and military leader.

Taking control of Khaneqin would be a major victory for the Kurds, who long to reclaim lost homes and villages and the major oil centres of Mosul and Kirkuk.

The soldiers have seen the mass graves Saddam's henchmen dug for their countrymen murdered for co-operating with US troops during the last Gulf War in 1991.

This time round, in an unspeakable act of barbarism, children had their throats slit.

And yesterday families fleeing Basra were fired on by Iraqi troops. Compassionate US marines picked up children and took them to safety.

Royal Irish Regiment soldiers foiled a plot by the Ba'ath monsters to assassinate one of their comrades as ‘reprisal' for their liberation of the town.

Lt Col Collins, who gave a rousing speech to his men at the start of the war, stormed: "There will be no murders on my watch. We came into this area with excellent intelligence and have since made first-class local contacts. At the risk of their lives local people offered information to my patrols and it was spot-on. It saved the life of one of my men."

Lt Col Collins based himself in the Ba'ath party HQ as a psychological move.

On the front door, one of his men has defiantly scrawled: "Welcome to Free Iraq."

[MadIvan]

Just a progress report from Basra.

Regards, Ivan

[MadIvan]

Bump!

[Joe 6-pack]

BRITTANIA BUMP!!!!

[OpusatFR]

"As part of any deal they have asked to become the mainstay of the country's army once the war is over. We are not here to decimate Iraq, we are here solely to change the regime."

Wonderful news! BUT, please tell me that those responsible for the heinous actions taken against the civilian population will be charged with crimes against humanity and tried, please!

The worst thing would be if these people got away with anything at all. What message would it send?

[Don'tMessWithTexas]

Outstanding. It appears that operations in the south are moving along splendidly.

[rageaholic]

Unconditional surrender, anything less woudln't be cricket

[math=power]

89 per cent think we should see the battle through, with just eight per cent saying the war should be stopped.

This just shows more of teh genius of Tony Blair. He knew when the cards were played what side of teh fence the populace would come down on. If Bush and Blair get the rebuilding part right (as they have the war) they both will shine so bright the light may even fall on France.

[PISANO]

As a show of good faith have the surrendering divisions take out the pockets of resistance that the Ba'ath Party militia or Saddam Fedayeen have established.

[antaresequity]

Lt Col Collins, who gave a rousing speech to his men at the start of the war

Lt. Col. Collins' Speech

Hear the Audio (MP3): click here

Read the Transcript:
Lieutenant-Colonel Tim Collins, commander 1st Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment Battle Group, briefed his troopers on March 19, 2003, the day battle in Iraq would begin.

We have excerpts from his talk that will make the hair stand up on your back and send shivers up and down your spine. This is courage and compassion at their best.

"It is my foremost intention to bring every single one of you out alive, but there may be people among us who will not see the end of this campaign.

"We will put them in their sleeping bags and send them back. There will be no time for sorrow.

"The enemy should be in no doubt that we are his Nemesis and that we are bringing about his rightful destruction. There are many regional commanders who have stains on their souls and they are stoking the fires of Hell for Saddam. He and his forces will be destroyed by this coalition for what they have done. As they die they will know their deeds have brought them to this place. Show them no pity.

"We go to liberate, not to conquer. We will not fly our flags in their country. We are entering Iraq to free a people and the only flag that will be flown in that ancient land is their own. Show respect for them. There are some who are alive at this moment who will not be alive shortly. Those who do not wish to go on that journey, we will not send.

"As for the others, I expect you to rock their world. Wipe them out if that is what they choose. But if you are ferocious in battle, remember to be magnanimous in victory.

"It is a big step to take another human life. It is not to be done lightly.

"I know of men who have taken life needlessly in other conflicts. I can assure you they live with the mark of Cain upon them. If someone surrenders to you, then remember they have that right in international law and ensure that one day they go home to their family. The ones who wish to fight, well, we aim to please.

"If you harm the regiment or its history by over-enthusiasm in killing or in cowardice, know it is your family who will suffer. You will be shunned unless your conduct is of the highest, for your deeds will follow you down through history. We will bring shame on neither our uniform nor our nation.

"Iraq is steeped in history. It is the site of the Garden of Eden, of the Great Flood and the birthplace of Abraham. Tread lightly there.

"You will see things that no man could pay to see and you will have to go a long way to find a more decent, generous and upright people than the Iraqis. You will be embarrassed by their hospitality even though they have nothing.

"Don’t treat them as refugees for they are in their own country. Their children will be poor. In years to come they will know that the light of liberation in their lives was brought by you. If there are casualties of war, then remember that when they woke up and got dressed in the morning they did not plan to die this day. Allow them dignity in death. Bury them properly and mark their graves.

"As for ourselves, let’s bring everyone home and leave Iraq a better place for us having been there. Our business now is north."

[TenthAmendmentChampion]

Meanwhile, the British are also using psychological operations to seek out and destroy any opposition left in Basra.

...

One tactic is to broadcast recorded "tank noises" and fool the Iraqis into believing a military formation is heading their way.

Speakers mounted on Land Rovers play the sound of Challenger 2 tanks at ear splitting volumes.

I love the Brits. Good show!!!

[river rat]

You just gotta love the Brits...
A real classy, kick ass gang....
Semper Fi

[vbmoneyspender]

Uncoditional surrender.

[vbmoneyspender]

Uncoditional = Unconditional

[BossLady]

Big Fat Brit Bump!!!!!

[First_Salute]

NO!

That decision is to be made by the free government of Iraq; it's not the Allies to decree; President Bush and Sec'y Rumsfeld have said already, no half-measures and no conditional surrender of Iraqi armed forces.

[First_Salute]

You got it; on target; and thank you.

[First_Salute]

You got it; thank you.

[xm177e2]

We just need unconditional surrender from the Ba'athists. The regular army isn't so terrible. It would be a great victory for us to accept this surrender, it's probably worth it.

[demnomo]

No deals with Ba'athist scum! Put these thugs back in charge with guns in their hands and there will be trouble for the innocent, freedom-desiring Iraqi people that they have oppressed and terrorized in the name of Saddam all of these years.

These thugs sound pretty desperate. They should not be dictating the terms of surrender. I wouldn't put it past them to conduct sneak attacks on Coalition soldiers in the near future. Aren't some of them also afraid of what the local population will do to them without British protection? That alone makes me wonder about why they would want to be part of a future police force!!!

[KriegerGeist]

"Lt Col Collins, who gave a rousing speech to his men at the start of the war"

This sounds like something straight out of Braveheart or Henery V.
I just read a trilogy by Stephen R. Lawhead that had many themes like that in it concerning Britian (Island of the Mighty).