Wednesday
(1)There is some remarkable information in a larger article about Basra, relating to how Royal Marine infantry and 1st The Queen's Dragoon Guards with light reconnaissance vehicles successfully took on Iraqi battle tanks yesterday.
Whilst the Soviet era T-55 is an older tank, facing such heavy armour and 100mm guns in an agile vehicle armed with a 30mm RARDEN cannon and designed only to protect the crew against small arms fire and fragmentation does not leave a whole lot of room for error.
The Brits have acquited themselves well so far. Besides this article, I understand they also raided the Ba'athist party headquarters in one of the southern cities (Qasar or Basra) and nabbed several high-ranking party members there.
Posted by Byron at March 26, 2003 08:04 PM
Anyone else enjoying the delicious irony of the Iraqi armor being smitten from the earth by "Scimtars"?
I thought we nailed chemical Ali on the first day? Anyone else hear that?
Posted by mallory at March 26, 2003 08:24 PM
During my visit to the UK in the 80's, my father and I talked at length with some Beefeaters at the Tower. Remarkable gentlemen.
One said, "I wouldn't want to fight against the UK and the Colonies if they were on the same team. The fact is that we complement each other very well, operate together seemlessly, and in your lucid moments you actually heed our advice."
Brillant. Now guys, on this whole warm beer thing...
Posted by Justin Lawlor at March 26, 2003 11:24 PM
The British officer class being what it is, we ignore their advice at our peril.
Good hunting, lads. God speed.
Posted by Jeffersonian at March 27, 2003 01:06 AM
Ahem,
Yeomen of the Guard (the beefeaters) are retired career NCO's, not officers. Please be cautious throwing the "O" word about.
Posted by Oneeye at March 27, 2003 07:25 AM
the 25mm autocannon on the M2 Bradleys made pretty short work of the T-55's back in 91, also and yeah, get it right, or else ;)
Posted by J S Allison at March 28, 2003 02:37 PM
This reminds me of that incredible scene in Bravo Two Zero where Sergeant Andy McNab's tiny SAS team advanced and wiped out a unit of Iraqi armour by advancing on their bellies across an open field with no cover! Amazing, and reportedly true.
Posted by Russell Whitaker at March 29, 2003 05:41 PM
