Iraqi Armor Sorties from Baghdad. Moving South.

[Dune]

From CNN.com

Iraqi forces charge south from Baghdad
Bush: 'Military is making good progress'
Wednesday, March 26, 2003 Posted: 1:58 PM EST (1858 GMT)
 
KARBALA, Iraq (CNN) -- A column of up to 1,000 Iraqi military vehicles was reported moving south Wednesday night toward Najaf, the scene of an earlier battle with U.S. forces, U.S. Army officers told CNN.

The column is believed to be made up of troops from Iraq's elite Republican Guard. The forces were moving from Baghdad at a rate of 18 mph to 36 mph, toward the lead elements of the U.S. Army's 3rd Infantry Division, CNN's Walter Rodgers reports.

Coalition military officials said they expect the Iraqi forces are heading south to try to retake a key Euphrates River bridge, captured by U.S.-led troops after fierce fighting this week.

U.S. commanders were calling in airstrikes to slow the Iraqi advance.

A persistent sandstorm is limiting the coalition's ability to protect its ground troops with helicopters and planes, Rodgers said. Apache helicopters haven't been able to fly for two days. However, the weather conditions have improved enough for some planes to fly close air support if needed, Rodgers said.

At nearly the same time, a column of 70 to 120 Iraqi armored vehicles poured out of the southern city of Basra, heading southeast in what reconnaissance intelligence said appeared to be an offensive charge. Coalition fighter jets were scrambled to intercept them.

[Dune]

I find this real interesting because they are making a huge mistake. One way they partially negated the Abrams' technological advantages during the 1st Gulf War was to leave the engines off on their T-72's. That greatly reduced their IR signatures. It also allowed them to go hull-down. If you figure that defending is a force multiplier of 2 to 3 and that they already have a numerical advatage of at least 3 divisions to 1 (the 3rd ID), they are really throwing a great advantage away.

But, it has happened before where a bad leader takes an enemy's setbacks as the turning of the tide and quickly stops doing the things that created those setbacks in the first place. The RG cannot fight an open-field battle against the US. We all know what happens to tanks on the move, in the open, when they don't have air superiority. Bunkered down, covered by AA, they might survive and force the US to come in after them. Not like this they wont.

[MoMoney]

Maybe they are planning on Gasing everyone once they meet US forces.  I still think we're going to see a curvball or two before this is over.

[funkedup]

Do we know for sure that the Iraqis haven't upgraded their MBTs with APFSDS ammo or IR and night optics?

It is better that they come out into the open though.  That let's the coalition use their real advantage - airpower - without worrying so much about hitting civilians.

[Thud]

I'm worried about these sandstorms though, the Iraqis may think that they have a chance getting all that equipment down south under the cover of those storms. Forecasts state that similar weather remains there at least two more days..

[Eagler]

out in the open, the B52's don't care about a sand storm..

[LePaul]

You know, I've been following the press worrying about this big bad convoy.  I'm recalling how when the Iraquis tried to retreat in a huge, open convoy in the first Persian Gulf War, and our A-10s and a variety of strike aircraft literally tore it to pieces.  Also, if I recall, this helped end the first war....dang, wish I knew where it was...the Wings Channel had a bit about this a few weeks ago.  I think it was in Kuwait

Either way, if they want to bring a nice orderly convoy down Rt 6 or whatever that road is, there are plenty of coalition aircraft that will be happy to greet them....

[AKIron]

Much better to encounter the enemy in the open where you don't have to worry about civilian casualties. Don't have to hold back, can hit 'em with the kitchen sink.

Of course it's possible those Iraqi forces moving south from Baghdad are doing it so that the nerve gas they are about to deploy doesn't kill everyone in their capitol.

[Dowding]

Basra road. But that was without a sand storm.

[Sabre]

Yeah, the situation reminds me of the Battle of the Bulge, where the Germans took advantage of a huge weather front to make an offensive thrust, without worrying about (grounded) air power.  However, there, the Germans had a technological advantage in armor.  The Iraqi's don't.  Also, they're on the offensive, which they don't have a lot of recent experience with.  Neither are they likely to have the capability to support an offensive drive logistically.  Finally, I think they're going to be rudely surprised at the capability of Coalition air power to operate in inclement weather.  Also, every hour the weather situation improves.  I imagine this situation, if true, will allow a field test of the MOAB, once the strike aircraft take out the Iraqi mobile AAA.  I see the "Highway of Death" scenario, writ large.

[Martlet]

Originally posted by Thud
I'm worried about these sandstorms though, the Iraqis may think that they have a chance getting all that equipment down south under the cover of those storms. Forecasts state that similar weather remains there at least two more days..

B52's pounded an armor attack in a sandstorm last night.

[john9001]

"""elite Republican Guard"""  elite compared to what??

[Otto]

CNN at it's best!!!   It's not "1000 armored vechiles" but 1000 troops in pickups trying to reinforce a RG division (Media?) that is dying in place...

[Kanth]

compared to their regular army

Originally posted by john9001
"""elite Republican Guard"""  elite compared to what??

[john9001]

are they attacking or retreating and got lost in the sand storm?