Battle of Abu Ghraib

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The attack on U.S. forces at Abu Ghraib, which has been called "...the largest coordinated assault on a U.S. base since the Vietnam War" consisted of heavy mortar and rocket fire, under which armed insurgents attacked with grenades, small arms, and two vehicle-born improvised explosive devices, or massive car bombs. The Marines' munitions ran so low that orders to fix bayonets were given in preparation for hand-to-hand fighting.

[edit] Chronology

At approximately 7:30 p.m. (Baghdad Time) on April 5, 2005, a force of 100-200 armed insurgents, led by Al-Qaeda terrorists launched a massive coordinated assault on the U.S. military facility and internment camp at Abu Ghraib, Iraq.

The US Marine Corps, E 2/10 Marines, commanded by CPT Andrew Bone, stationed at Abu Ghraib and tasked with perimeter defense, responded quickly. Engaging the enemy from a variety of weapons systems and defensive platforms, the Marines managed to slow the momentum of the assault.

Several Marines, based in Tower 4 were wounded when one of the car bombs exploded only a few dozen yards from the base of the tower. The tower, which was then subject to a concerted push by the insurgents, was hit heavily with small arms fire and grenades. The Marines held on, and managed to evacuate their wounded, including a Navy Corpsman, and reinforced the tower during a heated and bloody exchange.

Elsewhere, numerous rockets and mortars slammed into the various buildings and areas throughout the U.S. positions, and small arms fire rained everywhere. Inside the detention facility, U.S. forces scrambled to maintain effective security, and control while under fire, and successfully managed to suppress both riotous detainees and to evacuate both American and detainee wounded. Several US Army soldiers were injured, but none seriously in the attacks.

The Marines, still fighting heavily were backed by elements from the 1-119th Field Artillery, Michigan Army National Guard, the 623rd Kentucky Army National Guard, and the 1-111th of the Virginia National Guard. These units, all field artillerymen, were with the U.S. Army's military police elements for the facility. They replenished the Marine's waning supplies of ammunition, as well as aiding in casualty evacuation, bringing water to tired Marines, and holding various defensive positions throughout the base.

Several U.S. Army personnel from these units, as well as several individuals from the Navy and Air Force, volunteered to join the Marines' fight on the walls of Abu Ghraib. Along with the Marines, they engaged and killed several of the attackers and took heavy fire from rockets, mortars, and small arms.

The U.S. Marine Corps Commandant acknowledged these young men and women a few days later during his visit, formally declaring them all to be honorary Marines, entitled to the same honors and privileges as regular Marines. The U.S. Marine Corps' spirited and heroic defense of the base is likely to win the Corps several honors, including a battle streamer for the official colors of the branch.

The fighting continued in sporadic but heavy exchanges for nearly four hours, when, with the help of U.S. Army helicopters, the enemy was routed and the hostilities subsided. However, during the night several lighter attacks occurred and were repelled. The following day, a third car bomb was detonated near to the walls and two brief firefights ensued.

Over 100 mortars and rockets and tens of thousands of rounds of ammunition were fired at the defenders. Likewise, disturbances by detainees trying to aid the attackers led to numerous minor injuries and incidents and the destruction of several detainee housing facilities when rioters tried to set them ablaze.

[edit] Casualties

Over 44 U.S. personnel were badly injured during the fighting, with dozens more treated for lesser injuries. Two of these U.S. defenders died en route to further medical aid.

In all, approximate 40 insurgents were believed killed in the fighting, although due to the nature of the fighting it is near impossible to accurately estimate insurgent losses.[1]

[edit] References

Information compiled by the author from various U.S. Army and Marine Corps reports, News sources covering the story, and eyewitness accounts of the E 2/10 Marines.