Shock & Awe
19/3/03- At mid-afternoon on 19/3/03, US and British aircraft attacked approximately ten Iraqi artillery batteries which posed a threat to Coalition troops in the Iraqi-Kuwaiti border DMZ.
- Following the expiration of US President Bush's 48-hour ultimatum at 1am GMT 20/3/03, the CIA provided intelligence of the movements of 5 key Iraqi leaders and President Bush authorised strikes against these targets, one of which was believed to be Saddam Hussein. The attacks began at 0234GMT. British Tornado GR4s were available to support these attacks, but were not called upon this time.
- The Strikes were carried out by about 40 Tomahawk cruise missiles and F-117A stealth fighters, and Iraq claimed civilians were wounded. Saddam Hussein appeared on TV three hours after the attacks in a taped interview.
- A few hours later, RAF aircraft were again in action.
- Iraqi army units retaliated by firing two 'Al Samoud' missiles and about five SCUD missile into the northern Kuwait area where Coalition troops were assembled, though these inflicting no casualties they did cause a chemical attack scare. Kuwait City was also subject to several chemical alerts during the day, Patriot missile batteries bringing down two missiles, while another hit the desert south of Kuwait CIty and one more landed in Kuwait Bay. British Harriers and US aircraft were subsequently tasked to hunt for SCUD missile launchers.
- US and coalition artillery began firing into the Iraqi border zone just before dusk and, at 1530GMT US troops were told to be combat ready by 1630GMT, as fires were reported in oilfields south and west of Basra. US Marines are reported in action in the DMZ.
- Turkey approved US access to its airspace (approx 1600GMT) and Turkish parliament votes to let Turkish troops enter Iraq.
- About 1700GMT, US artillery and rocket units fire into Iraq against forward Iraqi army units across the DMZ. The US 3rd Infantry Division comes under return fire.
- British AS90 and MLRS systems also participate in the initial bombardment.
- At just before 1800GMT on 20/03/03, air raid sirens were sounded in Baghdad and at about 1805GMT the city's air defenses began firing. Shortly afterwards several explosions rocked the city, missiles landed on, or near to, several presidential palaces, the Iraqi intelligence HQ and several other buildings.
- 3 Commando Brigade conducted an amphibious and helicopter assault, led by 539 Assault Squadron, on the Al Faw peninsula, encountering light resistance. Casualties were inflicted on the enemy and prisoners taken. The oil infrastructure was successfully secured to prevent Saddam Hussein from attempting to release oil as an environmental weapon. Three RN frigates supported this landing, with naval gunfire and helicopter support.
- The 7th Parachute Regiment Royal Horse Artillery moved on southern Iraqi oilfields to secure them against further sabotage.
- At about 2230GMT the US 3rd Infantry Division entered Iraq from Kuwait. RN submarines launch Tomahawk cruise missiles at targets in Iraq.
- It was reported at about 2300GMT that Saddam had ordered Iraqi air force pilots to fly suicide missions against coalition forces or their families will face torture. Also states that 'deserters will be executed'.
- A US Marine Corps CH-46 Sea Knight with US and UK personnel aboard crashed in Kuwait, 8 marines of 3 Commando died in the crash alongside four US aircrew.
- Two battlegroups of the 7th Armoured Brigade, the battlegroups of the Black Watch and 1st Battalion of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers covered the right flank of a US regimental combat team heading for Basra. British troops reported on the outskirts of Basra at about 1700GMT.
- Reports of Iraqi 51st Division commander surrendering came at 2320GMT, by 0000GMT on 22/3/03 the entire 51st Division was reported to have surrendered on the approach to Basra.
- In the air Coalition aircraft including RAF assets were involved in a wide variety of operations. Tornado GR4s attacked key facilities and Harrier GR7s provided close air support. Other aircraft, including tankers, provided invaluable support.
- US Marines entered Umm Qasr on the 20/3/03 and cleared the new port, the old town held out until dusk on 21/3/03, when Sir Michael Boyce confirmed the port as in coalition hands.
- US and Coalition forces are reported to have captured two airfields, H2 and H3, in western Iraq. H3 is a suspected site of WMD.
- CNN crews asked to leave Baghdad, Iraq for being 'propaganda tools'.
- USAF B-52s take off from RAF Fairford at 1010GMT on 21/3/03. Baghdad came under attack from 1710GMT, and the attacks continued throughout the night. The Pentagon announce at about 1730GMT that 'Shock & Awe' has begun. Kirkuk, Mosul and Tikrit are also attacked, Saddam's presidential palace is hit by cruise missiles. USAF, USN and RAF aircraft are all involved in the strikes. No.9 Squadron Tornado GR4's brought ALARM missiles to bear on Iraqi air defence radars in the first wave of this night's action. The Stormshadow was deployed in this nights action.
- US armoured drive at Nasiriya on the Euphrates river was halted by Iraqi forces at about 1445GMT, but by 1200GMT on 22/3/03 Nasiriyah had been taken and US forces had secured a brigade over the river.
- Two Iraqi tugs were seized by Naval forces while trying to lay mines near Umm Qasr.
- At about 2345GMT 1,500 Turkish troops were reported to have entered northern Iraq, against US requests not to.
- Two RN Sea King Mk 7 AEW Helicopters collide over the North Arabian, killing all seven crew onboard.
- With Umm Qasr secured, RN minesweepers began clearing the waterway to the port. RFA Sir Galahad is waiting to offload humanitarian supplies.
- Nasiriyah is reported as having fallen to the US 3rd Infantry Division and has secured a brigade over the Euphrates river. Four US soldiers were killed in an Iraqi ambush of two humvees scouting ahead of the US 3rd Infantry division as the column advances into Central Iraq.
- An Australian journalist and 1 other person are killed by a car bomb in northern Iraq, and an ITN news crew goes missing near Basra.
- Baghdad comes under renewed bombardment, including the first daylight air strikes. Iraqi soldiers fire oil-field trenches in a bid to obscure the city from allied bombardment.
- A US soldier throws a grenade into the command tent of the 101st Airborne camp in Kuwait, killing 1 and wounding 15 others. Soldier was arrested.
- Tikit hit in overnight raids.
- Iraq claims to have shot down five allied aircraft. Denied by USAF.
- Iraq captured four US personnel at Nassiriyah (four men and 1 woman) and showed them on tv breaching the geneva convention, then claimed they would uphold the convention.
- Four bodies also shown in a morgue, with head wounds, which pentagon says are execution style.
- 4 1/2 hour gun battle in Umm Qasr between marines and holed up Iraqis, tanks, mortars and air-support involved.
- US 3rd Infantry Division passes Najaf, heavy fighting at river crossing.
- US Army 5 Corps and Iraqi forces battle at Nasiriyah.
- Possible air crew bailed out over baghdad.
- Missing RAF aircraft believed shot down over N.Kuwait border by US Patriot border
- B-52s in action again.
- Basra under coalition control - Pentagon.
- US forces advanced beyond An Nasiriyah, while aviation forces attacked Republican Guard formations near Baghdad; one US helicopter was lost. Mine clearance operations in the southern waterways made good progress, with half the route to Umm Qasr made safe. Logistic preparations continued to allow the shipping of humanitarian supplies once the route was cleared. Basra airport was secured.
- Two British soldiers were reported missing after an attack on UK military vehicles in southern Iraq. In a separate incident, a British soldier was killed in action at Al Zubayr, near Basra. The next of kin of all three have been informed.
- Iraqi TV shows US Longbow apache grounded in Iraq, claims to have the crew.
- Two UK servicemen missing after ambush in southern Iraq.
- Reported Chemical warfare factory found near Najaf, unclear.
- Syrian bus destroyed by missile, some dead and injured civilians.
- Kuwaiti firefighters extinguish first oil-well blaze in Iraq.
- Continued fighting in all areas, US 15 MEU leave Umm Qasr and is replaced by 42 Commando.
- British soldier Killed in Action in southern Iraq.
- Sandstorms hit advanced allied units.
- British soldiers KIA in southern Iraq.
- USAF F-16 bombs Allied patriot battery after been locked on by the radar, no casualties.
- Popular uprising reported in basra, iraq units said to be attacking protestors.
- British troops conducted effective raids against paramilitary forces in the Basra area. US forces fought significant engagements near An Najaf and An Nasiriyah. The Ba'ath Party headquarters in As Samawah was destroyed. Iraqi tanks advancing out of Basra were engaged and destroyed.
- Command and control targets in Baghdad were attacked.
- Engineering work to construct a fresh water pipeline from Kuwait into southern Iraq continued.
- Two mines were discovered at sea close to the swept channel leading to Umm Qasr: the arrival of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary Sir Galahad, carrying humanitarian supplies, was delayed to allow that part of the swept channel to be checked by RN and USN minehunters.
- US airborne forces landed in northern Iraq.
- A squadron of the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards eliminated an Iraqi tank unit and infantry positions near Basra without suffering any losses.
- US forces defeated further paramilitary counter-attacks north of An Najaf.
- Following further mine clearance operations, the Royal Fleet Auxiliary Sir Galahad safely arrived in Umm Qasr, delivering a major consignment of humanitarian aid.
- A soldier from D Squadron, The Blues & Royals, was killed in an incident in southern Iraq.
- A missile hits a shopping mall in Kuwait city.
- A British raiding party attacks Basra, troops and vehicles of the Black Watch pushed into the city and destroyed a television mast and two statues of Saddam Hussain
- Ba'ath Party headquarters in nine locations were attacked by Coalition air and ground forces. British forces moved to interdict northern routes into Basrah. The major oil refinery at Basrah was secured.
- US helicopters attacked the Republican Guard Medina division near Karbala.
- US airborne forces landed in northern Iraq.
- 4 US troops killed by a suicide car bomb, driven by an Iraqi army NCO.
- The first British dead return to Brize Norton.
- British troops capture an Iraqi general.
- Royal marines discover chemical suits in raids on Iraqi forces in Basra, Operation James.
- Coalition aircraft attacked air defence, command and control, and intelligence facilities in the Baghdad area.
- 3 Commando Brigade launched an offensive near Basrah which secured Abu al Khasib. A Royal Marine was killed in action on the Al Faw peninsula, and a Royal Signals NCO died in a road traffic accident in Kuwait.
- A fresh-water pipeline from Kuwait to Umm Qasr was completed, delivering 625,000 gallons of water per day.
- US forces captured a major Iraqi ammunition depot in central Iraq near Tallil. Other Coalition forces secured additional bridges across the Euphrates and launched offensives to isolate Iraqi forces holding out in the An Nasiriyah and As Samawah areas. V Corps bombarded the Republican Guard Medina Division.
- A British soldier was killed during an explosive ordnance disposal operation in southern Iraq.
- The US 173rd Airborne Brigade completed its deployment in northern Iraq. Air attacks continued on the Republican Guard divisions around Baghdad and Tikrit. V Corps mounted simultaneous attacks at Al Hillah, Karbala and As Samawah.
- Attacks on Ba'ath Party headquarters continued, some assisted by the local population. The Black Watch battle group rescued two Kenyan civilians who had been taken prisoner by Iraqi forces at Al Zubayr. British forces also destroyed an armoured force north of Basrah.
- A British soldier died in an accident involving a light armoured vehicle, another was injured and later died in hospital in Edinburgh.
- US troops rescued a female soldier held prisoner by the Iraqis. US Marines captured at Al Hillah two of the Al Samoud II missiles which contravened UN resolutions.
- Representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross visited Iraqi prisoners of war held by Coalition forces in southern Iraq to confirm that their treatment was in accordance with the Geneva Convention.
- Iraqi forces were reported to be firing on Coalition forces from the sacred Ali Mosque at An Najaf.
- The US V Corps destroyed the Medina Division of the Republican Guard close to Baghdad. 101st Air Assault Division continued operations at An Najaf, while the 82nd Airborne Division struck Iraqi forces at As Samawah.
- An FA-18C was shot down, and a UH-60 helicopter crashed in central Iraq.
- The US V Corps drove back the Medina Division of the Republican Guard close to Baghdad and secured another crossing over the Euphrates. US forces positioned themselves on the outskirts of Baghdad. 101st Air Assault Division continued operations at An Najaf, while the 82nd Airborne Division struck Iraqi forces at As Samawah. In northern Iraq, air strikes were called in against the Iraqi 15th Mechanised Division.
- Some sixty miles from Baghdad, Coalition troops raided the Tharthar Palace.
- An FA-18C was shot down, and a UH-60 helicopter crashed in central Iraq.
- The US 1st Marine Expeditionary Force inflicted further destruction on the Baghdad and Al Nida divisions of the Republican Guard near Al Kut and Baghdad. V Corps secured southern approaches to Baghdad and captured the International Airport to the west of the city.
- British forces continued operations against paramilitary forces in and around Basrah, and captured a ballistic missile battery near Al Zubayr.
- A suspected NBC training school was investigated by Coalition forces.
- US troops from 3rd Infantry Division reached the southern outskirts of Baghdad and pushed through the inner city to the international airport in the west. The build-up of forces at the airport continued.
- British forces expanded the area of control northwards from the main southern oilfields near Basrah. A large number of uninterred human remains were found at a regime headquarters near Al Zubayr and are undergoing forensic examination. They appear to significantly predate the current conflict.
- US forces consolidated their positions around Baghdad and at the international airport, establishing control of both the south-western and south-eastern approaches to the city. Other operations continued at Karbala, An Najaf and As Samawah to eliminate regime pockets of resistance.
- British forces advanced further into Basrah. Three soldiers were killed in the advance into Basrah.
- British forces established control over a large part of the city of Basrah, with the 3rd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment, clearing on foot the old quarter, inaccessible to vehicles. Two British soldiers were killed in action.
- Around As Samawah, the US 82nd Airborne Division conducted humanitarian operations, while at An Najaf the 101st Air Assault Division continued its offensive against enemy positions. A Ba'ath Party headquarters at Karbala was destroyed. At Baghdad, the 3rd Infantry Division took a suspected Special Republican Guard headquarters, whilst the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force consolidated its position to the east of the city. An Iraqi armoured force was destroyed north-west of Baghdad.
- RFA Sir Percivale made another large delivery of humanitarian aid supplies to Umm Qasr.
- A USAF B-1B attacked a leadership target in the Al Mansur district of Baghdad. US troops held positions in central Baghdad overnight, while US Marines pushed into the city from the south-east, taking Rasheed airport. A USAF A-10 aircraft crashed near Baghdad International Airport; the pilot ejected safely.
- British forces completed sweeps of Basra to remove any pockets of regime resistance. US troops remained in combat east of Karbala, while also conducting further humanitarian operations around As Samawah.
- US troops consolidated their control of much of Baghdad. The 1st US Marine Expeditionary Force encountered minimal resistance from regular Army units near Al Amarah. The Marines also continued to push into south-east Baghdad.
- A USAF F-15E aircraft was lost over Iraq.
- US forces secured all the major routes leading into Baghdad, whilst continuing operations to eliminate resistance within the city. Around Al Hillah, the US 101st Air Assault Division continued operations against pockets of regime forces, and liberated warehouses of food hoarded by the regime.
- In Baghdad, statues of Saddam Hussein were torn down to the jubilant cries of the Iraqi crowds.
- Elements of 1(UK) Armoured Division pushed north from Basra towards the US-held positions around Al Amarah. In the west of the country, the town of Ar Rutbah declared itself open to Coalition forces.
- Mine clearance work along the southern waterways leading to Umm Qasr having been accomplished, the focus of Royal Navy and Royal Australian Navy clearance teams switched to the northern waterways leading to Basra.
- In Baghdad, Coalition troops took the notorious Abu Gharib prison complex, which proved to be empty. Operations also continued to increase the security of Baghdad International Airport. At Karbala, the university was cleared of regime forces.
- Coalition and Kurdish forces occupied Kirkuk. A cease-fire agreement was also brokered with the Iraqi regular army's 5th Corps near Mosul.
- A shipment of humanitarian aid from the Red Crescent and United Arab Emirates arrived in Umm Qasr.
- In the west of Iraq, operations were successfully conducted around Al Qa'im and 15 Iraqi combat aircraft were captured at Al Asad airfield. Operations continued in Baghdad and to the south of the city to improve security to allow humanitarian aid deliveries. The Presidential Scientific Adviser, Amir Hamudi Hasan al-Sadi, surrendered to Coalition troops in Baghdad.
- 1(UK) Armoured Division and US Marines continued work to link the secured areas around Basra and Al Amarah.
- Australian forces commenced Operation Baghdad Assist to help deliver medical supplies to the city.
- An Australian C-130 flew medical supplies into Baghdad International Airport.
- In Basra, local police patrols were resumed under the close supervision of British troops.
- Reports of US Marines finding 278 artillery shells with chemical warheads.
- 7 US POWs found alive and well in Iraq.
- British police advisers flown to Basra to help restore order.
- US Marines entered Tikrit, Saddam Hussein's home town, and secured the Presidential palace, encountering only limited resistance. In Baghdad, military engineers worked with local officials to restore power and water supplies.
- In southern Baghdad, a man suspected of being the terrorist Abu Abbas was arrested.
- Operations continued in northern Iraq to extend the area controlled by Coalition forces around Arbil, Mosul and Kirkuk. Emergency supplies of fresh water were delivered around Kirkuk, pending the recommissioning of water infrastructure.
- Clearance operations also continued in Baghdad and Tikrit, with numerous arms caches recovered. A local police force was mustered in As Samawah, and police officers conducted joint patrols with US forces in Baghdad.
- British, Australian and US naval forces continued work to clear the channel into the port of Az Zubayr at Basrah, dealing with both the threat of mines and derelict ships and wrecks.
- Security in the northern cities of Dahuk, Arbil, Mosul and Kirkuk continued to improve, allowing greater ease of access for humanitarian work.
- The remnants of the Iraqi 12th Armoured Brigade surrendered at Ar Ramadi, west of Baghdad. The US 1st Marine Expeditionary Force continued operations both within Baghdad and to the east of the city, as well as at Tikrit. British troops secured Al Qurnah, midway between Basra and Al Amarah. Good progress continued to be made in restoring the permanent water infrastructure in Basra and Az Zubayr.
- The international humanitarian aid effort continued to flow into the country, particularly medical teams and supplies.
- Saddam Hussein's half-brother, Barzan Ibrahim Hasan, was captured by Coalition forces. The US 4th Infantry Division commenced operations north of Baghdad, engaging an armoured force at Al Taji. US General Franks, commanding CENTCOM, visited Baghdad to thank troops for their achievements and consult with Coalition commanders.
- Samir Abd al-Aziz al-Najim, a senior Ba'ath Party official, was captured by Iraqi Kurds near Mosul and handed over to Coalition forces. Khala Khadr Al-Salahat, a member of the Abul Nidal terrorist organization, surrendered to US Marines in Baghdad. Hikmat Mizban Ibrahim al-Azzawi, the former Deputy Prime Minister for Economics and Finance, was also taken into Coalition custody.
- The US 4th Infantry Division cleared a route from Al Taji to Samarra.
- Six power plants in Baghdad were restored to operation, and international medical teams continued to make good progress in rehabilitating hospitals.
- Australian Commandos, of 4th battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, captured the Iraqi airbase of Al Asad which is west of Baghdad. An assortment of 51 MiG-21 and MiG-25 fighters were found either buried or camouflaged to avoid detection.
- Following repair work by British troops, the railway between Umm Qasr and Basra reopened, providing both efficient movement of supplies and humanitarian aid from the port to the city, and also transport for the local population. A reverse osmosis water purification plant began operations, providing additional potable water in the Basra area.
- The former Iraqi Minister for Higher Education and Scientific Research, Abd al-Khaliq Abd Al-Gafar, was detained by Coalition forces.
- Australian forces concluded Operation Baghdad Assist with the delivery of medical supplies to hospitals in An Nasiriyah, where US forces had made significant progress in restoring water supplies, with a water plant and four pumping and treatment plants back in service.
- Kuwaiti aid for the animals of Baghdad zoo was delivered safely.
- Muhammad Hazmaq al Zubaydi, the Central Euphrates regional commander, was detained by Coalition forces. General Garner, the head of the Office for Reconstruction and Humanitarian Aid, visited Baghdad, accompanied by his UK deputy, Major General Cross, and other members of his team. They conducted liaison visits to hospitals, a sewage treatment plant and a power station.
- Royal Navy and Royal Australian Navy teams continued work to clear the waterways of southern Iraq to reopen additional shipping channels.
- Jamal Mustafa Abdullah Sultan al-Tikriti, deputy chief of the tribal affairs office was detained by coalition forces.
- Mohammed Hamza al-Zubeidi, a Ba'ath Party commander and former deputy prime minister, was detained by coalition forces.
- Perhaps around a million Shia pilgrims reached Karbala, a festival suppressed by Saddam Hussein's regime.
- RAF aircraft use the Storm Shadow and Maverick missiles in combat for the first time.
- The Secretary of State for Defence, Geoff Hoon MP, began a visit to British forces in southern Iraq.
- Muzahim Sa'b Hassan al-Tikriti, the former Air Defence Force Commander was detained by coalition forces.
- Zuhayr Talib Abd al Sattar al Naqib, former Director of Military Intelligence was detained by coalition forces.
- Muhammad Mahdi al-Salih, the former Minister of Trade was detained by coalition forces.
- Salim Sa'id Khalaf Al-Jumayli, the former chief of the Iraqi Intelligence Service's American Desk was detained by coalition forces.
- Three US Marines were killed.
- Australia dispatched an Air Traffic Control Group to support aircraft operations at Baghdad International Airport until the restoration of civilian air traffic control is possible.
- The Tactical Communications Wing began to setup a detachment at Bagram airport.
- Tariq Aziz, the Deputy Prime Minister was detained by coalition forces.
- Paramilitary forces attacked US troops who were guarding an ammunition cache which had been discovered in Baghdad. Fire from the paramilitaries caused the cache to explode, killing six Iraqi civilians. Others, together with a US soldier, were wounded.
- Husam Muhammad al-Yasin, the National Monitoring Director was detained by coalition forces.
- Amir Rashid Muhammad al-Ubaydi, Presidential Adviser and Oil Minister was detained by coalition forces.
- General Garner hosted a political meeting in Baghdad with over 200 Iraqi delegates. Mike O'Brien, Under-Secretary of State at the Foreign & Commonwealth Office, represented the British Government.
- The US Defense Secretary visited US forces in the Gulf.
- British troops worked to clean grain silos at Al Amarah in preparation for the coming harvest.
- The Defence Secretary, Geoff Hoon, announced the withdrawal of some UK force elements from the Gulf, and the deployment of replacement units.
- The Australian Department of Defence announced that its contribution to the rehabilitation of Iraq would be conducted under the name Operation Catalyst.
- Walid Hamid Tawfiq al-Tikriti, the governor of Basrah was detained by coalition forces.
- The US Defense Secretary visited US forces in Baghdad.
- There were further serious incidents in Fallujah.
- A US helicopter was destroyed in an accident, but the crew survived unharmed.
- President Bush declared major combat operations in Iraq over.
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