Op Telic - C Squadron
'C' SQUADORON ATTACHED TO 3 COMMANDO BRIGADE.
The Squadron deployed in the last week of January with 3 Commando Brigade and conducted a series of work up exercises and live fire practices. In this we benefited from their expeditionary experience being well looked after. After coalition intelligence assets identified the possibility of Iraqi Forces moving in to sabotage the oil wells and Gas and Separation Plants on the Al FAW peninsula, H hour was moved forward. US Navy Seals (Special Services) were put on 30 minutes notice to move and sieze the Al Faw pipelines and 'C' squadron deployed from the Tactical Assembly Area to ''Green'' beach to load onto US Navy ''LCAC HEAVY'' hovercrafts ready to land at ''Red'' Beach close to the town of AL FAW itself. However there was only room for 12 of the vehicles, which were then moved to USS Mount Rushmore, whilst the remainder of the squadron stayed on ''Green '' Beach. Unfortunately when the US Navy Seals got ashore on ''Red'' Beach they designated it unsuitable for landing due to the heavy mining left over from the Iran/Iraq war, so the 12 vehicles returned to ''Green'' Beach and the squadron complete moved to a holding area just South of the border near UMM QASR.
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Disembarking |
The Squadron crossed the border into Iraq at 0400Z on the 22nd March and circuited around the town of Umm Qasr to the embarkation point 'MILLER'. Here the squadron was loaded onto Loading Craft and shuttled across the river onto the AL FAW peninsula at disembarkation point ''BUB''. A number of the vehicles bogged in at the landing point to an unfortunate appreciation of the tide state, including one of the command vehicles, which were carrying the ANGLICO team. The crew learnt new evacuation drills escaping through the commander's hatch when the vehicle sank in an uncharted channel. Those of the squadron ashore on dry land then advanced along Route STONEHOUSE, which hand railed the Southern coastline and joined up with 40 Commando. To complicate matters further as the tide went out the crews of the bogged vehicles realised that the landing point was in fact a prepared minefield and anti-tank mines surrounded OE. Sgt McDonnell and the Engineer recce Sgt's cleared a safe lane through the mud, allowing the crew of OE to leave their stranded vehicle.
As the squadron advanced East along Route STONEHOUSE, GW troop and Lynx missile helicopters working with the Squadron, destroyed unoccupied but intact bunkers, artillery and anti-aircraft positions along the way. A very close shave was had by Corporal Armstrong who was patrolling on foot near his vehicle when he felt a trip wire around his neck. His operator cut the wire and traced it back to an anti-personnel mine.
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Sergeant McDonell |
In the early hours of the 24th March the Squadron's lead troops linked up with 40 Commandos forward positions. After a night of uncertainty, as the Commandos were unclear a show to use reconnaissance troops, the Squadron moved north into an observation post screen, while 2nd Troop advanced along Highway 6 with the Commando Brigade Recce Force, mounted in cut down land-rovers. The Squadron firm in their observation posts, picked up numerous enemy 4x4 trucks ferrying what appeared to be troops up and down Route 6.There was however, insufficient evidence proving their combatant status to engage.
At dawn the next morning (24th) the observation posts picked up a large amount of enemy activity as troops wee driven to an extensively prepared defensive position. 1st Troop in the East near objectives GAZALA and CORIANO, reported numerous T-55's an dug in infantry along a line of date palms to the north of Route 6. Initial attempts to call in Close Air Support were unsuccessful for two reasons-the pilots were unable to identify targets and once identified were unwilling to drop due to fears of collateral damage. However in the west 3rd Troop was busy dealing with a T55, which engaged the troop Cpl, narrowly missing his head. The Troop further identified defensive positions supported by armoured vehicles and dug in infantry so a vehicle from Guided Weapons Troop was tasked in support, receiving artillery and mortar fire along the way. The GW vehicle then pulled over and preceded to destroy a T55, bunker system and a watchtower before withdrawing to reload. Returning to 3rd Troop the GW vehicle was contacted by Iraqi soldiers mounted in a civilian vehicle and when the vehicles machine gun failed, 3rd Troop were called to assist subsequently destroying the vehicle with 30mm High Explosive rounds.
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Battle for Umm Qasr |
During the night, 1st Troop reported hearing tank engines and as day broke they identified a company of T55's moving East to West from objectives CORIANO and GAZALA. A supporting aviation patrol (Lynx and Gazelles form the Commando Helicopter Force) drew enemy small arms fire and as the light improved the enemy started to engage the Troop with main armament. These rounds initially fell short, but became progressively more accurate. The Troop withdrew to a prominent hill where one of the Squadron's Forward Air Controllers joined them and brought in two A10 Warthogs aircraft that destroyed all the enemy tanks. Sgt McDonnell, the FAC and the Officer Commanding the US ANGLICO team proceeded to control back-to-back close air support (F18's and A10's) accurately into enemy armour, transport, bunkers, and infantry for the remainder of the day. Until the air kill box closed several days later, they continued to coordinate sustained aviation fire and reconnaissance in the area, pausing only to eat and shave (Sgt McDonnell even took control of 2x A10's mid shave). The Squadron secondary FAC was pushed to the west to support 3rd Troop as they began to identify large packets of enemy armour and fortified positions. This FAC also brought in air that put an early halt to several threatening Iraqi counterattacks from the south east of Basra.
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Dug in T55 |
Over the next few nights' imagery taken from satellites and air born radar highlighted the possibility of enemy armour behind the Squadron screen. These reports were subsequently identified as 'ghosts' caused by our own CVR (T) movement, and although without sleep for over 48 hours, the Squadron was stood to move to deal with a potential concerted counterattack.
On the 30th March at 0200Z, the Squadron took part in 'Operation James' under the command of 40 Commando Group, to clear the town of Adu Al Kasib. 2nd Troop was attached to the Brigade Reconnaissance Force to help secure a key bridge at H-1hour. 3rd Troop maintained the screen to the west and north along Highway 6. In the meantime 1st and Support Troops had secured the Commando line of departure and subsequently provided fire support and controlled attack helicopter fire from the South. Operation James lasted two days, with numerous contacts. Of note was Corporal Armstrong's action when his vehicle was hit by a RPG whilst crossing the bridge and threw a track. The crew dismounted to fix the track whilst still under small arms fire, completing the task in a record 30 minutes. Support Troop vehicles pushed deep into the palm dates to assist 1st Troop and conducted anti-tank stalks with LAW until their vehicle, Sgt Smiths, was hit by a RPG front centre, causing a mobility kill. The crew dismounted and disobeying an order from the Squadron Leader to withdraw, moved into cover, laying down mortar fire onto the enemy's location, until they could recover their vehicle, which was subsequently repaired and put back into the line.
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Firing Anti Tank Weapon |
AS 7 Armoured Brigade units crossed the Shatt Al Basra river and pushed north towards Basra, 3rd Troop which was less that a kilometre from the boundary had its own taste of friendly fire, by being engaged by both Warrior armoured infantry vehicles and artillery fire, necessitating red smoke to be fired and a hasty withdrawal to the East. Nonetheless the screen around Basra was maintained until 2nd April before the Squadron was withdrawn from the line for a 36-hour refurbishment period. On its conclusion, the Squadron was tasked with screening the Shatt al Arab River to the East of Basra encountering only minor enemy resistance.
The total kills credited to the Squadron (through direct fire and indirect assets) stand at confirmed 12 T55 main battle tanks, 15 MTLB Infantry vehicles, 20 bunker/ammo compounds, numerous dismounted infantry, 1 fuel truck and a number of Murals of the Iraqi leader.
'C' Squadron remained attached to 3 Commando Brigade until 30th April when it was returned to the QDG Group. They were predominantly employed on key point defence tasks throughout the oilfields of West Al Basra. Troops were responsible for individual Gas and Oil Separation Plants and took the opportunity to draw breath once the combat phase was finished as well as hone up on some long range desert patrols in the Western Desert.
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It also rains in Iraq |
