Thompson: We are now a little more than 20 kilometres from the centre of Baghdad. Its taken 19 days to travel more than 600 kilometres to get here as embedded media guests of the US Marine Corps. Cameraman Michael Cox and I spent the weeks before the war in northern Kuwait with the Marines Transport Support Group. The embedding experiment was a new one for the pentagon.. Offering more than 500 journalists from around the world first-hand access to US forces at war. It has been an opportunity to live as they live, but also to see only what they see -- as operation Iraqi Freedom unfolded before us from northern Kuwait to the outskirts of Baghdad. This is the story of that journey.
When the first strikes hit Baghdad, many of these marines had no idea their war had begun. These marines are young -- some just 18 -- far from their home towns and families they already long to return to.Most know nothing of the land they are to invade. But rightly or wrongly they tend to share the conviction that this war is just and a necessary response to the insecurity Americans have felt since September the 11th. The sooner we start the sooner we go home -- that is their mantra -- fuelled with can-do enthusiasm and butt-kicking bravado.
Soldier: Dont make me reach for my pistol Right? If I gotta reach for my pistol dammit we got a problem. Good to Go?
Solders: Yeah!!
Thompson: As they waited for their turn to cross the border, this rear support group, like the rest of the world caught snippets of their wars beginning on radio and TV.
From a safe distance the coalition projected its power from the air and sea. Iraq did attempt retaliation. 10 missiles some of them Scuds were fired at North Kuwait forcing U.S. troops to scamper for Scud bunkers.At first some thought it was a drill.
Soldier: A little nerve wracking I guess Its good to have that practice.
Thompson: But the missiles were real. Some were intercepted by Patriots. Many more alerts were sounded but no casualties were reported. This is the fourth scud alert at this camp in the last five hours. While the Iraqi missiles may be missing their targets, they are certainly effective at disrupting routine of these marines.
Thompson: Final preparations to ensure the security of a precious wartime cargo ammunition, food and fuel to keep the marines fighting in Iraq. More than 70 trucks stretching until they disappear into the desert dust. Young marines like 23 year old Sgt Gomez are the envy of those left behind in Kuwait.
Gomez: Theyre very excited about it. They couldnt wait. I guess the anxiety level was up there? It was pretty good.
Thompson: And how do you feel about the progress the frontline troops are making through Southern Iraq?
Gomez: I think its pretty good. I think were moving pretty fast.
Thompson: But this convoy wasnt a quick start foiled by a bad wrong turn. A mistake just like this turned a U.S. army maintenance crew into the coalitions first POWs, paraded on Iraqi television and around the world.
Iraqi Soldier: You come to kill Iraqi people.
American soldier: No I come to fix broke stuff.
Thompson: The new day brings a new threat reports of snipers along southern Iraqi roads. The convoys orders are to fight a way through.
Glenn: All our weapons will fix to where the sniper fire is coming from, and continue to move the convoy.
Thompson: Soon the break in Iraqs border approaches. Known to the coalition invaders as Breach Point West. Into Iraq and past the demilitarised zone which was until recently manned by the UN, already left far behind by the U.S. and this war. And here behind where peacekeepers once lived, death now lies. The bodies of what appear to be civilians who got in the way of operation Iraqi Freedom. For the young marines its a Kodak moment.
Thompson: Does it trouble you that theyre probably civilians?
Soldier: It does, but I guess whoever it was, either the army or whoever it was that did this must have felt threatened and they did what they had to do in order to get the mission accomplished.
Thompson: And the convoys mission continues too, hundreds of kilometres into Iraq. On the way, the wreckage of the last Gulf War and the captives of the new. Iraqi POWs huddled behind barbed wire.Back in the truck a sombre Sgt Gomez after learning that American soldiers too have become prisoners of this war. Without convoys like this marines on the front line could simply not move forward. But now with a key Iraqi port and these southern Iraqi roads under coalition control, U.S. combat troops can be resupplied indefinitely. Young drivers from the Marines Transport Support Group are given a stern warning about dangers awaiting them on the road north to the front line. Dangers such as ambushes, mines and snipers.
Philpot: his is a frigging war. Gotta get this cargo up front. The sooner we get it to the grunts the sooner they can kill some of these people that need killing, the sooner we can go home. We are driving this battle right now.
Thompson: Listening seriously is Staff Sgt Chris Bacchus, an artillery combat specialist who is here just to hitch a ride. As night falls and the convoy prepares to roll Sgt Bacchus is given the task of checking the weapons of those less familiar with war. At 5 a.m. the convoy gets underway. This truck carries Sgt Bacchus and his artillery marines who are jumping forward after tiring of waiting in Kuwait.
Bacchus: Going up basically to get in the fight. We kind of got stalled in the rear garrison so we kinda hoboed our way up here by commandeering these trucks and one hum vee.
Thompson: Before long they join a very heavy traffic jam -- armoured vehicles and tanks cluttering the main supply route backing the push to Baghdad.
Boudreax: They get the beans, the bandages and the bullets so that they can carry the fight to the enemy.
Thompson: As the front draws closer the hardware of war is everywhere.
Martin: We heard incoming fire and stuff like that, but we didnt see anything. Weve been lucky so far --fortunate- -- but the companies in front of us have seen some action up there though.
Thompson: And thats where Sgt Bacchus finds an artillery battery -- 120 kilometres south of Baghdad. And here we find something else --news that a nearby battery is under attack -- marines rushing to assist.
Thompson: A call came in from an artillery battery about 600 metres that way that they are under attack from Iraqi soldiers on foot. These marines have moved into position and these Cobra helicopters are firing Gatling guns and rockets at the Iraqi soldiers. Lance Corporal Trent Boheme is 21 and excited.
Boheme: You get told the further north you go you get more pro Saddam its going to happen more but this is the first time its happened to us. I just hope it happens more.
Thompson: Here one gets the feeling the Lance Corporal will get what hes wishing for.
Thompson: But patience was called for instead; after ten days of racing through Iraq, the war had stalled. The coalition had got ahead of itself. Supplies of fuel and bullets and beans had been stretched too thin and a three-day pause was ordered. As supply convoys edged forward, so had we. Courtesy of Staff Sergeant Bacchuss unorthodox adventure, Michael Cox and I now found ourselves travelling with a regiment of frontline artillery marines.
Thompson: In Iraqs central desert a rare moment on the wars front line. The big guns sitting quietly as the coalitions advance on Baghdad is forced to pause as supply lines are secured and unexpected resistance is assessed.
Velasquez: the shit hits the fan and then theyre gonna overrun us so were going to pull whatever. We going to get them g ICMs RAPs I mean were gonna just rain steel on them.
Thompson: Sgt Jorge Velasquez readies his artillery team for any eventuality equipped as they are with many ways of unleashing precision horror on an enemy up to 30 kilometres away.
Velasquez: Basically this one is an expelling round. When we fire it, it dumps out grenades 188 grenades dump out. They drop down and some will bounce up and theyll get you about chest high.
Thompson: And what do you imagine is happening on the other end of this artillery battery?
Velasquez: On the other end well basically I see a lot of people praying.
Thompson: But on this side of the guns they are digging and hoping that here prayer wont be necessary on this night.
Robertson: Sleeping holes just a hole we need deep enough so youre under the ground and so if we take incoming youre not taking it in the chest.
Thompson: There are a few scares but not a shot is fired, the first all quiet night on the Coalition front since the way began. The morning comes alive on a day when it is time to pray. Picking up his bible Corporal Charles Robertson makes his way to church.
Thompson: Two makeshift Christian services held in a Muslim land and a bible reading about a place just kilometres from where these marines now stand.
Soldier [reading]: From a distant land Ezekiel replied they came from Babylon.
Thompson: But shortly they return to their work and the urgent business of killing. There seems to be time for maintenance, but it soon runs out as a fire mission is radioed in.
Soldier: Yes, unlimited amount of rounds fired is called up.
Thompson: When the ground war began these guns were firing constantly. Now the lull of the last few days is about to come to an end as the real battle begins with Saddam Husseins Republican Guard begins. But there was also a less predictable enemy to contend with -- suicide bombers like the one which killed four American soldiers just down the road near Najaf . Every Iraqi civilian was now treated as a potentially hostile threat. Suspicions were raised yesterday close to where we stopped when its believed flags were changed on a nearby dwelling. Fearing it was a code system to signal Iraqi forces, a patrol of marines was sent to investigate. Not long afterwards there was another incident which could have easily turned bad like it did at Najaf. Two taxis full of civilians were stopped. The men and women and children were all searched along with their vehicles. Only food was found, and a fair amount of money which raised suspicion. In the end it was decided they were just civilians trying to get out of the way of war and they were sent on their way. So a happy ending on that occasion.
Not so for Saddam Husseins most feared fighting force, On the morning of war a nasty awakening for the Republican Guard. Artillery battery commander Captain Phil Bragg directing the blows before the marines launch an infantry attack.
Bragg: We normally fire at the beginning to destroy and suppress the enemy that theyre going up against. Normally what happens is as soon as they make a breakthrough they move pretty rapidly and we have to spend the rest of the time trying to catch up with them.
Thompson: And so the quick roll to Baghdad begins artillery and infantry units leapfrogging each other in brisk succession. Through towns at a quick clip, some civilians seeking to surrender, others treated as prisoners of war military uniforms nowhere to be seen.
Dickson: Every time we bomb them, you know, its cool to me, because I like explosions and stuff like that . But I dont get to see the actual explosion and thats what I want to see. But I guess when we get closer to Baghdad well get see more of that stuff.
Thompson: And that stuff there is as the Iraqi capital draws near. Thats what happens when these artillery rounds hit making whats called a force on force engagement a rarity. That means that by the time infantry arrives, the Iraqi opposition has already been quelled by artillery fire.
Left behind, the charred remains of the meagre resistance here a mortar truck, there a still burning tank.
Bragg: Weve pretty much overwhelming all their defences and moving pretty rapidly. Probably about as fast as you can go. I dont think you could go any faster.
Thompson: Civilians at least seem to be welcoming the invaders advance.
Ahmed: Hello whats your name?
Lee: My name is Lee whats yours?
Ahmed: Ahmed.
Lee: Ahmed? Good to meet you Ahmed.
Thompson: As I speak to you now, U.S. forces are probing the capital, while we remain here on the outskirts of the city. The long-ranging weapons of artillery units, making any further advance unnecessary.We simply dont know where this war will take us next -- a sense of uncertainty O suspect we share with those of you watching these events from home.
Iraq Wednesday
09/04/2003
Voiceover: The very edge of Baghdad very firmly occupied by US Marines. Their Forces now busily cross in the Diyala River into Baghdad itself.
Maj. Gen. Jim Mattis, Commander 1st Marine Division: We have crossed the Diyala River at multiple crossing sites ah Or role inside the city is to seek out and destroy the enemy. These are people who are literally walking into peoples homes and taking them over
Voiceover: While the Marines have taken over one quarter of the entire city, starting here at this bridge blown by Iraqi forces.
Col. J.J. Pomfret, US Marine Corps: Youre basically in the war zone. Ah, the battle lines basically are the river. When you cross this river youll be in Baghdad.
Voiceover: And so we cross, but dont get very far. Just far enough to see that there was fierce fighting here a short time ago. These civilians havent crossed for three days and are slightly confused about which side theyre on.
Crowd: George Bush. George Bush Down Bush, down Bush Down Saddam (is corrected) Down down saddam. Sorry, sorry down down Saddam. (Chant) Down down Saddam! Down down Saddam! Down down Saddam!
Voiceover: Close by, a second bridge, also blown but now repaired. Most resistance in south east Baghdad coming from fundamentalist foreign fighters, says the Marines commanding general.
Maj. Gen. Jim Mattis, Commander 1st Marine Division: The fighters weve gotten up against most recently are ah theyre basically armed with small arms, ah they lack any kind of courage. They literally hide behind women and children.
Voiceover: But some with courage enough to die, while much of Baghdads more conventional defences failed to get off the ground.
Geoff Thompson: Suppressing resistance is one thing, consolidating control is quite another. US led forces are about to face what was always going to be the greatest challenge of this war; shifting from invaders to occupiers.
"MARINES FIRE"
DURATION: 3 minutes
10/04/03
Voiceover: Baghdad's days of celebration can become another place by night. Fear of attack enough to make the marines in this convoy point their weapons at any civilians who get too close. Vehicles too fast approaching are also in their sights.
Marines: Stay Back! Back, back!
Voiceover: Later what could look like a wave from a car at night is backed up with a warning shot.
Marines: Stay the f*** back! Back up.
Voiceover: But some civilians don't seem to be understanding the seriousness of these Marines' intent. Then this: (Heavy gunfire) Suddenly the marines believe they are also under attack from the side.
Solider: "Give me the ammo can"
Soldier: "Hurry up, hurry up, spray those trees, you see the f***ing tracers coming. Spray that area right there."
Voiceover: After five minutes it's over and the convoy is away and the young marines seem a little confused as to what it was all about.
Private First Class Patrick Payne: "...a tree right by us, I saw rounds hitting the tree coming right at us so I know for a fact that there was Iraqis shooting at us."
Lance Corporal Jesse Music: "The tracers that were coming towards us were green and white tracers and we use red."
Lance Corporal Dan Corrales: "Well I saw muzzle flashes, I'll say that, and I saw tracers, whether they were white or green or whatever colour I can't be certain of."
Geoff Thompson: It's impossible for Michael Cox or I to say exactly what happened during that firefight or whether it was a firefight at all. But we do know this: a civilian car approached quickly and was shot at and the occupants were almost certainly killed. We also saw marines firing a lot of rounds across the street."
Voiceover: There were incoming tracers but these were American red not enemy green.
Thompson (Question to soldier): "So it it possible that this fire was actually coming from other marines?"
Lt. Col. Pete Owen, Executive Officer, 1st Marine Regiment: "Oh yes, that's something that we're going to look at very carefully."
Voiceover: As for the shot up car, it was carrying three Iraqi civilians., now dead.
Lt. Col. Pete Owen : "I think if we killed three civilians that's pretty bad and it's happened before and I hope it doesn't happen again."
Voiceover: Such are the dangers of Baghdad by night.
When the first strikes hit Baghdad, many of these marines had no idea their war had begun. These marines are young -- some just 18 -- far from their home towns and families they already long to return to.Most know nothing of the land they are to invade. But rightly or wrongly they tend to share the conviction that this war is just and a necessary response to the insecurity Americans have felt since September the 11th. The sooner we start the sooner we go home -- that is their mantra -- fuelled with can-do enthusiasm and butt-kicking bravado.
Soldier: Dont make me reach for my pistol Right? If I gotta reach for my pistol dammit we got a problem. Good to Go?
Solders: Yeah!!
Thompson: As they waited for their turn to cross the border, this rear support group, like the rest of the world caught snippets of their wars beginning on radio and TV.
From a safe distance the coalition projected its power from the air and sea. Iraq did attempt retaliation. 10 missiles some of them Scuds were fired at North Kuwait forcing U.S. troops to scamper for Scud bunkers.At first some thought it was a drill.
Soldier: A little nerve wracking I guess Its good to have that practice.
Thompson: But the missiles were real. Some were intercepted by Patriots. Many more alerts were sounded but no casualties were reported. This is the fourth scud alert at this camp in the last five hours. While the Iraqi missiles may be missing their targets, they are certainly effective at disrupting routine of these marines.
Thompson: Final preparations to ensure the security of a precious wartime cargo ammunition, food and fuel to keep the marines fighting in Iraq. More than 70 trucks stretching until they disappear into the desert dust. Young marines like 23 year old Sgt Gomez are the envy of those left behind in Kuwait.
Gomez: Theyre very excited about it. They couldnt wait. I guess the anxiety level was up there? It was pretty good.
Thompson: And how do you feel about the progress the frontline troops are making through Southern Iraq?
Gomez: I think its pretty good. I think were moving pretty fast.
Thompson: But this convoy wasnt a quick start foiled by a bad wrong turn. A mistake just like this turned a U.S. army maintenance crew into the coalitions first POWs, paraded on Iraqi television and around the world.
Iraqi Soldier: You come to kill Iraqi people.
American soldier: No I come to fix broke stuff.
Thompson: The new day brings a new threat reports of snipers along southern Iraqi roads. The convoys orders are to fight a way through.
Glenn: All our weapons will fix to where the sniper fire is coming from, and continue to move the convoy.
Thompson: Soon the break in Iraqs border approaches. Known to the coalition invaders as Breach Point West. Into Iraq and past the demilitarised zone which was until recently manned by the UN, already left far behind by the U.S. and this war. And here behind where peacekeepers once lived, death now lies. The bodies of what appear to be civilians who got in the way of operation Iraqi Freedom. For the young marines its a Kodak moment.
Thompson: Does it trouble you that theyre probably civilians?
Soldier: It does, but I guess whoever it was, either the army or whoever it was that did this must have felt threatened and they did what they had to do in order to get the mission accomplished.
Thompson: And the convoys mission continues too, hundreds of kilometres into Iraq. On the way, the wreckage of the last Gulf War and the captives of the new. Iraqi POWs huddled behind barbed wire.Back in the truck a sombre Sgt Gomez after learning that American soldiers too have become prisoners of this war. Without convoys like this marines on the front line could simply not move forward. But now with a key Iraqi port and these southern Iraqi roads under coalition control, U.S. combat troops can be resupplied indefinitely. Young drivers from the Marines Transport Support Group are given a stern warning about dangers awaiting them on the road north to the front line. Dangers such as ambushes, mines and snipers.
Philpot: his is a frigging war. Gotta get this cargo up front. The sooner we get it to the grunts the sooner they can kill some of these people that need killing, the sooner we can go home. We are driving this battle right now.
Thompson: Listening seriously is Staff Sgt Chris Bacchus, an artillery combat specialist who is here just to hitch a ride. As night falls and the convoy prepares to roll Sgt Bacchus is given the task of checking the weapons of those less familiar with war. At 5 a.m. the convoy gets underway. This truck carries Sgt Bacchus and his artillery marines who are jumping forward after tiring of waiting in Kuwait.
Bacchus: Going up basically to get in the fight. We kind of got stalled in the rear garrison so we kinda hoboed our way up here by commandeering these trucks and one hum vee.
Thompson: Before long they join a very heavy traffic jam -- armoured vehicles and tanks cluttering the main supply route backing the push to Baghdad.
Boudreax: They get the beans, the bandages and the bullets so that they can carry the fight to the enemy.
Thompson: As the front draws closer the hardware of war is everywhere.
Martin: We heard incoming fire and stuff like that, but we didnt see anything. Weve been lucky so far --fortunate- -- but the companies in front of us have seen some action up there though.
Thompson: And thats where Sgt Bacchus finds an artillery battery -- 120 kilometres south of Baghdad. And here we find something else --news that a nearby battery is under attack -- marines rushing to assist.
Thompson: A call came in from an artillery battery about 600 metres that way that they are under attack from Iraqi soldiers on foot. These marines have moved into position and these Cobra helicopters are firing Gatling guns and rockets at the Iraqi soldiers. Lance Corporal Trent Boheme is 21 and excited.
Boheme: You get told the further north you go you get more pro Saddam its going to happen more but this is the first time its happened to us. I just hope it happens more.
Thompson: Here one gets the feeling the Lance Corporal will get what hes wishing for.
Thompson: But patience was called for instead; after ten days of racing through Iraq, the war had stalled. The coalition had got ahead of itself. Supplies of fuel and bullets and beans had been stretched too thin and a three-day pause was ordered. As supply convoys edged forward, so had we. Courtesy of Staff Sergeant Bacchuss unorthodox adventure, Michael Cox and I now found ourselves travelling with a regiment of frontline artillery marines.
Thompson: In Iraqs central desert a rare moment on the wars front line. The big guns sitting quietly as the coalitions advance on Baghdad is forced to pause as supply lines are secured and unexpected resistance is assessed.
Velasquez: the shit hits the fan and then theyre gonna overrun us so were going to pull whatever. We going to get them g ICMs RAPs I mean were gonna just rain steel on them.
Thompson: Sgt Jorge Velasquez readies his artillery team for any eventuality equipped as they are with many ways of unleashing precision horror on an enemy up to 30 kilometres away.
Velasquez: Basically this one is an expelling round. When we fire it, it dumps out grenades 188 grenades dump out. They drop down and some will bounce up and theyll get you about chest high.
Thompson: And what do you imagine is happening on the other end of this artillery battery?
Velasquez: On the other end well basically I see a lot of people praying.
Thompson: But on this side of the guns they are digging and hoping that here prayer wont be necessary on this night.
Robertson: Sleeping holes just a hole we need deep enough so youre under the ground and so if we take incoming youre not taking it in the chest.
Thompson: There are a few scares but not a shot is fired, the first all quiet night on the Coalition front since the way began. The morning comes alive on a day when it is time to pray. Picking up his bible Corporal Charles Robertson makes his way to church.
Thompson: Two makeshift Christian services held in a Muslim land and a bible reading about a place just kilometres from where these marines now stand.
Soldier [reading]: From a distant land Ezekiel replied they came from Babylon.
Thompson: But shortly they return to their work and the urgent business of killing. There seems to be time for maintenance, but it soon runs out as a fire mission is radioed in.
Soldier: Yes, unlimited amount of rounds fired is called up.
Thompson: When the ground war began these guns were firing constantly. Now the lull of the last few days is about to come to an end as the real battle begins with Saddam Husseins Republican Guard begins. But there was also a less predictable enemy to contend with -- suicide bombers like the one which killed four American soldiers just down the road near Najaf . Every Iraqi civilian was now treated as a potentially hostile threat. Suspicions were raised yesterday close to where we stopped when its believed flags were changed on a nearby dwelling. Fearing it was a code system to signal Iraqi forces, a patrol of marines was sent to investigate. Not long afterwards there was another incident which could have easily turned bad like it did at Najaf. Two taxis full of civilians were stopped. The men and women and children were all searched along with their vehicles. Only food was found, and a fair amount of money which raised suspicion. In the end it was decided they were just civilians trying to get out of the way of war and they were sent on their way. So a happy ending on that occasion.
Not so for Saddam Husseins most feared fighting force, On the morning of war a nasty awakening for the Republican Guard. Artillery battery commander Captain Phil Bragg directing the blows before the marines launch an infantry attack.
Bragg: We normally fire at the beginning to destroy and suppress the enemy that theyre going up against. Normally what happens is as soon as they make a breakthrough they move pretty rapidly and we have to spend the rest of the time trying to catch up with them.
Thompson: And so the quick roll to Baghdad begins artillery and infantry units leapfrogging each other in brisk succession. Through towns at a quick clip, some civilians seeking to surrender, others treated as prisoners of war military uniforms nowhere to be seen.
Dickson: Every time we bomb them, you know, its cool to me, because I like explosions and stuff like that . But I dont get to see the actual explosion and thats what I want to see. But I guess when we get closer to Baghdad well get see more of that stuff.
Thompson: And that stuff there is as the Iraqi capital draws near. Thats what happens when these artillery rounds hit making whats called a force on force engagement a rarity. That means that by the time infantry arrives, the Iraqi opposition has already been quelled by artillery fire.
Left behind, the charred remains of the meagre resistance here a mortar truck, there a still burning tank.
Bragg: Weve pretty much overwhelming all their defences and moving pretty rapidly. Probably about as fast as you can go. I dont think you could go any faster.
Thompson: Civilians at least seem to be welcoming the invaders advance.
Ahmed: Hello whats your name?
Lee: My name is Lee whats yours?
Ahmed: Ahmed.
Lee: Ahmed? Good to meet you Ahmed.
Thompson: As I speak to you now, U.S. forces are probing the capital, while we remain here on the outskirts of the city. The long-ranging weapons of artillery units, making any further advance unnecessary.We simply dont know where this war will take us next -- a sense of uncertainty O suspect we share with those of you watching these events from home.
Iraq Wednesday
09/04/2003
Voiceover: The very edge of Baghdad very firmly occupied by US Marines. Their Forces now busily cross in the Diyala River into Baghdad itself.
Maj. Gen. Jim Mattis, Commander 1st Marine Division: We have crossed the Diyala River at multiple crossing sites ah Or role inside the city is to seek out and destroy the enemy. These are people who are literally walking into peoples homes and taking them over
Voiceover: While the Marines have taken over one quarter of the entire city, starting here at this bridge blown by Iraqi forces.
Col. J.J. Pomfret, US Marine Corps: Youre basically in the war zone. Ah, the battle lines basically are the river. When you cross this river youll be in Baghdad.
Voiceover: And so we cross, but dont get very far. Just far enough to see that there was fierce fighting here a short time ago. These civilians havent crossed for three days and are slightly confused about which side theyre on.
Crowd: George Bush. George Bush Down Bush, down Bush Down Saddam (is corrected) Down down saddam. Sorry, sorry down down Saddam. (Chant) Down down Saddam! Down down Saddam! Down down Saddam!
Voiceover: Close by, a second bridge, also blown but now repaired. Most resistance in south east Baghdad coming from fundamentalist foreign fighters, says the Marines commanding general.
Maj. Gen. Jim Mattis, Commander 1st Marine Division: The fighters weve gotten up against most recently are ah theyre basically armed with small arms, ah they lack any kind of courage. They literally hide behind women and children.
Voiceover: But some with courage enough to die, while much of Baghdads more conventional defences failed to get off the ground.
Geoff Thompson: Suppressing resistance is one thing, consolidating control is quite another. US led forces are about to face what was always going to be the greatest challenge of this war; shifting from invaders to occupiers.
"MARINES FIRE"
DURATION: 3 minutes
10/04/03
Voiceover: Baghdad's days of celebration can become another place by night. Fear of attack enough to make the marines in this convoy point their weapons at any civilians who get too close. Vehicles too fast approaching are also in their sights.
Marines: Stay Back! Back, back!
Voiceover: Later what could look like a wave from a car at night is backed up with a warning shot.
Marines: Stay the f*** back! Back up.
Voiceover: But some civilians don't seem to be understanding the seriousness of these Marines' intent. Then this: (Heavy gunfire) Suddenly the marines believe they are also under attack from the side.
Solider: "Give me the ammo can"
Soldier: "Hurry up, hurry up, spray those trees, you see the f***ing tracers coming. Spray that area right there."
Voiceover: After five minutes it's over and the convoy is away and the young marines seem a little confused as to what it was all about.
Private First Class Patrick Payne: "...a tree right by us, I saw rounds hitting the tree coming right at us so I know for a fact that there was Iraqis shooting at us."
Lance Corporal Jesse Music: "The tracers that were coming towards us were green and white tracers and we use red."
Lance Corporal Dan Corrales: "Well I saw muzzle flashes, I'll say that, and I saw tracers, whether they were white or green or whatever colour I can't be certain of."
Geoff Thompson: It's impossible for Michael Cox or I to say exactly what happened during that firefight or whether it was a firefight at all. But we do know this: a civilian car approached quickly and was shot at and the occupants were almost certainly killed. We also saw marines firing a lot of rounds across the street."
Voiceover: There were incoming tracers but these were American red not enemy green.
Thompson (Question to soldier): "So it it possible that this fire was actually coming from other marines?"
Lt. Col. Pete Owen, Executive Officer, 1st Marine Regiment: "Oh yes, that's something that we're going to look at very carefully."
Voiceover: As for the shot up car, it was carrying three Iraqi civilians., now dead.
Lt. Col. Pete Owen : "I think if we killed three civilians that's pretty bad and it's happened before and I hope it doesn't happen again."
Voiceover: Such are the dangers of Baghdad by night.