Battle of Route Bismarck: Difference between revisions
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The '''Battle of Route Bismarck''' was a series of military engagements fought between Australian forces from [[Overwatch Battle Group (West)|Overwatch Battle Group (West) 2]] in southern Iraq, and [[Iraqi insurgency|Anti-coalition insurgents]] over the period 23–24 April 2007. The engagements occurred on Route Bismarck, the [[Secondary Supply Route]] (SSR) within [[Dhi Qar Governorate|Dhi Qar Province, Iraq]]. |
The '''Battle of Route Bismarck''' was a series of military engagements fought between Australian forces from [[Overwatch Battle Group (West)|Overwatch Battle Group (West) 2]] in southern Iraq, and [[Iraqi insurgency|Anti-coalition insurgents]] over the period 23–24 April 2007. The engagements occurred on Route Bismarck, the [[Secondary Supply Route]] (SSR) within [[Dhi Qar Governorate|Dhi Qar Province, Iraq]]. |
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==Background== |
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The OBG(W)–2 was the fourth rotation of Australia's Battle Group-level commitment to the post-invasion [[Iraq War]]. Based out of [[Ali Air Base|Tallil Air Base]], {{convert|12|km|mi}} south of [[Nasiriyah|An Nasaryiah]], the provincial capital of Dhi Qar Province, the Australian force was operating in operational overwatch over both Dhi Qar and Al Muthana provinces. From 2005 to 2006 the deployed Australian Battle Group had been known as the Al Muthana Task Group (AMTG) and had been based at Camp Smitty in Al Muthana Province.<ref name=Horner332335>Horner 2008, pp. 332–335.</ref> However, when [[Italy]] withdrew its forces from Iraq in mid 2006, Australia was asked by the United States to take control of Dhi Qar province as well.<ref name=Horner336>Horner 2008, p. 336.</ref> The third rotation of the [[Al Muthanna Task Group|Task Group (AMTG-3)]] conducted the move from Camp Smitty to Tallil Air Base, and was officially renamed Overwatch Battle Group (West) on its arrival.<ref name=Horner335336>Horner 2008, pp. 335–336.</ref> |
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OBG(W)–2 commenced operational over watch of the two provinces in October 2006.<ref name=Horner336/> The Battle Group was based around the Australian [[2nd Cavalry Regiment (Australia)|2nd Cavalry Regiment]], and was commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Anthony Rawlins.<ref name=Horner337>Horner 2008, p. 337.</ref> As well as Regimental Headquarters, the Battle Group also consisted of 'B' Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment under command Major James Greenshields, 'D' Company, [[5th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment]] under command Major Richard Bushby,<ref name=Horner337/> [[Joint terminal attack controller|Joint Terminal Attack Controllers]] from [[8th/12th Medium Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery|8/12 Medium Regiment Royal Australian Artilley]], a logistics company, and various other supporting agencies.{{Citation needed|date=June 2009}} The Battle Group was mounted, with the [[cavalry]] elements and Regimental Headquarters being mounted in [[ASLAV|Australian Light Armoured Vehicles]] (ASLAV's), and the [[infantry]] being mounted in [[Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicle]]s (PMVs). Overall, the Battle Group had over 60 armoured vehicles.{{Citation needed|date=June 2009}} |
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==Prelude== |
==Prelude== |
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In the days prior to the contact, OBG(W)–2 had undertaken a Battle Group-level operation within the Northern sectors of Dhi Qar Province, commencing on 20 April 2007. This operation involved the entire Battle Group combat force, minus an infantry [[platoon]] acting as the [[Quick Reaction Force]] (QRF), and was largely focused around Key Leadership Engagement, and a show of force in the northern townships within Dhi Qar, who had been traditionally anti-coalition in sentiment. While the operation did have some success, it was also met with some hostility—including the rocketing of the Battle Group Headquarters, which was located at Al Gharaf barracks. At 0600h on 23 April 2007 a single 107mm rocket landed outside the compound within 5 metres of the Battle Group Adjutant Captain Peter Souter. A partial detonation resulting in no casualites. By midday 24 April 2007, Lieutenant Colonel Rawlings decided to complete the final meeting he was involved in, and then commence the over {{convert|100|km|mi}} journey south, back to Tallil Air Base to conclude the operation.{{Citation needed|date=August 2009}} |
In the days prior to the contact, OBG(W)–2 had undertaken a Battle Group-level operation within the Northern sectors of Dhi Qar Province, commencing on 20 April 2007. This operation involved the entire Battle Group combat force, minus an infantry [[platoon]] acting as the [[Quick Reaction Force]] (QRF), and was largely focused around Key Leadership Engagement, and a show of force in the northern townships within Dhi Qar, who had been traditionally anti-coalition in sentiment. While the operation did have some success, it was also met with some hostility—including the rocketing of the Battle Group Headquarters, which was located at Al Gharaf barracks. At 0600h on 23 April 2007 a single 107mm rocket landed outside the compound within 5 metres of the Battle Group Adjutant Captain Peter Souter. A partial detonation resulting in no casualites. By midday 24 April 2007, Lieutenant Colonel Rawlings decided to complete the final meeting he was involved in, and then commence the over {{convert|100|km|mi}} journey south, back to Tallil Air Base to conclude the operation.{{Citation needed|date=August 2009}} |
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==Battle== |
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blah bvlah |
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Combat Team Tiger, the infantry Combat team, were located in a night hide outside of the town of Ar Rifa, with Combat Team Eagle, the cavalry combat team reconnoitring routes further south in the province. Just prior to the completion of KLE within Ar Rifa, a cavalry troop, commanded by Captain Anthony Copley, was engaged by a single rocket propelled grenade. This triggered the Combat Team march to Al Gharaf Barracks to marry up with remainder of the battle group. |
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As Combat Team Tiger drove through Ar Rifa they were engaged with two RPG's and a single machine gun. No casualties resulted and Combat Team Tiger remained mounted without conducting an assault onto the firing positions, which were almost immediately abandoned. |
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By this stage it was clear to all that the Battle Group was experiencing a rolling engagement, and the decision was made to react the Battle Group Quick Reaction Force—an infantry platoon mounted in Bushmaster armoured vehicles, under command Lieutenant Nicholas Perriman. This platoon was directed to the North of the city of An Nasariyah—the provincial capital of Dhi Qar, and the fourth largest city in Iraq—with the task securing a firm foothold along Route Bismarck for the Battle Group before it commenced its dangerous run through the heart of the city. The QRF secured the location to the North at approximately 1800h, and waited for the Battle Group convoy to conduct a passage of lines. |
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Just after 1800h, the Battle Group convoy was approaching the QRF's foothold location, when the lead vehicle was struck by an [[explosively formed penetrator]] (EFP) improvised explosive device (IED). The force of the blast wounded two of the crew, one very seriously, and forced the armoured vehicle from the road, and it immediately caught fire. The three crew members evacuated themselves from the vehicle, The driver was assisted by the gunner and the crew commander, gunner and one infantry digger assisted with the carrying of the wounded to the helicopter. The gunner returned to the burning vehicle to provide security on the machine gun.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://victorzerobravo.webs.com/ourstory.htm|title=Victor Bravo|publisher= |accessdate= }}</ref>{{Dead link|date=September 2009}} |
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Just three minutes later, after the convoy had been set, Major Greenshields broke the cordon and a second EFP IED exploded, damaging two vehicles, including the Cavalry Squadron Commander's vehicle, wounding him. By this point it was clear that the Battle Group convoy was in the middle of a daisy chain IED ambush. Minutes later a third IED was detonated, fortunately missing dismounted troops and vehicles. Throughout this, medical treatment of the most badly wounded soldier, the driver of the first vehicle to be hit, was ongoing within the contact site. Just 18 minutes after the initial request for evacuation was sent, a United States Aeromedical Evacuation (AME) helicopter had landed in the contact site and extracted the badly wounded soldier. |
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As the contact site was secured, the QRF in the holding location were quickly reinforced with the rest of the infantry company, with two infantry platoons, under command Lieutenant Trent Beilken and Lieutenant Luke Wessell, moving into locations to support the QRF platoon securing the southern flank. Not long after the third IED was detonated, a vehicle approached the QRF platoon's location, and despite numerous warnings to stop, it refused and travelled at high speed towards the soldiers. This resulted in the QRF opening fire on the vehicle, bringing it to a halt before it could reach the blocking location. |
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In the next 12 hours, reorganisation was conducted, and efforts were made to recover the destroyed ASLAV hull, which was firmly bogged in a swamp on the side of the road. At approximately 2000h, the QRF platoon received orders to return back to Tallil Air Base to pick up a Heavy Recovery Vehicle. Lieutenant Wessell's platoon conducted a relief in place, and the QRF moved south, avoiding the city, arriving back at Tallil at approximately 2330h. After refueling, and picking up the HRV, the platoon moved to the southern outskirts of An Nasariyah and waited for the order to move North. At approximately 0300h, the Commanding Officer made the decision that the destroyed vehicle could not be recovered at the time, and ordered the withdrawal of the Battle Group back to Tallil. The Battle Group entered the city just after 0330h on 24 April 2009, and was immediately contacted with a heavy weight of RPGs, machine gun fire, and small arms fire. As the Battle Group pressed through, this fire intensified, as all call signs in the convoy returned a high rate of fire into the insurgent positions. The Battle Group was finally able to break through to the QRF's location at approximately 0400h, and with the QRF platoon providing cover, the convoy broke out of the city. The QRF platoon then broke contact from the city, and folded in last. The entire convoy entered Talill just after 0500h. |
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Almost immediately, the Commanding Officer began planning a recovery operation to retrieve the destroyed ASLAV, and by midday, the orders for the operation had been distributed. The operation involved three combat elements. The first was the recovery convoy, which consisted of a cavalry ASLAV troop, under command Lieutenant Nicholas Whitehead, recovery assets including a heavy recovery vehicle, and Lietenant Beilken's infantry platoon. Their task was to secure the recovery site, recover the vehicle, and then return it to Tallil. The second force was a mobile QRF, which consisted of Captain Copley's cavalry ASLAV troop. Its task was to move up and down the convoy route, screening it. The final force was a securing force, which consisted of Lieutenant Perriman's infantry platoon. They were tasked with securing a bridge over the Saddam Canal, located in the centre of An Nasariyah, along the route the convoy would take. The route the recovery convoy would take would be the same one [[Jessica Lynch]]'s unit took when she was taken hostage in 2003 after her unit was ambushed. |
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Just before 1800h, 24 April 2007, the recovery convoy moved out, followed by QRF and securing force shortly after. After moving into an assembly area, the QRF and securing force waited for the recovery convoy to complete their task and begin their move South. Just after 2100h, the recovery element reported they were ready. The securing force and QRF moved into the city just after 2100h, and by 2230h, Lieutenant Perriman's platoon was in location securing the Southern end of the key bridge. The recovery convoy entered the city and commenced its move south along Route Bismarck. The convoy encountered no resistance in the northern parts of the city, and just after 2300h, the lead vehicle approached and began crossing the bridge being held by the securing force. |
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As the first vehicle reached the apex of the bridge, the northern side of the river erupted as multiple insurgents, using the buildings as cover, opened fire on the convoy. Elements of the convoy quickly returned fire, as did the securing platoon. Several RPGs slammed into the bridge as insurgents attempted to strike vehicles crossing the bridge. During the crossing, the Platoon Sergeant of the Cavalry Troop, Sergeant Shuan Gibson, stopped his vehicle on the top of the bridge—greatly exposing himself to RPG fire—and with his sidearm engaged insurgents who were located on the bridge, and were engaging the securing infantry. After three quarters of the convoy had made it across the bridge, a heavy machine gun began engaging the infantry securing the bridge. An element of the mobile QRF crossed to the northern side of the bridge and engaged the insurgent location with its 25mm cannon, quickly silencing the machine gun. |
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After a fierce 20-minute engagement, all elements of the recovery convoy had managed to cross the bridge and all enemy positions had been silenced. The mobile QRF collapsed back to the southern side of the bridge, and the securing infantry folded in last and withdrew. By 0100h, all elements were firm at Tallil Air Base, having successfully completed the recovery operation. |
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==Aftermath== |
==Aftermath== |
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Over the 48 hour battle, 3 Australian soldiers were wounded. While it can not be confirmed how many insurgents were killed or wounded as a direct result of the battle, it was later reported by hospitals and by locals that up to 30 insurgents may have been killed as a result of the battle. Most certainly the Australian forces caused a resounding number of casulties upon the insurgent elements.{{Citation needed|date=August 2009}} |
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Ov |
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==Notes== |
==Notes== |
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Revision as of 18:31, 9 March 2010
| Battle of Route Bismarck | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of Iraq War | |||||
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| Belligerents | |||||
 Australia | Iraqi insurgency | ||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||
| 3 wounded | Unknown | ||||
The Battle of Route Bismarck was a series of military engagements fought between Australian forces from Overwatch Battle Group (West) 2 in southern Iraq, and Anti-coalition insurgents over the period 23–24 April 2007. The engagements occurred on Route Bismarck, the Secondary Supply Route (SSR) within Dhi Qar Province, Iraq.
Background
The OBG(W)–2 was the fourth rotation of Australia's Battle Group-level commitment to the post-invasion Iraq War. Based out of Tallil Air Base, 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) south of An Nasaryiah, the provincial capital of Dhi Qar Province, the Australian force was operating in operational overwatch over both Dhi Qar and Al Muthana provinces. From 2005 to 2006 the deployed Australian Battle Group had been known as the Al Muthana Task Group (AMTG) and had been based at Camp Smitty in Al Muthana Province.[1] However, when Italy withdrew its forces from Iraq in mid 2006, Australia was asked by the United States to take control of Dhi Qar province as well.[2] The third rotation of the Task Group (AMTG-3) conducted the move from Camp Smitty to Tallil Air Base, and was officially renamed Overwatch Battle Group (West) on its arrival.[3]
OBG(W)–2 commenced operational over watch of the two provinces in October 2006.[2] The Battle Group was based around the Australian 2nd Cavalry Regiment, and was commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Anthony Rawlins.[4] As well as Regimental Headquarters, the Battle Group also consisted of 'B' Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment under command Major James Greenshields, 'D' Company, 5th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment under command Major Richard Bushby,[4] Joint Terminal Attack Controllers from 8/12 Medium Regiment Royal Australian Artilley, a logistics company, and various other supporting agencies.[citation needed] The Battle Group was mounted, with the cavalry elements and Regimental Headquarters being mounted in Australian Light Armoured Vehicles (ASLAV's), and the infantry being mounted in Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicles (PMVs). Overall, the Battle Group had over 60 armoured vehicles.[citation needed]
Prelude
In the days prior to the contact, OBG(W)–2 had undertaken a Battle Group-level operation within the Northern sectors of Dhi Qar Province, commencing on 20 April 2007. This operation involved the entire Battle Group combat force, minus an infantry platoon acting as the Quick Reaction Force (QRF), and was largely focused around Key Leadership Engagement, and a show of force in the northern townships within Dhi Qar, who had been traditionally anti-coalition in sentiment. While the operation did have some success, it was also met with some hostility—including the rocketing of the Battle Group Headquarters, which was located at Al Gharaf barracks. At 0600h on 23 April 2007 a single 107mm rocket landed outside the compound within 5 metres of the Battle Group Adjutant Captain Peter Souter. A partial detonation resulting in no casualites. By midday 24 April 2007, Lieutenant Colonel Rawlings decided to complete the final meeting he was involved in, and then commence the over 100 kilometres (62 mi) journey south, back to Tallil Air Base to conclude the operation.[citation needed]
Battle
Combat Team Tiger, the infantry Combat team, were located in a night hide outside of the town of Ar Rifa, with Combat Team Eagle, the cavalry combat team reconnoitring routes further south in the province. Just prior to the completion of KLE within Ar Rifa, a cavalry troop, commanded by Captain Anthony Copley, was engaged by a single rocket propelled grenade. This triggered the Combat Team march to Al Gharaf Barracks to marry up with remainder of the battle group.
As Combat Team Tiger drove through Ar Rifa they were engaged with two RPG's and a single machine gun. No casualties resulted and Combat Team Tiger remained mounted without conducting an assault onto the firing positions, which were almost immediately abandoned.
By this stage it was clear to all that the Battle Group was experiencing a rolling engagement, and the decision was made to react the Battle Group Quick Reaction Force—an infantry platoon mounted in Bushmaster armoured vehicles, under command Lieutenant Nicholas Perriman. This platoon was directed to the North of the city of An Nasariyah—the provincial capital of Dhi Qar, and the fourth largest city in Iraq—with the task securing a firm foothold along Route Bismarck for the Battle Group before it commenced its dangerous run through the heart of the city. The QRF secured the location to the North at approximately 1800h, and waited for the Battle Group convoy to conduct a passage of lines.
Just after 1800h, the Battle Group convoy was approaching the QRF's foothold location, when the lead vehicle was struck by an explosively formed penetrator (EFP) improvised explosive device (IED). The force of the blast wounded two of the crew, one very seriously, and forced the armoured vehicle from the road, and it immediately caught fire. The three crew members evacuated themselves from the vehicle, The driver was assisted by the gunner and the crew commander, gunner and one infantry digger assisted with the carrying of the wounded to the helicopter. The gunner returned to the burning vehicle to provide security on the machine gun.[5][dead link]
Just three minutes later, after the convoy had been set, Major Greenshields broke the cordon and a second EFP IED exploded, damaging two vehicles, including the Cavalry Squadron Commander's vehicle, wounding him. By this point it was clear that the Battle Group convoy was in the middle of a daisy chain IED ambush. Minutes later a third IED was detonated, fortunately missing dismounted troops and vehicles. Throughout this, medical treatment of the most badly wounded soldier, the driver of the first vehicle to be hit, was ongoing within the contact site. Just 18 minutes after the initial request for evacuation was sent, a United States Aeromedical Evacuation (AME) helicopter had landed in the contact site and extracted the badly wounded soldier.
As the contact site was secured, the QRF in the holding location were quickly reinforced with the rest of the infantry company, with two infantry platoons, under command Lieutenant Trent Beilken and Lieutenant Luke Wessell, moving into locations to support the QRF platoon securing the southern flank. Not long after the third IED was detonated, a vehicle approached the QRF platoon's location, and despite numerous warnings to stop, it refused and travelled at high speed towards the soldiers. This resulted in the QRF opening fire on the vehicle, bringing it to a halt before it could reach the blocking location.
In the next 12 hours, reorganisation was conducted, and efforts were made to recover the destroyed ASLAV hull, which was firmly bogged in a swamp on the side of the road. At approximately 2000h, the QRF platoon received orders to return back to Tallil Air Base to pick up a Heavy Recovery Vehicle. Lieutenant Wessell's platoon conducted a relief in place, and the QRF moved south, avoiding the city, arriving back at Tallil at approximately 2330h. After refueling, and picking up the HRV, the platoon moved to the southern outskirts of An Nasariyah and waited for the order to move North. At approximately 0300h, the Commanding Officer made the decision that the destroyed vehicle could not be recovered at the time, and ordered the withdrawal of the Battle Group back to Tallil. The Battle Group entered the city just after 0330h on 24 April 2009, and was immediately contacted with a heavy weight of RPGs, machine gun fire, and small arms fire. As the Battle Group pressed through, this fire intensified, as all call signs in the convoy returned a high rate of fire into the insurgent positions. The Battle Group was finally able to break through to the QRF's location at approximately 0400h, and with the QRF platoon providing cover, the convoy broke out of the city. The QRF platoon then broke contact from the city, and folded in last. The entire convoy entered Talill just after 0500h.
Almost immediately, the Commanding Officer began planning a recovery operation to retrieve the destroyed ASLAV, and by midday, the orders for the operation had been distributed. The operation involved three combat elements. The first was the recovery convoy, which consisted of a cavalry ASLAV troop, under command Lieutenant Nicholas Whitehead, recovery assets including a heavy recovery vehicle, and Lietenant Beilken's infantry platoon. Their task was to secure the recovery site, recover the vehicle, and then return it to Tallil. The second force was a mobile QRF, which consisted of Captain Copley's cavalry ASLAV troop. Its task was to move up and down the convoy route, screening it. The final force was a securing force, which consisted of Lieutenant Perriman's infantry platoon. They were tasked with securing a bridge over the Saddam Canal, located in the centre of An Nasariyah, along the route the convoy would take. The route the recovery convoy would take would be the same one Jessica Lynch's unit took when she was taken hostage in 2003 after her unit was ambushed.
Just before 1800h, 24 April 2007, the recovery convoy moved out, followed by QRF and securing force shortly after. After moving into an assembly area, the QRF and securing force waited for the recovery convoy to complete their task and begin their move South. Just after 2100h, the recovery element reported they were ready. The securing force and QRF moved into the city just after 2100h, and by 2230h, Lieutenant Perriman's platoon was in location securing the Southern end of the key bridge. The recovery convoy entered the city and commenced its move south along Route Bismarck. The convoy encountered no resistance in the northern parts of the city, and just after 2300h, the lead vehicle approached and began crossing the bridge being held by the securing force.
As the first vehicle reached the apex of the bridge, the northern side of the river erupted as multiple insurgents, using the buildings as cover, opened fire on the convoy. Elements of the convoy quickly returned fire, as did the securing platoon. Several RPGs slammed into the bridge as insurgents attempted to strike vehicles crossing the bridge. During the crossing, the Platoon Sergeant of the Cavalry Troop, Sergeant Shuan Gibson, stopped his vehicle on the top of the bridge—greatly exposing himself to RPG fire—and with his sidearm engaged insurgents who were located on the bridge, and were engaging the securing infantry. After three quarters of the convoy had made it across the bridge, a heavy machine gun began engaging the infantry securing the bridge. An element of the mobile QRF crossed to the northern side of the bridge and engaged the insurgent location with its 25mm cannon, quickly silencing the machine gun.
After a fierce 20-minute engagement, all elements of the recovery convoy had managed to cross the bridge and all enemy positions had been silenced. The mobile QRF collapsed back to the southern side of the bridge, and the securing infantry folded in last and withdrew. By 0100h, all elements were firm at Tallil Air Base, having successfully completed the recovery operation.
Aftermath
Over the 48 hour battle, 3 Australian soldiers were wounded. While it can not be confirmed how many insurgents were killed or wounded as a direct result of the battle, it was later reported by hospitals and by locals that up to 30 insurgents may have been killed as a result of the battle. Most certainly the Australian forces caused a resounding number of casulties upon the insurgent elements.[citation needed]
Notes
References
- Horner, David (ed.) (2008). Duty First: A History of the Royal Australian Regiment. Crows Nest: Allen & Unwin. ISBN 9781741753745.
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