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The centerpiece on the L.A. Times front today is solid work -- a reconstruction of the deadliest battle for American forces in the Iraq war. Plans went awry and 18 Marines in one company died trying to enter Nasiriyah. Investigative reporters Rich Connell and Robert J. Lopez spoke with 11 survivors, many of whom still have questions they would like answered.
They want to know why an Air Force fighter strafed their positions as they struggled to hold the bridge, killing at least one Marine and possibly as many as six.
The story jumps to two full inside pages, with photos from the battle, maps and capsules on the Marines who were killed.
The Times' Column One story by Edmund Sanders is on the ground in Baghdad with Americans trying to create a new Iraqi police force. The story begins with a 42-year-old Iraqi colonel being miffed about taking orders from a 23-year-old female U.S. Army lieutenant. Former New York police commissioner Bernard Kerik describes traffic cops leaving their post when it gets hot and other realities:
Why didn't the reporters name who gave the stupid deadly orders and why weren't the idiots who gave these orders held responsible for the needless deaths of our boys?
Posted by: Luke Ford at August 26, 2003 10:02 PMThe most telling comment in the article was the below comments from a Lt Col. I spent 4 years in the Marines in the 60's and this is a typical responce from those in command but sitting on the sidelines.
Quote from the article: Lt. Col. Rick Grabowski, the battalion commander, said that going ahead made sense at the time. Though concerned about Ambush Alley, commanders did not anticipate a tough fight for the bridge, he said: "None of us really knew what was on the northern side of the city."
Posted by: john krill at August 27, 2003 07:09 AMJohn K,
The bridges in Nasiriyah needed to be secured before the Iraqis could blow them up. It was essential that the bridges be taken. LtCol Grabowski led his men into the battle. He was in the first Company to cross the Euphrates and he crossed in a HMMWV. Do not criticize these brave young men.
Posted by: Richard Lowry at April 10, 2004 04:56 AMTim,
What stupid, deadly orders are you referring to? The Iraqis were responsible for all but one of the deaths. The friendly fire incident was investigated and a 700 page report has been released to the public. This incident was an accident of war yet there has been a 19th casualty. A young air officer has been unfairly blamed for an accident that was the culmination of many factors beyond anyone's control.
The fact of the matter is that good men die in war and many other good men carry the memory of their actions for the rest of their lives.
Posted by: Richard Lowry at April 10, 2004 05:06 AM
of LA Observed
Sir: As a recent reader of your material and "observations," I find a very organized and cogent set of remarks on most of the postings that I've read. The scope is wide and caused me to pause and try and see "the other side" in many instances. As a product of 12 years of Catholic education, eight with the nuns and four with the priests and brother, school work, and especially reading, were drilled, hammered, and oft times forced into our gray matters.
Continued success and best wishes. While I fancy myself as a writer, I'm always in much awe of those of you who can, on a daily basis, put out "X-amount" of words or inches.
Regards,
Tim Maher
Posted by: Maher, Tim at August 26, 2003 05:51 PM