Day two of the battle – Marines in Trouble!
After establishing a safe staging area for further operations deeper into the city, the troopers of 3rd Platoon were allowed to get some rest. Though all objectives had been achieved and the initial resistance was broken, the losses of the first day already amounted to 3 men – almost 10% of the deployed force. Fortunately, the injuries of one of the casualties where actually less severe than it first seemed, and after a good nights rest and some professional medical treatment, he was able to return to duty rather quickly. The other two wounded men, however, where sent out of theatre for further treatment and recuperation and would not see any combat anytime soon.
Meanwhile, the Operation to secure Qalah-eh-Bagh continued. After the first major fight, the platoon commander Sergeant Deloran gave the battered Squads some rest, while the remaining elements would continue operation. The plan for day two was to advance further, sweeping the enemy from the farming areas around the city. Supporting the attacks would be elements of the US Marine Corps, tasked to act as a blocking force while Army units would conduct the sweeps.
Unfortunately, in the process, elements of the blocking force in one of the sectors that where already flagged as secured where suddenly surrounded by Insurgent fighters, finding themselves outnumbered and outgunned. Under heavy fire and attacked from well prepared fighting positions, the Marines dispatched a squad to outflank the enemy and enfilade their positions. Unfortunately, as the Marine Squad embarked on their mission, they bumped right into a hornets nest. Separated from the rest of their platoon, with the closest friendly elements pinned down, the only forces to come to their rescue where the Army grunts of 3rd Platoon – who where just preparing for their sweep. Supported by an F-18 fighter-bomber on priority air support, the soldiers hurried to the rescue…
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