Word: mortars
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...Approaching the second bridge, the company was hit by mortar fire and rocket propelled grenades. "My eyes were working overtime," said Talraas, "trying to figure out where the fire was coming from." Then a turquoise dump truck with a bright orange Mercedes symbol on it started heading toward them along the river. Talraas could see more "technicals" moving across the bridge about a thousand meters off to the left. That's when the white van appeared, its red lights flashing. After they were shot at, Talraas' driver, Sergeant Michael Maita, hit the gas and sped back to the southeastern corner...
...missiles silenced the Ansar mortar batteries. One impudent mortar that opened up a few hours later was taken out by a U.S. warplane. The peshmerga cheered the missiles and spent the day sunning themselves on the grass. Translated literally, their name means "those who face death." Tragically, I learned this applies to journalists...
...Even before daylight, one of Colonel Hodges's other units, 1st Battalion, had moved out on a separate mission to assault a large infantry training complex being used as a rallying point for paramilitary forces. After quick initial gains the battalion came under heavy automatic weapons, RPG and mortar fire. By dusk, the battalion had killed 44 Iraqi paramilitary soldiers and captured a storehouse filled with weapons...
...plans and issued all of the appropriate orders. Driving back to Checkpoint Charlie he joined a small group of vehicles that made up his Operations Center for the upcoming attack. Checkpoint Charlie, at night was a dismal place. It was bitter cold, fly infested and the sporadic incoming mortar round made it hard for those so inclined to sleep. Two dead Iraqi soldiers were only 20 yards from the position and Hodges ordered them removed immediately, but not before wild dogs had already gorged on them...
...Moments later though, the lead company came under heavy mortar, automatic rifle and RPG fire that made further movement impossible. Using all the weapons his battalion could bring to bear brought a quick end to enemy fire. Iraqi attempts to send more troops to the area by pick-up truck ran into the 120mm main guns of tanks sent to reinforce the 2nd Battalion. They fared no better then their compatriots who were killed by the 3rd ID days earlier...