The First Baghdad Thunder Run, Iraq 2003 - Animated

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The US 3rd Infantry Division arrives at the outskirts of Baghdad. After quickly securing the Saddam International Airport, a plan to maraud an armoured column through the centre of the city is put into motion. The theory is that if it works, it will bring such shock and awe that the Iraqi leadership will crumble. However, Saddam's forces and foreign fighters are motivated to defend their capital.
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For context on the invasion, please watch Iraq War 2003 Explained - Why Bush and Blair Attacked Iraq on The Intel Report at • Iraq War 2003 Explaine...
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Пікірлер: 686

  • @TheOperationsRoom
    @TheOperationsRoom25 күн бұрын

    Play World of Tanks here: tanks.ly/3THrRHe Thank you World of Tanks for sponsoring this video. During registration use the invite code COMBAT to get for free: 7 days of premium access, 250k credits, the premium tank Cromwell B, and 3 rental tanks for 10 battles each: Tiger 131, T78, and Type 64 if you’re a new player. For returning players (who already have a WG Account AND haven’t played WOT for 30 or more days): 3 days of premium access, the 2D Style “Bargain” camouflage, 7-day rental of Premium Tank Centurion Mk. 5/1 RAAC or a 100k credits compensation, if you already have this tank in your garage.

  • @TwoFace798

    @TwoFace798

    25 күн бұрын

    How Many Videos Will You Do ?

  • @leonidas6134

    @leonidas6134

    25 күн бұрын

    For Democracy! Hey could you do one on the Afghanistan troop surge of 2009?

  • @FULANODETAL

    @FULANODETAL

    25 күн бұрын

    you said the same about war thunder

  • @TennesseeHomesteadUSA

    @TennesseeHomesteadUSA

    25 күн бұрын

    Gas turbine tank engines DO NOT "growl" -- they whirr... Rookies.

  • @wardrill933

    @wardrill933

    25 күн бұрын

    seems like over 4,400 us soldiers died during this whole conflict but from watching the videos looks like its way way less than that, how accurate are the reports that you have to make these videos? thanks!

  • @Cynd3r_
    @Cynd3r_25 күн бұрын

    Recently, Booker got one of the highest honors you can get. A new model of American armored vehicle is getting named after him

  • @user-vp9lc9up6v

    @user-vp9lc9up6v

    25 күн бұрын

    With no RWS station on it

  • @iselfidentifyah64eapache

    @iselfidentifyah64eapache

    25 күн бұрын

    ​@@user-vp9lc9up6v Ironic....

  • @MM22966

    @MM22966

    25 күн бұрын

    A joint naming with another soldier also named Booker.

  • @Fear_Fables1

    @Fear_Fables1

    25 күн бұрын

    I was wondering if they named that after him

  • @randomuser_no5500

    @randomuser_no5500

    25 күн бұрын

    I THOUGHT I remembered that name... RIP Booker.

  • @JagdPanther101
    @JagdPanther10125 күн бұрын

    A lone tank with a mangled main gun brazenly approaching a well-manned position is legitimately more frightening than fighting off a whole column of armored vehicles. I'd probably be freaked out, too.

  • @Chris-bz9pg

    @Chris-bz9pg

    25 күн бұрын

    probably thought it was loaded with a nuc or something 😆

  • @bamafan-in-OZ

    @bamafan-in-OZ

    25 күн бұрын

    Yep I would be thinking it's a decoy and be more worried about what I couldn't see

  • @Dratchev241

    @Dratchev241

    25 күн бұрын

    could you imagine had the tank driver said fuck it and started chasing the iraqis in the trucks trying to run them over. if they manage to escape the stories they would tell "those americans fucking crazy, have tank but no shoot they try and run us over with tank. yank crazy"

  • @paulsillanpaa8268

    @paulsillanpaa8268

    25 күн бұрын

    If these were regular army units and not Republican Guard or Fedayeen, then they were probably just looking for a good excuse to desert.

  • @NotGary001

    @NotGary001

    25 күн бұрын

    Fr🤣

  • @manonanisland88
    @manonanisland8825 күн бұрын

    The people driving the overpass mid battle just trying to get to work that morning deserve a raise.

  • @GoldsPersonal

    @GoldsPersonal

    25 күн бұрын

    "Let me tell you Tim, you wouldn't believe the traffic this morning!"

  • @TheInfidel_SlavaUA

    @TheInfidel_SlavaUA

    25 күн бұрын

    And a Darwin Award.

  • @RCAvhstape

    @RCAvhstape

    25 күн бұрын

    It's like driving to work in Chicago.

  • @MM22966

    @MM22966

    25 күн бұрын

    They simply didn't care. You can't understand without going there how oblivious and entitled an Iraqi behind the wheel of a car is.

  • @AaronThePony

    @AaronThePony

    25 күн бұрын

    @@GoldsPersonal "Traffic was like warzone out there today, let me tell ya"

  • @martinconway8174
    @martinconway817425 күн бұрын

    “Sir, that’s not a Recon en Force. That’s an Assault” *gravely voice* “Semantics!”

  • @JeepWranglerIslander

    @JeepWranglerIslander

    25 күн бұрын

    Reconnaissance by fire

  • @bilboes6634

    @bilboes6634

    25 күн бұрын

    @@JeepWranglerIslander "How many bees are there, you think?" "Smack it and find out"

  • @JOLO1515

    @JOLO1515

    25 күн бұрын

    “Ferrando needs an airfield”

  • @sull6976

    @sull6976

    18 күн бұрын

    “Rest assured.. gentleman… we will be in the game..”

  • @ReiMonCoH
    @ReiMonCoH25 күн бұрын

    I remember Baghdad Bob almost Yelling “what attack, there is no attack” even as we changed the name of his airport. 😆😆I can’t remember what card he was. Ace of something I think

  • @s.fleurke1227

    @s.fleurke1227

    25 күн бұрын

    No, there was no card of him. Apparently he wasn't one of the most wanted regime members.

  • @superman60201

    @superman60201

    25 күн бұрын

    Joker card.

  • @kevshabunas523

    @kevshabunas523

    25 күн бұрын

    His story post invasion is kinda crazy, basically he was captured by coalition forces, given a cursory interview then cut loose. He then gave a somber interview to Al-Arabiya and made off with some $200k before moving to the UAE where he's apparently still living somewhat comfortably.

  • @Nakalacs

    @Nakalacs

    25 күн бұрын

    Typical Arab ....

  • @Mohanf-rp2sr

    @Mohanf-rp2sr

    25 күн бұрын

    Not surprised, given who they are.

  • @196cupcake
    @196cupcake25 күн бұрын

    5:50 Jumping from one Humvee to another at 30 MPH? That's the kind of thing that would get taken out of a (trying to be as realistic as possible) movie, because it's too over the top to be believable. It's so crazy that I can believe it really did happen. I watched a "making of" video about 1977's movie "A Bridge Too Far," and there were a few of those in that one.

  • @acem82

    @acem82

    25 күн бұрын

    Yeah, I watched that part and realized that's precisely what a Marine Cpl would do if given half a chance. -USMC 2004-2008

  • @ald1144

    @ald1144

    25 күн бұрын

    With body armor and all his other gear on!

  • @robertgraham8208

    @robertgraham8208

    25 күн бұрын

    He said 13 mph I believe and yes, hell one of my marines surfed his truck on pt road on lejuene, -Cpl 3/6

  • @196cupcake

    @196cupcake

    25 күн бұрын

    @@robertgraham8208 ohhh, I see. Yeah, I heard "30 mph," so on that part I was wrong. Regardless, spacing is still a factor. 13 mph feels like slow enough to out run or dodge after falling off.

  • @ald1144

    @ald1144

    25 күн бұрын

    @@robertgraham8208 I believe you're correct. Still ballsy though, with gear on, ragged out after days and weeks of combat and being shot at!

  • @kontenterrorist2449
    @kontenterrorist244925 күн бұрын

    18:40 Talk about having a bad day: first your tank gets destroyed, then your replacement transport turns into a vomit comet

  • @Daniel-ne8jf
    @Daniel-ne8jf25 күн бұрын

    Penultimate episode of this series that has been an utter blast. Can't wait to see what other conflict you'll cover next, Ops Room.

  • @The_ZeroLine

    @The_ZeroLine

    25 күн бұрын

    No pun intended?

  • @trentvlak

    @trentvlak

    25 күн бұрын

    penultimate?

  • @lordfutureiv4648

    @lordfutureiv4648

    25 күн бұрын

    ​@@trentvlak means the one before the end. For example a Penultimate level in a video game would be the level before the big boss fight/end level

  • @fakecubed

    @fakecubed

    25 күн бұрын

    @@lordfutureiv4648 We know what penultimate means. We're asking if it actually is the penultimate.

  • @CaptinLongdong1
    @CaptinLongdong124 күн бұрын

    My battalion relieved those guys a year later. Had no idea they did that shit. I was shocked to see you share some of those pictures I've had for 20yrs that they shared with me before they left.

  • @soup31314

    @soup31314

    24 күн бұрын

    Which unit? I was in B co 3-7 inf TF3-69ar

  • @MM22966
    @MM2296625 күн бұрын

    Most of the tanks and Bradleys went completely black (empty) of 7.62mm and .50cal MG ammo by the end of the first run. One of things that helped the tanks bust through the ambushes were the M1028 Canister rounds for the 120mm main gun - huge shotgun shells that would scour trenches and light bunkers of defenders. They expended all of the few they had been issued, then fired their HEAT rounds. Some tanks went black on 120mm except for the sabot rounds (depleted uranium anti-tank darts). Some of the tanks shrugged off multiple RPG hits and kept moving.

  • @chrisbingley

    @chrisbingley

    25 күн бұрын

    "Some of the tanks shrugged off multiple RPG hits and kept moving." They were equipped with antiquated Chobham armour. Developed in the 1960s. The newer ones are being built with Dorchester armour. It puts the technological advantage of Britain and America into perspective.

  • @JeepWrangler1957

    @JeepWrangler1957

    25 күн бұрын

    The Marine Corps does not have Bradleys. They use their Amphibious Tracked vehicles as APC's for which they were not designed. Like the M113 in Vietnam, you took your chances of sitting on top which seemed less risky than sitting inside a death trap if you hit a mine or struck by a RPG.

  • @ARCNA442

    @ARCNA442

    23 күн бұрын

    @@chrisbingley It says far less about the British and American advantage and far more about how poorly trained and equipped the Iraqis were. If they had decent ATGMs or even the foresight to simply dig anti tank trenches and lay mines, the operation would have been a disaster.

  • @CynicalOldDwarf

    @CynicalOldDwarf

    21 күн бұрын

    Canister rounds are nasty. Tungsten ball bearings shot at four times the speed of sound, can penetrate a significant chunk of concrete or metal

  • @MM22966

    @MM22966

    21 күн бұрын

    @@CynicalOldDwarf That was the description I got from "Thunder Run" by David Zucchino. The canister rounds were caving in/scouring away the light bunkers the Iraqis had built along the road.

  • @distalradius8146
    @distalradius814625 күн бұрын

    I'm just amazed that it's even possible to spin a tank turret at 120 degrees per second.

  • @KorianHUN

    @KorianHUN

    17 күн бұрын

    Probably something to do with the extreme speed and acceleration you need for the stabilizer to function.

  • @curtisnixon5313
    @curtisnixon531325 күн бұрын

    We've all missed the off-ramp to the airport

  • @valdenv

    @valdenv

    22 күн бұрын

    Sure, but how many of us have said "heck with it" and U-turned THROUGH a median? 😆

  • @curtisnixon5313

    @curtisnixon5313

    22 күн бұрын

    @@valdenv Lol!

  • @MM22966
    @MM2296625 күн бұрын

    The road section from where 3rd ID made the turn off the interchange to the airport (the Qadisiya expressway) was actually MUCH worse than Op Room's map. It was a wide dual-lane highway divided by a median, but both outer sides were lined with trees and brush, and then there was a a high wall which in turn was overlooked by almost continuous lines of two- and three-story housing for more than two miles. It was a miniature urban canyon formed along the road. You couldn't ASK for a better shooting gallery for RPG and infantry teams to set up in. Thank god the Iraqis are such lousy warriors. (Post-script: one of the first things the Coalition did at the start of the occupation was cut down all the trees along the Qadisiya to improve sight-lines and prevent sniping/grenade throwing)

  • @TheSonOfDumb

    @TheSonOfDumb

    25 күн бұрын

    Do you have first hand experience of the lousiness of the Iraqi warrior?

  • @BigFatCone

    @BigFatCone

    25 күн бұрын

    @@TheSonOfDumb The thing about war, war never changes...

  • @Snickerszn

    @Snickerszn

    25 күн бұрын

    Didn’t someone else get attacked there? Maybe year or so later.

  • @outofturn331

    @outofturn331

    25 күн бұрын

    ​@@TheSonOfDumbtrust him bro

  • @Madhattersinjeans

    @Madhattersinjeans

    25 күн бұрын

    @@TheSonOfDumb They drove cars into oncoming tanks. Clearly the line between bravery and stupidity was crossed that day.

  • @schlirf
    @schlirf25 күн бұрын

    I remember LTC Kim Olmstead telling us in the 1/1 CAV about the Thunder runs in Vietnam. Its a good tactic but only with the proper support and Recon.

  • @bluered3228

    @bluered3228

    25 күн бұрын

    I don't think we'll be seeing the tactic much more given the proliferation of anti-tank weapons. It hasn't worked at all for the Russians.

  • @JimmyHossa

    @JimmyHossa

    25 күн бұрын

    Yes, and proper teamwork. If you get cut off from the main force you’re F*&$ed

  • @jeffblacky

    @jeffblacky

    25 күн бұрын

    Allons 11th ACR - 144th FSC retired

  • @schlirf

    @schlirf

    25 күн бұрын

    @@jeffblacky Coldsteel! Fulda.

  • @andrewpizzino2514

    @andrewpizzino2514

    25 күн бұрын

    Cambodia?

  • @MM22966
    @MM2296625 күн бұрын

    Words cannot describe to the average American how uncaring of their own or other's safety the typical Arab driver is. That truck that did the head-on ram with the Abrams? That might not have been an attack. He simply might have expected the tank to move first. And I'm not joking.

  • @michaeld.4521

    @michaeld.4521

    23 күн бұрын

    u serious?

  • @MM22966

    @MM22966

    23 күн бұрын

    @@michaeld.4521 Yes.

  • @MM22966

    @MM22966

    23 күн бұрын

    @@michaeld.4521 Very. A good example is what happens when stop lights stop working in a city. In the West, most people will just act like it is still working, taking turns until somebody repairs it. In Iraq, especially Baghdad where they do have large multi-lane roads (as on this map), when a stop light stops working they will edge each other out until the center of the intersection is clogged with cars honking at each other and there is a traffic jam extending for hundreds of meters in every direction.

  • @spirz4557

    @spirz4557

    22 күн бұрын

    @@MM22966 IRL GTA

  • @MM22966

    @MM22966

    21 күн бұрын

    @@spirz4557 There are cultural and society reasons it happens, but sometime it is like the saying about movies and video games: "Real life is so much more crazier than fiction they can't put it in because nobody would believe it".

  • @soup31314
    @soup3131424 күн бұрын

    I was there B co 3-7 infantry, it was our crossed attached tankers that blew up the plane. I was on the radio when the tanks just started shooting everything they had. Company commander called them up and ask what the contact was, tanker PL called back and said “recon by fire”. Then a second later you hear a hot mic say “dismounts near the plane, shoot shoot!” Then i swear the sun rose in the north! Thought they had hit a gas pipeline but it was the plane going up. Then i looked left just in time to see the M998 slip off the trail and in to the culvert filled with water. Two men came up, two others very killed SFC Wilber Davis and our reporter were both killed. We got them out and did cpr for 20 mins till the medevac came in.

  • @ThatOneGuyWhoLostHisHandle
    @ThatOneGuyWhoLostHisHandle25 күн бұрын

    20:14 these people never cease to amaze XD "surely my Toyota Hilux will annihilate or disable this giant war machine yes?"

  • @TheInfidel_SlavaUA

    @TheInfidel_SlavaUA

    25 күн бұрын

    $500 Drone cobbled together in a garage says: "Hold ma beer!".

  • @MrNicoJac

    @MrNicoJac

    25 күн бұрын

    "That Chinese dude could do it with grocery bags, but I've got a car"

  • @ThatOneGuyWhoLostHisHandle

    @ThatOneGuyWhoLostHisHandle

    25 күн бұрын

    @@TheInfidel_SlavaUA Right!!! But no virgins then 😢

  • @naamadossantossilva4736

    @naamadossantossilva4736

    25 күн бұрын

    People underestimate the weight of tanks.That Hillux was half the size of the Abrams so the driver must have thought he was going against 2-4 times its weight,not 30.

  • @thothofatlantis

    @thothofatlantis

    23 күн бұрын

    Passat actually

  • @Donuthan
    @Donuthan25 күн бұрын

    Alright man I'm signing up to the Patreon for this, you've come so far in 5 years, what a masterpiece.

  • @manuelacosta9463
    @manuelacosta946325 күн бұрын

    Surprising and ironic that Syrian volunteers where among the defenders of Baghdad considering the highly acrimonious, and deadly split between the Iraqi and Syrian Baath party factions. Most of the party's top leaders wound up assassinated or executed by one another's intelligence services.

  • @donniemeister7725

    @donniemeister7725

    25 күн бұрын

    What makes it more ironic is that many of these Syrians were very likely anti-Baathists back home and had to leave. Many probably even had Islamist leanings, yet they were willing to lay their lives for the Iraqi baath.

  • @MM22966

    @MM22966

    25 күн бұрын

    These guys weren't Baath party. They were guys off the street, essentially mercs, that Saddam said "Come shoot Americans, get paid lots of money, go to heaven as a martyr!" and a bunch just jumped on a bus or taxi and went to Iraq. They were in Iraq off and on even through the Occupation phase.

  • @mzaite

    @mzaite

    25 күн бұрын

    @@donniemeister7725 More likely they were expecting to help fill the power vacuum after we shut down the Baath leadership......Which they did.

  • @donniemeister7725

    @donniemeister7725

    25 күн бұрын

    @@mzaite True, that did eventually happen, but it wasn't their initial aim, it's a bit more complicated. The foreign Arab fighters were a mix, many of them (the Syrians) were invited by Saddam to Iraq to be used against Hafez Al-Asad in Syria (Hafez did the same by inviting over Iraqi shiite Islamists). They were also joined by other Syrians, Jordanians etc.. other Arabs basically who enlisted when the Iraqis opened up the doors to volunteers from the Arab world to come and join the fight before the war. Each had their own intentions, and ideological leanings ...many were genuinely just young dumb naive men that didn't know what they were signing up for. (Saddam spent millions pumping an image of himself as a great Arab leader and many unfortunately fell for the propaganda, others just wanted to fight the Americans) They were the most enthusiastic fighters the regime had but couldn't fight to save themselves and their numbers were low. That's why they were left in the outskirts of Baghdad... because Saddam didn't expect the Americans to reach there. Result, was the Americans burst right through them and an unprepared "special republican guard" and captured Baghdad.

  • @johnxina1675

    @johnxina1675

    20 күн бұрын

    ​@donniemeister7725 I believe iraq was more Islamic due to the return to faith campaign in the 90s, so while they may not have liked assad, saddam was a bit more Islamic then his syrian counterparts.

  • @IndianaDiecastRacing
    @IndianaDiecastRacing25 күн бұрын

    leaping from HMMWV to HMMWV in the middle of a firefight while flying down the road is the most badass thing ever

  • @TJ24050
    @TJ2405025 күн бұрын

    I was based out of FOB Falcon in 06-07. Been up and down that highway at least a hundred times.

  • @MM22966

    @MM22966

    25 күн бұрын

    Ever get tired of the moon dust and rocks? 😁

  • @CubeInspector

    @CubeInspector

    25 күн бұрын

    I stopped at falcon in 06 to grab some chow during an MSR patrol on Irish and Tampa and as we were coming in the AHA got hit with a mortar and exploded. It was the craziest thing I've seen in person to this day. Needless to say chow was canceled and I got stuck with country captain chicken.

  • @MM22966

    @MM22966

    25 күн бұрын

    @@CubeInspector There's video of that out there.

  • @kegfreak3728

    @kegfreak3728

    22 күн бұрын

    @@CubeInspector Country captain chicken are three words I wish I had never heard or read ever again! Thanks for the flashback!

  • @joefoy8905

    @joefoy8905

    22 күн бұрын

    @cubeinspector, I lived on msr Tampa under a bridge for 7 months in 04-05. Some memorable Times

  • @christopolloqui3278
    @christopolloqui327823 күн бұрын

    I WAS IN SCOUT PLATOON 2ND TANK BATTALION RCT 5 ON APRIL 4. THIS VIDEO BROUGHT BACK ALL THE INTENSE MEMORIES OF COMBAT ON THAT DAY. WE HAD BEEN ENGAGING THE REPUBLICAN GUARD AL-NIDA DIVISION SINCE THE 2ND OF APRIL. THE 4TH OF APRIL WAS MUCH DIFFERENT, AND IT WAS OBVIOUS WE WERE FIGHTING WITH SOME DEDICATED IRREGULAR FORCES THAT WERE USING COVER AND CONCEALMENT MUCH BETTER THAN THE REPUBLICAN GUARD DIVISION. A FEW YEARS LATER, I WAS A VETERAN OF FALLUJAH, AND THE ENEMY TACTICS MOST MIRRORED THIS KIND OF FIGHTING. One glaring difference from 3rd ID's Thunder Run was the absence of Marine Corps armor outside of 2 OR THREE COMPAINES OF main battle tanks. The events in Nasiriyah the month prior were magnified in this battle. The lack of armor and firepower against an irregular and concealed enemy was a significant disadvantage, leaving us vulnerable. A FEW THINGS THE ANIMATION DIDN’T CAPTURE WAS HOW CLOSE THE SUPER COBRAS AND COMMAND HUEY’S WERE GETTING IN THEIR GUN RUNS. I RECALL THE COBRAS USING THEIR ROCKETS AND 20MM CANNONS TO ATTACK THE HARDENED FACTORIES ALONG THE ROAD AS THE ENEMY WAS USING THEM TO PROVIDE COVER. ALSO, THE MARINE AAVS, WITH THEIR ALUMINUM HAULS, WOULD HAVE A SQUAD OF MARINES STANDING OUTSIDE OF THE HATCHES WITH THEIR M16/SAW AND A FEW 240S PROVIDING FIRE SUPPORT AS IF WE WERE ON A BATTLESHIP. THIS MADEUP SOME WHAT FOR THE LACK OF HEAVY WEAPONS. I ALSO RECALL CAPTAIN LATER MAJOR HOUSTON OUTSIDE OF HIS TANK, HOLDING HIS NECK WITH ONE HAND AND CLUTCHING HIS BERRETTA M9 AS THE NAVY CORPSMAN WAS ATTENDING HIS WOUNDS NEXT TO THE BURNING TANK. LAST BUT NOT LEAST, WE HAD ONE MORE KIA THAT NIGHT THAT WAS LEFT OUT, AND THAT WAS THE FIRST SERGEANT SMITH; HE LOST HIS LIFE DUE TO AN IRAQI ARMY AMMO DUMP EXPLODING. THERE WERE AT LEAST TWO DOZEN MARINES SERIOUSLY WOUNDED AND BEING MEDEVACKED AT THE END OF THE BATTLE. REFLECTING ON THAT BATTLE, I ALWAYS FELT THAT WAS THE LAST ARMORED THURST AND THE BEGINNING OF THE END OF USING THE MARINE CORPS AS A SECOND ARMY. WHAT CAME AFTER WAS YEARS OF IRAQI/AFGHAN COIN OPERATIONS. AS WE KNOW, THE MARINE CORPS NO LONGER HAS ANY TANKS, AS THE FUTURE IS LIGHT LITTORAL COMBAT BRIGADES. THAT BATTLE CHANGED MY LIFE PROFOUNDLY AND CONTINUES TO IMPACT MY LIFE TODAY. I HAD NEVER BEEN SO PROUD AFTER THAT BATTLE OF BEING AN AMERICAN.

  • @hetzer7366

    @hetzer7366

    23 күн бұрын

    @christopolloqui3278 thank you to you and all your brothers

  • @natecooper742

    @natecooper742

    22 күн бұрын

    thanks for your service and story

  • @keke3441

    @keke3441

    21 күн бұрын

    WHAAAAT????

  • @boldCactuslad

    @boldCactuslad

    20 күн бұрын

    @@keke3441 I SAID, IT SAYS: "OUR HEARING DAMAGE IS NOT SERVICE RELATED"!!!

  • @Masterafro999

    @Masterafro999

    20 күн бұрын

    WHY ARE YOU SCREAMING?!?!

  • @Calico_Jack_
    @Calico_Jack_25 күн бұрын

    Thank you for your continued series. As much as it was broadcast on MSM, so many don't know what happened.

  • @iamrichrocker
    @iamrichrocker25 күн бұрын

    love this content..clear..concise and narration brief, but informative...Bravo..and gives me a better understanding of our countless heroes battling..

  • @blauskie
    @blauskie25 күн бұрын

    Terrific animation and fascinating details of battles. This is one of the best channels on KZread.

  • @JPR3D
    @JPR3D25 күн бұрын

    Another excellent video. I always love waking up to see that you've got a new upload live.

  • @PersonalityMalfunction
    @PersonalityMalfunction23 күн бұрын

    The book Thunder Run by David Zucchino is a fantastic, detailed and entertaining account of the Baghdad thunder runs. If you are interested in a more in depth analysis of those battles, you can't do much better. Highly recommended.

  • @limogesfarmer6326
    @limogesfarmer632625 күн бұрын

    Thank you for this once-again great video!

  • @Casper8x
    @Casper8x25 күн бұрын

    Thank you for this series Ops. I was there I MEF. 7th ESB. If my son were ever to ask about the conflict I would direct him to your channel above all else. Good work!

  • @CurrentlyBlazed
    @CurrentlyBlazed25 күн бұрын

    I arrived to Charlie 3/15 Infantry sometime around May in 2004 =D. Everybody go check out the book - Letters Home: From 9/11 to Operation Iraqi Freedom: A Military Mom Shares Her Family's Story of Patriotism, Courage and Love It's about my team leader, Sean Ward. I was deployed to Baghdad in 2005, with a bunch of the stopped lossed dudes from C-3/15. Before we deployed we split into Alpha and Bravo 1/64 armor. While talking to my mom on the phone one day, she said she had watched Opra or something and she was talking about a book a mom wrote. As soon as she said the last name, Ward, I was like... wait what? Mom thats my current team leader lol Hope you are well Sgt Ward.

  • @Blackwizza
    @Blackwizza25 күн бұрын

    Love your content!! Keep up the good work!

  • @ramal5708
    @ramal570825 күн бұрын

    The amount of lead they put out while moving in speed, one of the good examples of modern armored and maneuver warfare

  • @joshfurtek1935

    @joshfurtek1935

    24 күн бұрын

    Not really...

  • @ARCNA442

    @ARCNA442

    23 күн бұрын

    This was a stupid idea that only worked because the Iraqis were comically bad. The Russians tried the same thing against an opponent who wasn't completely incompetent and got massacred.

  • @kitezopo2593
    @kitezopo259325 күн бұрын

    The roundabout scene with lone tank wandering while not getting killed is one the most bizarre and luckiest thing in the war stories.

  • @reecehewitt
    @reecehewitt2 күн бұрын

    🙂I really enjoy watching your videos and learning more about battles from history. Thanks for such great content!

  • @joeshmoe8345
    @joeshmoe834525 күн бұрын

    Thanks a bunch for sharing this with us Big Dog!

  • @colinnash9422
    @colinnash942225 күн бұрын

    Been looking forward to your next video.

  • @arsjproductions5743
    @arsjproductions574322 күн бұрын

    Thank you so much for these in depth videos. I love learning history and combat operations. My dad served in Iraqi Freedom in the 3rd ID so this is also interesting to see the enviornment he was in.

  • @mohammadlraqi741

    @mohammadlraqi741

    16 күн бұрын

    "iraqi freedom"

  • @satiricalzero

    @satiricalzero

    7 күн бұрын

    @@mohammadlraqi741 Yes, that was the name of the Operation.

  • @beefs0ck911
    @beefs0ck91125 күн бұрын

    Hell yeah, a new OR video for my lunch break

  • @gwrstudios5181
    @gwrstudios518125 күн бұрын

    I’ve been waiting for this video for so long lmao great video

  • @TacticalCoffeeDrinker-tn7ks
    @TacticalCoffeeDrinker-tn7ks25 күн бұрын

    GoodJob! I incredible work as usual!

  • @mickeyhynes
    @mickeyhynes23 күн бұрын

    Another excellent video, thanks.

  • @brow1920
    @brow192025 күн бұрын

    These 'Iraqi Freedom' and other 2000s conflict videos are the best! Thanks for making these! I hadn't heard of the second thunder run until this video.

  • @spenceralbin344
    @spenceralbin34425 күн бұрын

    Great video. I never knew about the story of the M-1 that had the wonky turret and was by itself. I read the book Thunder Run: The Armored Strike to Capture Baghdad by Zucchino, David which i thought was very good. I want more!

  • @ricardoaguirre6126
    @ricardoaguirre612624 күн бұрын

    Been waiting for this one.

  • @01Durhamguy
    @01Durhamguy25 күн бұрын

    Another great video!

  • @Odin31b
    @Odin31b25 күн бұрын

    Brilliant video!

  • @Roboute-Guilliman
    @Roboute-Guilliman25 күн бұрын

    Despite my many years, I don't think I've ever been this early. Cannot wait to watch the video, it's gonna be a banger 🎉🎉

  • @colekeegan9826
    @colekeegan982622 күн бұрын

    McPhilips is from my town. His parents are wonderful people and speak every year at our veterans day ceremony.

  • @JSaysHey
    @JSaysHey23 күн бұрын

    I took a closer look of this tank at @17:41 & 23:32 the day after the battle. It was destroyed near from Dora crossroads. Located only a 3 minutes walk from my house, i went there driven by the curiosity of a 9 years old kid!

  • @kirkandrew7853
    @kirkandrew785324 күн бұрын

    Dope video! Big time fan here saying how awesome some napoleon videos would be!

  • @ScottRyan419
    @ScottRyan41925 күн бұрын

    I had the pleasure of working with LTC Schwartz at the time; it was MAJ Schwartz, one of the most humbled men then… I can only see that he would apologize to every person in his command after that; it is true to his character.

  • @GoldsPersonal
    @GoldsPersonal25 күн бұрын

    Great video. Love using the real pictures. I'd appreciate even more. The real pictures help paint the picture with even more detail .I can image what a tank looks like but so see the real thing and the tanks on the highway is so great.

  • @hajjimubarak
    @hajjimubarak25 күн бұрын

    Love this series

  • @John-ih2bx
    @John-ih2bx24 күн бұрын

    Thank you

  • @Sombomombo
    @Sombomombo25 күн бұрын

    God this could have gone so wrong so quickly if the Iraqis weren't so entirely disorganized from the on going air and land campaigns.

  • @sharkybate7115

    @sharkybate7115

    25 күн бұрын

    That's the point behind the air and the land campaign

  • @blue-pi2kt

    @blue-pi2kt

    24 күн бұрын

    Wars don't end when one army is beaten to a pulp - it ends when the people no longer possess the political will to continue fighting it. Shock and awe delivers strategic and operational confusion but you still have to take advantage of those advantages tactically - It's attacks like thunder runs that leverage these advantages to maximum effect.

  • @ChaplainDMK

    @ChaplainDMK

    24 күн бұрын

    @@blue-pi2kt Yes well you better be damn sure your intel is correct - see Russia in 2022.

  • @blue-pi2kt

    @blue-pi2kt

    23 күн бұрын

    @@ChaplainDMK I think we are comparing two very different situations. Russia succeeded in 2014 and largely just assumed it would again despite lacking visible civilian support as it did in Luhansk and Donetsk. To what extent that existed originally is hard to know but it definitely wasn't visible throughout the rest of Ukraine prior to the 2022 invasion. They massed on the border and attacked in a very clumsy way without the necessary logistics or force multipliers to disable Ukrainian networks. It was under planned, failed to leverage the Russian army's strengths and relies upon a lot of deeply flawed assumptions - it was really more of pushing half your chips in playing poker without really understanding your hand. In Iraq - I'd argue in retrospect it was at best a flawed plan and more realistically an ill-considered one nor was the Intel solid - Rumsfeld and the CIA believed that the populace would support the invasion. However operationally, planning relied on the strengths of the modern American war machine, high tech shit in the hands of well trained people, usually bringing friends. It's nearly impossible to conduct a modern war without the necessary information to identify threats appropriately. That's how tanks arrived outside of Baghdad Airport and weren't identified until they were literally within earshot. The brutal effectiveness of AirLand Battle combined with network centric warfare is that you are left blind to these threats until they are brought against you by an opponent who almost definitionally possesses the initiative. The thunder run is similarly effective because even when you expect an attack - they weren't prepared for that. Even if the majority of the column was lost - it would've been a strategic victory. It tested their mettle, demonstrated the fearsome power of just 30 or so vehicles without air support and provided essential intelligence on what areas were most heavily defended at street level.

  • @crashburn3292
    @crashburn329225 күн бұрын

    Baghdad Bob: *"The Iraqi army has fought heroically and has stopped the Americans at the Euphrates River!"* Coalition Colonel: *"Tell that to my VW Passat."*

  • @Nakalacs

    @Nakalacs

    25 күн бұрын

    What did you expect ? They are Arabs.

  • @user-fj2us1gk9y

    @user-fj2us1gk9y

    25 күн бұрын

    Not the brightest folks for sure.

  • @AmpND
    @AmpND24 күн бұрын

    Thank you.

  • @juanmanuelpenaloza9264
    @juanmanuelpenaloza926425 күн бұрын

    **sings Teenage Dirtbag with the guys**

  • @MM22966

    @MM22966

    25 күн бұрын

    The official theme song of the Iraq War is *"Let the Bodies Hit the Floor" by Drowning Pool*

  • @freedomfalcon

    @freedomfalcon

    24 күн бұрын

    Facts right here.

  • @theragingjewishhippi
    @theragingjewishhippi25 күн бұрын

    Thank you for this! Are you guys still looking for sponsors? I runs WW2 online store and I’d love to sponsor you guys.

  • @tfk_001

    @tfk_001

    25 күн бұрын

    They have an email

  • @theragingjewishhippi

    @theragingjewishhippi

    25 күн бұрын

    @@tfk_001 I’ve emailed them a couple of times including about a year ago when they were without any sponsors.

  • @DieNextInLINE

    @DieNextInLINE

    25 күн бұрын

    ​@@theragingjewishhippiSo, what makes the multiple unanswered emails not a sign of apparent disinterest/rejection?

  • @theragingjewishhippi

    @theragingjewishhippi

    25 күн бұрын

    @@DieNextInLINE I figured it was until they released the video talking about not having any sponsors. Then I figured I’d give it another go. You don’t build a decent business by just passively waiting for success, sometimes you need to be insistent.

  • @copter2000

    @copter2000

    25 күн бұрын

    Better you than Raid ad.

  • @Royalasiangaming
    @Royalasiangaming25 күн бұрын

    babe wake up the operations room posted again

  • @Thatoneguy-ro1sj
    @Thatoneguy-ro1sj17 күн бұрын

    Hey, I know your channel is moving up in combat era with every video, WW2-Vietnam-gulf-Iraq. But is there any chance you could take us back to Tarawa? Or maybe even Peleliu? Great content as always! 🤟🏽

  • @0x_hackerfren
    @0x_hackerfren25 күн бұрын

    Thats some pretty wild tactics.

  • @AtelierFleur
    @AtelierFleur25 күн бұрын

    it's even better if you list out the enemies and combat mission on the upper right corner with these cute logos

  • @Zer035_eee
    @Zer035_eee22 күн бұрын

    Thats crazy, I have pictures of the aftermath of SSG Jason Giaz's M1 Abrams. But for some unknown reason, in the picture it's in the ditch in between the two opposing lanes, but you can clearly tell it's the same tank because of the highway ramp/ exit/ overpasse.

  • @robertburik6960

    @robertburik6960

    19 күн бұрын

    The Iraqis tried to recover the tank.

  • @Zer035_eee

    @Zer035_eee

    17 күн бұрын

    @@robertburik6960 I checked and it was 2 different tanks, I can't confirm which but i can give you the number on the side of one: 53. Thats all i know from what i have.

  • @robertburik6960

    @robertburik6960

    17 күн бұрын

    @@Zer035_eee yes Diaz’s tank had a 53. 5 meant 1-64 AR and the 3 was C Co. C Co was at the rear of the column of 60 vehicles. It was disabled at Objective Curly. Two days later the 2nd Thunder run went up that same portion of the highway. In the meantime the Iraqis tried to tow the tank but their recovery vehicle was destroyed. Photos and video of Objective Curly on April 7 show the knocked out recovery vehicle and by then the blackened hulk of the Abrams. Your 2nd knocked out 1-64 tank might be the one disabled when it was cross attached to an infantry battalion. It too caught fire and the crew staid with it. But the task force eventually has to abandon that tank as well. There are photos of that B Co tank with the stowage on fire. The TC suffered an injured arm/shoulder. The battalion had time to strip it for parts.

  • @eric-wb7gj
    @eric-wb7gj22 күн бұрын

    TY🙏🙏

  • @mamarussellthepie3995
    @mamarussellthepie399523 күн бұрын

    Yoooo my neighbor was there Pretty cool dude 😅 Was there for the 91 war too

  • @sunlight9056
    @sunlight905625 күн бұрын

    you just made my day.

  • @PaulJohnson-vn7eh
    @PaulJohnson-vn7eh25 күн бұрын

    There was an afternoon radio host in Milwaukee who joked that the airport should have been renamed Rumsfeld Regional.

  • @eds556
    @eds55625 күн бұрын

    Excellent job! I’m curious do you have any plans to make any content about Afghanistan??

  • @tunanocrustgarage
    @tunanocrustgarage23 күн бұрын

    As a Vet of this ACTUAL event. Was part of Task Force 3-15 (A Co 3-15 INF) and ran the Thunder Runs to the airport and all the way to Objective Moe where we held the highway junction area for several days. Ultimately combat operations shifted to "Occupation" in April. I made a video about our thunder runs on my channel. Actual Hi8mm footage from the thunder runs, Objective Moe and other good times while in Iraq.

  • @edh4808
    @edh480824 күн бұрын

    This could be a brilliant game mission

  • @WasabiSniffer
    @WasabiSniffer24 күн бұрын

    i remember there was word of Thunder Run being made into a movie. i hope this idea gets revisited

  • @michaeldrewery5824
    @michaeldrewery582425 күн бұрын

    What happened to the A-10’s giving air cover?

  • @VainerCactus0

    @VainerCactus0

    25 күн бұрын

    They probably spent the time killing friendlies.

  • @drksideofthewal

    @drksideofthewal

    24 күн бұрын

    A-10s spraying 30mm in an urban environment? Yikes.

  • @Sunsquall
    @Sunsquall25 күн бұрын

    Baghdad Bob: "There are no Americans in Baghdad!" *Tanks just rolling through the background*

  • @lagboi4539
    @lagboi453925 күн бұрын

    I'm Thunder Runnin' to this episode

  • @a_smiling_gamer9063

    @a_smiling_gamer9063

    25 күн бұрын

    Frrrr

  • @hogsandstews
    @hogsandstews22 күн бұрын

    does anyone else see the comedic timing of that rpg that hit booker directly.

  • @LongTran-em6hc
    @LongTran-em6hc25 күн бұрын

    I was a kid when Iraq happened. This bring back some memories.

  • @zackarysmith1520
    @zackarysmith152021 күн бұрын

    I've noticed a lot of battle reports from Iraq go like "Coalition convoy ambushed by 1000 Iraqi soldiers. 10 marines killed, 1135 Iraqi soldiers killed"

  • @leonbenham25
    @leonbenham2524 күн бұрын

    Very nicely put together, again. It's a shame you can't do medieval battles, I doubt that there is enough info about the battles to make a episode. 😎👍

  • @neymarjr_.

    @neymarjr_.

    21 күн бұрын

    Kings and generals

  • @seagie382
    @seagie38225 күн бұрын

    Hang on... Dowdy? RCT 1? Ambush where they have to turn around and find bodies of iraqi noncitizens? For a second I was wondering if this was a Generation Kill episode

  • @neighbor-j-4737

    @neighbor-j-4737

    25 күн бұрын

    Generation Kill was a great book written by an embedded reporter who rode in the Hummer with Lt. Colbert before it was a show. So yes.

  • @seagie382

    @seagie382

    24 күн бұрын

    @@neighbor-j-4737 no fucken way I thought it was realistic fiction

  • @neighbor-j-4737

    @neighbor-j-4737

    24 күн бұрын

    @@seagie382 Good to see you are familiar with canon and not just legend, then...

  • @ktg8030
    @ktg803023 күн бұрын

    For those that dont know, a AK round severed a fuel line, which caused the fire to keep coming back on the damaged Abrams. And they put out the fire several times before the fire kept coming back.

  • @Syndie77-gk4xk
    @Syndie77-gk4xk25 күн бұрын

    I have watched the Army University Press' thunder run documentary and now this, and I'm still completely baffled and confused that this worked with so few casualties. How did the Iraqi Army and its allied paramilitaries fail to decisively engage a massive armored column driving straight down an open highway in an urban center? The incompetence of the Iraqi military is difficult for me to wrap my head around. Untrained Mahdi Army militia managed to halt American columns with rudimentary equipment in Sadr City in 2004, so it's not like it can't be done.

  • @donniemeister7725

    @donniemeister7725

    25 күн бұрын

    You should read the "Iraqi perspective report". It was a report released after the war by the US joint force command to analyse what happened... Turns out it was all due to Saddam... He was highly delusional at the end of his reign and was convinced the Americans would not attack all the way to Baghdad. He thought it was all a ruse to stir up a shiite rebellion against him. So he deployed his armies and militias against a rebellion in the south, not an invading army. This meant deploying most of the army near the Iranian border, (fearing an Iranian invasion to assist the shiite rebellion) the fedayeen in the shiite cities in the south to keep guard of the population and only allowed the special republican guards (the only divisions he sort off trusted) to guard the outskirts of the capital with some foreign volunteers. They were not allowed inside the city which he left unguarded.. (He feared a coup would happen) This is just a summary of it. When you actually read the report you begin to really realise how delusional that man was.

  • @RazorsharpLT

    @RazorsharpLT

    25 күн бұрын

    @@donniemeister7725 I mean - dictators are usually the reason wars failed. Just take a gander at late war Hitler and early war Stalin. They CERTAINLY didn't help their situations.

  • @MM22966

    @MM22966

    25 күн бұрын

    Lots of different factors: Poor aim, better armor on the tanks, confusion, bad Iraqi coordination/C3, massive suppressive fire by 3rd ID (Ops Room left out the tanks were using shotgun rounds from their main guns), etc

  • @soup31314

    @soup31314

    24 күн бұрын

    Different mentality!! When this thunder run happened the roe was everything could be destroyed or engaged, Sadr city a year later the roe had changed to peace keeping.

  • @196cupcake
    @196cupcake25 күн бұрын

    Ohhh, THAT Booker.

  • @thudthud5423
    @thudthud542325 күн бұрын

    I think it would be great if the minds and talent behind @TheOperationsRoom created a video game, if not based on the events in their videos, similar to them. Similar maps, similar 2D vehicles.

  • @soulgatherer993
    @soulgatherer99325 күн бұрын

    13:01 pretty sure that guy in the car saw the tanks and was like 'Not today....not today' and just went the other way

  • @naamadossantossilva4736
    @naamadossantossilva473625 күн бұрын

    That part with Gruneisen's tank could be a comedy movie.

  • @Metaphix
    @Metaphix25 күн бұрын

    Will you do a video about Operation Phantom Fury in Fallujah?

  • @zverroboi
    @zverroboi24 күн бұрын

    This is how the Russians imagined to roll into Grozny in 1994 and into Ukraines main cities in 2022... Both times the Russians encountered the kind of fierce resistance Schwarz was worried to meet in Baghdad. There is a thin red line between daring genius and criminal risking the life of your soldiers.

  • @zintosion
    @zintosion20 күн бұрын

    16:21 Remind me of the scene in The Two Towers where Aragorn is screaming at Legolas to shoot the orc bomber.

  • @ramal5708
    @ramal570825 күн бұрын

    The fastest armored assault in modern warfare. They also did this more than once

  • @aidenhall8593
    @aidenhall859320 күн бұрын

    Something that I think needs to be pointed out is how many civilians were likely killed by random american and Iraqi fire in this thunder run. If there were people driving around still, there were definitely people in those buildings that were hit by missed 120mm HE rounds, 50 cal, Rpgs, A10 runs, 30 cal, etc. I shudder to think how many families had their lives destroyed by this action.

  • @nathanashley5260
    @nathanashley526022 күн бұрын

    This might actually make a great Black Hawk down type movie

  • @WrathTTV
    @WrathTTV25 күн бұрын

    This needs to be made into a movie

  • @MM22966

    @MM22966

    25 күн бұрын

    No. Hollywood would just F it up.

  • @chrisp7563
    @chrisp756325 күн бұрын

    Broad daylight. Little route intel. No Scouts or Apaches up front. What could go wrong....

  • @soup31314

    @soup31314

    24 күн бұрын

    The video is wrong we had a map that showed all the Iraqi battle posistions, we had captured it at objective peach

  • @unibeastbeats
    @unibeastbeats25 күн бұрын

    personally apologizing from soldier to soldier, shows some character

  • @DWK210
    @DWK21016 күн бұрын

    @TheOperationsRoom When are you doing the battle of Najaf?

  • @victortachiquin4965
    @victortachiquin496525 күн бұрын

    Maybe I missed it in the video but what happened to the Warthog's supposed to be flying close air support? I feel like the column really could have benefitted from more air support, or was it too dangerous to fly aircraft in the area?

  • @jgw9990

    @jgw9990

    20 күн бұрын

    A10s are notorious for friendly fire at the best of times. Let alone in a dense urban environment.

  • @Filip-bk9it
    @Filip-bk9it24 күн бұрын

    2000 for two hours thats over 16 people killed a minute.. that had to have been one hell of a convoy

  • @wheelcha1rman2
    @wheelcha1rman223 күн бұрын

    I can't believe there hasn't been a film made about this yet.

  • @rizkijunir23

    @rizkijunir23

    22 күн бұрын

    Probably wont have budget to rent all of those Abrams, Bradley, etc