2008 Woodie Awards
Sandstorms delay U.S. invasion of Baghdad
Jay Higgins
Issue date: 3/27/03 Section: World
- Page 1 of 1
The United States' main opponent during this war has been Iraqi soldiers, but on Tuesday they faced a new type of enemy: sandstorms. It is reported that sandstorms slowed U.S. and British forces to a crawl and thwarted air missions as they edged closer to the Iraqi capital. Officers told soldiers the storm could last around 60 hours. Baghdad residents, hunkered down for an eventual battle, woke to howling winds and the distant crash of artillery.
"It's stopped us from going anywhere," said one U.S. Marine corporal in the convoy.
Bad weather caused the military to call back combat missions from two aircraft carriers, and two Army divisions were stalled in a vicious sandstorm that reduced visibility to a few feet.
Thousands of Marines trekking north toward Baghdad traveled only about 20 miles in five hours, buffeted by heavy winds and blowing sand. While Iraq often sees sandstorms in the spring, meteorologists said this one was exceptional.
Swirling sand was so thick it was impossible for drivers to see vehicles a few meters in front of them, increasing the risk of collisions. After night fell, the sandstorm abated, only to be replaced by lashing rain and sheet lighting.
Drivers complained of hacking coughs and the abrasive dust stinging their eyes, turning their lips and faces gray with the gritty powder and forcing them to don goggles and bandanas to protect themselves.
British Prime Minister Tony Blair providing an overview of the military campaign, said the coalition had secured a key southern port despite tenacious resistance, and had much of the western desert in hand.
He said the allies launched air attacks on targets in the northern oil centers of Mosul and Kirkuk, as well as Saddam Hussein's hometown of Tikrit, and that troops were making advances in eastern Iraq to help defend two main bridges over the Euphrates. However, it is the the road to Baghdad which will be most crucial and challenging to U.S. and British soldiers.
President Bush asked Congress Tuesday for $74.7 billion to cover the cost of the war with Iraq, administration officials said Monday.
It was the first time the White House has put a price on the war.
Sources: AP, CNN
"It's stopped us from going anywhere," said one U.S. Marine corporal in the convoy.
Bad weather caused the military to call back combat missions from two aircraft carriers, and two Army divisions were stalled in a vicious sandstorm that reduced visibility to a few feet.
Thousands of Marines trekking north toward Baghdad traveled only about 20 miles in five hours, buffeted by heavy winds and blowing sand. While Iraq often sees sandstorms in the spring, meteorologists said this one was exceptional.
Swirling sand was so thick it was impossible for drivers to see vehicles a few meters in front of them, increasing the risk of collisions. After night fell, the sandstorm abated, only to be replaced by lashing rain and sheet lighting.
Drivers complained of hacking coughs and the abrasive dust stinging their eyes, turning their lips and faces gray with the gritty powder and forcing them to don goggles and bandanas to protect themselves.
British Prime Minister Tony Blair providing an overview of the military campaign, said the coalition had secured a key southern port despite tenacious resistance, and had much of the western desert in hand.
He said the allies launched air attacks on targets in the northern oil centers of Mosul and Kirkuk, as well as Saddam Hussein's hometown of Tikrit, and that troops were making advances in eastern Iraq to help defend two main bridges over the Euphrates. However, it is the the road to Baghdad which will be most crucial and challenging to U.S. and British soldiers.
President Bush asked Congress Tuesday for $74.7 billion to cover the cost of the war with Iraq, administration officials said Monday.
It was the first time the White House has put a price on the war.
Sources: AP, CNN