The Bridge on the Saddam Canal

February 28, 2024 00:40:01
The Bridge on the Saddam Canal
The Spear
The Bridge on the Saddam Canal

Feb 28 2024 | 00:40:01

/

Show Notes

In early 2003, Karl Blanke was a Marine platoon commander during the early stages of the US-led invasion of Iraq, when his battalion was given an objective: secure a bridge over what was known as the Saddam canal. It was meant to be a straightforward task. The intelligence briefings they received did not expect the Marines to meet with resistance from Iraqi military defenders. But as they approached the objective, that intelligence was quickly proved wrong. The lead elements began to engage, follow-on elements maneuvered alongside, and the battle began. Karl describes the fight that followed in this episode.

Other Episodes

Episode

May 22, 2019 00:36:38
Episode Cover

Apaches Overhead in Baghdad

In this episode, we talk to retired US Army Apache pilot Dan McClinton. He tells two stories from a 2007 deployment to Iraq. Together,...

Listen

Episode 0

August 25, 2021 00:48:44
Episode Cover

Battle for the Mosque

On April 10, 2003, Company A, 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment (A/1/5) was tasked with searching a mosque in Baghdad for Saddam Hussein. The...

Listen

Episode

June 05, 2024 00:34:41
Episode Cover

Apaches in Action

This episode features a conversation with Captain Lindsay Heisler. An aviation officer and Apache pilot, in December 2015 she was part of a mission...

Listen