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

July 02, 2026 00:44:42
Episode Cover

Observer, Coach, Trainer at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center

In this episode, MWI's Dr. Charlie Faint speaks with Captain Francis Ambrogio, an Army armor officer, West Point graduate, and observer, coach, trainer (OCT)...

Listen

Episode

April 11, 2024 01:04:26
Episode Cover

Spectre in the Sky

In August 2007, a US Army Special Forces team came under fire while passing through a valley in Afghanistan. The call for support went...

Listen

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