Battle of Umm Qasr

Iraq (Iraq War 2003)

2003

Iraq

Umm Qasr
(port 10[-10])

Kuwait

Battle of Umm Qasr - 2003 (Iraq War 2003).

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One of the first battles of the Iraq War.

The is battle follows on from the Battle of Al-Faw and is actually included in that scenario.

The force consists of the infantry battalion from the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit and the British 26th Armored Engineer Squadron. The 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit is accompanied by two Abraham tanks which is represented by a large company unit. (strength factors relative to situation).

They cross the body of water from the east into Umm Qasr which is a major port facility.

There are about 500-600 Iraqi infantry units who resist with small arms and mortar far. The 15th Marine Expeditionary Units pull back whilst a fixed Britsh artillery unit from the Royal Artillery bombard the Iraqi positions. The coalition forces then advance again and take the town.

However, two days later they srtat getting shot at by Iraqi snipers. This is represented by the irregulr units that appear in turn 14. You might find that you think you have won much earlier on but you need to at least wait until turn 14 for the next part of the battle.

In responce to the sniper fire the coalition forces call in two British Harriers which is represented by a squadron unit to attack the sniper units.

The commanders realise that the action will take a few days, however, the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit is by then required elsewhere and so you need to remove them on 18 as they are releaved by the three companies from the British 42 Commando Battalion.

There are barb wire tank and infantry traps all along the border. Note that the British 26th Armored Engineer Squadron is unable to remove the barb wire defences at the moment but in theory they should be able to clear a path through at least one hex. THey start in the water body because the system cant integrate marine and engineer features.