The Defense of Jisr Al Doreaa - Dream 1

Summary

A newly appointed platoon leader reflects on the challenges of his first combat mission in Iraq. After preparing his soldiers and establishing a combat outpost, the platoon faces a sudden and brutal insurgent attack. Through vivid memories of the attack and the aftermath, the leader learns invaluable lessons about the unpredictability of war, leadership under pressure, and the emotional toll of combat. The experience reshapes his understanding of leadership, resilience, and the harsh realities of military conflict.

Takeaways

• 😀 The protagonist, a military officer, reflects on the challenges of leading a platoon in a combat zone in Iraq after completing leadership training.
• 😀 The protagonist experiences vivid nightmares leading up to the mission, which provide him with valuable lessons that contribute to his leadership skills.
• 😀 The mission involves establishing a combat outpost to monitor a pontoon bridge, with the responsibility of controlling the area and preventing insurgent movement.
• 😀 The protagonist is initially excited and confident, imagining heroic outcomes, but he quickly realizes the complexity and unpredictability of combat.
• 😀 The military assets available for the operation include armored Humvees, M3 cavalry fighting vehicles, and a well-trained team of cavalry scouts and NCOs.
• 😀 Upon arrival in the village of Alderia, the protagonist surveys the terrain, making mental notes on the defensive and offensive possibilities of the area.
• 😀 The leader adapts to the environment, planning to use the old police checkpoint as the main base of operations while ensuring his soldiers get rest.
• 😀 The protagonist experiences a psychological shift, moving from theoretical preparation to the brutal reality of combat when the platoon is attacked.
• 😀 The platoon faces a mortar attack, followed by gunfire, resulting in significant casualties, including 15 killed in action and several wounded.
• 😀 The protagonist reflects on the aftermath of the battle, understanding the unpredictable nature of warfare, and the lessons learned from this harsh experience.

Q & A

What was the main concern of the narrator as they headed to Iraq?

The narrator was concerned about the challenge of leading a new platoon and the responsibility that came with it. They reflected on their previous training and how they could apply it in their new role.

How did the narrator prepare for the mission in Iraq?

The narrator reviewed recent intelligence summaries, observed satellite imagery, and conducted troop-leading procedures such as rehearsing movement and occupation plans with their section sergeants before the pre-combat inspections.

What was the narrator's initial impression of the village of Alderia?

The narrator observed that Alderia was a large cluster of homes surrounded by farms, with children initially curious but quickly ushered indoors by their mothers. There was also a noticeable presence of males who gave hard stares as the troops rolled through.

What kind of military assets did the narrator have at their disposal for the operation?

The narrator had a wide array of military assets, including 5 M1114 armored Humvees with .50 caliber machine guns and Mark 19 grenade launchers, 3 M3 Cavalry fighting vehicles with 25mm chain guns, M4 rifles, M240 machine guns, and 30 highly trained Cavalry Scouts and NCOs.

What was the purpose of the combat outpost in the mission?

The combat outpost was established to overwatch a pontoon bridge at Jizer al-Dera and control the surrounding area, including the village of Alderia. The goal was to prevent anti-Iraqi forces from crossing the bridge from the East to the West.

How did the narrator feel about the mission at the start, and what were their expectations?

The narrator was excited about the mission and mentally ran through scenarios where they were successful, imagining silver stars and future promotions. They were eager to prove themselves in combat and earn their Combat Action Badge.

What happened during the night after the troops set up the combat outpost?

After setting up the outpost, the troops settled down for rest, with some choosing to sleep outside in the cool night air. The narrator was later interrupted by a call about two locals wanting to speak with them, followed by a sudden mortar attack that damaged their position.

What was the result of the mortar attack and the ensuing firefight?

The mortar attack severely damaged the platoon’s position and caused casualties, including 15 men killed in action and others wounded. The insurgents eventually broke contact, but the platoon was left with significant losses in both personnel and equipment.

How did the narrator respond to the attack and what lessons were learned?

The narrator managed to respond to the attack by organizing the defense, but they sustained an injury and had to rely on a medic. Afterward, they reflected on the situation, realizing that their previous assumptions about insurgent forces and tactics were flawed. The lessons learned were burned into their memory by the pain of their injury.

What does the narrator's reflection on their injury and losses reveal about the harsh realities of war?

The narrator's reflection highlights the brutal and unpredictable nature of combat. Despite their initial excitement and confidence, the reality of war is far more complex and tragic, with the loss of life, damage to equipment, and the personal toll of injury serving as stark reminders of the sacrifices involved.