MORE than 30,000 American reinforcements were ordered to the Gulf last night as fierce battles raged through southern Iraq and the Republican Guard went on the offensive. Now one of America’s most modern fighting units — the 16,000-strong 4th Infantry Division — is being sent to Kuwait, where its 200 tanks, other vehicles and equipment are waiting. It will be joined by 14,000 more troops from other units, including the 3rd Armoured Cavalry. The 4th Infantry should have been used to open the northern front through Turkey, but the plans were blocked by Ankara. The reinforcements were ordered in after a series of setbacks in the opening days of the war. After several thousand bombs and missiles, Saddam has seen his ministries, army headquarters and palaces pulverised yet Baghdad and the four regional comanders are still functioning.
Time to get there, join up with their equipment, get oriented and get into the fight is ...? |