Carbala Syndrome

I am satisfied that I was the first to discover for the planet what happened in the spring of 2004. It is not actual that the first fights were described by journalists “Gazeta Wyborcza”. Their material only appeared 4 years after the events. My press release on the fighting in Karbala and the defence of the town hall was published in the two-week “War Land” just after the return of the participants of the second change to the country, a fewer days after the authoritative welcome of soldiers of the 2nd Battalion conflict Group on the marketplace in Inter-Stand.

After a fewer months, a 2 - week - old military magazine published more of my texts on the subject. It was not easy for me to convince the editors that we should compose about the heroism of our missionaries. However, it worked, only that my interlocutors – the characters of the publication – remained anonymous in these texts or performed under changed names.

Evacuating wounded from Camp Lima. photograph by Robert Hi

The first material on fighting in Karbala in civilian press was not published until 2008, 4 years after the events. Authors to compose this text inspired General Waldemar Skrzypczak. He felt that keeping events a secret was pointless, and the fact about the heroism of our soldiers should yet be revealed.

Direction Iraq

Polish soldiers arrived in Iraq in June 2003. A multinational division under Polish command then assumed work for the Central and South Sector of that country and the provinces located in that area. In accordance with the UN safety Council Resolution, the mission was to be stabilised.

The authorities of the country decided to make in 2003 the largest military contingent in the past of the Polish missions, with about 2.5 1000 soldiers. The change was formed on the basis of the Szczecin 12th Mechanized Division, II – formed the 11th Armoured Cavalry Division.

Events from the turn of 2003 and 2004 rapidly exposed the weaknesses of the Polish quota. Polish soldiers had mediocre equipment and weapons not adapted to war conditions. Polish unarmoured personal-terrestrial Honkers, which were armored by military men on the site with plates found on scrapyards or bulletproof vests, went to history. These wagons did not even have rotors for device guns. The capabilities of our soldiers besides restrained mission status. The adjective “stabilization” in it forced them only to defend themselves, without being able to lead ahead.

The quota composition was besides strange. The mission was not delegated to a compact, assembled division, but was made up of people who applied for their accession. The 2nd Battalion Combat Group, which in mid-February 2004 was in the composition of the 2nd PKW change in Iraq, and which was celebrated for fighting in Karbala, was then commanded by Major Tomasz Domanski. As he mentioned after returning from the mission, the group was completed for a very long time. A period before the departure, the last soldiers were joined. So there wasn't much time to play a division in the country. Among another things, the group formed by the 17th Mechanized Brigade was an evenement. It consisted of soldiers representing as many as 69 different military units from all types of armed forces. It was a mix of various military specialists: from cooks to battalion soldiers.

The main forces of the fighting group PKW Iraq fighting in Karbala were stationed in Camp Lima, 10 km from the city. The photograph shows the base after the arrival of American support. photograph by Robert Hi

Why specified diversity? Already during the first shift, the mission to Iraq has small to do with stabilisation, so there was a problem with uncovering a good staff. So all those who volunteered were sent. Remember, the army was not full professional at the time. Many soldiers went on the mission, who shortly before it began gained the position of overtime soldiers.

Initially, in the division's sphere of work under Polish command it was comparatively calm. Anxiety among the local population and spiritual leaders was overcome by mediation. However, in late 2003, coalition troops throughout Iraq were increasingly targeted by rebel groups.

Coyotes on the Road

Participants II of the change of the Polish quota were in Iraq in the first months of 2004. Shortly thereafter, the uprising started there initiated by the spiritual leader Muktada as-Sadra. The rebels from the alleged Mahdi Army fiercely attacked coalition troops in many cities of Iraq, and their aggression besides directed against Sunni, or followers of another sect of Islam.

Major Domanski was in Iraq with his men in January 2004. There were even 70 fire contacts between the coalition troops and the rebels. The main forces of the group (one combat company and support components, about 220 people) were stationed in Camp Lima, 10 km from Karbala. Many soldiers did not know at the time that more than a million of his followers were heading to Karbala, where Muhammad's grandson, Hussein ibn Ali, died.

On the main roads in front of Karbala Polish soldiers organized 3 control stations, the alleged coyotes. They were there to see if the faithful were smuggling weapons. On the first day after setting the coyotes on 1 of the Polish checkpoints, a speeding bus entered. Fortunately, he wasn't charged with explosives. While ramming respective vehicles, he seriously injured our soldier. There was a shooting.

Rough days are coming

Meanwhile, intelligence reported that Muktada as-Sadr was forming fresh militias. The coalition troops have been put on full alert. Captain (now Reserve General) Grzegorz Kaliciak – the commander of the reconnaissance company, the alleged Foxes, was ordered to gather all our soldiers from the road stations. It was getting besides dangerous. We collected the stations quickly, in panic. Half the stuff and equipment remained there. People were the most important. By the time we got back to the base, there were quite a few rebels with guns on the streets. They went with her officially, without hiding at all – said General Kaliciak. – We could have eliminated many of their facilities and many militants, but there was no order to usage weapons. Luckily, erstwhile we were driving past them, they didn't shoot.

Evacuating wounded from Camp Lima. photograph by Robert Hi

In respective cities of Iraq at central municipal offices, the alleged city halls, the defence was greatly reinforced. However, the Americans and soldiers of another nations decided that in the event of attacks they would not fight for them. In Karbala the order sounded different – it was considered that City Hall could not be captured. The same night I returned to the base, I was ordered to defend this complex. In fact, we have had this task for a long time, but less. In this situation, the command repeated the order, sending more soldiers there – General Kaliciak recalled. We rapidly created 3 defence rings. On the outside fortifications, I set Iraqi police. The entrance was protected by Bulgarian BMP on tracks with plots of 23 mm. Plus, there were my BRDMs. The Bulgarians were very ill-minded at the time. A small earlier, during 1 of the crossings of the city, 1 of their soldiers was killed – the general continued his story. – City Hall service lasted 24 hours. Later, the soldiers returned to the base, but not to rest, but to further tasks. For there were not adequate of us.

The 2nd conflict Group patrols noted many insignificant incidents, but the fighting did not begin. At Juliet, Alpha, and Lima, the atmosphere was nervous. The soldiers felt the hard days were coming.

The breakthrough turned out to be the last Sunday of March. In the temple center of the city, almost six suicide attacks were committed at the mosques. any 140 people were killed and more than 200 were injured. The emergency services of the coalition forces were included. Protected by enhanced patrols, medical personnel entered the center of bloodbath.

That night, the ban is off.

The Shiite extremist revolt began on April 3, 2004 at night. The alleged Mahdi Army struck simultaneously in respective major cities. There was a regular conflict at the center of Karbala at City Hall. About 50 soldiers (30 Polish and 20 Bulgarian) defended the office of central provincial authorities for respective days and nights. Never before in postwar past have soldiers with eagles on their hat fought specified a ruthless fight. They attacked fiercely. They shot at us with handguns, grenade launchers and mortars. We had 3 units of fire. At 1 point, I was afraid I'd run out of ammo. Local police from outside police fired so that it was not known whether they were targeting us or the rebels. But they shot briefly due to the fact that they ran away. Over time, I found that this was no longer an incident, but a real war battle," General Kaliciak described these events.

Polish patrol on the streets of Karbala. photograph of participants of PKW Iraq

The fight lasted all night. Initially, the uncustomed fire of the mortar rebels became effective. The missiles began to detonate on the roof of the office. any terrorist, who was lying on the street, was reaching for a loaded grenade launcher, effectively mowed with a 12.7 mm series of gunfire of our BRDM. The Bulgarians with the on-board weapons of their BMP continuously slowed the opponent's urges for a direct attack. Their 23 mm cannon stopped cars trying to ram the entrance to City Hall. A landfill of burning cars began at the gate. Incendiary missiles flew into the building. Fortunately, it's not good.

– At any point, Mahdi's warriors were placed on the mosque tower. We've got RPG missiles headed our way. 1 Bulgarian left injured. On the mission, we had a ban on firing on places of spiritual worship. In order to defend my people, I felt that this night was out of my hands. I said open fire. Our missiles began breaking the temple's plaster. After a while, the bodies of opponents began to fall from the windows to the ground,” said General Kaliciak.

The worst part was that City Hall defenders inactive had no thought how many rebels were attacking them. The plan, in case terrorists were able to break through to the protected object, was simple: all soldiers were to evacuate immediately to the roof. Thrown down from above 80 prepared grenades would give them adequate time to evacuate by helicopters. This presumption was purely theoretical, due to the fact that each of the City Hall defenders knew that our helicopters did not fly at night. On the roof of the defended object was a white-red flag.

The flag remained unobtained

The fight lasted all night. The As-Sadra rebels attacked fiercely on all side. The day of the shooting was over. The militants have retreated. Polish and Bulgarian defenders remained exhausted at City Hall. Only 1 of our allies was somewhat injured. According to later estimates by local police, about 80 Sadrists died that night in the City Hall attack. The number of wounded was not given.

Fight participants. In the background of the town hall. photograph of participants of PKW Iraq

The crew defending the besieged City Hall was changed. In the column, with the BMP at the front and back, smashing along the way set at night barricades, soldiers drove off to the base for rest. They were replaced by another crew. During the day, however, she did not have much work.

By night, Captain Kaliciak and his men from the 2nd conflict Group returned to the city hall. erstwhile again, the rebels began the attack with darkness. There were 3 specified bloody conflict nights. Later, the sadists resigned and only occasionally fired at them at night. The Polish flag over City Hall was never captured.

The City Hall defense, which was not mentioned at all in the country, no uncertainty registered with golden reports in the past of the post-war combat achievements of our land troops. It was the most dramatic episode of our troops in Iraq. After the end of the night battles of the 7 soldiers did not withstand the tension and returned to the country for treatment.

Floor by floor

The April battles were only a prelude to what was to happen a period later. The coalition troops decided to clear Karbala of the Sadrists. The Polish contingent liable for this area was incapable to do so on its own. US forces arrived to aid Poles – the reinforced battalion of the 1st U.S. Armoured Division with HMMWV armoured vehicles, Bradley caterpillar transporters, Abrams tanks and Paladin self-propelled caterpillars. Our horrendously armored Honkers or BRDMs were told with a grin that they looked like from the movie "Mad Max".

In the first days of May 2004, an allied soldier robot resembling winning Berlin in 1945 began on the streets of Karbala. American, Polish and Bulgarian soldiers captured the building by building, street by street, fought for all quarter. Action was dangerous, but taking over Karbala was moving forward. The Americans had quite a few experience and small scruples. They besides had dense equipment and did not hesitate to usage it. – Nobody counted fire contacts due to the fact that we were constantly fighting, with short sleep breaks. It was as described in the books about the Second War, sometimes you had to get home after home. arabian rebels and supporting mercenaries were lurking everywhere. You should have been very careful with snipers. The battles were different. At times there was a massed fire, another time we and they conducted precise firing with a selective weapon and a individual single fire – mentioned elder corporal Tomasz Nowak on his return to the country.

During the fighting, Americans didn't mess around. 1 day a rebel sniper hidden in 1 of the buildings injured respective coalition soldiers. The shooter knocked out tiny holes in the wall and not through one, but respective walls led the fire. The elimination of specified a sniper from a weapon was virtually impossible. – “Neutralization of the threat” was carried out with a tank gun. The dense cannon demolished the level after the floor, until the sniper stopped driving the fire – Captain Zbigniew Kosciek told on his return to the country. He admitted that in that situation it was the only effective method.

The fight for Karbala, for buildings and streets lasted many days and nights. To history, the heroic skirmishes of Poles on the road roundabout in the city centre during the “cleaning” of hotels or winning the last bastion of rebels at mosques. It was a tough fight. Soldiers frequently had to decision in an outdoor area, with fire stopping explosives filled trucks that tried to enter their positions. Another attack came from the south side of town. There was another car driving towards the station. The driver did not respond to informing shots. Handgun series are down. However, the effect was nothing. That's erstwhile the BRDM spoke. A fewer short series with a 12.7 mm firearm and the vehicle stopped. A minute later, he exploded. Only a fewer minutes went by and another car left the corner trying to breach the Poles' dams. The BRDM series stopped the enemy vehicle again. There were 2 cars burning at the station – the Fox commander mentioned.

A fight that wasn't there

During these clashes, Poles suffered no losses of their own. Only 1 soldier, mentioned earlier Corporal Nowak, was injured in the leg. Upon his return to the country, he said this: "One night my squad took over 1 of the buildings in the centre of Karbala. In the dark, we searched the level by level in search of rebels. Without light, we were setting up fire stations and building a defence system. As a shield, we frequently utilized doors removed from the frame, furniture, and anything that could halt the missiles. At 1 point, I went to the lobby of the building. There was a glass staircase. The sniper must have shot at an angle due to the fact that he only saw me from the waist down. He was very good. It was adequate to hit me – the officer mentioned.

Participants in the 2nd PKW change in Iraq returned to the country at the turn of July and August 2004. Why was there a conspiracy of silence in Karbala? The military authorities of the time most likely wanted to avoid complications on the global phase and to think that we had gone beyond our mandate, which only spoke of stability. And while the “cleaning” of Karbala continued, among another things, the command of the global division and politicians in the country maintained that our soldiers were in safety at the bases, and that the task of snatching Americans from the insurgents of Karbala or Nadzafu was taken on.

Another reason for silence was most likely the desire to keep a advanced level of public assurance in the army. No 1 knew how Poles would respond to the fact about the Iraqi mission. The disclosure of the details could besides affect the recruitment of those willing to participate in the following quota changes.

According to the information I obtained from reserve general Grzegorz Kaliciak, many units of equipment are inactive utilized in the army, utilized by our soldiers in Karbala (e.g. celebrated Honkers and armored transporters Żbik). It is asked to find them and along with another souvenirs, among others, the flag which at that time over the town hall was presented at a peculiar exhibition at the Museum of the Polish Army.