| |
« Click on Picture to
Return » |
|
|
 |
|
The Qarmat 'Ali Bridge, Basra
The Qarmat ’Ali canal flows through the northern suburbs of Basra. Above its confluence with the Shatt al Arab waterway, the dual carriageways of autoroute 6 cross the canal by two parallel bridges.
2nd Battalion The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment Battlegroup deployed to Iraq on Operation TELIC 9, (November 2006 – May 2007).
Our view of the southern carriageway is looking toward the south-west. The suburb of Qarmat ’Ali is behind the artist’s right shoulder. When a company performed a strike operation, which was usually at night, they dominated the bridge from the ornamental arch on the south bank to the far bank and 500 meters beyond. A combat team was always led by a Warrior armoured personnel carrier. Behind it is a Challenger 2 tank of Egypt squadron of 2nd Royal Tank Regiment, followed by another Warrior.
Most of the contact was coming from the buildings on their left, and the vehicles returned fire with their co-axial machine guns. To try to locate a Dushka heavy machine gun and other firing points on the rooftops, Schermuly flares were sometimes used.
A 4-man IED clearance team have dismounted from a Warrior and walk at the front of the column, clearing rubbish, litter and broken paving stones by “kick & prod”. Using the torch of the Laser Light Module (LLM) attached to their firearms, they search for improvised explosive devices (IEDs), kneeling down to check. Having cleared 20 meters, they knelt down and waited, and a Warrior would move forward to catch up. The 4 dismounts would stand up, then continue forward again. The dismounts’ role was not to return fire, but to clear the bridge. In addition to the standard Osprey body armour, many Kingsmen chose to wear the protective collar attachments and shoulder pads.
Medium: Oil on Canvas
Printed image size(s): B2 only (58 x 38 cm)
Owner: 2nd Bn The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment
Price(s): £70
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
