Military Model Scene

Title: Death Before Dismount
Author: Dr. Andrew Eric Wright Sr
Publisher: Casemate
ISBN: 978-1-63624-475-4

U.S. Army Tanks in Iraq, a book which explores the role of US armoured units in Operation Iraqi Freedom (2003-2009), from Casemate Publishing. A 186-page hard-cover book, though also available in a digital format.
There is plenty of debate about the operational use of tanks, and whether or not they continue to have a place in a modern army. This makes interesting reading then I think, as it examines not just how the US Army used the M1 Abrams during Operation Iraqi Freedom, between 2003 and 2009. It is not only the tank itself, but the men who crew and command them, along with how they work in combination with other military formations, the infantry and armoured cavalry. The book examines 5 particular battles in detail, these being the 'Thunder Run' raids into Baghdad in 2003, the second battle of Fallujah in 2004, Ramadi in 2005, Buqubah in 2007 and then Sadr City in 2008. They each had their own individual issues to be tackled and were not all dealt with in the same way. Some combat was done between uniformed adversaries in open areas, while other meant facing opponents not in uniform but in amongst civilian residents in built-up areas. If they simply destroyed buildings from a safe range, then it would have been difficult, maybe impossible, to get the remaining civilian population to trust and adapt to American military forces in their country. By using accounts from those who were there, the book examines how the armour was used, in partnership with their infantry and cavalry colleagues. In peace time training there is a friendly rivalry between these different arms, but once in combat, they have to work together, in combined arms combat teams, each supporting the other.
How they managed it makes interesting reading I thought. Despite all being highly trained professional soldiers, there is still more to learn when facing the realities of a real shooting war, and this tells us how they went about it in Iraq. The story is rounded off with a closing Conclusion. Boots on the ground are vital, but the support of powerful armoured units is invaluable, even with all the challenges of modern warfare.
Thanks to Casemate and distributors Script Military for the review copy.

Robin