WITH THE 5TH MARINES OUTSIDE BAGHDAD, Iraq, April 6 (UPI) -- U.S. Marine artillery pounded the defenders of Baghdad early Monday as U.S. forces neared completion of their encirclement of the Iraqi capital.
The bombardment by 155mm artillery shells began Sunday evening. The explosions of shells could be heard by troops of the 5th Marine regiment and bright flashes lit up the sky from secondary explosions.
While the artillery hammered away at Iraqi positions, U.S. warplanes joined in the operation by dropping laser guided munitions. At least three B-52 strikes could be heard in the distance -- ominous multiple explosions indicating carpet-bombing.
Earlier on Sunday, Marines searched a large field, once used by Iraq's Republican Guard, that contained armored vehicles, supply trucks and artillery pieces.
In one abandoned armored vehicle, Marines found the remains of an MRE pack -- the food rations known as Meals Ready to Eat that are given to U.S. troops.
"This is a crazy war," Capt. Shawn Basco said. "They come to us in civilian clothes, see what we've got, get some food, go back to their own vehicles and then decide not to fight."
Basco, from Cleveland, Ohio, is an F-18 pilot acting as the forward air controller for Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Marines.
Iraqis in civilian clothing often walk by U.S. positions, but are not challenged unless they appear to show hostile intent. Apparently some are Iraqi troops, who check out things out and decide whether or not to return to their units.
