Thread: Thank You Black Watch

Black Watch rolls back into Basra

The Black Watch rolled back into Basra after their controversial month-long mission to Camp Dogwood near the "Triangle of Death".

Soldiers declared "mission accomplished" as the battle group convoy of more than 200 vehicles arrived at the relative safety of Shaibah Logistics Base.

They dedicated the success of their campaign to their five comrades who died on the deployment.

Lieutenant Colonel James Cowan, who led the Black Watch mission, said: "Their deaths are something we will never forget. To lose close friends is something we will always remember and our thoughts are with their families. The happiness of our homecoming is marked by the thought that some of us are not coming back."

Some soldiers were dismayed that it may have been their final mission, with the Black Watch expected to fall victim to a shake-up of Scottish regiments, and felt their exploits deserved a reprieve.

Lance Corporal Terry Ward, 23, from Rosyth, Fife, said: "Axing us would be the worst decision Tony Blair has ever made and I don't think he realises the history involved. We've set a good example out here and I think that should be redeem us so we can stay as the Black Watch."

The 370-mile road journey back to Basra took 40 hours as the sprawling 15km long convoy snaked through the desert dust trying to avoid roadside bombs.

Movements were planned with military precision - including a media blackout - and there were no casualties.

During their stay at the desolate and windswept outpost of Dogwood, 25 miles south-west of Baghdad, the Black Watch faced an almost daily bombardment of incoming missiles.

A total of 26 rockets - each about the height of a man and packed with explosives - struck home. Many others landed but failed to explode.

http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_1199600.html

I'd like to personally thank the soldiers of the Black Watch for relieving American soldiers at Dogwood so they could take the fight to the enemy in Fallujah.