Bayonets in Basra - A Case Study on the Effects of Irregular Warfare

[redleg99]

This recently published report is about an incident which occurred in 2004, where a British platoon, low on ammo, conducted a bayonet charge.

Here is the summary:

In May 2004, approximately 20 British troops in Basra were ambushed and forced out of their vehicles by about 100 Shiite militia fighters. When ammunition ran low, the British troops fixed bayonets and charged the enemy. About 20 militiamen were killed in the assault without any British deaths.

The bayonet charge appeared to succeed for three main reasons. First, the attack was the first of its kind in that region and captured the element of surprise. Second, enemy fighters probably believed jihadist propaganda stating that coalition troops were cowards unwilling to fight in close combat, further enhancing the element of surprise. Third, the strict discipline of the British troops overwhelmed the ability of the militia fighters to organize a cohesive counteraction.

The effects of this tactical action in Basra are not immediately applicable elsewhere, but an important dominant theme emerges regarding the need to avoid predictable patterns of behavior within restrictive rules of engagement. Commanders should keep adversaries off balance with creative feints and occasional shows of force lest they surrender the initiative to the enemy.

While this incident is perhaps historically interesting, I don’t think the effectiveness of the bayonet is the take-away, however.

I think this is the important part:

At the least, this case study suggests the importance of changing tactics and procedures to keep enemy fighters off balance. Even within restrictive rules of engagement, commanders should seek periodic “spike” actions that prevent coalition procedures from becoming routine and easily predictive.

Read the whole report here (requires AKO access)
https://www.us.army.mil/suite/collab...?doid=14903470

[Warrior-Mentor]

This was a great article and a testament to the Warrior Spirit.

[Richard]

It worked for Chamberlain at Little Roundtop, too, when faced with nearly certain defeat. The ability to improvise and the audacity to do the unexpected is - indeed - a part of the warrior spirit.

Thanks for the article.

Richard's $.02

[SF_BHT]

That is why we have never given up the bayonet as a regular part of an infantryman's kit.

The old saying never bring a knife to a gunfight is great until you use up all your ammo.

Probably a skill that we as US Infantrymen should practice a little bit more as you never know when you will need it.

Good for our British Brothers in Arms. Thanks for the post Good Read.

[HOLLiS]

They also did one during the Falkland war. I read in a field manual (I think, when I was kid) when all else fails, charge. I guess the most important part is, "It worked". Amazing job.

[Dozer523]

I remember a Mech Battalion Commander in Germany in my early days. He was very proud of his time with the 82nd, a tour with the British Paras, and his time as a Company Commander in Vietnam (and rightly so). At his Change of Command we fixed bayonets just before the Pass in Review. Here is The Manual of Arms.

Fix Bayonets
a. The command to fix or unfix bayonets is given from order arms only. The movement is executed in a military manner but not in cadence
b. To fix bayonets, the command is Fix, BAYONETS. On the command of execution BAYONETS, grasp the rifle barrel with the right hand, raise the rifle slightly, and place the butt of the rifle between the feet, with the magazine well to the front. Grasp the rifle barrel with the left hand and move the muzzle to the left front. With the right hand, unsnap the scabbard securing strap and withdraw the bayonet. Keeping the eyes on the bayonet point, turn the point skyward and attach the bayonet to the rifle. To engage the bayonet stud on the rifle with the base of the bayonet, grasp the handle, apply downward pressure until a click is heard, and then apply limited upward pressure to ensure that the bayonet is seated securely. Re snap the scabbard securing strap with the right hand and then come to order arms.

We did it a tiny bit different, we practiced it over and over and over and over . . . until we did it in unison as a six count movement , with “, apply downward pressure until a click is heard,” as one. Hearing the command "FIX . . . BAYONETS" is awesome (or a little silly from a mech point of view) BUT, when you hear 500 + bayonets snapping into action as one, your blood runs cold.

On 523 our Team Sergeant loved ambushes and the Final Assault across the Objective. We always fixed bayonets. At that point (even in training) I knew this was no longer about good sight pictures, controlled fire, proper magazine changes etc, etc. As I came up it was only about killing the enemy. And I think that throughout history, anyone hearing that command, hearing that click, or seeing steel on end of a weapon knows it can only end with him or me. And the guy with the bayonet has already decided who its going to be.