I'm losing sleep sorting through the book
I'm enjoying Ricks' observations and perspective on the strategic and operational level, but he has left out significant tactical narratives. I suppose this history is simply too rich and too new to be told now.
Off the top of my head, five major battles were neglected:
Pre-Surge:
1. Nov 2006: Battle of Turki Village: movement to contact, 5-73 Recon killing 110 enemy.
2. Jan 2007: Battle of Turki Village II: Clearance of AQI training camp, 5-73 Recon and 3/1 CAV, 250 EKIA.
3. Feb 2007: Battle outside Najaf: 3/2 Strykers and SF killed 300 EKIA.
Surge
4. March-July 2007: Battle of Baqubah: 3/1 CAV and 3/2 Strykers
5. March-Aug 2007: Battle of Diyala River Valley, 5-73 Recon and 3/1 CAV
Several KEY BCT and BN Commanders were left out- COL David Sutherland, COL Townsend, and COL Andrew Poppas. Not to mention COL John Charlton's and 3/3 ID efforts following Niel's success in Anbar.
v/r
Mike
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