An American Soldier Chapter Summary & Analysis - Part 4, Chapter 12 Summary

Part 4, Chapter 12 Summary

This chapter takes Franks through the end of 'Phase III' of the Iraq War. Franks retires at this point in his career, because he does not want to oversee 'Phase IV' or the 'Post-Hostility' phase, which could last for years and years.

During the first week of the war, the Coalition blasts Iraq in a bombing period known in the media as 'shock and awe.' Franks notes that they are careful to avoid civilian casualties and use their smart bombs to pinpoint places where the Baathists operate. The reports that Baghdad is completely in flames are just wrong. The Coalition is careful in what it did; for example, they tried to leave the electricity working in Baghdad.

There are a couple of nasty surprises. Hussein dispatches paramilitary forces sometimes called 'Saddam's Martyrs' or 'Lions of Saddam' against the coalition as it marches into Baghdad on March 26. These young boys...
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