Shaffer
04-07-03, 07:15 AM
OUTSIDE BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Two U.S. Marines were killed and several were wounded on Monday in fighting to secure two bridges over a river on the eastern edge of Baghdad, key objectives for U.S. forces advancing on the city.
Marines said both bridges were badly damaged in the fighting, rendering them impassable for tanks and heavy armor.
The two Marines were killed when an artillery shell landed on the turret of their amphibious assault vehicle, blasting through the tracked vehicle's armor.
"I heard the round come across my head," Master Sergeant Marvin Crawford told Reuters near the scene, the sound of mortars and small arms fire crackling in the direction of one of the bridges.
"Multiple Marines were injured and I know it was two that died. It was bad, there were body parts all over the place."
http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A45861-2003Apr7?language=printer
Marines said both bridges were badly damaged in the fighting, rendering them impassable for tanks and heavy armor.
The two Marines were killed when an artillery shell landed on the turret of their amphibious assault vehicle, blasting through the tracked vehicle's armor.
"I heard the round come across my head," Master Sergeant Marvin Crawford told Reuters near the scene, the sound of mortars and small arms fire crackling in the direction of one of the bridges.
"Multiple Marines were injured and I know it was two that died. It was bad, there were body parts all over the place."
http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A45861-2003Apr7?language=printer