Vol. 27, An Eyewitness Report - Operation Iraqi Freedom, Victory in Baghdad

Concord's war correspondent Yves Debay continued his "wildcat" mission in Iraq.

After his release by the Fedayeen, Yves arrived the town of Al Mahmudiyah, there he witnessed T-72s destroyed by US aerial tank hunters. South of the town, Yves joined the column of 1-6 Armor with the M1A1 and Bradleys advancing towards Baghdad, Along the way, Iraqi abandoned and destroyed vehicles littered both sides of the road. North of Al Mahmudiyah, Yves was able to photograph a Medevac operation.

On the outskirt of Baghdad, Yves had a close encounter with the "Cajones Eh", the much publicized destroyed M1A1, while it was burning. A charred Humvee was also photographed.

The Marines entered Baghdad on 9 April from the southwest. M1A1s, AAV-7s, Humvees rolled into Baghdad as the "leathernecks" secured the streets. An M88A2 Hercules made history as it dragged down the huge statue of Saddam Hussein, captured by the lens of Yves.

Other parts of Baghdad remained in Iraqi hands, as Fedayeen loyalists patrolled the streets in front of Yves. The Marines finally managed to secure all of Baghdad, and uncovered a lot of Iraqi materiel such as FROG-7, BMP-2, Roland 2 as evidenced by the camera of Yves.

Next came the 1st Armored Division and the 101st Airborne Division, in armor and light transports. The arrival of these units marked the "fall" of Baghdad. Yves then switched his attention to photograph destroyed Iraqi armor in Baghdad, such as BMP-2, BMD-1, MT-LB, TOW jeep, M901 and AA guns.

Yves traveled back south to report on the British forces at Basra. The clash of armor between the British and the Iraqi was one-sided. Yves was able to capture the images of destroyed T-55s and APCs, while Challenger 2s and Warriors roamed the city streets unchallenged.