Kamangir (Archer)

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Remembering the Fallen Soldiers

Kamangir | May 23, 2008 | Category Iran, Video of the Day

The anniversary of Operation Liberation of Khoramshahr is approaching. Independent of all the arguments against the war and how the Islamic Republic to many people’s understanding prolonged the war to establish itself and silence the opposition, the brevity and sincerity of those who fought and fell for their country should be honored. They fought an army armed to the teeth while they were not even wearing boots, and the blame for that is both on Saddam and those who backed him as well as on the regime of Tehran.

(Direct link to video)

Reader's Comments

leo | May 24th, 2008 at 10:07 pm
“and the blame for that is both on Saddam and those who backed him as well as on the regime of Tehran”

I regret death of innocent civilians and even soldiers on both sides caught in the middle of pointless war but I refuse to accept for US to be blamed for fighting an enemy.
mani | May 25th, 2008 at 12:58 am
See Arash,

Most of your Western readers only want you to talk about the dark side of your country and not theirs so as soon as you start saying something in favour of Iran, they can not bear even a piece of truth and start nagging.

Long live Iran
leo | May 25th, 2008 at 7:02 pm
[i]“Long live Iran”[/i]

Mani,

This is the only part of your post worth reading.
mani | May 25th, 2008 at 7:14 pm
I am glad that even this part is popular among people like you
brando | May 25th, 2008 at 9:04 pm
I saw a cobra in that vid. It must have been sold before 1979. I know that during the Iran/Iraq war, Iran used some Paladins which are good gear.

Don’t listen to Mani, Archer. He’s a goofball and has a lot to answer for.

Most Americans respect warriors as noble combatants no matter what country they’re from, as long as they conduct themselves properly.

As far as the Iran/Iraq war goes, we had to study it in the Marine Corps. The two different fighting styles and combat doctrines really turned it into a meatgrinder. Layered trenchlines vs. wave tactics is just mind boggling. Then they threw mustard into the breechpoints and really turned scary.

I don’t think that attrition warfare is very tactically sound, but you have to respect the fighting spirit. All things considered, it’s not a bad way to go. Hats off to ‘em.

Kamangir: Thank you Brando. Politicians mess things up and soldiers get killed. As long as soldiers follow the conventional code of warfare I have respect for them, independent of the side they fight for.
Potkin Azarmehr | May 26th, 2008 at 1:51 am
Arash,

You are right to commemorate in your blog the courage of those who liberated Khorramshahr from Saddam’s agression. I have done so in my blog too. Liberation of Khorramshahr was a joyous moment in all our lives regardless of whether we opposed the theocracy in Iran or otherwise. but lets not forget that 20 years on Khorramshahr is still not rebuilt and yet the Mayor of Tehran seems more enthusiastic about rebuilding Beirut! Also what a missed opportunity it was when the war could have ended after Khorramshahr was liberated and Saddam could have been forced to give Iran any concessions, yet it was dragged on unnecassarily until the ‘poison chalice’ had to be drunk.

Kamangir: I couldn’t agree more.
Roman Kalik | May 26th, 2008 at 8:34 am
I salute them.
mani | May 26th, 2008 at 9:53 pm
Potin Azarmehr @ 6

It is a shame that thsoe areas still suffer from poverty and lack of infrastructures but the aid of Mayor to Lebenon should not be messed with this. You see all countries may do such symbolic things for their international politics and anyway 3 billion tomans is nothing if you compare it with price of Hotel Lalleh which was sold to the private sector for 55 billion tomans. I even know some people who have a house woth over 20 billion tomans in some provinces of Iran.

Kamangir: 20-billion-toman house? Really? How owned that house?
Motori | May 27th, 2008 at 2:26 pm
I always get a big lump in my throat every time I think about the gallantry and heroism of those mostly young Iranians specially those who gave the ultimate sacrifice and joined the long list of True Iranians who will shine the pages in our history for ever.
I’m an Iran-Iraq war veteran. Being involved with CH-47 Chinook regiment of Iranian Army Aviation I participated in almost all of the fronts multiple times and I personally have witnessed bloodshed and atrocities which I don’t think this Board has the capacity for description.
@Mani
IMHO and looking at the historical facts I don’t believe U.S ever wanted a Victor out of that bloody war, and played as double edged sword all the way to the end. Every time one side exceeded on achieving considerable military objectives U/S would boost help to the loosing side that is why they helped Iraq in 1983 but we all know Iranians were receiving all kind of war apparatus straight from White House in 84 and 85 (Iran-Contra Gate during R.W. Regan’s presidency)
You probably will not concur with this but I assure you we kept receiving every thing we needed (payed for them though, which we didn’t mind as long as it was available) from Israel all the way to the end the bloody war. This is when 27 nations (France and USSR on top) were providing military and economic aid and 21 of the were also providing human forces on top of that.
One of the highly effective Air to Ground smart bomb which we got from Israel was Rockwell International GBU-15 smart bomb which recently we were able to reverse engineer it and call Qassed 1&2. Do a search on both and you’ll find lot of fact behind my statement.
Arash! thanks for the thoughtful post.
mani | May 27th, 2008 at 6:42 pm
Arash,
Do you know the price of land in some areas of Tehran is over 5 million tomans per square meter. That makes a 500 square meter villa 2.5 billion tomans only in terms of land. Add to this the materials and equipments such as pool, sona, etc.

Yes.One of them lives in Gonbad and one of my friend was designing a house for him. Three billion tomans is nothing in urban scale. You can only make a medium tower with it.
brando | May 28th, 2008 at 10:31 pm
Motori, you’re the guy I want to talk to and listen to.

I have so many questions. What unit were you in? I know what Chinooks are. Were you in an air calvary unit, like a troop transport? Arty Transport? What battles or areas were you operating in? When? Where?

From your point of view, what were the noteworthy or pivotal battles of the war? What did Saddam’s Army do well and poorly? What did Iran’s military do well or poorly? How did the supply lines work? How did close air support work? What tactics were effective and ineffective to the situation?

Heck, I basically just want to hear more on the topic, from a person with first hand experience.
Motori | June 3rd, 2008 at 1:36 pm
@Brando
I worked for Army Air transportation Support Group which all Army Chinooks were assigned to. As the title explains we were the airborne 18 wheeler of the army basically airlift every thing (within our capacity of course) any where around the nation.
About Saddam:
The first principle which any military commander/leader should learn and always observe is ” Under no circumstances underestimate your enemy. Ever” saddam simply overlooked that principle to a point in a fiery speech he said to his commanders ” We will march in street of Tehran and drag Iranian Leaders to the table of submission in 45 days”. To his surprise it took 46 days for him to overtake Khorramshahr a city which was not fortified or protected and located next door to Iraqi border let alone dream of crossing Zagros mountains and capturing industrial cities like Esfahan or Arak.
Iraq’s strength was concentrated on # of personnel in uniform., equipment and combat readiness of both. For example Iraq had over 2700 battle ready Tanks vs Iran’s 1700 which half of them were crippled awaiting Engine replacement. Iranian Military personnel were humiliated, the moral were shattered, most of the key and knowledgeable commanders were either executed or had fled the country already, although second day of the war Khomeini issued a creed exonerating the remaining military personnel (regardless of the rank) already in prisons awaiting their fate and also issued general amnesty to those living abroad, 1000s returned and both groups immediately reported for duty.
I’ve got to go to work….LOL I’ll come back withmore info.
koorosh | August 6th, 2008 at 12:53 pm
very good site!

we should never forget the heroes that fought in the war!
chekc out my blog if you want,

in the name of our nation
Koorosh