Day by day on the battlefield

War In Iraq

DAY 1

Wednesday, MArch 19

In Iraq, Hussein promised an Iraqi victory in a broadcast to his people. He condemned the U.S. attack as "a shameful crime."

DAY 2

Thursday, March 20

The U.S.-led invasion of Iraq got under way as American ground forces crossed from Kuwait into southern Iraq and headed toward the port city of Basra and also toward Baghdad.

U.S. Army soldiers and Marines met scattered resistance, with heavy artillery rounds fired into southern Iraq to pave the way for advancing helicopters and troops, signaling the start of the ground war.

Iraq retaliated for the first night's missile strike on Baghdad by launching a small number of short-range missiles toward U.S. and British military units massed near the border in northern Kuwait.

A U.S. Patriot missile battery shot down at least one and possibly two incoming ballistic missiles.

A U.S. Marine transport helicopter crashed in Kuwait, killing all four American Marines and 12 British commandos on board.

Oil wells in Iraq were ignited in an act of sabotage by the Iraqi regime, U.S. officials said.

DAY 3

Friday, March 21

U.S. airstrikes lighted up the sky over Baghdad with the beginning of the intense air campaign promised by the coalition. Missiles struck a camp for the Republican Guard at one of Saddam Hussein's palace compounds, setting it on fire.

U.S. troops pushed a third of the way to Baghdad, while British forces were situated near the city of Basra.

Fighting in southern Iraq left two Marines dead as their fellow Marines battled for control of the strategic port of Umm Qasr.

DAY 4

Saturday, March 22

American troops sped toward Baghdad, moving to within 100 miles of the capital, while U.S. missiles pounded Saddam Hussein's palaces and offices for a second straight day.

U.S. Cobra helicopters fired missiles at 20 Iraqi tanks defending bridges outside Basra. The coalition forces seized the international airport outside Basra.

Another day of fighting was reported in the port city of Umm Qasr despite reports that the crucial city had been secured.

One of the most damaging attacks on U.S. forces was allegedly caused by a U.S. soldier. Two soldiers were killed and 14 were injured when a member of the 101st Airborne Division allegedly threw grenades into command tents at Camp Pennsylvania in Kuwait. The soldier was detained by military police.

DAY 5

Sunday, March 23