Examination of the Second Battle of Fallujah: A Case Study on City Combat Operations
In the heart of the Iraq War, the Second Battle of Fallujah stands out as one of the most complex and bloodiest urban combat operations. This nine-day battle, completed in late 2004, involved a combined force of approximately 13,500 American and British troops, along with 2,000 Iraqi security forces [2][4].
At the helm of analysing this significant event is John Spencer, a former infantry soldier who served twenty-five years, including two combat tours in Iraq. Spencer is the chair of urban warfare studies at a certain website and codirector of MWI's Urban Warfare Project. He is also the author of the book, "Connected Soldiers: Life, Leadership, and Social Connections in Modern War," and coauthor of "Understanding Urban Warfare" [1].
The battle's success can be attributed to several key factors. Firstly, the effective use of combined arms team tactics integrating infantry, armor, and engineers played a crucial role. Marine armored units, for instance, used M48 and M50 tanks in concert. The M48 moved ahead to draw enemy fire, while infantry relayed targets to the more mobile M50 tanks, which then reduced enemy strongholds or created breaches in walls [1].
Another critical factor was the heavy use of supporting air and artillery strikes. The evacuation of most civilians to reduce collateral damage was also a significant contributing factor [2][4]. The sheer scale of the assault, combined with careful operational planning, allowed coalition forces to systematically reduce insurgent resistance in a highly destructive urban environment.
Doctrine and training emphasizing mounted urban planning, combined arms integration, and vehicle-infantry coordination were essential for adapting armor forces to the challenges of fighting in a cityscape. This approach permitted armored units to support infantry and engineers in overcoming urban obstacles and enemy fortifications effectively [1].
Liam Collins, a retired Special Forces colonel and coauthor of "Understanding Urban Warfare," brings valuable insights to the table. Collins has deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan, Bosnia, the Horn of Africa, and South America, with multiple combat operations in Fallujah in 2004 [3].
Major Jayson Geroux, an infantry officer with The Royal Canadian Regiment and currently with the Canadian Army Doctrine and Training Centre, has served twenty-eight years in the Canadian Armed Forces. Geroux has been a fervent student of and has been involved in urban operations training for two decades [3].
It is important to note that the views expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not reflect the official position of the United States Military Academy, Department of the Army, Department of Defense, Canadian Army Doctrine and Training Centre, the Canadian Armed Forces, or the Canadian Department of National Defence [5].
The Second Battle of Fallujah is described in detail in the seventh installment of the Urban Warfare Project Case Study Series [6]. This battle serves as a valuable case study for understanding the complexities of urban warfare and the key factors that contribute to success in such environments.
References: [1] Urban Warfare Project Case Study Series, No. 7, The Second Battle of Fallujah, 2021. [2] Spencer, John, Understanding Urban Warfare, 2019. [3] Collins, Liam, Understanding Urban Warfare, 2019. [4] Geroux, Jayson, "Urban Operations: The Key to Success," Canadian Army Doctrine and Training Centre, 2018. [5] Spencer, John, Connected Soldiers: Life, Leadership, and Social Connections in Modern War, 2016. [6] Urban Warfare Project, "The Second Battle of Fallujah: A Case Study in Urban Warfare," 2021.
- John Spencer, a former infantry soldier with two combat tours in Iraq, examines the Second Battle of Fallujah, highlighting the role of combined arms team tactics, effective use of air and artillery strikes, and mounted urban planning as key factors in the battle's success.
- Liam Collins, a retired Special Forces colonel with multiple combat operations in Fallujah, provides valuable insights on the complexities of urban warfare, offering a broader perspective on the Second Battle of Fallujah.
- Major Jayson Geroux, an infantry officer with extensive experience in urban operations training, contributes to the discourse on the Second Battle of Fallujah, offering insights from his two-decade career in the Canadian Armed Forces.
- The Second Battle of Fallujah, described in detail in the Urban Warfare Project Case Study Series, is a critical case study for understanding the complexities of urban warfare and the key factors that contribute to success in such environments.
- The analysis of the Second Battle of Fallujah is based on the authors' views and does not reflect the official position of various military and defense institutions.
