1991 Highway of Death-Basra Road Items.

[Jagd301]

Just thought id share these few items! They were found by a soldier of the 2nd Royal Scots Battlegroup inside an abandonned Iraqi T-55 tank along the Highway of Death-Basra Road. The first item is a hardbound excercise book packed with Iraqi handwriting. Most of it details how to build proper foxholes and concealment from the enemy plus the kind of weapons the enemy have inc a warning about the Apache AH64 which can "see you in total darkness and is heavily armed"! There are hundreds of pages of such notes and diagrams and also pieces from the Koran (muslim holy bible). Second item is a plastic folder full of Iraqi radio codes and secret call signs. Next items are an Iraqi tankers helmet complete with throat mikes and an AK47 ammo bandolier. The helmet and bandolier are Russian supplied kit and have Iraqi handwriting on them. What became of their owners is unknown, they may have escaped and they may have been killed somewhere on that highway back in 1991. The book is totally unique and its owner went through much trouble to documents so much info. Maybe he was a commander of a T55 unit and refered to the book when giving orders etc. These are just a few of my huge Gulf War collection most of which is packed away as were due to move house soon. Regards, Tim.

 

[Fuzeman]

Very nice items Tim , i hope that they are not contaminated with depleted uranium !
The radio codes one is very nice as im a Radio amateur , would love to know their freqs

 

[Jagd301]

1991 Basra Road Items!

Hi there, Thankfully the T55 these items were found inside had not been fired on. Seems the crew had climbed out and had maybe tried to escape into the desert when the shit started to hit the fan! They obvioulsy left in a great hurry as the tankers helmet was still plugged into the coms panel. The AK bandolier had live ammo in and these were tipped out. There is a piece written in the book that advises in the event of air attack to get away from the vehicles, so they knew probably what was coming. Depleted Uranium contamination is certainly a very real hazard. The strange thing is there were no guidelines issued to British troops warning them to wear full NBC protection when in areas where DU was used and that NBC kit should be put on at least 20 metres away from contaminated areas! DU residue and contaminant is very easily to spot if you know what to look for. Black metallic dust very similar to soot that sticks quite hard to surfaces. If you see this coating inside a destroyed vehicle in Iraq avoid it like plague. Also if you are offered Iraqi kit or clothing, paperwork etc stained with a black soot like substance. If inhaled or ingested this stuff can be highly dangerous to health-though the military say it is not!!! Regards, Tim.