Thunder Run - The US 3rd Infantry Division's Drive to Baghdad Book Review
By Michael Benolkin
| Date of Review | September 2005 | Title | Thunder Run - The US 3rd Infantry Division's Drive to Baghdad |
|---|---|---|---|
| Author | Robert W. Burik & Eric R. Olson | Publisher | Concord Publications |
| Published | 2005 | ISBN | 962-361-112-9 |
| Format | 48 pages, softbound | MSRP (USD) | $11.98 |
Review
Concord Publications is well-known for publishing a wide array of military monographs covering a variety of subjects. This release is definitely no exception.
When the 3rd Infantry Division swept into Baghdad, it wasn't without incident or casualty, but the threat from the dreaded Republican Guard never materialized. Nevertheless, Abrams tanks, Bradley fighting vehicles, and multitudes of specialist and support vehicles moved through the Iraqi desert and into the capital of Baghdad in an unexpectedly short timeline.
So what did it really look like over there? The glimpses through the news cameras portrayed different views. This title is an excellent full-color compilation of photos from the push-off from the Kuwaiti border, through intermediate points along the lines of advance, and into the outskirts of Baghdad itself.
The authors have compiled an interesting array of photos that illustrate the story behind the 3rd ID's successful mission. There are also photos of M1A1s with roadwheel sheer (including "All The Way To Baghdad" that sheered multiple roadwheels and wound up getting stripped of parts by an M88), and images of burning tanks that did try to mount a defense against the 3rd ID.
If you're looking contemporary combat operations as a historian or modeler, this title is definitely what you're looking for. If you're a modern armor modeler, this title will be especially useful as you'll get the next best thing to a first-hand look. Highly recommended!