Military

DATE=11/08/04

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE= FALLUJAH BATTLE (L)

NUMBER=2-320262

BYLINE= NICK SIMEONE

DATELINE= PENTAGON

HEADLINE: American Forces Bombard Fallujah As Ground Assault Begins

INTRO: U.S. forces have been bombarding the Iraqi city of Fallujah with heavy artillery and air strikes to soften up the rebel stronghold as marines, army units and Iraqi soldiers entered Fallujah in what is expected to be a major assault. Iraq's Prime Minister Iyad Allawi has given the go-ahead for multinational forces to take the city which has been a base for Sunni insurgents for months. Correspondent Nick Simeone has more from the Pentagon.

TEXT: After days of air strikes and shelling of rebel targets, U.S. marines and Iraqi forces are ready to retake Fallujah.

/// PICCOLI ACT ///

We are all around Fallujah on the outside.

/// END ACT ///

It's from there that Marine Major Francis Piccoli tells VOA stepped up air strikes and heavy artillery attacks are continuing now that Fallujah's hospital and two bridges leading into the city over the Euphrates river have been secured. All of this as U.S. forces begin a ground assault on a city where most of the estimated 250-thousand residents are reported to have already fled.

/// SECOND PICCOLI ACT ///

"We have had artillery missions firing, we have had U.S. aircraft, multinational force aircraft in the sky engaging preplanned targets. And basically, it all amounts to areas and targets that are being called in to prepare the battle space. If these forces go inside this city, it is going to be quick, it's going to be lightening, it's going to be fast."

/// END ACT ///

Earlier, Iraq's interim Prime Minister Iyad Allawi gave coalition forces the go-ahead to retake a city that he is vowing will be secured in time for residents to vote in January's elections.

/// ALLAWI ACT ///

"They want us to go ahead and finish the terrorists and have the rule of law prevail in Fallujah and this is what we intend to do."

/// END ACT ///

Despite the overwhelming military and technological advantage held by U.S. led forces, Marine Corps Major Piccoli says retaking a city that has been in the hands of insurgents and terrorists since April could put American forces in some of the most intensive urban combat since the Vietnam War.

/// THIRD PICCOLI ACT ///

"This is all going to come down to that young man, that 19, 20 year old corporal, lance corporal whether he's a soldier or a marine, leading his particular fire team or his squad through the city, house by house, block by block, room by room."

/// END ACT ///

A White House spokesman says President Bush has been briefed on the impending operation and is aware that it could involve significant American casualties. (SIGNED)

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