Military Dispatch

Colonel Dick Camp, author and Vietnam combat Marine veteran, shares his insights on writing the book "Operation Phantom Fury: The Assault & Capture of Fallujah, Iraq" and the significance of the battle.

Captain Joe Winslow, a Marine and Historian, was embedded with 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines and 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines during the Second Battle of Fallujah in November 2004.

Marine veteran and author Chance Nix shares his stories from the Second Battle of Fallujah when he was attached to India Company, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines, discusses his experience returning home after sustaining a serious injury during his second tour in Iraq (also in Fallujah), and talks about his new book Kill! Kill!, a fictionalized account of the battle inspired by his time, and the men he knew, in Fallujah. (View videos and links at MilitaryDispatch.com)

Marines and soldiers prepare the city for residents to return and render it safe for the national elections. When the polls open, more than 7,000 citizens vote inside Fallujah. As they prepare to leave, warriors reflect upon the experience and outcome of the battle. (Episode transcript, maps, images and show notes available at MilitaryDispatch.com)

Marines and soldiers go back through the city to clear every house, and face tough resistance from hardcore insurgents who are prepared to die. (Episode transcript, maps, images and show notes available at MilitaryDispatch.com)

1st Battalion, 8th Marines is tasked with seizing three major buildings south of the Mayor's Complex. 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines get into a brutal firefight in a house in their zone. 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry encounter civilians trying to escape their homes. Alpha Company, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Infantry lose their commander in a deadly ambush inside a house. And, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines battle it out in, what becomes known as, the infamous "Hell House". (Episode transcript, maps, images and show notes available at MilitaryDispatch.com)

The Jolan proves to be the deadliest district, as enemy hold up in fortified houses waiting to kill Marines as they enter and clear structures. A squad from 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines becomes separated from their company. Alpha Company 2-63 Armor, in overwatch of 2nd Battalion, 2nd Infantry, gets caught in a minefield. (Episode transcript, maps, images and show notes available at MilitaryDispatch.com)

RCT-1 and RCT-7 continue pushing south, further into the terrorist stronghold, locating numerous caches and execution chambers. First Battalion, 8th Marines moves into the Mayor's Complex with 2nd Force Recon providing overwatch. (Episode transcript, maps, images and show notes available at MilitaryDispatch.com)

In RCT-1s zone, four battalions converge in one area and attack in different directions with 3/5 facing heavy fighting. Meanwhile, RCT-7 encounters strong resistance as they push rapidly south, and warriors from David Bellavia's 2-2 get trapped while clearing a house. (Episode transcript, maps, images and show notes available at MilitaryDispatch.com)

Regimental Combat Team 7 pushes into the city with 1st Battalion, 8th Marines, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Infantry, and 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines destroying enemy in zone and seizing objectives to protect the flank of the main effort. (Episode transcript, maps, images and show notes available at MilitaryDispatch.com)