During the Iran-Iraq War, Iraqi military command made a grave mistake: it lavished attention on the capture of every city and plot of land while neglecting the destruction of enemy manpower.
To seize Khorramshahr, on 25 September of the previous year Iraqi forces launched a surprise assault on the city. What was expected to be an easy victory instead plunged them into a web of traps; in the rubble-choked alleys and road networks, the attacking armored division suffered staggering losses. Reinforced by a special brigade that raced to the scene, the Iraqis finally took Khorramshahr after fifteen days of blood-letting—but at the cost of 1,500 dead and more than 4,000 wounded. Iran paid an even heavier price: over 3,000 killed and 5,000 injured. Later Iraq renamed the city Hunaynshahr—"City of Blood"—where every inch of soil is drenched in soldiers' blood and where today only ruins remain. Yet as a strategic strongpoint it still garrisons an entire infantry division.
In war, obsessing over the possession of cities is the most short-sighted of errors; the primary objective must be the annihilation of the enemy's living force. How many troops does Iran have in total? Cut that number in half and they will lose all ability to resist. Fighting costly street battles inside fortified cities simply isn't worth it.
Qusay knew convincing his father Saddam would be difficult—after all, seizing enemy territory is a glorious thing. So what he proposed now was only an interim alternative.
Abadan has been under siege for months yet never captured; in that sense they would not be abandoning ground already gained. Lure the Abadan garrison out into open country—surely they could destroy it there?
"Qusay, you mean…?" Adnan asked cautiously. "You want us to lift the siege of Abadan?"
"Exactly," Qusay said. "We've been besieging Abadan on land, but as a port it remains open from the sea. We've surrounded it for a year without success; the Iranians keep shipping in supplies. If we keep this up we'll gain nothing. Better to take a step back."
"Continue," Saddam said.
"Our problem is that we don't want to feed our flesh into the bottomless pit of street fighting, so we've stayed around Abadan. Yet we haven't achieved our goal. Since we can't take the city for now, let's use the Iranians' coming counter-offensive for a strategic withdrawal. Once their Abadan garrison sallies out—after a year under siege they'll be itching for a fight—we'll have plenty of ways to deal with them."
"Retreat? Father, absolutely not—this would be betrayal of allah!" Uday interjected.
Saddam ignored Uday. He loathed the word "retreat," yet the operational concept itself he rather liked.
"If the Iranians really mass several divisions against us, can our Abadan assault force hold?" Adnan wondered. Iranian armour was formidable; fighting them in the open outside Abadan with the current units might not suffice.
"We're not short of strength—we just haven't fully tapped it," Qusay said. "Father, our T-62s are outclassed in the open by Iran's Chieftains, but we have advantages. The Iranians can't get spare parts for their aircraft; few can fly. Meanwhile our air force is steadily growing. We can use strike aircraft to smash Iran's elite tank divisions and win! At Susangerd Swamp our Thirty-Fifth Brigade was nearly overrun—until our air force arrived and shattered the Iranian armour."
Hearing this, Abid's eyes lit with hope as he gazed at Qusay; the second son's words had struck his heart.
Air power? Saddam instinctively wanted to shake his head.
"Father, modern war isn't like World War II. Air power boasts huge mobility. Our Su-17s, Su-20s and MiG-23s are excellent ground-attack aircraft, and our Mi-24 gunships can wreck Iranian armour. We must exploit our strengths against their weak spots. What we need is victory!"
That last word stirred Saddam. Yes—what he needed was victory. The war had stagnated; only successive victories would serve him now.
Even if committed, it would be the Southern Military Region's air units; the air force around Baghdad was still tightly under his thumb—no great risk there.
"Father, I estimate the Iranians will attack Abadan in late September. We have little time; we must finish the battle plan and deployment at once," Qusay said.
"Qusay, you sound very confident," Saddam said with a sudden smile.
"Father, if the air force meets its objectives we'll fight a beautiful encirclement battle—wipe out the Iranian army, capture Abadan, seize Bandar Khomeini and push all the way to Munich!" He spoke with the boldness of a fledgling tiger.
That was the spirit Saddam loved most. Like father, like son—he was already proud of this son who had delivered victory after victory.
"Good—I approve," Saddam said. "Southern Military Region air units, prepare to support the ground forces."
"Yes, Mr. President," Abid replied.
"Qusay, return to the Southern Military Region. Your post is now special staff officer at the regional command. Remember—your place is headquarters. If you pull another stunt like last time I'll recall you to Baghdad immediately," Saddam said.
Having his own son fight hand-to-hand against the Iranians once was quite enough.
"Yes, Mr. President!" Qusay exulted.
"Once back, draft a detailed battle plan and submit it to the Revolutionary Command Council," Saddam added.
The Revolutionary Command Council was the military body created for the invasion of Iran, with Saddam himself as chairman.
"Yes, Mr. President," Qusay ventured. "Could Arslan be transferred to the Southern Military Region to redeem himself?"