As a reporter for the Western Daily Press, Richard Edwards spent almost six weeks ’embedded’ with 42 Commando Royal Marines at the outbreak of war in Iraq in 2003.
Aged 23, he was the youngest war correspondent to report the conflict. Here are a selection of his reports from the frontline, published in the regional and national press, and excerpts from his war diary.
War Diary part one:
Sand storms and missile attacks – War Diary March 12-20, 2003 (Published Western Daily Press)
War Diary part two:
In the firing line – War Diary March 21-22, 2003 (Published Western Daily Press)
War Diary part three:
The battle for Basra – War Diary March 25-April 11, 2003 (Published Western Daily Press)
DISPATCHES FROM CAMP GIBRALTAR, KUWAIT (pre-invasion):
Spirits are high in the city of tents – Western Daily Press, March 2003
The snipers who are first into battle – Western Daily Press, March 2003
Edgy troops eager for the call to action (£) – Sunday Times, March 2003 (additional reporting)
Haunting silence before the attack – Western Daily Press, March 2003
Marines welcome ‘Yanks’ in bid to beat friendly fire – Western Daily Press, March 2003
Conflict is so close they can sniff it in the air (£) – The Times, March 2003 (additional reporting)
Gas alert sharpens British Marines as they wait to join the war – Western Daily Press, March 2003
DISPATCHES ON THE OUTBREAK OF WAR:
West troops storm over border – Western Daily Press, March 2003
Into action as U.S. forces run out on us in enemy terrain – Western Daily Press, March 2003
Americans abandoned my men, says British officer (£) – The Times, March 2003
DISPATCHES FROM UMM QASR & UMM KHAYYAL (first days of invasion):
Marines’ harsh desert existence – BBC News online, March 2003
Gas mask find raises fear of chemical strike – Sunday Times, March 2003
Smiles that signal dawn of a new free era from the brutal shadow of Saddam – Western Daily Press, March 2003
Marine fights with the sounds of surrender (£) – The Times, March 2003
The propaganda war in Iraq – The Guardian, March 2003
Saddam’s bully boys turned the local school into fort of missiles and grenades – Western Daily Press March 2003
Iraq militias ‘cheer troops then turn guns on them‘ – The Times, March 2003 (additional reporting)
Fighting the war with kind words – Reuters, Western Daily Press & Hereford Times, March 2003
Marines improvise creature comforts – BBC News online, March 2003
Galahad to rescue with supplies of hope for Umm Qasr – Western Daily Press, March 2003
Killings do not scare us, they strengthen our resolve – Western Daily Press, March 2003
Eye popping panic in the skies at 120mph – Gloucester Citizen, March 2003
A day of rest with a difference – Western Daily Press, March 2003
Living in the shadow of horror – Western Daily Press, April 2003
Commandos pick up danger men in night raids – Western Daily Press, April 2003
United … by footy – The Sun, April 2003
DISPATCHES FROM BASRA:
Welcomed by the sounds of freedom – Bristol Evening Post, April 2003
Inside Saddam’s ornate palaces – BBC News online, April 2003
Delirious joy and looting as city takes back freedom – Western Daily Press, April 2003
Iraqi’s gather at smoking ruins of torture centre – The Independent, April 2003
Lynch mob hunt down Fedayeen – Daily Mail, April 2003