All Battles

First Fallujah

2004 al-Anbar Belagerung

A U.S. marine from Weapons Platoon, Company E, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, mans an M240G machine gun at the Highway 1 "cloverleaf" outside the city of Fallujah, Iraq, April 5, 2004. U.S. marines isolated the city after terrorists repeately attacked coalition forces. The USMC operation is designed to root out enemy forces.

A U.S. marine from Weapons Platoon, Company E, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, mans an M240G machine gun at the Highway 1 "cloverleaf" outside the city of Fallujah, Iraq, April 5, 2004. U.S. marines isolated the city after terrorists repeately attacked coalition forces. The USMC operation is designed to root out enemy forces.

Author: United States Marine Corps photo by lance corporal Kenneth E. Madden III / ReleasedLicense:PD
Source
U.S. Marines with Company A, 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, Marine Captain Philip Treglia calls in a danger close airstrike while his Marines fire against terrorists operating in Fallujah, Iraq. Marines Corporal Philip Dennis (kneeling),  Corporal Butterfield , Lcpl Buskard, Cpl Justin Smith  April 7, 2004. U.S. Marines suspended offensive operations after isolating and systematically clearing portions of the city. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Matthew J. Apprendi.

U.S. Marines with Company A, 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, Marine Captain Philip Treglia calls in a danger close airstrike while his Marines fire against terrorists operating in Fallujah, Iraq. Marines Corporal Philip Dennis (kneeling), Corporal Butterfield , Lcpl Buskard, Cpl Justin Smith April 7, 2004. U.S. Marines suspended offensive operations after isolating and systematically clearing portions of the city. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Matthew J. Apprendi.

Author: Corporal Matthew J. Apprendi, United States Marine CorpsLicense:PD
Source
Marines of 1st Marine Regiment in Fallujah. Infantrymen from 1st Platoon, Company E, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, look on from a rooftop as M-1A1 tanks from 1st Tank Battalion fire on buildings where enemy snipers took positions. The company entered Fallujah, Iraq, April 6, 2004, to combat enemy fighters who were attacking Coalition Forces from the city.

Marines of 1st Marine Regiment in Fallujah. Infantrymen from 1st Platoon, Company E, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, look on from a rooftop as M-1A1 tanks from 1st Tank Battalion fire on buildings where enemy snipers took positions. The company entered Fallujah, Iraq, April 6, 2004, to combat enemy fighters who were attacking Coalition Forces from the city.

Author: U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Jose E. GuillenLicense:PD
Source
Original Caption: "A terrorist's body lies dead on a sidewalk after a brief firefight with U.S. Marines as 1st Platoon, Company E, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division make their way into Fallujah, Iraq. Marines are observing a suspension of offensive operations, but maintain the right to defend themselves against attack. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Jose E. Guillen"

Original Caption: "A terrorist's body lies dead on a sidewalk after a brief firefight with U.S. Marines as 1st Platoon, Company E, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division make their way into Fallujah, Iraq. Marines are observing a suspension of offensive operations, but maintain the right to defend themselves against attack. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Jose E. Guillen"

Author: Sgt. Jose E. Guillen, USMCLicense:PD
Source
U.S. Marines with 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, use High-Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles (HMMWV), one with an M220 Tow (Tube-launched, Optically-tracked, Wire-guided) System and Light Armored Vehicle-25 (LAV-25) to secure part of Highway 1 in Fallujah, Iraq during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. The Marines cut off traffic to the city to isolate and root out terrorist forces responsible for recent attacks on Coalition Forces.

U.S. Marines with 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, use High-Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles (HMMWV), one with an M220 Tow (Tube-launched, Optically-tracked, Wire-guided) System and Light Armored Vehicle-25 (LAV-25) to secure part of Highway 1 in Fallujah, Iraq during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. The Marines cut off traffic to the city to isolate and root out terrorist forces responsible for recent attacks on Coalition Forces.

Author: Master Sergeant Howard J. Farrell, United States Marine CorpsLicense:PD
Source
Map of coalition units and their movements during the second battle of Fallujah.

Map of coalition units and their movements during the second battle of Fallujah.

Author: This map was created by "the official cartographer at the U.S. Army Center of Military History, Washington, DC."License:PD
Source
Original Caption: "Marines with Company A, 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, peer over a building top to fix in enemy targets in Al Fallujah, Iraq April 7, 2004. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Matthew J. Apprendi"

Original Caption: "Marines with Company A, 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, peer over a building top to fix in enemy targets in Al Fallujah, Iraq April 7, 2004. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Matthew J. Apprendi"

Author: Cpl. Matthew J. Apprendi, USMCLicense:PD
Source
Photo of M1-A1 outside of Fallujah in April of 2004 taken by User:Looper5920.

Photo of M1-A1 outside of Fallujah in April of 2004 taken by User:Looper5920.

Author: Looper5920 at en.wikipediaLicense:PD
Source
The original finding aid described this photograph as: Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: Fallujah State: Al Anbar Country: Iraq (IRQ) Scene Camera Operator: LCPL Kenneth E. Madden Iii, USMC Release Status: Released to Public

The original finding aid described this photograph as: Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: Fallujah State: Al Anbar Country: Iraq (IRQ) Scene Camera Operator: LCPL Kenneth E. Madden Iii, USMC Release Status: Released to Public

Author: Department of Defense. American Forces Information Service. Defense Visual Information Center. 1994License:PD
Source
Falluja, Iraq (Apr. 6, 2004) - The Naval Mobile Construction Battalion Seventy Four (NMCB-74), Tactical Movement Team (TMT), escorts a construction crew convoy through Falluja, Iraq. NMCB-74 is currently on deployment in Central Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Eric Powell (RELEASED)

Falluja, Iraq (Apr. 6, 2004) - The Naval Mobile Construction Battalion Seventy Four (NMCB-74), Tactical Movement Team (TMT), escorts a construction crew convoy through Falluja, Iraq. NMCB-74 is currently on deployment in Central Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Eric Powell (RELEASED)

Author: U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Eric PowellLicense:PD
Source
14 APR 2004- An Amphibious Assault Vehicle (AAV) from Echo Company, 2nd Battalion 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division, moves into the city of Fallujah, Iraq. 1st Marine Division, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom II, is engaged in Security and Stabilization Operations (SASO) in the Al Anbar Province of Iraq.

14 APR 2004- An Amphibious Assault Vehicle (AAV) from Echo Company, 2nd Battalion 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division, moves into the city of Fallujah, Iraq. 1st Marine Division, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom II, is engaged in Security and Stabilization Operations (SASO) in the Al Anbar Province of Iraq.

Author: U.S. militaryLicense:PD
Source
Capt. Doug Zembiec, the commanding officer of Company E, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, gives orders to his men over a radio prior to leaving their secured compound for a short patrol in Fallujah, Iraq April 8, 2004. The company entered Fallujah April 6 to begin the effort of destroying enemy holed up in the city. (Official USMC photo by Sgt. Jose E. Guillen)

Capt. Doug Zembiec, the commanding officer of Company E, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, gives orders to his men over a radio prior to leaving their secured compound for a short patrol in Fallujah, Iraq April 8, 2004. The company entered Fallujah April 6 to begin the effort of destroying enemy holed up in the city. (Official USMC photo by Sgt. Jose E. Guillen)

Author: Sgt. Jose E. GuillenLicense:PD
Source

Historical Overview

Operation Vigilant Resolve after murder of US contractors.

Quick Facts

Outcome:Draw.

Iraqi Insurgents

  • Commander: Abdullah al-Janabi
  • Strength: 4000
  • Casualties: ca. 200

US Marines

  • Commander: James Mattis
  • Strength: 2000
  • Casualties: 40

Strategic Context

Attempt to pacify an insurgent stronghold.

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Historical Locations

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