21 Days to Baghdad: General Buford Blount and the 3rd Infantry Division in the Iraq War

An authoritative military history of the U.S. Armys 3rd Infantry Division in Operation Iraqi Freedom, describing the 2003 invasion of Iraq, the siege and fall of Baghdad, and the nation-building mission that followed. Based on exclusive interviews with General Buford "Buff" Blount, the book explores the divisions commitment to Kuwait, the invasion of Iraq, and the three weeks of violent desert conflicts on the way to Baghdad. It also details the complex security mission required to convince Iraqi citizens that the U.S. was there to help them while fighting Saddam Husseins elite Republican Guard, paramilitary forces, and terrorists.

Format: Hardback
Length: 320 pages
Publication date: 28 September 2023
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

The 3rd Infantry Division of the United States Army played a significant role in Operation Iraqi Freedom, encompassing the 2003 invasion of Iraq, the siege and fall of Baghdad, and the subsequent nation-building mission. In her book, 21 Days to Baghdad, historian Dr. Heather Stur delves into the division's commitment to Kuwait, the invasion of Iraq, and the intense desert conflicts that preceded the siege and battle for Baghdad. She also highlights the "thunder runs" that ultimately led to the city's fall to U.S. forces.

Stur's account is based on exclusive and extensive interviews with General Buford "Buff" Blount, the U.S. Army two-star general who led the 3rd Infantry Division during this period. Blount's extensive experience in the Middle East led him to question the decision to recall his division from Iraq at the end of 2003 and replace it with a less experienced unit. President George W. Bush and Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, however, believed that peacekeeping and humanitarian assistance were not worthwhile uses of a conventional combat force like the 3rd Infantry Division.

The division had played a crucial role in destroying Hussein's government, and Bush and Rumsfeld believed that their mission was accomplished. However, 21 Days to Baghdad sheds light on the long reach of the U.S. military, the limitations of nation building in the wake of war, and the tensions between policymakers in Washington, DC, and troops on the ground over the purpose and conduct of the U.S. invasion of Iraq.

The book provides a detailed account of the division's experiences and challenges, from the initial invasion to the fall of Baghdad. It also explores the complex security mission that the soldiers and their commanders faced, as they attempted to convince Iraqi citizens that the U.S. was there to help them while simultaneously fighting Saddam Hussein's elite Republican Guard, paramilitary forces, and terrorists.

Overall, 21 Days to Baghdad is a valuable addition to the literature on the Iraq War, offering a comprehensive and insightful perspective on the events that shaped the country's history. It sheds light on the decisions made by policymakers and the sacrifices made by the troops on the ground, and provides a valuable lesson in the complexities of military operations and nation building.

Weight: 568g
Dimension: 242 x 164 x 32 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781472853639