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The Battle of Mogadishu: 25 Years On - An Unforgettable Account of Valor and Sacrifice

Samuel Ward

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Published in Day Of The Rangers: The Battle Of Mogadishu 25 Years On

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On October 3, 1993, 18 American soldiers were killed and 73 wounded in a fierce battle in Mogadishu, Somalia. The battle, which was part of Operation Gothic Serpent, was the deadliest for U.S. forces since the Vietnam War.

The battle began when two Black Hawk helicopters were shot down by Somali militiamen, trapping a group of American soldiers on the ground. A fierce firefight ensued, and the Americans were eventually rescued by a combination of ground forces and air support.

Day of the Rangers: The Battle of Mogadishu 25 Years On

by Leigh Neville

4.8 out of 5

Language	:	English
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Print length	:	379 pages

The Battle of Mogadishu was a major turning point in the U.S. involvement in Somalia. The battle led to the withdrawal of American forces from the country and the eventual collapse of the Somali government.

The battle has been the subject of much debate and controversy. Some have argued that the battle was a failure, while others have argued that it was a success. Regardless of the outcome, the battle was a clear demonstration of the bravery and sacrifice of the American soldiers who fought and died that day.

The Planning

The Battle of Mogadishu was part of Operation Gothic Serpent, which was a U.S.-led mission to capture Somali warlord Mohamed Farrah Aidid. Aidid had been accused of war crimes and was seen as a threat to the stability of Somalia.

The plan for Operation Gothic Serpent was to use a force of Army Rangers and Delta Force operators to capture Aidid and bring him to justice. The operation was scheduled to take place on October 3, 1993.

The Battle

The Battle of Mogadishu began when two Black Hawk helicopters were shot down by Somali militiamen. The helicopters were carrying a group of Army Rangers and Delta Force operators who were on a mission to capture Aidid.

The downed helicopters left the American soldiers stranded on the ground, and they were quickly surrounded by Somali militiamen. A fierce firefight ensued, and the Americans were forced to fight their way to safety.

The Americans were eventually rescued by a combination of ground forces and air support. However, 18 American soldiers were killed and 73 were wounded in the battle.

The Aftermath

The Legacy

The Battle of Mogadishu is a reminder of the dangers of peacekeeping operations. The battle also showed the importance of training and preparation for military operations.

The battle has been the subject of several books and films, including the book "Black Hawk Down" by Mark Bowden and the film of the same name by Ridley Scott.

The Battle of Mogadishu is a reminder of the bravery and sacrifice of the American soldiers who fought and died in Somalia. The battle is also a reminder of the importance of training and preparation for military operations.