OP MUSLIM-IBN-AQIL - World at War

Most challenging to play: Iran [Allied] against Iraq [Japanese]. Conditions: Normal. Size: Medium-Large.

Background: October 7, 1982. East of Mandali, Iran.

The MUSLIM-IBN-AQIL offensive was launched on the evening of October 1, 1982, with small Iran Revloutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) units in high spirits attacking Iraqi positions high on the hills, followed by mechanized Army units in the morning. Shortly after dawn, the F-5Es from Omidiyeh TFB.5 and F-4Es from Hamedan/Nojeh TFB.3 flew their first strikes, hitting the nearby Iraqi logistical centres. On the ground, there was a lack of coordination between the IRIAS and the IRGC units and so the battle soon developed into a bloody struggle for every hill. The Iranian advance was very slow, and by 4 October they still had not reached Mandali. On the contrary, the Iraqis counterattacked towards Sumar, supported by artillery and helicopter gunships. That was the start of a massive air-land battle. By 7 October, however, the Iranians had lost their positions overlooking Mandali although they held off the other Iraqi counterattacks.