Entry 7

1900 hours             May 13th 2007            5 Confirmed Kills

Today literally began with a bang. At about 0520 hours the battalion and I were all abruptly shaken awake by a thunderous explosion. My eyes shot open; I wasn’t getting much sleep with 120 degree tanning burns. Seconds later I heard two more explosions, in quick succession. I jumped up, grabbed my rifle and rushed outside my trench barracks. 3 more explosions hit, one landing on top of a Seabee in a bulldozer. I knew instantly that there was more than one…mortar; it had to be a mortar, the Arabs never used arty this heavy. I looked behind and saw a PFC (Private First Class) from my squad. “Follow me,” I ordered. I climbed over the top and began rushing towards the sounds of the mortars. Just as I climbed over the top a mortar shell hit right inside the trench sending a crowd of draftees flying forwards. While charging towards the mortars I glanced back and realized the PFC as well as about 10 others were charging with me. A mortar round landed in front of a group of 3 men I was running with, killing them all. We were so close to the mortars crews now we could see the muzzle flashes. An Arab let off a kalash autorifle burst hitting the PFC in the arms and legs. I hit the deck and took cover behind a small dune. I peered over and fired a shot at an Arab loading a shell. The bullet killed him, but another took his place, fired another shot, killing the 2^nd loader. The other 3 Arabs picked up swords. I got up and ran at them a dagger in one hand and a bayonet in the other. I stabbed the first one and slashed the 2^nd one in the throat. Rounds from other soldiers took out the third guy. I looked up and saw that a No.36 grenade had killed one of the mortar crews and the other was being charged by a group of our men. I watched the scuffle until, I saw a ski-masked Arab gun down a soldier, and then turn to the others. I raised my rifle and put a round through his teeth. The attack was over. The rest of the day was spent licking wounds and raising tensions.