British probe deeper into Basra

BRITISH forces yesterday made their deepest incursion into Basra.

They met a forthright response but dealt with it successfully, raising hopes that they can go on to take Iraq's strategically crucial second city.

As the troops tested the enemy's reaction to their presence, rocket-propelled grenades and machine-gun rounds hit British positions and an Iraqi T-55 tank was seen advancing towards the frontline.

But within minutes the Desert Rats had returned fire, destroying the enemy tank, reducing the rocket-propelled grenade bunker to rubble and capturing 12 Iraqi prisoners of war.

Zulu Company of the 1st Battalion The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers (1RRF), backed by Challenger 2 tanks of the Queens Dragoon Guards, came under fire after establishing an advanced vehicle checkpoint in Basra.

Lieutenant Colonel David Paterson, commanding officer of 1RRF, said the aim of the checkpoint was to "poke a toe into Basra to see what happens".

He explained: "The purpose is to get information from the civilians going in and out of the city about what is happening right inside.

"We don't want to isolate the city which is why the bridges have been opened to allow civilians to move backwards and forwards.

"So far it has been quiet we've destroyed a tank and an anti-aircraft gun. And since we got control of the situation the enemy has not thrown anything at us we can't handle."

By early morning, a column of prisoners were marched back towards the British positions.