'Shock and awe' attacks hit Baghdad

The US tonight launched its massive “shock and” awe bombing campaign on Baghdad.

Hundreds of cruise missiles and precision guided bombs poured out of the night sky into the Iraqi capital.

Huge explosions could be seem across the city of five million with flames shooting into the sky.

It was “A Day” said a Pentagon official.

Gulf satellite TV station Al Jazeera captured the full horror of the aerial bombardment

B-52 bombers that had flown from Fairford in Gloucestershire, were part of the campaign, dropping their cruise missiles which have a 1,000 mile rang, well away from Iraqi airspace.

B-2 bat winged stealth bombers also took part in the attack.

Massive explosions were seen throughout Baghdad and flames leaped into the night skies as buildings were destroyed.

The US had promised a sustained assault with as many as 3,000 cruise missiles and precision guided bombs.

Anti-aircraft fire streaked into the skies above Baghdad.

Al-Jazeera TV said air strikes were also hitting the northern city of Mosul.

One senior US official said US General Tommy Franks, the war’s top commander, would “scale” the intensity of the bombardment in accordance with progress in the surrender talks.