Medal and Leave - 10

11 notes from an Iraqi captive

Compiled by Hedayatollah Behboudi
Translated by: M.B. Khoshnevisan

2025-10-5

Medal and Leave - 10

11 notes from an Iraqi captive

Compiled by Hedayatollah Behboudi

Translated by: M.B. Khoshnevisan

***

Episode 10: Bridge

The road that led to the Gordeh Mand highlands, although paved, had many bumps and difficult passages. 

It wound through plains covered entirely by large rocks, passed by a river, and finally reached the highlands.

The road was always perilous. So much so that one could boldly say the dangers of the front lines were insignificant in comparison to the dangers of this road. Most vehicles carrying personnel that traveled this road would crash and overturn. Sometimes, the columns of forces passing through this route would also be attacked by regime opposition militants.

On the other hand, this road was of great importance because it connected the units stationed in the heights of Gordeh Mand, "Oras," and "Kordaklu" to the bases behind this area, namely "Diana."

Moreover, three very important and sensitive iron bridges—"Berselin," "Dar Galleh," and "Oras"—were located on this road, which were put out of service. In fact, the loss of one of these bridges caused the frontline forces and logistical areas to be cut off from each other, as it was not possible to construct a reserve bridge in the region.

One day, our company was assigned to take over the protection of the first and most important of these bridges—the Bereslin Bridge. We were overjoyed to have been entrusted with such a mission, as if we had been discharged from military service. This was because our previous company’s position in the plain was extremely perilous, constantly under heavy fire from Iranian artillery. Even when there was no gunfire, the snow and bitter cold were unbearable, and there was hardly a day when we didn’t suffer losses. Besides, guarding the bridge, compared to the immense hardships and challenges of the front lines, was an easy and straightforward task.

The company's platoons were dispersed among the surrounding peaks to protect the bridge, while some soldiers remained at the company headquarters to both guard the bridge and manage traffic on it.

The days of rest and tranquility, which we had been deprived of for years, were passing one after another. At dawn one day, two Kurdish municipal workers, wearing special uniforms, came and began cleaning the bridge. One of them was holding a large broom. Mud had settled on the bridge due to the rain. They cleaned the mud, thanked us, and left.

The next morning, a Land Cruiser jeep stopped near the company base, and two senior army officers got out. One of them held the rank of major and was the division intelligence officer. They ordered us to line up. We lined up, and one of them, during his speech, threatened us that if the bridge were to be exposed to destruction, they would execute all of us.

The intelligence major said, "They might blow up this bridge, because two Iranian engineering officers have entered the area and, dressed as municipal workers, reached the bridges and gathered information from them." When he finished speaking, we were all stunned and were only just beginning to grasp the situation.

To be continued …