Critical moments of an operation narrated by 2nd Brigadier General Eskandar Beyranvand

The Strange commander of Battalion 139

2016-8-13

Note: 2nd Brigadier General Eskandar Beyranvand is one of Army commanders of the Islamic Republic of Iran. In 1960, he entered Military school and then joined the army. In Operation Fath ol-Mobin (1982), he was commander of independent brigade 84 in Dasht-e Abbas and played major role in recapturing areas of Dasht-e Abbas, Ali Greh zad, Tine, Bridge of Chikhab River, highlands of Ein Khosh, barrack of Ein Khosh, heights of Kamar Sorkh and Tishe Kan. Read the interview with him on Oral History website.

Let's begin from entering into independent brigade of Khorramabad.

Yes, in 1982, they appointed me as commander of Khorramabad independent brigade. Before me, there was Khorramabadian police officer named Hasanreza Kalantari, he was a very honorable man. Primarily I refused. I was summoned to Tehran, martyr Sayyad Shirazi said, "Sir, here is Islamic Nezam (system or apparatus), it is a duty, I ordered you have to accept it." I told yes and I agreed.

The brigade situation was not good. It had Just one and a half battalion. While the deceased Kalantari had arranged partly the brigade but it was far from a perfect and independent brigade. I accepted the brigade and united it more. I also got separate units into integration. Battalion 139 was in Pave, we brought it under our command. These were because of support of Ground Forces commander martyr Sayyad Shirazi, a great and hardworking military. Actually, if Imam Khomeini was in love with God, he was in love with Imam Khomeini. Shortly, I desired him in order to allow me uniting and strengthening the brigade, giving me more troops and desire such this.

In Fath ol-mobin, I positioned the brigade in a place in which I made a motorcyclist RPG shooter battalion that was a much good and ready and effective battalion. One day, a young man coming from Tehran and said: "What is your wish?" I told, "Whatever I say, you prepare." He said, "Yeah." I told: "I want 500 motorcycles." He said, "Write its letter, I give you 250."

Who was this young?

I forget his name. He was from Tehran and nearly in your age (25 years)

Was he in army?

No, businessman. I was very happy. I told: really you are serious? It took less than ten days he brought 250 motorcycles.

Was it before Nowruz[1] (March 21^st 1982)?

Yes, it was before Nowruz, we were still planning and identifying of Fath ol-Mobin operation.

Wasn't headquarter still to be formed?

Yes, the camp was set up, but not in a way that its personnel place in the camp, almost a semi-organization was formed. After forming the headquarter I went to martyr Sayyad Shirazi. He said, "I'll give you whatever you want reinforce the brigade." I thanked him and told, "I want about 3000 soldiers" May his soul live in peace, he sent 3000 soldiers, perhaps more. He sent 100-200 soldiers from any educational center. He said, "Beyranvand, I sent you enough soldiers, I see you what do you want to do!"

Briefly, we have organized the soldiers; such as martyr Shahrmorad'e Naqdi's battalion as the best battalion of the independent brigade. We increased the organization of battalions and companies to the extent that any company was 362 people. I left the motorcycle battalion for martyr Amir Naqdi who himself was a master officer. I said, "Naqdi, every motorcycle for two persons, one as a RPG shooter and a driver. They should go zigzag toward Iraqi tanks. They should kill the shooter and return. "We had about two months the servant of God and he managed the battalion so that everyone enjoyed.

Martyr Naqdi?

Yes, martyr Naqdi, God bless him. After the battalion was formed, we went for riding armored battalion. It was very inappropriate. We completed also armored riding. Martyr Sayyad Shirazi obliged me and sent four or five small identifier tank from Tehran. We arranged armored riding also. Martyr Sayyad Shirazi sent also some mechanics. We had 44 tanks. I went inside units and talked. It was very enjoyable. Brigade, was well organized.

Were you commander of the brigade in Operation of Fath ol-Mobin?

Yes, commander of the independent brigade. It was almost turned into his army.

Under command of which headquarter you were working?

Qods headquarter.

Who was commander of headquarter Qods?

Colonel Amrollah Shahbazi. Moeenvaziri was also his deputy. He was Kurd. As well as, in headquarter there was Colonel Dezhkam. While Colonel Shahbazi had had a stroke he came to the region. Early in the war that Iraq had invaded Karkhe, we prevented three or four days Iraqis by helping of Colonel Shahbazi. We placed three shooters; sergeant major Sagvand, sergeant major Nosratollah Soleimani and sergeant major Homayoon, Three shooters of 106, TOW and Dragon. We placed them in three points and did not let Iraq pass Karkhe.

In which area your independent brigade was stationed?

Mulaab; when you get down in Darre Shahr there is a valley called Mulaab. Its mount is also called Mulaab. Mulaab is a very little water that comes out of a rock, but not water that can be used. From where we wanted to attack, our aim was 15 to 24 kilometers who was martyr Naqdi.

Where was located headquarter of the brigade?

It was right on the mount Mulaab, about 600 to 700 meters far from Qods headquarter. We were ahead. We had two mule cars. Wireless of headquarter and high-ranking officials were inside one of them, the army wirelesses into one. Every time I spoke with battalions went inside one, every time I spoke with headquarter went into another one.

Where were located battalions?

My battalions were on defensive. Dehloran to Abu Ghraib has seven oil wells. They were stationed in front of Dashte Abbas. We were stood behind the heights of Kamar Sorkh and Tappe Sorkh. During the operation, I gathered all in a night. Commander of battalion 139 was martyr Naqdi and commander of battalion 182 now is Amir in army, he was a very good officer, Colonel Ali Neshati.

Before operations you went to battalions. How would you assess the situation, did hope you succeed?

Given conversations I have made and personnel answer, I would know they have so high spirit. Commander gets his spirit from staff and I greatly hoped that we won.

Which brigades you were associated with?

Dezful brigade was in left. A brigade Commanded by Qassem Soleimani came and merged with us and I went and spoke to Thar allah brigade.

How was your position? Tents or rampart?

It was rampart. We never used tent, it was stronghold.

The first night ordered the attack, but the operation was canceled....

Yes, it was about `1:30 or 2:00 A.M that it was canceled. They said don't move anywhere you are. We followed Quds headquarter and got its commands.

How was your mood in that situation? What was your thought and mind?

When they said the operation was canceled I wished to hit my head with a hammer. We worked very hard, ''do not do operation'' what it means? In short, we stayed and give tidings that night have operation.

So you'd think the operation has been canceled?

I thought myself it was canceled totally. Even when officers were talking to me, I was saying: I'm in a deep sulk, do not talk to me. When I went inside units to see how is the guys spirit, they were all upset. I also went to battalions 139 and 182 and two more battalions which I do not remember which battalions they were. I spoke with battalion commanders who were all upset that the operation had been canceled.

* When did you realize operations would be done?

- About 1 or 2 p.m., in Quds headquarter they said do not worry, we have some work to do.

Which battalion was the leading unit in Operation Fath ol-Mobin?

He was martyr Naqdi. Last night we had gone 8 Km. All battalions were in hillside and distance had become low. We had given heights 202 to martyr Naqdi. God bless him, he was also the first officer who while its distance was exact 24 km from the target, gave tiding that have seized targets. Iraqis had great sensitivity about artillery and martyr Naqdi's battalion had seized all them. There were two artillery batteries, and center of Iraq supplies of arms and ammunition and food. I became relaxed. I said, Well, Hills 202 is last target.

Behind brothers of Sepah, there were heights which Iraqis depended much to them and I had placed Lieutenant Yousefvand there. Naqdi said: We seized artillery completely and they have hidden two batteries and logistics premises and containers so that only its roof is appear and their ceilings are muddiness. I told I am coming now. I walked an hour. Yousefvand was more 3 Km far from martyr Naqdi. Because he should made a circuit of Tine heights and in river Chikhaab go inside valley Haavian. Behind heights of Tine is Haavian valley. I went to Yousefvand. He captured first captives. After that I went go Naqdi, they were counted more than 4,500 Kalashnikovs.

When he wirelessed we broke front line, how were you?

We were drunk with victory! I went across the road to pray and cried and prayed. Then I went into the unit. We were talking. I told Naqdi what's your idea about these captives. He said let's move them, perhaps, God forbid, we lost, it is a pity. We brought all the weapons behind Tappe Sorkh. It was like a valley. We also put the booty tanks there and brought conexes. Apart from Iraqis lock, we also got a lock on them.

Did the rest of brigade units arrive in their targets?

All targets were seized.

How many people of the brigade were martyred in Fath ol-Mobin Operation?

 (Pause with sob) Amir Naqdi, 16 company commanders and their deputies and more than 60 of officers. Fourth day of operation they made contact me by wireless and said, "Naqdi isn't here and situation is dangerous." the head of unit 3 and I went. I don't remember his name; He was a thin and very expert Colonel. We went. There wasn't Naqdi, our Lord what must we do? Where's Naqdi? The only survivor of squad and witness of Naqdi's martyrdom came back and said: when we arrived in 15-meter near Iraqis they shot us, several bullets hit at chest and head of Naqdi. There was also a captain with martyr Naqdi who was very statuesque, Captain Niazi. In summary, Naqdi and commander of the battalion martyred. Only survivor of squad was a soldier radio operator and was rode a car, jumped down the car and hidden inside a tube is and after sunset came back. He said Naqdi at least was hit 3 or 4 bullets of an APC. 3 or 4 days after martyrdom of Naqdi who we were in advance, we found corpses of Naqdi and Niazi.

How was environment of the population after the martyrdom of Naqdi?

I do not think someone who knew Naqdi, after his martyrdom, had not cried for him. As he was kind and hardworking, Naqdi was a too strange officer. He became a martyr of an operation (Fathalmbyn) that really broke the back of Saddam.