I thought I'd take you on a trip to see one of the local sights around town. This is the "Hands of Victory" monument.
To celebrate his "victory" over Iran, Saddam decided to build this colossal monument. As you can imagine, it dominates Baghdad's skyline - especially when you're within a mile of it.
There are two of these arched pairs of crossed swords - one at each end of the parade ground. They're about 140 feet above the highway.
The swords are actually made from the guns of dead Iraqi soldiers that were melted and recast.
Captured Iranian helmets are in a net held between the swords. And surrounding the base of the arms are another 5,000 Iranian helmets taken from the battle field. The fists that hold the swords aloft are replicas of Saddam Hussein's own hands.
When Saddam inaugurated these arches, he rode under them on a white horse.
The day before the first bombing run on Baghdad during the 1991 Gulf War, Iraqi TV showed a mass of Iraqi soldiers marching beneath the huge crossed swords of the Victory Arch, to the theme music from 'Star Wars'.
HA!!
Sorry for the delay! It takes a while to get the pictures uploaded out here with the unreliable internet connection.
More to come soon!
3 comments:
So glad to see another post! "Hands of Victory" hmmm... So macabre... Yet, so telling... Glad to hear from you Shamus! You have my e-mail. Let me know a good number to call you - Comm or DSN, either way will work.
Later,
Jason - nice photos and story!
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!
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