This is the ÔBand of BrothersÕ story of the American soldiers ordered to topple Saddam Hussein Ð told by the British reporter sent to share their lives, hopes and fears.
The American tank company known as the ÔBlack KnightsÕ were among the first units of the US 3rd Infantry Division to see combat when, twelve hours after entering Iraq, they helped seize a major airfield.
Eight hundred miles and almost a month later, they led the American army as it advanced into the outskirts of Baghdad, through positions held by thousands of Republican Guards.
By the time the first statues of Saddam were toppled, the soldiers had been through a terrifying baptism of fire - and had inflicted terrible casualties on the Iraqis.
The things they did and saw on that deadly trek into the heart of the Iraqi state would change them all for ever.