Although Ding Zhennan always felt that the first phase of the assault operation did not go very smoothly, strictly speaking, the battle to attack Basra went quite well.
On the night of the 18th, which was the day the attack was relaunched, the assault forces led by Liu Zunshan had already moved to the outskirts of Nasiriyah.
According to Ding Zhennan's deployment, the 5th Marine Division mobilized the campaign reserve team in the afternoon, occupied an open area adjacent to Highway 1 outside Nasiriyah through an air assault. After establishing the defensive line, a field runway was leveled out, providing takeoff and landing space for transport aircraft.
Before the assault forces arrived, more than 30 tactical transport aircraft arranged by Ding Zhennan delivered approximately 700 tons of ammunition and supplies. Besides providing supplies to the assault forces, they also delivered equipment needed for the expansion of the camp to the air assault forces guarding the area.
