Battle for Haditha

Battle for Haditha (2007)

Battle for Haditha is a 2007 British drama film loosely based on the controversial Haditha killings of November 2005. The film was shot in Jordan in 2007, thus keeping an authentic feel with its Middle Eastern locations. The weapons were provided by a British armorer, Bapty & Co. of London, England. Directed by British film-maker Nick Broomfield, the film is shot from the perspectives of U.S. Marines, Iraqi insurgents and the Iraqi civilians caught in the crossfire.

The film stars former U.S. military personnel and Iraqi refugees in many of the main roles. Corporal Ramirez is played by Elliot Ruiz, a former U.S. Marine who was the youngest American serviceman in the Iraq War. Captain Sampson is played by Andrew McLaren, a former USMC sergeant and Iraq War veteran, and the platoon's Navy Corpsman, "Doc", is played by Thomas Hennessy, a former U.S. Navy chief petty officer.

The following weapons are featured in the film Battle for Haditha:

Warning: Some spoilers ahead!

Handguns

Beretta 92FS

Beretta 92FS pistols (standing in for the U.S. military's Beretta M9) are used by some of the U.S. Marines during their raids. Strangely enough, when an angry mob calls for revenge on U.S. forces after they view an insurgent video about the civilian deaths caused by U.S. Marines, a Beretta 92FS is later seen being brandished by one of the angry Iraqis, when a Russian or Soviet handgun (such as a Stechkin APS or a Makarov PM) would be more appropriate. This may be because the movie's armorer did not have any Russian or Soviet handguns available at the time.

Beretta 92FS (9x19mm)

A U.S. Marine (third from left) holds a Beretta 92FS while practicing room-clearing techniques. Note that he maintains proper trigger discipline; his finger is off the trigger.

Strangely enough, an Iraqi is seen waving around a Beretta 92FS while an angry mob shouts slogans, when a Russian or Soviet handgun (such as a Stechkin APS or a Makarov PM) would be more appropriate. This may be because the movie's armorer did not have any Russian or Soviet handguns available at the time.

Rifles

M16A2

Corporal Ramirez (Elliot Ruiz) uses a M16A2, modified with a foregrip and front rail system (standing in for the M16A4 MWS), as his main weapon. Other U.S. Marines use M16A2s with ACOG sights attached to the carry handle and vertical foregrips and tactical lights mounted on A2-style handguards. Strangely, M16A2s are also seen being wielded by angry Iraqis in the aftermath of the killings; this may be because the movie's armorers may not have had enough AK-47 derivatives on hand.

M16A2 (5.56x45mm)

Corporal Ramirez is armed with an M16A2 while searching a house during a raid. Note that he maintains proper trigger discipline; the actor portraying him is a former U.S. Marine.

Corporal Ramirez aims his M16A2 following an IED attack. His M16A2 has a vertical foregrip mounted on A2-style handguards, and a tactical light mounted near the muzzle.

Another U.S. Marine aims an M16A2 with an ACOG sight.

U.S. Marines exchange fire with the fleeing insurgents.

Corporal Ramirez fires his M16A2 into a room when looking for the insurgents who had attacked his convoy earlier.

A U.S. Marine holds a M16A2 while detaining an Iraqi man who fired at them.

Strangely, Iraqi militants are also seen brandishing M16A2s. This may be because the movie's armorers may not have had enough AK-47 derivatives to go around.

Colt Model 727

Some of the U.S. Marines, including Sergeant Ross (Eric Mehalacopoulos) carry Colt Model 727s with foregrips and ACOG sights attached to the carry handles. Some of the Colt Model 727s also have front rail systems, standing in for the U.S. military's M4A1 MWS.

Colt Model 727 "M16A2 carbine" (5.56x45mm)

A U.S. Marine holds an M727 while standing watch at a Forward Operating Base guard tower.

A U.S. Marine (third from the left) holds an M727 while training.

Sergeant Ross uses an M727 as an air guitar while listening to rock music and relaxing back at the base.

A U.S. Marine shouts "Reloading!" as he reloads his Colt Model 727 after the IED attack.

A M727 is slung over the back of a U.S. Marine who is seen evacuating the casualties from the attack.

A U.S. Marine aims an M727 on a woman who is crying over the body of her deceased loved one.

Norinco Type 56-1

Former Iraqi Army officer-turned-insurgent Ahmad (Falah Falyeh) and his partner Jafar (Oliver Bytrus) fire Norinco Type 56-1 rifles while making their escape after destroying a USMC humvee with an IED. Iraqi civilians and Iraqi Army soldiers are also seen with Type 56s at various points in the film.

Norinco Type 56-1 (under-folding stock variant) - 7.62x39mm

Ahmad points a Type 56-1 at the door of a house adjoining the road where the IED is planted.

Ahmad forces the residents of the house to leave at gunpoint.

Jafar fools around with a Type 56-1 while waiting for the Americans to pass by.

Ahmad and Jafar fire their Type 56-1s as they flee from the attack.

An Iraqi man fires a Type 56-1 after seeing one of his relatives killed by U.S. Marines.

An Iraqi Army soldier returns fire with his Type-56 rifle.

Iraqi men fire Type 56-1s into the air at a funeral.

MPi-KMS-72

In several scenes, Ali (Ali Adil Aj-kaa), an Iraqi Army soldier accompanying the U.S. Marines as a translator, carries an East German MPi-KMS-72.

East German MPi-KMS-72 with sling and side-folding stock - 7.62x39mm

Ali (on the right) holds a MPi-KMS-72.

Ali tells civilians to lie down during a raid.

An Iraqi soldier holds a MPi-KMS-72 while looking for the insurgents.

Angry Iraqis wave MPi rifles. M16A2 rifles are also seen in this scene, strangely enough. This may be because the armorers may not have had enough AK-47 derivatives on hand.

Light machine guns

FN C9 Light Machine Gun

In one scene Cpl. Ramirez examines a FN C9 light machine gun (standing in for the M249 SAW) with a fixed stock, distinguishable by its open sights. The C9 is also seen when U.S. Marines are practicing room-clearing techniques.

FN C9 light machine gun - 5.56x45mm

A close-up of the barrel shows the distinctive non-hooded sights of the C9 LMG.

Corporal Ramirez opens the C9's feed tray cover.

A Marine, second from the left, holds a C9 LMG while training.

A U.S. Marine sets up a C9 before leaving on a mission.

A C9 sits on a rooftop.

Heavy machine guns

Browning M2HB

Browning M2HB heavy machine guns are mounted on USMC humvees. Note that none of them have any ammunition loaded throughout the movie; this is probably due to the fact that most of the movie's scenes involving M2HBs were shot in crowded public areas, and thus were not loaded, for safety issues, or the film armorer just did not have any ammunition available.

Browning M2HB (.50 BMG)

U.S. Marines man M2HBs while on a desert patrol.

A U.S. Marine mans a M2HB while driving through Haditha.

A U.S. Marine hops into a humvee prior to a mission.

U.S. Marines return to base following a mission. Notice that there are no rounds in the ammo box. This is probably due to the fact that most of the movie's scenes involving M2HBs were shot in crowded public areas, and thus were not loaded, for safety issues.

Other

M203 grenade launcher

M203 grenade launchers are mounted on some of the M16A2 rifles used by U.S. Marines.

M203 40mm grenade launcher mounted on a M16A2 rifle (5.56x45mm)

A U.S. Marine holds an M16A2 with an M203 mounted underneath the barrel while on a foot patrol.

M67 fragmentation grenade

During room-clearing, U.S. Marines toss M67 fragmentation grenades after the IED attack.

M67 fragmentation hand grenade

Corporal Ramirez pulls an M67 hand grenade from a vest pouch.

IED

An improvised explosive device (IED) constructed from a propane tank plays is an important plot point in the film and plays a key role in the story.

An Iraqi insurgent IED, made out of a propane tank.

Trivia

All of the Iraqi Army soldiers in the film are seen wearing the "three-color" DCU uniform, although at the timeframe that the movie takes place in (2005-2006), the Iraqi military wore the "chocolate-chip" DBDU uniform.