Edited sentence: By midday of 24th of April 2007, Lieutenant Colonel Rawlings decided to complete the final meeting he was involved in, and then commence the over 100km journery South, back to Tallil Air Base to conclude the operation.In the days prior to the battle, OBG(W)-2 had undertaken a Battle Group level operation within the Northern sectors of Dhi Qar Province, commencing on the 20th of April 2007.This operation was largely focussed around Key Leadership Engagement, and a show of force in the Northern townships within Dhi Qar, who had been traditional anti-coalition in sentiment.Whilst the operation did have some success, it was also met with some hostility - including the mortarting of the Battle Group Headquarters in its night hide on the night of 23rd April 2007