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Georgian Army-Boot Camp to Battle Ground

Georgian Soldiers which just returned from the Front Line in South Ossetia resting at the Eredvi Village.. August 2004

Georgian Soldiers which just returned from the Front Line in South Ossetia resting at the Eredvi Village.. August 2004

In August 2004, on-and-off fighting flared up between Georgia and South Ossetia, leading to an explosive situation that pitted South Ossetian militia and Russian mercenaries against Georgian soldiers. In response to the firing, the Georgian government deployed its US-trained and equipped 113th battalion, placing one company, or about 150 men, inside the southernmost village of Tamaracheni to defend the Georgians living in the valley.The buildup of Georgian non-peacekeeping forces within South Ossetia was the largest since the end of the 1991-1992 civil war. Georgian forces seized the hills above Tskhinvali, the South Ossetian capital, on August 19, but the next day, Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili, under international pressure, had announced their withdrawal as "a last chance for peace."

Donald Rumsfield in Tbilisi at the Press Conference with the Leaders of Rose Revolution, Nino Burjanadze, Mikheil Saakashvili and Zurab Zhvania. December 2003 Georgian Soldiers at the Training. 2004 Georgian soldier standing by J.Stalin Portrait hanging on the wall at the Office at Vaziani Military Base. Georgian Soldiers at their first day of training conducted by US soldiers. Georgian Soldier at the Old Soviet Base used by the Army since Georgia became independet country. US Marine conducting Martial Art and Camuflage Training for Georgian Soldiers. Georgian Army on the Training in Vaziani Base -preparing them to be deployed in Iraq as Peacekeeping forces. Georgian Army and American Instructor on the Training in Vaziani Base -preparing them to be deployed in Iraq as Peacekeeping forces. Georgian Army practicing maintaining peace at the check point during the Training in Vaziani Base -preparing them to be deployed in Iraq as Peacekeeping forces. Georgian Army on the Training in Vaziani Base -preparing them to be deployed in Iraq as Peacekeeping forces. Farewell Party of Georgian Soldiers leaving for Iraq. Familly members say good by to Georgian Soldiers leaving for Iraq. Georgian Soldiers with their belongings are leaving for Iraq. Georgian Soldiers which just returned from the Front Line in South Ossetia resting at the Eredvi Village.. August 2004 Georgian Soldiers by the entrance to Gori inspecting the area with binoculars. Georgian soldier walking from the explosion site in the village Mereti. About 11.300 unidentified airplane dropped bombs on the outskirts of village Mereti destroying two cars. People were injured but It is unknown how many and if there were civilians among them. Wounded Georgian soldier is brought to the Army hospital in Gori. All wounded in the battle-both soldiers and civilians are brought here .Lists with their names hang outside the hospital. On the second day of war people gathered outside the hospital to watch constant arrival of new wounded soldiers. Georgian soldier whose battalion just return from the front line is greeting his family member.Other woman gather around him asking names of their relatives and any new the soldier can provide them with. All wounded in the battle-both soldiers and civilians are brought here .Lists with their names hang outside the hospital. Georgian priests and nuns are covering bodies of Georgian Soldiers in front of church in Gori.Bodies will be taken to Tbilisi. Georgian Priests with Patriarch Ilia II -head of Georgia Orthodox church were allowed for the first time into Gori to pick up bodies of Georgian Soldiers.Bodies were collected in the area of villages Nikozi and Shindishi.Soldiers were probably burned in the track-registration plate of the car is on the top of the bodies. Georgian Special Forces move out towards Gori from area where armored vehicle was destroyed in first days of conflict. Minutes before we took a hide after shooting was heard in the area. Paata (middle) and Soso talking to family outside of Republican Hospital. Both soldiers were seriously wounded during fights in Tskhinvali. They are from Eredvi-village in the South Ossetia and now they became refugees. Georgian Policeman talking to Ossetian soldier stationed on Igoeti check point-40 km from Tbilisi. Soldiers fighting on the Ossetian side were wearing all kinds of army Uniforms.They wore white clothe on the arm-to mark and recognize each other. Georgian Army truck on the way to Gori passing the sculpture of Georgian King-David the builder-famous for uniting Georgia. After first agreement that Russians will be retreating from Georgia -Georgian Army started slowly moving towrads Gori which they left in panic two days before ,on August 12th. Georgian soldier visiting his village Tortize.About 30 percent of village inhabitants returned to the village located on the edge of so called buffer zone.Before the war Georgians fully controlled that territory and villages around -now it is not clear when and how far they will be able to go back there. According to locals during initial fighting 40 bombs fell into the village causing death of 6 people and leaving 15 injured.