3AD HISTORY OF OPERATION DESERT STORM AND SPEAR

File: 081996_jul96_decls1_0173.txt
Page: 0173
Total Pages: 269

Subject: 3AD HISTORY OF OPERATION DESERT STORM AND SPEAR                 

Box  ID: BX001301

Document Number:          3

Folder Title: OPORDS AND  COMMAND AND CONTROL                                                                 

Folder Seq #:          4

Unit: 3D AD       

Parent Organzation: VII  CORPS  







                task forte. !st Armored D4vsion on our left lagged a little behind us. They
                were slowed by all their prisoners. The Marines were just south of Kuwait City
                and had taken 10,000 prisoners. The Arabs had taken 5,000 prisoners. The only
                dark spot was a number of SCUD missiles launched toward the port at Dahrant 12
                soldiers killed, 25 wounded, and 40 missing.

                   We were now about 40 kilometers west of what looked like a serious
                defense. The best of the Iraqi Army, units of the Republican Guard Forces
                Command (RGFC), stood in our path. The 3rd Battalion, 20th Field Artillery
                joined us at 2040 hours that night to reinforce our fires. At 2207 hours our
                orders changed. The 2nd Brigade was to pass through 2 ACR ten kilometers to
                the northeast on Phase Line Smash and turn east to attack into the RGFC. By
                this time the RGFC was feeling the impact of our aerial bombardment. The
                average divisional combat strength was less than 60%. Half the Madinah Armored
                Divison's 10,000 men deserted.

                   We continued the attack the morning of the  26th of February at 0730 hours.
                At 0945 hours the Brigade halted to issued new orders. The plan turned us due
                east and brought ist Brigade up on line with us an our right. The Ist Armored
                Divison would be an our left. 3rd Brigade followed us in reserve. We were to
                attack to Phase Line Tangerine before halting for the night - a distance of
                about 15 kilometers.

                   We resumed the attack about noon. By 1400 hours the wind had increased to
                !9 its from the south. 'Jisability decreased. The Brigade reached PL Tangerine
                at 1430 hours. We stcpped, refueled, and began to establish the brigade
light contact throughout the day. 3-8 Cavalry
                engaged some dismounted troops.
                   The Brigade Commander ordered the Brigade to press on to Phase Line Btille@
                15 kilometers to the east. We crossed PL Tangerine at 1450 hours anticipating
                 'ight.
                a        The Div,.srr. Artillery Commander, Col John F. Mich4@-*ch, moved
                Eattery A, 40th Field Artillery (MLRS), forward.

                   Around 1600 hours the Task Force 4-8 Scouts encountered a BRDM and ZSU
                23-4. The Iraqis used these vehicles as a forward screen or observation post
                along with infantry in bunkers about 2 kilometers or less in front of their
                tanks and APCS. The tanks and APCs were arrayed in single line - they had no
                depth to their defense. They did not task organize. Tank units lined up in
                pure organization unsupported by mechanized infantry. :Mechanized infantry did
                the same. Each company had a couple of 60 mm mortars. The unit we bumped into
                *s part of the "B" unidentified Brigade of the Tawakalna Mechanized infantry
                Division. They were reinforced with ii+antry supposedly f-o-n the 29th Infantry
                Divisions ai;cgrding to prisoner interogations. The 29th may have been part of
                t')e RGFC.' Yffeir officers carried RGFC identity cards. Their morale was low,
                however. They apparently felt abandoned out in front of the tanks. Prisoners
                later said most of the unit in front of us wished to surrender.

                   Our Battalion emplaced and prepared for action at about 1615 hours. Task
                Force 4-8 destroyed the BRDM and ZSU 23-4 about the same time and continued
                forward. The lst Meteorological Section, from Headquarters Battery, 3d Armored
                :),vision Artillery, 4law a MET balloon and transmitted the @-ata to our
B.-it'lal@on Fi;e Direct:cn Cente- at 16@@O hours.

                         -h.? nellt 2(7 .'!"f"teB ieVera" enemy ,eliicies were destroyed. -)t 1674


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Document 269 f:/Week-28/BX001301/OPORDS AND COMMAND AND CONTROL/3ad history of operation desert storm and spear:0816961333481
Control Fields 17
File Room = jul96_declassified
File Cabinet = Week-28
Box ID = BX001301
Unit = 3D AD
Parent Organization = VII CORPS
Folder Title = OPORDS AND COMMAND AND CONTROL
Folder Seq # = 4
Subject = 3AD HISTORY OF OPERATION DESERT STORM AND SPEAR
Document Seq # = 1
Document Date =
Scan Date = 18-JUL-1996
Queued for Declassification = 01-JAN-1980
Short Term Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Long Term Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Permanent Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Non-Health Related Document = 01-JAN-1980
Declassified = 16-AUG-1996