3D ARMORED DIVISION ARTILLERY HISTORICAL SUMMARY ODS PHASES III

File: 970815_sep96_decls15_0009.txt
Page: 0009
Total Pages: 11

Subject = 3D ARMORED DIVISION ARTILLERY HISTORICAL SUMMARY ODS PHASES III

Parent Organization = ARCENT

Unit = VII CORPS

Folder Title = VII CORPS ARTY-BOOK 3-COMMANDER REPT-TAB I-3D AD ARTY HIST SUMM PHASES II-VI VOL 17C

Document Number = 3

Box ID = BX000313

At 0457 hours, the Divarty received the -Following adjacent unit update
from the Division MAIN: " On the 3 AD north, the I AD is in contact with
the Tawakalna Division. Brigades of I AD at the following locations: 1
Bde grid PU 803E), 2Bdo grid PU 8046, 3 Bde grid PU 8031. On the 3 AD
south, the I ID is also in contact with the Tawakaina Division. Brigades
of I ID at the following locations: 1/4 CAV screening the center at grid
PU 7000, 1 Bde grid PT 8090, 2Bde grid PU 7090, 3 Bde grid PU 8080.

In order to establish the Force Field Artillery Headquarters well
forward with the majority of artillery delivery systems, the Divarty S-3
started coordination with the 421) FAB. At approximately 0900 hrs, the
Divarty S-3 coordinated with the 42D FAB for the condctct of Mutual Support
Unit (MSU) operations. The Brigade became the 3 AD Force Field Artillery
Headquarters while the Divarty displaced forward. At 0959 the Divarty
Headquarters moved to support Division operations and the 42D FAB assumed
control.

At this time, the Division had two brigades on line with 2D Brigade in
the north and IST Brigade in the south oriented to the east along Phase
Line Bullet. The 4-82 FA planned a preparation to support the passage of
lines. The passage was planned for early morning, and the prep was
eventually fired at 0720 hours. The battalion fired a 72 round prep on
three targets at grids: PT 733228, PT 728@417, and PT 71926a. Two tanks
and a BMP were destroyed. There was an additional delay before the
passage actually started about 1000 hours. The 3D Brigade passed through
the 2D Brigade in the north and the Division pressed the attack forward
toward Phase Line Lime and Objective Dorsett. The 3-20 FA executed it's
on order mission to reinforce 2-82 FA. A/40 FA assumed it's mission as
well- general support rein-Forcing 2-e2 FA. Upon completion of the
passage, 2-82 FA occupied now positions and fired 196 DPICM rounds against
dug in Iraqi infantry and armor positions at grids PT 870240 and PT
E378232. The battalion destroyed 9 T-55 tanks and 2 bunker complexes. The
2D Brigade became the Division reserve with a be prepared to follow and
support mission. Consequently, 4-82 FA maintained it's Direct Support
mission to the 2D Brigade.

In the southern zone, 2-3 FA and 2-29 FA initiated the action by
firing at trucks and bunkers in two separate missions. Together in mass
they expended 24 rounds of DPICM, 47 rounds of WP and 45 rounds of High
Explosive munitions. At about 1000 hours the IST Brigade, it's Direct
Support Artillery, 2-3 FA and 2-2c? FA reinforcing moved forward to
continue the attack.

On or about the time of- the passage the Division Commander authorized
the Combat Aviation Brigade to send attack helicopters after targets in
Objective Dorsett. Since the objective was well in range of surface fire
support assets (MLRS rockets, and FA cannon), the Fire Support Element
established a line (the 85 North/South grid line) beyond which any fires
had to be coordinated with the Combat Aviation Brigade (CAB) Fire Support
Officer. In effect, this established a maneuver zone +or the CAB.

Throughout the day, the Divarty TOC moved in the southern zone behind
the 1ST Brigade. At 1400 the IST Bde made contact with the enemy. By
1454 hours, B Battery 2-3 FA was engaging Tanks with DPICM. The Divarty
HO conducted a hasty occupation at approximately 1500 hrs (grid Pu e2Ol7O)
and provided control of supporting fires. The occupation site was in
close proximity to 2-3 FA and the 2-29 FA, and the members of the Divarty
TOC could observe the 4iring several hundred meters ahead.