OPNS DESERT SHIELD STORM CMD REPORT 1ST INF DIV MECH 19 APR 91

File: 970815_sep96_decls21_0010.txt
Page: 0010
Total Pages: 12
Subject = OPNS DESERT SHIELD STORM CMD REPORT  1ST INF DIV MECH  19 APR 91

Parent Organization = ARCENT      

Unit = VII CORPS   

Folder Title = 1ST ID ANNEX A MEMO AND CHRONOLOGICAL SUMMARY OF EVENTS 26 MAR 91                               

Document Number =          1

Box ID = BX000305





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             at 1500 and PL COLORADO was secured by 1800. The Division's
             losses included 1 KIA and I WIA--no equipment was lost.

                        (2) After a short artillery preparation on the
             morning of 25 Februaryr 3d Brigade passed through 2d Brigade.
             At 0600, all three brigades attacked on line. The 26th (IZ)
             Infantry Division was destroyed and its brigade and division
             command posts captured. Most Iraqis chose to surrender, but
             those who did not were engaged with direct fire or plowed
             under their trench lines and bunkers by tanks with mine plows
             and M9 ACES. PL NEW JERSEY was secured by 1100 and the
             decision was made to conduct the forward passage of the l(UK)
             Armored Division. At 1200, the passage of I (UK) AD began.
             The passage of over 7,000 vehicles was complete by 260200C
             Feb9l.


                        (3) The Division continued the attack on the
             morning of 26 February as the Corps reserve. By 1200 the
             combat elements had outraced the Division Headquarter's
             communications. The Division Main, racing to catch upr
             would not link up with the Division again until the cease-
             fire. At 2200 the Division passed through the 2ACR, which
             had made contact with the TAWAKALNA Mech Division of the
             Republican Guards. lst Brigade attacked the northern portion
             of OBJ NORFOLK held by a brigade of the TAWAYALNA. 3d
             Brigade attacked in the south against the 37th Brigade of the
             12 (IZ) AD. Both enemy brigades were destroyed by 0430 on 27
             February. The Division refueled at PL MILFORD.

                        (4) By 271000C February, the Division was
             attacking again. At this point the operation had
             transitioned into an exploitation. Thousands of enemy
             prisoners were taken. Nearly every Divisional element
             captured prisoners, including the DMAIN as it tried to close
             the gap with the rest of the Division. At 1900 the Division
             was ordered by VII CORPS to stop short of the assigned OBJ
             DENVER. However, by the time the order was received 1-4 CAV
             had already cut the Basrah - Kuwait City highway in the
             center of the objective. As they attacked north to the Iraqi
             border, 1-4 CAV took over 1500 EPWS.

                        (5) At 280400C February, the Division was ordered
             to continue the attack. The Division continued the attack to
             secure OBJ DENVER at 0530. At 0723, the Commanding General,
             ARCENT, ordered a cessation of offensive operations. The
             Division consolidated on OBJ DENVER and began to
             systematically destroy all enemy equipment in zone.