7TH ENGR BDE COMMANDER REPT VOL 18A

File: 970815_sep96_decls58_0026.txt
Page: 0026
Total Pages: 49
Subject = 7TH ENGR BDE COMMANDER REPT VOL 18A                             

Parent Organization = ARCENT      

Unit = VII CORPS   

Folder Title = 7TH ENGR BDE-COMMANDER REPT-VOL 18A -FORWARD AND COMMANDERS PERSPECTIVE                         

Document Number =          1

Box ID = BX000313







               So many solders, so much equipment. The risks continued to
          increase. while commanders focused on minimizing casualties in
          the coming battle, noncombat accidents began to create new
          concern. The already clogged roadways began to experience
          multiple vehicular accidents. There were grievous injuries and
          fatalities. The density of aircraft dictated that sooner or
          later mishaps were bound to occur. They did, and with grim
          results. A bunker collapsed killing two soldiers who thought
          they were out of harm's way. A lighting strike during a storm
          left one soldier brain dead and another seriously injured. There
          were occasional accidental shootings. with so much exposure in
          an inherently dangerous business, the obvious was bound to occur.
          Commanders at every level worked vigorously to minimize or
          prevent mishaps and needless accidents. Some did not do enough
          and they were quickly relieved. In war there is little room for
          error. Careers are placed on the line literally around the
          clock. This is the price of responsibility.

               The air war continued with increasing frequency. Border
          skirmishes increased. There were defections by the enemy, an act
          we hoped would greatly multiply. Intelligence from multiple
          sources studied the battlefield. Artillery moved into position
          and helicopter patrol flights increased. Clashes between ground
          patrols became more numerous. with little doubt the ground
          offensive was rapidly approaching. VII Corps would lead the way.
          Combat engineers would lead the Jayhawk Corps.

               Saturday nights and soldiers joke about hitting the town,
          looking for a little action. Everyone laughed. There were no
          towns, alcohol was strictly prohibited and there was enough
          action all around. Artillery fired, jets filled the sky, and not
          far away intense border skirmishes occurred between probing
          patrols -- on both sides. The war was getting extremely close.

               Soldiers discussed families, recalled fun events and talked
          about kids. A normal life seemed far away. Hearts ached for
          loved ones, and soldiers desperately missed the conveniences of a
          "flush" toilet, real bed, and a meal with "honest to God"
          silverware. There was increasingly less talk about home, loved
          ones, and normal lives. Part was a defensive mechanism to
          prevent further pain, but most, however, was because the war
          consumed every second of ones' efforts. There simply was not
          time to think about the past. Operational necessity required
          full involvement on the task at hand. The exceptional fleeting
          thought of anything other than the desert and the war seemed
          alien and foreign and just did not fit in. Quickly written and
          disjointed letters reflected this thought process. We hoped
          loved ones would understand.



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