7TH ENGR BDE COMMANDER REPT VOL 18A

File: 970815_sep96_decls58_0034.txt
Page: 0034
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








                 All of us are now wearing cumbersome chemical protection
          suits and rubber boots over our regular uniforms. They are
          uncomfortable, very hot and the charcoal filter lining turns
          hands, face, and neck sooty black. We genuinely expect him to
          launch chemical strikes at our forces while they are breaching
          his obstacles. We are ready to don masks and rubber gloves
          instantly going to the highest levels of chemical protection.
          Chemical decontamination units are moved up. we live in the
          miserable chemical suits for several days.

               0400 hours, Sunday, 24 February 1991. The world shakes in
          Southwest Asia. On our left flank XVIII Airborne Corps strikes
          out with@'-Iighting speed. On our right flank the Arab coalition
          forces attack with fury. Further east the Marines hit the tangle
          of obstacles along the coast. VII Corps is the point of main
          effort. We have diligently managed to deceive the enemy of own
          actual intent. Our deception plan has worked. we strike where
          he does not expect.

               The stillness of a Sunday afternoon is broken by hundreds of
          guns firing heavy artillery at our objectives. Spectacular
          displays occur as the Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) fires
          salvo after salvo into Iraq. For two hours tons of steel are
          hurled at the first obstacle system, suspected minefields, trench
          and bunker complexes, and dug in artillery. Attack helicopters
          roar overhead. It is the most awesome display of firepower I
          have ever seen. Men do not talk, only watch.

               Great tanks fitted with special nine plows and rakes jump
          forward clearing initial paths through obstacles. Combat
          engineers position mine clearing charges immediately behind the
          tanks. When minefields are discovered, engineers fire a rocket
          over the tanks that pulls out a long line of explosives. The
          line charge is then detonated creating an unbelievable blast.
          This marks a lane, clears some mines, and renders any enemy
          troops in the area completely ineffective. Bull dozers have been
          fitted with special steel protection. They push into the breach
          clearing and widening each lane. The M9 Armored Combat Engineer
          Vehicle (ACE) is used to attack bunkers and trenches with its
          sturdy blade. There is resistance but Iraqi soldiers begin to
          surrender in large quantities. Those that stay and fight are
          quickly overrun. The tanks are busy destroying Iraqi tanks and
          fighting vehicles. Engineers are clearing bunkers and blowing up
          enemy equipment. The M9 ACE crushes bunkers and destroys
          trenches.






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