7TH ENGR BDE COMMANDER REPT VOL 18A

File: 970815_sep96_decls58_0035.txt
Page: 0035
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









           Those who do not surrender are covered and crushed. Within
           minutes eight lanes are opened through the first obstacle belt.
           In short order sixteen lanes are open, marked and divided for one
           way, two way, wheeled or tracked traffic. Everywhere there are
           engineers blowing up enemy fortifications. Giant engineer
           equipment pushes aside debris and roads appear in the desert.
           Everywhere there is noise, dust, smoke, and the deafening roar of
           gunfire. It is synchronized perfectly.

                 The armored forces quickly push through the breach and move
           northward to secondary objectives. Engineers erect a multitude
           of giant
                   ,..iparking panels miles before the breach. Each set of
           panels get narrower enabling one to easily follow the prescribed
           preplanned lane. Military Police are positioned for traffic
           control and escort. Everything proceeds with speed, great fire
           power, and exactly according to plan. As fast as the combat
           units move forward, combat heavy engineers with dozers and
           graders are tucked right behind them creating roads. Always
           moving north. Not far behind are long lines of logistical
           vehicles carrying ammunition, precious fuel, water, and food.
           This will sustain our drive into Kuwait.

                 The weather turns sour. The wind blows dust everywhere and
           then the rains come, in torrents. Visibility drops but nothing
           slows. In the twilight the landscape takes on a surrealistic
           look - mud, tangled wire, burning Iraqi vehicles, endless lines
           of men and equipment moving north while other lines of dirty
           exhausted and beaten Iraqi prisoners move South.

                 Nightfall finds us through the initial breach. The speed
           has been unbelievable. While tanks and supply trucks move
           northward through the breach, long lines of enemy prisoners
           stream southward. One look in their face lots you know they are
           a beaten force. They have seen enough war. Unfortunately in
           other locations Iraqis are fighting furiously       often to their
           death.

                    Engineers clearing bunkers, obstacle systems and
           constructing roads capture large number of prisoners. Even
           though some white flags are present, soldiers never relax their
           alertness. There are considerable reports of Iraqi's using white
           flags to lure allied forces into unsuspecting ambush sites.
           Engineers take no chances. Taking prisoners is serious business
           They are handled humanly and passed to the rear quickly.







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