7TH ENGR BDE COMMANDER REPT VOL 18A

File: 970815_sep96_decls58_0042.txt
Page: 0042
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







               Engineers have converted a large divided highway north of
           Quwait City, into a hasty C-130 landing strip. we move around
           the activity as supplies arrive by air.

               In time we reach the tangle of wrecked trucks, cars, tanks,
           armored personnel carriers, and vehicles of every type. It is
           almost a kilometer wide stretching for almost five miles. This
           is what was left after our Air Force caught the last Iraqis
           fleeing from Quwait City. The Iraqis have stolen every
           conceivable thing from Kuwait. The ground is littered with
           priceless family possessions. Even ambulances, fire trucks, and
           school-buses were stolen and loaded with the personal effects of
           Kuwaitie@ -citizens. Mixed with the civilian goods are hundreds of
           weapons, grenades, missiles, military equipment, helmets, mortar
           rounds, and other dangerous explosives. Everything imaginable is
           strewn about. Iraqi soldiers stole toilets, lights, clothes,
           food, personal family effects -- everything. There is nothing
           one could think of that was not visible. My driver remarks, "My
           God, how could they do this?" Kuwaitie citizens are digging in
           the piles of debris. Many are weeping. They range from old
           grandfathers to small young girls. it is one of the most heart
           breaking events I have witnessed.
               I have momentary flashbacks to Vietnam - of villages after
           the VietCong attacked in the night, torturing, raping, and
           savagely killing everyone. Again, my heart cries out at this
           great injustice. We all agree, we did not kill enough Iraqi
           soldiers!

               Inside the city we are greeted like conquering heroes.
           Everywhere there are Quwaitie citizens waving, giving the "VI' for
           victory and yelling, "Thank you ..... USA". It is a moving scene.
           Clearly these people have been through hell. We are
           uncomfortable and anxious to return to our bivouac site in the
           desert.

               Back at the field site the staff has made everything
           operational. We expect be here only three or four days. With
           the informal cease fire all of us expect to be out of Iraq very
           soon. We soon learn this will not occur.

               our new mission is defense of Kuwait. Engineer have a now
           mission: Destruction and denial of Iraqi military equipment in
           sector. We form an Engineer Task Force and have Explosive
           Ordnance Detachment (EOD) experts attached.





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