197TH INF BDE MECH ODS SUMMARY OF OPNS 17 JAN 10 MAR 91

File: 971203_aug97_sagwi1_0015.txt
Page: 0015
Total Pages: 20
Subject = 197TH INF BDE MECH ODS SUMMARY OF OPNS 17 JAN 10 MAR 91         

Box ID = BX007009

Folder Title = REQUEST FOR DECLASS AND UPLOADING OF DOCUMENTS 11 JUL 97                                        

Unit = OSAGWI      

Parent Org = USAGWD      










                3 Map 9 1                The official cease fire was announced
                                         031500 Mar 91.    Effective immediately,
                                         enemy soldiers or vehicles were not to ISO
                                         brought under, fire or% retained in aby way.
                                         Bypassed enemy had authority to transit
                                         friendly lines.    The CINC anticipated no
                                         further engagements.     Units retained the
                                         right to defend themselves.      A 2 kilometer
                                         DMZ was established along the Baghdad,
                                         Basrah Railroad. Units were to destroy
                                         all enemy equipment within the next 48
                                         hour%g.

                4-8 Mar 91               Brigade completed the destruction mission
                                         and con tinued recovery operations.      Ord erg
                                         were issued-to conduct a tactical road
                                         march south to Saudi Arabia beginning
                                         O8i3OG Mar 91,    By 8 Mar 01, all personnel
                                         were accounted for and TF Bufiyea was
                                         completing recovery operations of the last
                                         M88 mired in mud southeast of Tallil Air
                                         Base.

                9 Mar 91                 Brigade conducted the final tactical road
                                         march beginning 090530 Mar 91 to AA
                                         Victory North, astride Tap Line Road
                                         northwest of Hafer Al Satin, Kingdom
                                         of Saudi Arabia. Order of march was
                                         TF 2-18, Brigade TAC CP, 4-41 FA,
                                         TF 2-69, Brigade MAIN CP, 299th
                                         Engineer Battalion (-), TF 1-18, and the
                                         197th Support Battalion.      The Brigade
                                         closed with assembly areas in Saudi Arabia
                                         at 100530 Mar 91, a distance of 396
                                         kilometers from AA Hammer..     The total
                                         distance of the Sledgehammer Brigade
                                         advance from 24 Fab - 9 Mar 91 was 76S
                                         kilometers.    All personnel and equipment
                                         were accounted for.

                Conclusion               The 197th Infantx%Sr'Brigade attacked in the
                                         Division left zone., deep into the
                                         Euphrates River Valley to cut the
                                         Iraqi lines of communications.        The
                                         plan, bold and decisive, worked as
                                         anticipated. Actfons within the
                                         Euphrates River Valley and TF 2-69
                                         raid on Tallil Ai@.Base caused the
                                         Iraqi leadership to order retreat
                                         Baghdad was threatened and the main
                                         supply routes to the Kuwaiti theater
                                         of operations were cut. The 284
                                         kilometer attack to the Euphrates
                                         River Valley in 51 hours may well set
                                         the standard lop future maneuver
                                         warfare.

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