BATTLE DAMAGE ASSESSMENT 18 JUN 91

File: 980715_sep96_sagwi1_0029.txt
Page: 0029
Total Pages: 128
Subject = BATTLE DAMAGE ASSESSMENT   18 JUN 91                            

Box ID = BX002441

Folder title = HQS 4-32 ARMORDED BATTLE DAMAGE ASSESSMENT 18 JUN  1991                                         

Unit = TRADOC      

Parent = TRADOC      

         





                          I—
                                       BATTLE DAMAGE ASSESSEERT
         C
         
         
                 HQs, 4th Squadron, 7th Cavalry
         
         
                 A.  GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF TACTICAL_SITUATIONS On 26 Febrtiary 1991,
                 SAD was conducting a movement to contact against the Iraqi
         •       Republican Guard Forces Command, -specifically the Tawalkana Armored
                 Division, just shy of the northwestern Kuwaiti border. ; 4—7 CAY was
                 conducting a moving screen on SAD's southern (right) flank. A/4-.7
                 CAV was the lead ground troop; two -platoons were arranged in d~pth
                 clearing the zone between SAn and the screen line. One platoon was
                 on the screen line proper. The load..platoon, 31A/4-7 CAY, 'was using
                 bounding overwatch by section. _See enclosure 41.
         
                 B.  E24OWLEDGE OFSNEMY S ITUAflON -AND C~TAfl~TY OF ?EA~' fl4FORMAfl ON:
                 Although A/4-.7 CAY Iciew the gtnera2. location of the Tawalkana
                 Armored Division (to within approxfriately 10K) prior to crossing the
                 LD, it did -not know any enemy dispositions, orientation, or
                 composition. Just prior to making contact, A14-.7 CAV was told that
                 the bulk of the Republican Guards was in full retreat northeast
                 towards Basra and that 3AD was not in pursuit. However,
                 dispositions and movement techniques remained unchanged.
         
                 C.  TERRAIN AND ENVIRO1~4fl1TAL CONDITIONS-PRBCIPITM'IOIq, DUST, SMOKE,
                 LIGHT CONDITIONS, DATE, TIME, SW: Contact with the enemy 'was made
                 at approximately 1530 hrs on 26 Feb 91. Dusk was approaching, the
                 sky was overcast, and a sandstorm was blowing limiting naked eye
                 visibility to under 300m. Thermal sights increased visibility to
                 just under 1000 meters. Smoke was not a factor.
         
                 D.  DThAMICSOE INTERACTION: ~he action was joined when 3/A/4-7 CAY
                 gained visibility and engaged.-en~my troops at a range of between 300
                 and 400 meters. The Iraqi infantry initially returned small arms
                 fire. (I think tbaCThe enenry infantry, at least, were shooting nt
                 A/4-7 CAVs muzzle flashes).~ ~6tb 2/A/4—7 CAV cane on line and
                 engaged troops and B~s (fl0-1) at ~dnges from about 100 meters to
                 400 meters and tanks (T—72)at ranges of about 300 meters to 800
                 meters. We engaged with TOW2and TOw2A, 25~ EEl and 3d', 7.62
                 (COAX) and lS5xmu (OPICH). The.4r.aqi—torces returned fire with small
                 arms, machine gun (12.7nmi and 14.Simn), 73mm (B'fP—1), RPGs, ATGM,
                 125mm sabot (T—72), and indirecifires. 1&/4—7 CAt? was in contact
                 for app:oxirately.one~honx. See..enclosures 2,3 & 4.
         
                 E.  RAXCE OF ENGAGEMENT: See par~grapfl ix
         
                 F.  SENSOR INFOflY~A2'ION-SYSTfl~I USED: Enemy acquisition was achieved
                 with thermal sights only. The engag~ent tas fought entirely with
                 thermal sights.