COMMAND CHRONOLOGY FOR PERIOD 1 FEB TO 28 FEB 1991

File: 100896_sep96_decls24_0006.txt
Page: 0006
Total Pages: 16

Subject: COMMAND CHRONOLOGY FOR PERIOD 1 FEB TO 28 FEB 1991              

Unit: 2D 12TH MAR 

Parent Organization: 10TH MARINES

Box ID: BX600025

Folder Title: COMMAND CHRONOLOGY 2ND BATTALION 12TH MARINE REGIMENT JUL 90 - JUN 91                           

Document Number:          3

Folder SEQ  #:          9




                             UNCLASSIFIED



                                    COMMAND CHRONOLOGY

          Three rounds were fired into Kuwait during daylight and 3 were fired
          at night with inconclusive results. Early that same evening a
          requirement was identified to support elements of 2nd Recon who were
          conducting operations inside Kuwait. Four of the howitzers were
          withdrawn and replaced with the remaining guns from Battery "B" to
          counter enemy activity along the Kuwait border and support Recon.

             The 21st was spent on a Battalion CPX and final preparations for
          the assault into Kuwait now scheduled for the 24th. The Battalion
          fired its first combat missions on the 22nd of February when Battery
          "L" fired 6 rounds in support of 2nd LAI. On the 23rd 2nd Battalion,
          12th Marines continued to fire observer adjusted missions in support
          of 2nd LAI. BDA included one company sized unit neutralized, one
          trenchline position destroyed, and one tank company immobilized and
          later destroyed by CAS. On the afternoon of the 23rd, as a huge cloud
          of black smoke obliterated the eastern sky, 2nd Battalion, 12th
          Marines moved forward and at 1900 crossed into Kuwait. The battalion
          occupied positions vic grid QS 5397 to support the breach scheduled to
          begin the following morning. At 0450 and 0510 on the 24th two
          missions were fired in support of 2nd LAI. At 0530 the battalion
          began firing the division prep fires and answering calls for fire from
          forward observers with 6th Marines as their normal DS battalion, 2/10,
          went through the breach. Because of the volume of ammunition usage
          anticipated 5 LVS's were used to transport the prep ammo. At 1400
          Battery "D" captured the battalions first EPWs when 5 Iraqis, moving
          south, surrendered during a battery fire mission. MOPP level 2 was
implemented at 1430. At 1530 the battalion displaced and, amid
          sporadic incoming fires, crossed the breach and set up positions in
          the vic grid OT 6121 to reinforce 2nd Battalion, 10th Marines.
          Crossing the breach took about 1 hour and was notable for its relative
          ease. Later that day after being tested by the HOs Battery NBC NCO
          small amounts of a chemical agent were detected on several of the
          vehicles. This validated the donning of MOPP gear and made everyone
          more aware of the potential threat. At the next position, the MOPP
          level was reduced to MOPP-0. The 25th was spent answering calls for
          fire and reinforcing 2nd Battalion, 10th Marines. At 0930 Battery "S'
          reported enemy fires impacting to the rear of their position. Shortly
          after Battery "L" reported rounds impacting on their left flank and
          Battery "B" reported impacts between Battery "D" and themselves. In
          all approximately 9 to 12 round impacted within the battalion zone.
          Replot grids were reported by radar and a fire mission was begun
          almost immediately. Following a battalion 2 rounds of DPICM no more
          incoming rounds were reported. With the number of units forced
          through the breach, coordination of friendly terrain was difficult.
          The battalion occupied a 2 km by 2 km area making it vulnerable to
          counterfire. Because of this, 10th Marines was very active in
          processing and attacking Iraqi indirect fire systems. At 1920 the
          battalions mission was changed to General Support Reinforcing (GSR) to





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Document 16 f:/Week-38/BX600025/COMMAND CHRONOLOGY 2ND BATTALION 12TH MARINE REGIMENT JUL 90 - JUN 91/command chronology for period 1 feb to 28 feb 19:100196125403
Control Fields 17
File Room = sep96_declassified
File Cabinet = Week-38
Box ID = BX600025
Unit = 2D 12TH MAR
Parent Organization = 10TH MARINES
Folder Title = COMMAND CHRONOLOGY 2ND BATTALION 12TH MARINE REGIMENT JUL 90 - JUN 91
Folder Seq # = 9
Subject = COMMAND CHRONOLOGY FOR PERIOD 1 FEB TO 28 FEB 19
Document Seq # =
Document Date =
Scan Date =
Queued for Declassification = 01-JAN-1980
Short Term Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Long Term Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Permanent Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Non-Health Related Document = 01-JAN-1980
Declassified = 01-OCT-1996