COMMAND CHRONOLOGY FOR THE PERIOD 1 JAN TO 13 APR 91

File: 100896_sep96_decls8_0011.txt
Page: 0011
Total Pages: 31

Subject: COMMAND CHRONOLOGY FOR THE PERIOD 1 JAN TO 13 APR 91            

Unit: 2ND MARDIV  

Parent Organization: 2 MEF       

Box ID: BX600014

Folder Title: COMMAND CHRONOLOGY 2ND MARINE DIVISION 1 OF 10  JAN - APRIL 1991                                

Document Number:          3

Folder SEQ  #:          4




                               UNCLASSIFIED

        the midst of this news, at 2040, a message was received that a
        chemical attack in the 2d Division area was probable. All personnel
        north of 28 degrees, 8 minutes were ordered to put on KOPP gear
        immediately. The commanding General directed the Headquarters
        Commandant to pass the word to headquarters personnel to have their
        KOPP gear ready, but not on.(S9) Meanwhile, intelligence nets
        continued reporting more enemy Movements. At 2050, 60 Vehicles were
        crossing the border within five kilometers of OP-3. At the same
        time# 74 tanks were reported moving parallel along the border.(60)
        At 2032, the NEF directed all personnel located above the Kibrit road
        to go to KOPP level 3.(Gl) The Commanding General personally passed
        this information on to the 6th Marines.(62) All through this time
        the COC received reports of enemy movement within southern Kuwait.
        The largest such concentration contained 170 vehicles, and was
        located in the cultivated area of Al Wafrah, just above the
        division's sector. At 2122, the G-3 announced to the watch section
        that the vehicles were being attacked by air.(63)

           The anticipated enemy attack into the division zone never
        materialized. Towards 2200 it was obvious that the Iraqi forces had
        been severely hurt north of the Kuwaiti border. The only place in
        which they were partially successful was in the Saudi sector, where
        they entered the city of Al Khafji and held portions of it for over
        24 hours. By 2204, the MEF lowered the HOPP level to 2. By 2205f
        the COC was notified of a B-52 strike to be dropped on enemy units at
        Al Wafrah at 231S. While this dramatic support was anxiously awaited
        by the members of the watch, the COC was notified at 2250 that the
        strike had been diverted. Calls from the G-3 were unsuccessful in
ng why this strike was taken from a target of this
        size.(64)

           Both nights the actions of all members of the watch staff were
        noteworthy. The attitude of allo in the face of real or "imminent"
        incursions, was very positive, even expectant. The actions of the
        officers and enlisted men were marked by a calm concentration and a
        quiet efficiency in execution. This smooth functioning was the
        result of considerable practice and exercise. Yet, in the reality of
        a combat situation, it is the mark of professional competence. These
        probes by the Iraqis may not have led to a serious engagement by the
        division, but they did provide the best possible experience in
        command and control. It was to pay dividends in the weeks ahead.


        7. DISPLACEMENT TO FINAL ASSEMBLY AREAS

           With the approval of a second breach of Iraqi defensive lines by
        2d Marine Division, a final move to an entirely new defensive sector
        was necessary. To place itself in the best position from which to
        launch its attack, the division had to move west and north, through
        the ist Marine Division's sector and around the "heel" of the Kuwaiti
        border to the area known as the "elbow". This movement of an entire
        division across the enemy's front had considerable risk, especially
        if confronted by an active enemy supported by accurate intelligence
        gathering assets. Fortunately, it was becoming clear that the Iraqis
             either not getting good intelligence or were unable to met upca


                                         II-ii


                                UNCLASSIFIED

Document 31 f:/Week-35/BX600014/COMMAND CHRONOLOGY 2ND MARINE DIVISION 1 OF 10 JAN - APRIL 1991/command chronology for the period 1 jan to 13 ap:100196125355
Control Fields 17
File Room = sep96_declassified
File Cabinet = Week-35
Box ID = BX600014
Unit = 2ND MARDIV
Parent Organization = 2 MEF
Folder Title = COMMAND CHRONOLOGY 2ND MARINE DIVISION 1 OF 10 JAN - APRIL 1991
Folder Seq # = 4
Subject = COMMAND CHRONOLOGY FOR THE PERIOD 1 JAN TO 13 AP
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