COMMAND CHRONOLOGY FOR THE PERIOD 1 JAN TO 13 APR 91

File: 100896_sep96_decls8_0015.txt
Page: 0015
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


                           0       UNCLASSIFIED I*

         mission and w4@hdr-, u@,v        the berm. AS previously mentioned,
         it was anticipated th&L Lae cutting of the berm in the northwest, in
         concert with operations by 2d LAI Battalion, would draw the enemy's
         attention and forces to that area and away from the actual point of
         assault.(79)

            Another benefit of 2d LAI's operations in the days prior to the
         attack, occurred when the enemy began to use his artillery against
         them. Up until this time the division had a pol' _        Uuacxing
         targets with air, while leaving the division's artillery quiet in
         order to prevent disclosure of their locations to the enemy's
         counterbattery radar. The Commanding General now released his
         artillery assets to conduct counterbattery fires to attack these
         lucrative targets.(80) In almost continuous contact with the enemy
         for three days, LAI Battalion had come under mortar and heavy
         artillery fire on at least nine occasions. While casualties from
         this enemy fire were light, the enemy disclosed the location of
         several of his batteries to the division's counterbattery radar,and
         artillery fires. using air and artillery, the division was able to
         put numerous artillery pieces out of action prior to the G-Day
         assault.(Sl) If these guns had remained undiscovered, the division's
         casualties could have been significantly increased as it went through
         the breach.

            As a final measure to mask the division's intentions and to
         prevent any possible spoiling attacks, the Oth Marines were tasked by
         the frag order to "provide security in the division zone forward of
         the berm."(82) The 3d Battalion, 23d Marines were given this
         mission. At 1010 on the 22d (G-Day-2), the battalion began their
ed
         on enemy personnel and activities, engaged enemy troops, and brought
         in 168 prisoners.(83) Most importantly, the battalion kept the enemy
         at a distance, and unaware of the division's plans and intentions.


         9. COMBAT OPERATIONS - G-DAY-1

            By G-Day-1. the final preparations for the division assault were
         being completed. one of the tasks given to 2d LAI Battaliont when it
         moved across the berm on G-Day-31 was the provision of security to
         those parties of surveyors from the loth Marines who would be
         surveying the artillery positions.(84) An important part of the
         division's plan called for four of the six artillery units to move
         forward of the berm on G-Day-l.(85) Their responsive firepower would
         be critical in the breach operation by conducting counterbattery
         fire, or in breaking up enemy armored or mechanized counterattacks.
         During the night of G-Day-1, 2/12, 3/10, 5/10, and the XLRB Battery
         were in position east of the berm. The 6th marines own direct
         support battalion, 2/10, would be moving with that regiment in tu-
         assault, taking up its firing positions beyond the second breach.
         The 1-3 Field Artillery Battalion had taken its position on the west
         side of the berm, and would move through with the Tiger Brigade.(86)

            At 16000 the last group which had to be in place by G-Day-I had
         left the area of the division's main command post. The brea   ch


                                           II-15


                                           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