COMMAND CHRONOLOGY FOR THE PERIOD 1 JAN TO 13 APR 91

File: 100896_sep96_decls8_0020.txt
Page: 0020
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*

        500 MOterS, Tiger Brigade had already reached PL HORSE. At this time
        all units were up to the 22 east-vast grid line. The 6th Marines had
        taken Division Objective 1, and in the gathering darkness all units
        began to consolidate their positions for the night.(109)

            As on the previous day, the number of EPWs was a pressing
        difficulty. By this time, two EPW camps had been established near
        the flanks of the breach SiteS.' They were soon filled with Iraqi
        soldiers who were hungry, thirsty, and in need of medical treatment.
        They also needed to be transported from the battle area. Their
        movement required large numbers of vehicles and had to be controlled
        through the breach lanes. With much of its original work done, the
        breach control group was given the task of coordinating this effort.
        Over the next three days the group worked closely with the engineers,
        military police, 4th CAG, and DSG-2 to establish camps, provide food
        and water, and move the EPWS to the rear.(110)


        12. COMBAT OPERATIONS - G-DAY+2 THROUGH G-DAY+4

            The third day of the ground war also began with a tank
        engagement. At 0230, 2d LAI reported that it had hit three
        tanks, scoring one "catastrophic" kill. Throughout the morning, all
        elements were reporting Iraqi movements and engagements with enemy,
        formations.(lll)

            Once again the question of boundaries was significant. The
        Commanding General was still concerned about the division's open
        western flank. The 2d LAI Battalion, which had been screening to the
        east, was now shifted to the west to screen Tiger Brigade's flank.
        The eastern boundary presented unique problems of its own. There was
        a need to determine the ist Division's position and its plan for the

        Division was 10 kilometers further north. When the lst Division
        stepped off in the attack to Kuwait International Airport at 0600,,.
        they began to move rapidly, and coordination between the two
        divisions was critical as they began to close. Although there was
        some cross-boundary fire, the close coordination between the two
        divisions prevented any friendly casualties.(112)

            As the Ist Division began its move, I MEF was   eager for 2d
        Division to seize the high ground west and north of Al Jahrah.    This
        was especially critical since reports in the early morning indicated
        that Iraqi forces were withdrawing back to Iraq. JSTARS and the
        Kuwaiti resistance told of convoys forming in Kuwait city and moving
        through Al Jahrah and the Mutlaa Ridge area.(113)

            In the early morning, the division staff began a rapid-planning
        process to prepare the order sending the maneuver elements up to
        their final objectives. Within So minutes, the order was ready for
        issue to the commanders. Following the Commanding Generalls guidance
        that the regiments were to remain within their established zones,
        boundaries were set and final objectives defined. These objectives
        had not previously been set due to the Commanding Generalls desire
        that the regiments focus on each day's mission as it unfolded. In


                                           UNCLASSIFIED
                                          II-20

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