COMMAND CHRONOLOGY FOR THE PERIOD 1 JAN TO 13 APR 91

File: 100896_sep96_decls8_0021.txt
Page: 0021
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 commanders' meetings prior to the attack, the KEP objectives and
         commander's intent were clearly stated. The key areas in each
         regimental zone, and their relation to the overall plant were
         exp2ained. Now the Commanding General set the final division
         objectives for each regiment. The ath Marines would attack through
         to PL BEAR, SeiZing Division Objective 4, and orienting to the
         northeast to protect the division's flank against counterattack from
         Kuwait City. The Gth Marines would attack to Division objective 3i
         to control the key cloverleaf on the main road running west and north
         from Kuwait City, and to destroy the enemy columns attempting to
         escape to Iraq. Tiger Brigade would attack to Division objective 2p
         the high ground dominating Al Jahrah, and prevent the escape of Iraqi
         columns to the north.(114) Also briefed were the concept of
         operations and the fire support plan. Following the meetings the
         three commanders made their own internal coordination on the conduct
         of the attack, and then left to issue their own orders. Meanwhile,
         overlays were prepared and distributed. At 1200, all elements of the
         division crossed the LOD.(115)

             All elements advanced quickly to their objectives. In the ath
         Marines sector, 1/8 engaged vehicles within the agricultural area.
         (116) Then, as 1/8 by-passed these enemy forces as it closed on PL
         BEAR, 3/23 came behind and systematically destroyed the remainin4,
         BMPs and tanks.(117) A major logistics site was attacked and
         captured by 2/4.(118) As the 6th Marines approached PL BEAR, they
         took enemy vehicles on the road under fire and secured the
         cloverleaf, closing the road as an escape route. Some enemy    forces
         on the far side of the road tried to resistr but the regiment
troyed them with direct fire.(119) Both marine regiments used
         their Kuwaiti liaison officers to make contact with the resistance
         forces operating in the urban area to their front, and consolidated
         along Phase Line BEAR.

             The outstanding action of the day fell to Tiger Brigade. As it
         moved along MUtlaa Ridge, the escarpment on Division objective 2t it
         engaged and destroyed numerous AAA sites located there, and
         successfully conducted a hasty breach of a minefield. As it
         approached the Al Jahrah road at the northern end of the objective,
         it came upon a situation which it seized and rapidly turned to good
         account. Looking down on the road, Tiger Brigade could see a great
         mass of enemy vehicles, both military and stolen civilian, trying to
         escape to the north. This column had already been taken under fire
         by air, and there were several bottlenecks at which the traffic
         slowed down and tried to move around. The Brigade's lead battalion
         in this area, 3-67 Armor, now began to take the enemy column under
         fire and to engage tanks located in areas adjacent to it.(120) The
         slaughter along this roadp caused by the effects of air strikes and
         tank fire, stretched for a mile and a half. It marked the end of
         Iraqi resistance in this area. By 1700, all division objectives were
         secured.

             At 2250 that evening, the division was notified that JFCN forces
         would pass through the division's zone on G-Day+3, 27 February. By
         2330, communications were established with the Egyptian forces
         operating on the division's left flank. Preparations to coordinate


                                            II-21


                                           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