COMMAND CHRONOLOGY FOR 1 FEB TO 28 FEB 1991

File: 121096_aug96_decls2_0006.txt
Page: 0006
Total Pages: 15

Subject: COMMAND CHRONOLOGY FOR 1 FEB TO 28 FEB 1991                     

Unit: VARIOUS MC  

Parent Organization: 2 MARDIV    

Box  ID: BX600007

Folder Title: COMMAND CHRONOLOGY 8TH MARINES  - 1-28 FEBRUARY 1991                                            

Document Number:          1

Folder Seq  #:          1



                                    UNCLASSIFIED
                  The scheduled repositioning of 8th Marines units to  the ;ina4l
            Tactical Assembly Area (FTAA) began  on 16 Feb with the dispatch of a
            regimental quartering party to the area followed by the 'A' Command
            Group; Co A, 2d Radio Bn; and 3d Bn 23d Mar on the 17th (refer to
            FragO 8-91). Tactical lift in the form of additional trucks, buses,
            and heavy equipment transporters was critically needed for this
            move. Unfortunately, the necessary buses and trucks never
            materialized. Repositioning was delayed and available vehicles were
            required to perform multiple trips to transport the Regiment. Third
            Bn 23d Mar completed repositioning on 18 FEB 91 and 2d Bn 4th Mar
            completed repositioning on the 19th. Co F 2d LAI was chopped to Task
            Force TROY to conduct screening operations until G-3, 21 FEB 91.
                  Tfie availability of tactical lift for the Regiment was of the
            bighest concern during this period and was never satisfactorily
            resolved during the entire operation. The disposition of 8th Marines
            forces in the FTAA kept 2d Bn 4th Mar and 3d Bn 23d Mar forward,
            behind an LAI screen, with supporting elements to the rear (refer to
            FragO 9-91).
                  On @9 FEB 91 the regimental security ariaa in the Final Tactical
            Assembly Area was extended to the Saudi berm when 2d LAI was given a
            new mission north of 8th Marines area. On 22 FEB 91 the security
            area was further extended up to the Iraqi defensive belts. Third Bn
            23d Mar conducted reconnaissance and screening operations across the
            border, and supported 3d Bn 10 Mar displacement to forward positions
            on 23 FEB 91. This displacement allowed artillery support for the
            breach on 24 FEB 91 (refer to FragO 10-91).
   On 23 FEB 91 (G-1) the weather was predicted to be 'good for the
            next 72 hours' and ground operations were authorized to commence at
            06eO(C) on 24 FEB 91(H-hour, G-day).
                  During reconnaissance operations in the southern half of the
            security area on 23 FEB 91,.3d Bn 23 Mar encountered a battalion size
            Iraqi force. Third Bn 23d Mar, employing organic weapons and
            artillery engaged and defeated the Iraqi's. Of the Iraqi force, 8
            T-55/T-62 tanks, 5 BTR-60's, and 3 BRDM's were destroyed, in addition
            there were 52 Iraqi KIA and 211 EPW'S, to include the battalion
            commander and the intelligence officer of the Ist Bn, 83d BDE, 29th
            InfDiv.
                  EPW's were collected throughout the day and by nightfall 211
            EPW's had been processed through the regimental Interrogator
            Translator Team.   The high numbers of l,raqi EPW's would prove to be a
            continuing problem, due to the rapid advancement of friendly forces
            and lack of lift to transport EPW's to detention facilities.
                  The press corps joined the Regiment on 23 FEB 91 with a CBS
            television crew headed by correspondent Peter VanZant. This team
            remained with 8th Marines throughout the advance into Kuwait.
                  The Regiment had orders to be prepared to proceed to the breach
            assembly areas (Green B, Red B, and Blue B) at 0900(C) on the 24th.
            The Regiment assumed NBC MOPP level 2 at 0900(C) 24 FEB 91. Eighth
            Marines passage through the breach would begin in wave 7 and at
            aproximately 1530(C) Bth Mar was ordered to move to the breach
            assembly areas.   Movement to the assembly areas was completed by
            IGOO(C).   The Regiment was ordered to proceed through the breach
            lanes at first light on the 25th, and at 06le the Sth Marines
o Phase Line(PL) RED.    Upon arrival at
                                                6
                                                                    ENCLOSURE (1)



                                   UNCLASSIFIED

Document 15 f:/Week-34/BX600007/COMMAND CHRONOLOGY 8TH MARINES - 1-28 FEBRUARY 1991/command chronology for 1 feb to 28 feb 1991:12069615401634
Control Fields 17
File Room = aug96_declassified
File Cabinet = Week-34
Box ID = BX600007
Unit = VARIOUS MC
Parent Organization = 2 MARDIV
Folder Title = COMMAND CHRONOLOGY 8TH MARINES - 1-28 FEBRUARY 1991
Folder Seq # = 1
Subject = COMMAND CHRONOLOGY FOR 1 FEB TO 28 FEB 1991
Document Seq # = 1
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 = 06-DEC-1996