38                                            U.S. MARINES IN THE PERSIAN GULF, 1990-1991


                                                 Department of Defense Photo (USMC) 0300 5 91
Marines of 2d Light Armored infantry Battalion maneuver in Kuwait in LA V-L and LA V-
25 fighting vehicles, with Stinger team (in HMMwV) and Cobra attack helo from 3d
Marine Aircraft Wing in support.

concealment for forces just behind it, and a good vantage point from which to
observe activities in Kuwait. It was obvious that to make six wide cuts through
the berm would be a "tip<)ff' to the enemy to the exact location of the
division's assault. Flowever, these cuts did have to be made, and they had to be
completed prior to 0-Day. The division masked its intention as to the place of
attack by making a total of 18 cuts. This work began on 20 February, with nine
cuts being made in front of the Tiger Brigade, on the division's northwestern
flank, and three in front of the 8th Marines to the southeast. The remaining six
cuts would be accomplished on 0 minus 2, 22 February, in front of the 6th
Marines.13  It was also anticipated that this early activity in the northwest, in
concert with operations of the 2d LAl Battalion, would draw the enemy's
attention and forces to that area and away from the actual point of assault.
    As a final measure to conceal the division's intentions and to prevent any
possible spoiling attacks, the 8th Marines was tasked to "provide security in the
Division zone forward of the berm. i132            The 3d Battalion, 23d Marines,
commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Ray C. Dawson, a Reserve officer and
attorney from Baton Rouge, was given this mission. At 1010 on the 22nd, 0
minus 2, the battalion began its operations. It engaged enemy infantry with both
air strikes and artillery. Later in the day, under conditions of extreme darkness
caused by the smoke from burning oil wells, the battalion moved back through


    `rhe 2d LAl Battalion had some success in drawing the attention of the Iraqis away from the
actual point of the division's assault.  As noted in the following chapter, some of the enemy
artillery pieces were found to be laid on directions of fire away from the breach site.  Also, in
interviews taken a few days after the cease-fire, at least two iraqi officers stated they had thought
the actions of the 2d LAl Battalion in the northwest area were actually by an armored brigade,
and were the start of the ground campaign.