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


blocking out the setting sun. The smoke came from the burning oil wells in
Kuwait, especially from the Umm Gudair and Al Manaqish oil fields, which
were to the division's front. By evening, the wind had shifted, and a crescent
moon shone through a light cloud cover. But this weather was not to hold. By
early morning, the clouds lowered, the smoke returned, reducing visibility, and
a cold rain began to fall. The three days of fine weather promised by the famous
"Omega High" had literally gone up in smoke, and come down in rain. The
Marines would fight the ground campaign in this dismal weather.
    The first activity of G-Day was the movement of the 6th Marines to its
assembly areas. At about 2300 on G minus 1, the first units approached the
breach control group.1~ Throughout the remaining hours of the night, elements
of the regiment continued to take their places in their assigned assembly areas.
During the night, there was little sleep, and each man was "counsel to his own
thoughts."  Yet, there was no tremendous anxiety evident as each Marine went
quietly about his individual tasks or re-checked his equipment. The magnitude
of the effort about to be undertaken and the importance of the role assigned to
each Marine, sailor, or soldier had a sobering, even a calming, effect. All
looked forward to the start of a day which would define the rest of their lives,
and if some quoted familiar lines from Shakespeare's Ileniy V, they could be
excused the affectation.
    When the light of the dawn of G-Day began to filter weakly through
darkened   skies, the desert filled with the sounds of combat. The division's


                                      Depaflinent of Defense Photo (uSMC) 0300 14 91
Marines of 2d Light Arniored Thfantrt Battalion pause during advance into Kuwait, 24
February 1991. They are wearing parllal chemical equipment (MOPP level 2).