WrrH TllE 2D MARINE DWISION IN DESERT SHIELD AND DESERT STORM                             43

artillery preparation fires began at 0430, the sound of the outgoing rounds
mixing with their detonations far out in the desert. The low-lying clouds were
illuminated by the passage of flaming MLRS rockets, and the tracers of Iraqi
anti-aircraft fire. A total of 1,430 rounds were fired against 40 targets in just 11
minutes. These targets were mainly artillery positions, and they received heavy
attention. Iraqi battery positions were fired on by an American battalion with one
round of dual-purpose improved conventional munitions in effect. Iraqi artillery
battalions received twice this amount. The MLRS battery fired on four targets
deep in the division's zone. At the same time, air strikes were run against
targets in the vicinity of Phase Line Red, an east-west road approximately eight
kilometers north of the second obstacle belt.'41
    At H-Hour, 0530, the lead elements of the 6th Marine Regiment crossed the
line of departure and followed the colored lanes assigned to its battalions.~'42
For the 6th Marines this moment was to be the culmination of the intensive
preparation and training of the past several months. The regiment had the task
of leading the assault through the Iraqi defensive lines, and then widening the
gap on the far side of the second minefield to allow the rest of the division to
come through. The regiment had carefully rehearsed its role in this first day's
battle. In the weeks prior, it had constructed a training range, oriented on the
same azimuths which the assault battalions would have to follow. A detailed fire
support plan was prepared, and personnel schooled in the use of electronic
navigation aids.'43 Now, everyone in the regiment was ready, and with the
Marines' Hymn being broadcast by psychological operations loudspeaker teams,
they launched the assault into Kuwait.~'~
    The axis of advance took the assault battalions directly into the oilfields of
Umm Gudair North and South, and among some of the burning wells. The
possible presence of H2S gas in these areas was of some concern to the division.
This highly toxic gas is very heavy; if it was escaping from an unlit well it
would settle into any low spots in the ground. This would present a grave
danger to Marines in shell-holes, fighting positions, or bunkers, since their
MOPP gear was not designed to provide long protection against this gas. On
the advice of Major John R.            Viviano, a Reserve officer and a petroleum
engineer in civilian life, one of the tanks with the 6th Marines was assigned to
use a high explosive round to set fire to any such wells. In any event, no H2S
gas was encountered and the regiment moved rapidly through the area. L4S


   ~~he 2d Marine Division's H-hour was an hour and a half after that of the 1st Marine
Division, which had been set for 0400.

     For the initial assault and the breaching operation, the 6th Marines had been reinforced with
the 1st Battalion, 8th Marines.  There were sound reasons for this decision. First, this gave the
regiment the firepower of an additional battalion in this crucial phase of the operation. Also, the
presence of this battalion on the right flank, with the 3d Battalion, 6th Marines, in reserve behind
it, gave extra security against any possible counterattacks from the direction of Al Jaber Airfield.
Finally, when the 8th Marines came through the breach, one of its battalions would already be in
position, making the regiment's occupation of its zone easier and quicker.