Following are brief summaries of a few of the more interesting battles of
the 90-91 Conflict, noted whilst researching a side-project.
Jahra Bridge (August 2nd, 1990) - Kuwait vs. Iraq
Challenging the notion that the Kuwaitis did not resist the Iraqi invasion,
the 35th Armored Brigade, at half strength, held back the advance of two
Republican Guard Divisions (Hammurabi and Medina) for nearly four
hours before withdrawing in good order to Saudi Arabia.
Al'Khafji (January 29-February 1, 1991) Coalition vs. Iraq
Surprising Coalition forces, elements of the 5th Mechanized Division
supported by the 1st Mechanized and 3rd Armored Divisions invaded
Saudi Arabia and seized the coastal border town of Al'Khafji, defeating the
Saudi garrison. Two days later, the Iraqis were turned out in an assault
lead by Qatari forces and supported by U.S. Marines and Saudi troops.
Highly controversial - no two sources can agree as to the reason for the
attack, and there is serious debate regarding whether or not Saddam had
personally ordered the attack. Coordinated with an Iraqi Marine landing
which was, apparently, less than successful.
Wadi Al'Batin (20th February, 1991) U.S. vs. Iraq
2nd Brigade, 2nd ACR launched a feint up the Wadi Al'Batin on 20th
February. After meeting and quickly routing a screening force of T-55s and
BMPs, the 2nd Brigade ran headlong into an Iraqi ambush consisting of
more than 100 anti-tank guns supported by infantry and armored vehicles,
well concealed in the crevices of the wadi. A Vulcan, and two Bradleys
(including that of the brigade's XO) were destroyed, several more vehicles
were damaged and an M1 was immobilized by a mine. The Americans
withdrew in surprisingly good order, at which point a nearby squadron of
A10s assaulted the position, silencing the guns.
Jaber Air Base (February 24-26th, 1991) U.S.M.C. vs. Iraq
The I MEF found themselves opposed by elements of the III Iraqi Corps, in
the words of one Marine officer "The only ones who actually fought us like
men in Kuwait". Details are fairly difficult to acquire. Significant in that a
number of Iraqi artillery batteries were reported to be using chemical
munitions by Marine detection units before the results were found to be
incorrect. Some who believe that Gulf War Syndrome results from an
unknown Iraqi chemical agent point to Jaber Air Base as the first point of
release. Thus far, the U.S. Government disagrees.
Objective Tungsten (Feb 25, 1991) U.K. vs. Iraq
The British performed brilliantly during the campaign, and their most
difficult engagement probably occurred near Objective Tungsten on 25th
February. Here, 1st Armored Division engaged the Iraqi 57th Armored
Division for more than four hours, encircling and destroying the Iraqis.
73 Eastings (Feb 25-27, 1991) U.S. and U.K. vs. Iraq
Really a series of engagements, waged against the best division in
Saddam's army, the Tawakalna Mechanized Division of the Republican
Guard, which had escaped the air campaign virtually unscathed. Elements
of the VII Corps (U.S.) and the 1st British Armored Division repeatedly
attacked stubbornly resisting Iraqis from the late hours of 25th February
until the fading hours of 27th Feb. The largest engagement occurred
between the 3rd U.S. Armored Division and 2nd Cavalry Regiment and the
center of the Iraqi line. A blinding sandstorm on the 26th made air support
impossible for almost 12 hours, and Iraqi counter-attacks were vicious.
Numerous Coalition attacks were thrown back by the Iraqi line before the
collapse of the Iraqi center effected a breakthrough.
Medina Ridge (Feb 25th, 1991) U.S. vs. Iraq
Near Objective Lime, the Medina Division had cleverly established a
classic reversed slope defense with more than 300 armored vehicles to
ambush the advancing 1st U.S. Armored Division. Unfortunately for the
Iraqis, extremely poor discipline and a failure by pickets to report the
approach of the intended quarry gave the ambush away, allowing the
Americans to act quickly and gain the critical first shot advantage. Losses
are difficult to confirm for the Iraqis, though the enormous losses reported
(one report claims 500 vehicles) are probably vastly over-estimated.
Kuwait City Airport (Feb 27th, 1991) U.S.M.C. vs. Iraq
The 2nd Marine Armored Division, a hodgepodge of units assembled as
part of the I Marine Expeditionary Force, attacked Kuwait City Airport in the
early morning hours of 27th February, and were met by staunch resistance
on the part of 3rd Armored Division (Iraq). The battle featured
engagements by M60A3s and LAVs versus T-72s, T-62s, and T-55s.
Hawr al Hamar (March 3, 1991) U.S. vs. Iraq
When fighting "ceased" on 28th February, a number of Iraqi units had
been stranded behind Coalition lines. Hammurabi Division had repaired
enough of the Hawr al Hammar causeway to attempt a crossing into the
safety of friendly lines. On 3rd March, Hammurabi launched a
breakthrough assault against the 24th Infantry Division (Mechanized). The
resistance was staggeringly violent, and nearly 200 Iraqi vehicles were
destroyed, though elements of the unit did manage to make it across to
safety.
the 90-91 Conflict, noted whilst researching a side-project.
Jahra Bridge (August 2nd, 1990) - Kuwait vs. Iraq
Challenging the notion that the Kuwaitis did not resist the Iraqi invasion,
the 35th Armored Brigade, at half strength, held back the advance of two
Republican Guard Divisions (Hammurabi and Medina) for nearly four
hours before withdrawing in good order to Saudi Arabia.
Al'Khafji (January 29-February 1, 1991) Coalition vs. Iraq
Surprising Coalition forces, elements of the 5th Mechanized Division
supported by the 1st Mechanized and 3rd Armored Divisions invaded
Saudi Arabia and seized the coastal border town of Al'Khafji, defeating the
Saudi garrison. Two days later, the Iraqis were turned out in an assault
lead by Qatari forces and supported by U.S. Marines and Saudi troops.
Highly controversial - no two sources can agree as to the reason for the
attack, and there is serious debate regarding whether or not Saddam had
personally ordered the attack. Coordinated with an Iraqi Marine landing
which was, apparently, less than successful.
Wadi Al'Batin (20th February, 1991) U.S. vs. Iraq
2nd Brigade, 2nd ACR launched a feint up the Wadi Al'Batin on 20th
February. After meeting and quickly routing a screening force of T-55s and
BMPs, the 2nd Brigade ran headlong into an Iraqi ambush consisting of
more than 100 anti-tank guns supported by infantry and armored vehicles,
well concealed in the crevices of the wadi. A Vulcan, and two Bradleys
(including that of the brigade's XO) were destroyed, several more vehicles
were damaged and an M1 was immobilized by a mine. The Americans
withdrew in surprisingly good order, at which point a nearby squadron of
A10s assaulted the position, silencing the guns.
Jaber Air Base (February 24-26th, 1991) U.S.M.C. vs. Iraq
The I MEF found themselves opposed by elements of the III Iraqi Corps, in
the words of one Marine officer "The only ones who actually fought us like
men in Kuwait". Details are fairly difficult to acquire. Significant in that a
number of Iraqi artillery batteries were reported to be using chemical
munitions by Marine detection units before the results were found to be
incorrect. Some who believe that Gulf War Syndrome results from an
unknown Iraqi chemical agent point to Jaber Air Base as the first point of
release. Thus far, the U.S. Government disagrees.
Objective Tungsten (Feb 25, 1991) U.K. vs. Iraq
The British performed brilliantly during the campaign, and their most
difficult engagement probably occurred near Objective Tungsten on 25th
February. Here, 1st Armored Division engaged the Iraqi 57th Armored
Division for more than four hours, encircling and destroying the Iraqis.
73 Eastings (Feb 25-27, 1991) U.S. and U.K. vs. Iraq
Really a series of engagements, waged against the best division in
Saddam's army, the Tawakalna Mechanized Division of the Republican
Guard, which had escaped the air campaign virtually unscathed. Elements
of the VII Corps (U.S.) and the 1st British Armored Division repeatedly
attacked stubbornly resisting Iraqis from the late hours of 25th February
until the fading hours of 27th Feb. The largest engagement occurred
between the 3rd U.S. Armored Division and 2nd Cavalry Regiment and the
center of the Iraqi line. A blinding sandstorm on the 26th made air support
impossible for almost 12 hours, and Iraqi counter-attacks were vicious.
Numerous Coalition attacks were thrown back by the Iraqi line before the
collapse of the Iraqi center effected a breakthrough.
Medina Ridge (Feb 25th, 1991) U.S. vs. Iraq
Near Objective Lime, the Medina Division had cleverly established a
classic reversed slope defense with more than 300 armored vehicles to
ambush the advancing 1st U.S. Armored Division. Unfortunately for the
Iraqis, extremely poor discipline and a failure by pickets to report the
approach of the intended quarry gave the ambush away, allowing the
Americans to act quickly and gain the critical first shot advantage. Losses
are difficult to confirm for the Iraqis, though the enormous losses reported
(one report claims 500 vehicles) are probably vastly over-estimated.
Kuwait City Airport (Feb 27th, 1991) U.S.M.C. vs. Iraq
The 2nd Marine Armored Division, a hodgepodge of units assembled as
part of the I Marine Expeditionary Force, attacked Kuwait City Airport in the
early morning hours of 27th February, and were met by staunch resistance
on the part of 3rd Armored Division (Iraq). The battle featured
engagements by M60A3s and LAVs versus T-72s, T-62s, and T-55s.
Hawr al Hamar (March 3, 1991) U.S. vs. Iraq
When fighting "ceased" on 28th February, a number of Iraqi units had
been stranded behind Coalition lines. Hammurabi Division had repaired
enough of the Hawr al Hammar causeway to attempt a crossing into the
safety of friendly lines. On 3rd March, Hammurabi launched a
breakthrough assault against the 24th Infantry Division (Mechanized). The
resistance was staggeringly violent, and nearly 200 Iraqi vehicles were
destroyed, though elements of the unit did manage to make it across to
safety.
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Battles of the Second Persian Gulf War, 1990-1991