INVESTIGATION OF POSSIBLE FRATRICIDE BY 3D ARMORED DIV UNITS

File: 980717_aug97_decls3_0002.txt
Page: 0002
Total Pages: 2
Subject = INVESTIGATION OF POSSIBLE FRATRICIDE BY 3D ARMORED DIV UNITS    

Box ID = BX002451

Folder title = INFORMAL INVES OF NIGHT ATTACK CONDUCTED BY 2D BDE 26-27 FEB 91                                 

Unit = TRADOC      

Parent = TRADOC      


                                   5 U.S.C. 552 (b)(6)

     AETV-TF-ADC-S
     SUBJECT: Investigation of the Circumstances Surrounding the Combat
     Damage to Alpha Troop 4-7 CAV


     (see sketch at Encl 1). -According to              he was arrayed
     with 3rd platoon on line followed by nrop a"oo=n on line at 500
     meters. Ist platoon was tied into the right rear of 2nd platoon in
     -column along the 10 eas@-west grid line. Bravo troop was tied into
     the rear of lst platoon and in column along the 10 east-west grid
     line for about 7 @@o 8 kilometers.

         (3) On contact, against 6 tanks and approximately 18 BMP'S,
   @the 2nd platoon split and sent three Bradleys forward to each flank
     of the lead platoon (3rd platoon). According to the squadron and
     troop commanders, A-24 was the first vehicle hit. It was on the
     left flank and was oriented to the northeast. It had just come
     back from a position 500 meters forward. It moved from east to
     west and turned back to the northeast. It was hit as it turned
     back to the northeast.              was concerned about fratricide.
     He observed the 4-34 Armor moving in behind him and shooting and
     talked to the Ist Sde and 4-34 Armor commanders to have 4-34 Armor
     stop shooting. A-24 was hit as it turned from a westerly heading
     to a northeasterly heading by a APOS round, which entered on the
     left side just forward of center, on the slope just below the
     turret. The round exited on the right side just rear of center and
     just below the turret.

         (4) A-33 was the next vehicle hit. It sustained minimum
     damage from small arms fire.

         (5) A-36 was the next vehicle hit. It was oriented to the
     east and was hit on the lower front slope left of center by what
     appeared to be 12.7mm, which damaged the transmission. It was
     subsequently hit again on the left front upper slope by a HEAT
     round, probably a SAGGER.

         (6) A-31 was the next vehicle hit. It had picked up crew
     members from A-36 and was moving to the west southwest (see
     sketch). It was hit twice on the right front slope just below the
     turret by APDS rounds, which exited the left front below the
     turret.

         (7) A-22 was the last vehicle hit. It was an line oriented
     east and was hit in the left rear of the turret by an APDS round,
     which exited the right front of the turret.

         b. Comments by the squadron and troop commanders indicate that
     as the contact was ongoing, that the 4-34 Armor came into their
     rear, passed through and assumed the fight.

         c. According to everyone involved, the environmental factors
     were more than difficult. The visibility was 300-400 meters
     according to       @and 400-1000 meters according to
     Visibility was restricted by blowing sand and smoke. TPe PgR=
     level was also decreasing - about dusk. Vehicles were burning;

                            C- nA@- n C- r - r T aj.@@
                                       2                       5 U.S.C. 552 (b)(6)