INVESTIGATION OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES SURROUNDING THE COMBAT DAMAGE

File: 980717_aug97_decls4_0005.txt
Page: 0005
Total Pages: 10
Subject = INVESTIGATION OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES SURROUNDING THE COMBAT DAMAGE

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)


          Interviews Concerning Bradley Fighting Vehicles Belonging to.    4/7;@
          CAV
          l@@questioned                                               Headquarte
          and Headquarters Troop, 4th Battalion, 7th Cavalry @@d he gave     his
          statement in substance as follows:

                     Describe what happened from your perspective.

                        Basically sir, it was about 1630 on the 26th of
          Me rua@ry.@ The conditions were dusty, there was a sandstorm.,
          visibility was between 300 and 1000 meters at best. Wind was
          blowing from the north and we were traveling to the east. At
          about 1600 hours in the vicinity of the PU74 N-S grid line, we
          got into a fire fight with dismounted infantry. We moved forward
          approximately 500 meters and saw a BMP and engaged. A Troop was
          leading, 8 Troop was following in the south and F Troop of 2d ACR
          tied in with us. We could see the left flank vehicle of F troop
          and had commo with them.    The left flank was 4/34 Armor, with 0
          Company on their right flank. They were on our left flank and a
          little behind us because the lst Brigade was moving in a wedge
          formation. We were on line with the lead elements of lst Brigade.
          The single BMP was destroyed and 500 meters ahead we came under
          heavy fire from Tank, BMP and small arms fire. A-24 was on the
          extreme left flank of the squadron.     It was about 1700 hours, the
          sandstorm was still going and visibility was the same. I was
          approximately 100 meters to the right of A-24 so I could see him to
          my left.  He was hit during that fire fight.     I didn't see A-24 get
          hit but I saw the crew exit the vehicle.      The squadron CSM went to
          the vehicle to assist with the casualties.      Iwas concerned about
          fratricide because 4/34 Armor went into a combat formation and
          elements of 0 Company intermingled with 8 Troop and were coming
          forward through us to take the fight from     us. The visibility was
          bad, lots of confusion, we were being fired upon and 4/34 A3iiii"
          also firing.   They were to our left and rear.    I spoke with
          @on the Command Net and asked him to have 4/34 cease fire, and
          I also spoke to the Battalion Commander with the same request.
          They did cease fire. That is all that happened on the left flank.
          Sir, the CSM determined that A-24 was hit one time by what appeared
          to be a tank round entering from the left rear of the turret and
          exited the right front of the turret.     There was one killed, and
          two wounded in action on A-24.    Yes sir, there were rounds going
          off, enemy infantry in foxholes within 75 meters of the track, I
          had two Bradleys move up, one to shield while the other took out
          the casualties.   They were firing TOWs and M-60 and Coax.     As a
          personal judgement sir, I do believe that A-24 was hit by a A4-i,4,@@
          centurion round. I would estimate that the range was less than a
          thousand meters.   The other three vehicles were on the southern
          flank, from the center to the south.     I did not see those vehicles
          get hit.  It was about the same time frame, 1700 hours, dusk, sand
          blowing, visibility 300 to 1000 meters.     A-22, A-36 and A-31 were

                                  -FOR 61 r LL.J.ML
                                   5 U.S.C. 552 (b)(6)