CONTACT WITH IRAQI TANKS 26 FEB 91

File: 980717_sep96_sagwi1_0003.txt
Page: 0003
Total Pages: 5

Subject = CONTACT WITH IRAQI TANKS 26 FEB 91

Box ID = BX000306

Folder title = 3 AD CHAP 2 SUB UNIT HISTORIES SEC XIV 4-T CAV SUMMARY

Unit = VII CORPS

Parent = ARCENT

5 U.S.C. 552 (b)(6)
Ut@CLASSIrliED
At the same time he directed 2d platoon to come on either
side of Zd platoon on line. He did this because several ETMPS are
more than A@@Troop is technically supposed to handle. 2d platoon
was brought up to help destroy, or assist in the withurawl (A
Troop was hoping destroy) Within a few minutes it became apparent
from the intensity of friendly and enemy ;ire, that there was a
sizeable enemy force out there. A Troop was receiving SAGER and
RPG indirect fires and small arms fire. Although A Troop didn't
know then, it was discovc?rd later, that they were also recic?ving
tan@@ fire. As soon as A Troop realized there were tanks, they also
realized they were in a bad situation.
I who had been talking to CentLtrian, directed
is elements south of the 10 grid line. He did
tnis so tnat uonturian could come up and pass through A Troop or by
A Troop. They found the enemy in substantial enough numbers that
the lions needed to take over.
iik" gave the order for 2d and 3d platoons to move south
of the 1( grid line. Ist platoon was still in the flank screen and
they were in a position not to inter+er with Centurian again. @
attempted to position his platoons in the following manner:
the B element of --d platoon (7 Bradley vehicles) was on the left
side of @;d platoon, and the A element of 2d platoon was on the
right side of 3d platoon. He wanted @ld platoon and the A element
to go right. The 8 element of --d platoon wAs to reverse and swing
behind 3d platoon to come Lip on the right side of 3d platoon and
end with 3d platoon on the left and '-d platoon an the right. They
were in the process of e.,,.ecuting this movement when A24 was struck
in the turret by a 1'45mm SABO round from a T72 tank. This round
mortally wounding the and critically Wounded
the vehicle commander , was also the platoon
sergeant).
Crews 4rom A25 and A--6 toci@ up positois to prevent aiiy more
eme.ny ;ire from hitting A24 and to evacuate the troop@,.
ai-.d t!iL- Cr-,mln.ind SL-rqe-Ant h,@c! t@-leir
v,;?h., ::' E@s -ibo-,tt !@5 met -,i-r,: to th a rs@zr- anc: @,i@ 1 @@- of A --4
wl I er, tl-., :@ ',cc Ltrred. @@brought Iii s ve@i I ci L, up :r.) A25 a-io
A'-'6 to Iielp Alth the evacuation and provide SLtppreSSIve fires.
Ttiey were within 5C) meters of enemy infantry and recev,.ng fire.
The fires were impacting all around them as they were dismounting
on the ground. There was an enemy T72 tank (presumeably the same
one that hit A24) within 200 meters. A tank from 4/34 Armor
destroyed that T72 as the evacuation occurred. It shocked everyone
in that area@because it was fired over the Bradley crews. The
Bravo sec@@' as never able to link up with the A section. This
Was LIP ofv--ttfe-left hand side of what was happening.

5 U.S.C. 552 (b)(6)
U 1.@ LASS IF I ED