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File: 970107_aug96_decls2_0009.txt
Subject: 8TH TANK BN COMMAND CHRONOLOGY NOV 90 TO MAR 91 12 APR 91
Unit: 8TH TANK BN
Parent Organization: 2 MARDIV
Box ID: BX600007
Folder Title: COMMAND CHRONOLOGY 8TH TANK BN 26 NOV - 31 MARCH 1991
Document Number: 1
Folder Seq #: 5
UNCLASSIFIED
for action. Final orders and deployments were made for the battalion to go
into combat. B-Day commenced at 0430 on 24 February 11391.
On 23 February 1991, Bth Tank Battalion (-) received an operation order for
the attack across the Kuwait border and through the two Iraqi minefield belts
that awaited the battalion in 6th Marine's zone of action. Shortly after, the
battalion received a frag order designating the battalion's assembly area,
order of march, breach lanes (Red I and Red 2) and attack position. The
battalion staff spent the rest of the day preparing and disseminating its own
operation order based on the regimental order and th@'battalion's assigned
mission.
At this point 8th Tank Battalion consisted of Headquarters and Service
Company, the Alpha and Bravo Command Groups, Company B and TOW Company (-).
The battalion's assigned mission was to move in trace of Gth Marines (1/6),
establish a blocking position on the left flank of Regimental Objective A
(just beyond the second minebelt (vic (2T 607045) covering a high speed
avenue of approach from the west). On order, it was prepared to reinforce,
attack, or defend. The battalion was to begin its road march to its final
attack position at 0300 on 24 February, be in its final attack position (vic
UT 469883) by 0500 with an anticipated on order attack at 0530. The assembly
areas for the Red I and Red 2 breach lanes were at UT 460895 and (2T 475880
respectively.
The battalion road march to its attack position was successfully conducted
under blackout conditions. The battalion arrived at its attack position under
oke cloud rolling over it from the burning oil wells in Kuwait.
While awaiting the order to advance, the battalion took the available time to
make final readiness checks, rest, and go to MOPP level 2. At 0530 on 24
February, 6th Marine Regiment (Rhino) passed that the attack would proceed,
and the battalion's lead element (Company B) crossed the line of departure
(LD) on schedule at 0600.
Sth Tank Battalion advanced across the Saudi-Kuwait border in trace of i/6
against minimal resistance. Tiger Brigade advanced on the battalion's left
flank and Bth Marines advanced on the right flank. The battalion was to enter
Breach Lane Red 2 (vic OS 68978) with Company B, Bravo Command and half of H&S
Company going through Red I and and AT (TOW) Company, Alpha Command and half
of H&S Company going through Red 2.
The battalion followed in trace of 1/6 with End LAI Battalion pulling in
behind 1/6 and ahead of 8th Tank Battalion just in advance of the column's
entry into lanes Red I and 2 through the first minefield belt. This movement
into the column by End LAI Battalion's screening force was considered
tactically necessary but created some coordination difficulties both at the
time they merged into the column and during the transit of the lanes. The
presence of End LAI Battalion with its extensive logistical train slowed Sth
Tank Battalion's movement through the Red I breach'lane and in fact brought it
to a complete halt for an extended period while battalion elements were in the
lame, while the battalion endured sporadic enemy incoming artillery and mortar
fire.
8th Tank Battalion (-),encountered some light resistance as it advanced
the two Iraqi minefield belts. This consisted
primarily of sporadic artillery and mortar incoming, particularly in the
vicinity of Red Lane 1. At about the same time, the Bravo Command Group found
itself bracketed by 122mm artillery while stalled in the lane awaiting End LAI
Battalion to move on. At one point, a suspected chemical mine was found in
Red Lane I which caused the lane to be designated a MOPP 4 lane. By
approximately 120ef on 24 February 1991, Bth Tank Battalion (-) had passed
through both minefield belts and established itself in its assigned blocking
UNCLASSIFIED
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Document 60 f:/Week-34/BX600007/COMMAND CHRONOLOGY 8TH TANK BN 26 NOV - 31 MARCH 1991/8th tank bn command chronology nov 90 to mar 91:01029709504317
Control Fields 17
File Room = aug96_declassified
File Cabinet = Week-34
Box ID = BX600007
Unit = 8TH TANK BN
Parent Organization = 2 MARDIV
Folder Title = COMMAND CHRONOLOGY 8TH TANK BN 26 NOV - 31 MARCH 1991
Folder Seq # = 5
Subject = 8TH TANK BN COMMAND CHRONOLOGY NOV 90 TO MAR 91
Document Seq # = 1
Document Date =
Scan Date =
Queued for Declassification = 01-JAN-1980
Short Term Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Long Term Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Permanent Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Non-Health Related Document = 01-JAN-1980
Declassified = 02-JAN-1997