8TH TANK BN COMMAND CHRONOLOGY NOV 90 TO MAR 91 12 APR 91

File: 970107_aug96_decls2_0012.txt
Page: 0012
Total Pages: 60

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


               attempting to escape to Iraq. Reports indicated that 3 large infantry and 2
               mechanized units were cut off in Kuwait City and that 4th Corps had been
               ordered to leave their equipment in place and retreat. The main highway
               through Jahra was the only remaining high speed escape route for these units
               and was still heavily defended by anti-aircraft weapons. Based on this
               information, the battalion expected to see the enemy attempt to delay our
               advance. The battalion also expected, based on previous experience, large
               numbers of POW'S. 6th Marines' advance was steady in our zone of action.
               Tiger Brigade raced ahead to our left, while 8th Marines was held up by
               surface minefields in their zone. Sth Tank Battalion (-) followed in trace of
               1/6, again encountering numerous vehicles and bunkers destroyed or cleared by
               the forward assault elements. The flow of enemy POW's moving toward the rear
               began immediately. By now, battalion personnel had become accustomed to
               simply checking them, assigning a small guard escort and moving them on toward.
               the rear collection points.
                . At 1444, Alpha Command was contacted by 2nd LAI Battalion (ahead of us in a
               screening and reconnaissance role with 6th Marines) requesting assistance with
               casualties from a roll over accident. The two LAI vehicles moving toward the
               .rear were instructed to come up on the battalion's Administration/Logistics
               frequency so that they could be guided into our Battalion Aid Station moving
               with the field trains.
                  At 1447, elements of AT (TOW) Company engaged an Iraqi bunker (vic UT
               565301) with missiles and machineguns. At 1449, AT (TOW) Company reported the
              bunker destroyed with seven enemy killed in action.
                  At 1530, 6th Marines decided to hold at their current positions while
               deciding what positions and orientations to take for the night. At this
               .point, 6th Marines lead elements were in the vicinity of Phase Line Bear. By
               BPS positioning, Alpha Command was located at UT 539400 at 1539. This
               position represented the approximate center of mass location of the battalion
             ,.at that time. The battalion essentially held in position awaiting orders.
               However, Sth Tanks (-) did take advantage of the pause to bring its field
               trains and Bravo Command Group forward to consolidate the battalion in the
               vicinity of the UT 5440 grid square.
                  At 1754, Regiment instructed Sth Tank Battalion (-) to move (2T 5641
               orient north, and set in for the night. This movement put the battalion in a
               rock and sand quarry about 10 kilometers south southwest of the City of Jahra
               and south of Phase Line Bear. Anticipating a final advance to the coast the
               next morning, the battalion posted its security and settled in for the night
               without incident. Overnight, the battalion received a change of boundaries and
               a new frag order from 6th Marine Regiment. The boundary and order of battle
               chanqes were as follows:







               The 6th Marines planned to advance with two battalions up and two back,
               putting Sth Tank Battalion on the right (East) and 3/6 on the left as the two
               lead battalions and 1/6 and 2/2 following in reserve. The battalion's mission
               was to sweep the zone clear of Iraqi forces, advancing north to the sea coast
               if necessary. This attack was to begin at 1000 to allow an advance across our
ete a sweep along Phase

                                             UNCL@@SIFIED

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