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

File: 970107_aug96_decls2_0045.txt
Page: 0045
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


                   inability to conduct any  tables. A few weeks later, the company was
                   allowed to boresight and  zero its machine guns.

                      During this time, our  initial contact with BedoLtions, camels, scorpions
                   and sand became the way of life. We were issued Atropine, Valium, 2 pan
                   chloride and British MOPP suits in case of NBC attack.

                      Many threats were being made by Hussein during this time which
                   necessitated for foxholes and NBC preparedness.

                      We detached 3 tanks co@manded by; 86gt BROWNING, Sgt BOMBARD and Cpl
                   TORCHIA to team Snapper (Engineer minefield clearing detachment). We were
                   all very sad to see them leave our company. The decision on whom to
                   detach was agonizing at best. During this time, we attached our FAC, Capt
                   D. SHERRY. He utilized a MULE supplied by ANGLICO which was fastened in
                   front of the loader's hatch into a piece of reactive armor on the XO's
                   tank. The special plate which held the MULE was perfected by Maj W.
                   CALAHAN and his FAC at 3d Tanks. This simple yet effective piece of gear
                   allowed the FAC to have a stable platform for lasing. It also securely
                   held the MULE during movement. The attachment of ANBLICO Marines
                   supposedly was a first as they have historically been attached to
                   non-Marine units.

                      Training conducted during this tim e ranged from platoon up to a
                   Battalion sized CAX. Several TEWTS were conducted as well as sandtable
                   exercises for CO's, XO's, FAC's and FD's. Several lengthy road marches
                   towards our eventual attack position occurred during this time. On 15
 received 40 American flags from an undisclosed American
                   legion in the U.S.. Also during this time, much time was spent collecting
                   POW documents adrift in the desert.

                      On 29 January 1991 at approximately 2330, our company fragged to move
                   to 2d Battalion, 2d Regim'ent's position in an effort to meet an oncoming
                   armored column. Anticipated threat: 50 tanks, BMP's and 300 infantry.
                   This column was engaged out of sector by air attacks and destroyed along
                   with two friendly USMC LAV$S.

               C.  I February - 28 February 1991

                      Prisoners were taken in our Division zone by 2d LAI Battalion. We had
                   not see any at that time. The company received several reports of mass
                   desertions and low morale among the Iraqils. Constant bombings is heard
                   to our north. Mail is sporadic at best.

                      On 8 February 1991, two tanks were fitted with mine rolling devices.

               3      On 9 February 1991, B Company picked up an unknown Arabic male. He was
                   taken to Battalion where it was discovered he was a Saudi soldier and was
                   then guided to the highway.

                      On 14 February 1991, the company began a road march to Umm Judair, near
                   our breach sight. The march was 63 miles long and was executed without
                   any breakdowns. This was a tribute to our crews' PM efforts and our
                   superb mechanics.




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                                               UNCLASSIFIED

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