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File: 970107_aug96_decls2_0050.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
defensive area. From this new pause, severa: I Battalion level operations
were conducted.
Towards the end of January, the company was attached to lst Battalion,
6th Marines for several days of tank/infantry tactics. This relationship
was to be significant. 1/6 was the Battalion C Company was attached to for
combat operations. The company was reduced by three tanks early in
January. These vehicles were turned over to Task Force Breach. This unit
was task organized specifically for the breach. The company gave up its
blade tank and two MGOAI's which were fitted with plow attachments.
C. I February 1991 - 28 February 1991
The Battalion began February with a move further north. At this time,
the Battalion was within artillery range of the Iraqi troops inside Kuwait.
Again a defensive posture was assumed. At night, the burning oil wells
inside Kuwait could be seen.
On 7 February 1991 after several days in the defensive positions, the
Battalion moved south to a position west of Al Kibrit to begin the sequence
of training in preparation for the breach operations.
During this period of time, the company had been working with the BPS
ground navigation system. It provided itself to be a superior piece of
equipment. Its accuracy was much better than PLARS. It was easier to
operate and was on line most of the time.
C Company was reattached to 1/6 on 9 February 1991 and would remain with
them until the war was just about over. Training at this point entailed a
cted on a full
scale mock up of the actual area the breach was to occur. During the
period 11 February 1991 to 13 February 1991, the company went through dry
runs of the breach along with I/S. Each element of the company knew
exactly where their place was in the assault columns.
On 14 February 1991, haying completed the training preparations, the
company began the road march north. To get to our final assembly area
required a road march of several miles. The tanks were in fairly good
condition at the time. We completed the march on the morning after we
started. All of the vehicles made the move with no serious vehicle
problems.
The final days before the ground war kicked off were spent in vehicle
maintenance and preparation of equipment. Final operations orders were
updated to include all the appropriate tactical control measures. On the
evening of the 23rd of January 1991, all elements of 1/6 moved into their
attack positions. Before going to sleep, all tank crewman put on their
MOPP suits and boots.
Revielle was sounded at 0330 the morning of the 24th of February 1991.
All frequencies were frozen from the day before. The attack began at 0430
with all elements of the Battalion beginning to advance towards the Saudi
berm. The lst Platoon was on the left and was attached to B Company. The
3rd Platoon was forward on the right with C Company. The Company
followed as part of the Battalion Reserve.
49
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