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

File: 970107_aug96_decls2_0057.txt
Page: 0057
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

                refueled and rearmed by 2300. TOW Company elements were spread among the
                following Sixth Marine Regiment units: First platoon, TOW Company was
                attached to First Battalion, Sixth Marines; Second platoon, TOW Company was
                attached to Second Battalion, Second Marines; First Section, Third Platoon,
                TOW Company was attached to Second Battalion, Second Marines; First Section,
                Third Platoon, TOW Company was attached to Third Battalion Sixth Marines;
                Third Section, Second Platoon, TOW Company was attached to Combat Service
                Support Detachment (CSSD) - 26 throughout all 2d MarDiv combat operations in
                Kuwait.


                25 Feb - TOW Company engaged a T-62 tank with MK-19 and .50 cal fire in front
                of its positions northwest of the Umm Gudair oilfield at first light. Third
                .Platoon Commander integrates "Bravo" Company, 8th Tks into position as part of
                an "1" shaped ambush, directed by TOW Company. This engagement netted 17
                EPWS. The tank was bypassed. TOW Company moved with the battalion into new
                .attack positions Now through the "ice cube tray" area, the smoke from the
                burning oilfields obscured vision to less than one hundred feet. TOW Company
                continued to move forward, collecting and processing EPWs and set in south of
                the 21 grid line by 1600. TOW Company then moved south to encircle and guard
                the battalion command group.' TOW Company provided Second Section, Third
                platoon as perimeter security for the Commanding General, Pd MarDiv, whose
                four LAU forward command group was in the area. Both moves were accomplished
                in rain and zero visibility conditions through areas of hand laid mines and
ompany's typical outstanding manner. During all
                periods of low visibility and no illumination, TOW gunners using their TOW
                thermal sights were the only "eyes" of the battalion. Searching and
                traversing forward of Bth Tank Battalion's positions, these TOW gunners
                maintained vigilance to locate any enemy movement and to protect the rest  of
                the battalion.

                26 Feb - TOW Company Marines capture a 45 man Iraqi EPW group. These EPWs
                were searched and turned over to the Battalion S-2. At 12009 TOW Company
                crossed the Line of Departure and proceeded north.  TOW Company continues
                forward in the assault with "B" Company, TOW Company units engaged and
                destroyed an Iraqi Brigade Headquarters and two machine gun bunkers south  of
                the city of Al lahra. NK-19 machine gun fire and two TOW missiles from third
                platoon netted seven Iraqi KIA, 23 EPW, 3 BMPS, I T-72, over 200 automatic
                weapons/RPOs and numerous items of intelligence value. TOW Company then
                coiled into security positions and refueled and rearmed. TOW Company provided
                battalion security throughout the night.

                27 Feb - TOW Company remains in defensive coil positions outside the city of
                Al Jahra. Company Commander and executive Officer along with Battalion
                Commanding Officer nd S-3 recon forward attack positions in preparation for
                Sth Tank Battalion attack and clearing operations. Company Commander and
                Executive Officer along with Battalion Commanding Officer and 6-3 recon
                .forward attack positions in preparation for Bth Tank Battalion attack and
                clearing operations. Company Commander encountered and fired warning shots at
                unidentified personnel at Phase Line Bear, the Sixth Marine Regiment's limit
      of advance.

                28 Feb - At OBOE), a cease fire was announced. TOW Company remained in static
                defensive positions overlooking the city of Al Jabra. In three days of
                combat, TOW Company was responsible for 37 Iraqi Army KlAs and the capture of
                one thousand, five hundred and seventy three enemy prisoners of war (EPWs).


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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