AAR 1ST MARDIV IN SWA

File: 970725_dec96_decls34_0020.txt
Page: 0020
Total Pages: 130
Subject = AAR  1ST MARDIV IN SWA                                          

Parent Organization = MCCDC       

Unit = WDID        

Folder Title = AFTER ACTION REPORT 1ST MARINE DIVISION IN SOUTHWEST ASIA   WDID SWA 0073                       

Document Number =          1

Box ID = BX600145



                              UNCLASSIFIED



          1/@.5 EPW reports Iraqi mechanized force s in the Al'Burqan
          TF Ripper interpreter translated captured documents that called for

          Iraqi forces to attack out of the flames

          Usually reliable sources relayed that two mechanized brigades were

          preparing to attack south out of the Al Burgan oilfields
  gilso the environmental conditions, combination of the many oil -Fires pouring
  out black smoke and a storm made visibility extremely poor. The wind, -For six

  months out of the NW, had since the commencement of the ground war, been out

  of the southeast. Effect was to obscure the Ir,.iqi forces and complicate their

  potential use of chemical weapons. The conditions turned night into pitch

  darkness and day into night.

          C,6t:)c,) Division Forward CP called fot, an artillery regiment TOT on the

              two qrid locations -For the Iraqi rnech brigades in the Al BLtrqan

          0620 Arty ff@issions complete

              Things started to happen

          ol
          @7.0 Visibility in @F Papa Bear's area was so poor that an Iraqi

              Brigade Commander wandered into the TF CP undetected and

              Surrendered.   He said that the pnobIL-m was he couldn't speak for

              the rest of the +or,ces.

             -Immediately, thereafter a tink battle erupted in the midst of the

              TF CF'


             -Ist -.anks maneuvered on the enemy armor-mechanized force and with

              AH-IW and AV-E3B support destroyed 50 tanks and 25 APC's

              1/1 also engaged enemy -Forces in the vicinity of Gathering center

              four destroying another 43 armored vehicles

              TF Papa Bear had collected another 1500 EPW's

          O9-7C) Divi-.;ion forward CP is counterattacked by a mechanized -Force


                                            -7
                                      UNCLASSIFIEt@--------'--@