AAR 1ST MARDIV IN SWA

File: 970725_dec96_decls34_0074.txt
Page: 0074
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






             The following narrative is provided as an herioc event taking
             @ltce'-aurin4                   12th Marines participation in

               also
             -ln*O'tThedBgttleab.t7fr,'ha.fjii',the first major ground action of
             thbntar@usiks4a--biptii3m:.forami,ny Marines arrayed against the
             Iriqizylinhoinaiv!ttoatiteallership was key to the rapid
             r*ooonse of the Marines.     Many of -these leaders, although in
             cornbalehforl:the first@time, Performed flawlessly and
             demonstratod@gre&titourage.-:-...- -
                  A,good exampletoftthis courage and leadership is the
             case of-Battery C, istLB&ttalion; 12th Marines, and its
             Commander -Captain Steve! Morgan. -Under circumstances which
             QSuld4c&use many men to hestitate, Capt Morgan unhesitating
             brought his battery - consisting of eight M198 155mm
             Howitzers - to bear on the enemy.         I
                  Shortly after midnight on 29 Ja6 91, Iraqi forces
             invaded Saudi Arabia and took control of Khaf)i.         The 3rd
             Marine Regiment, the US unit closest to the scene,
             immediately began to counter this force.        Made up of three
             battalions of footmobile infantry, the Regiment realized that
             it would be some time before the battalions could be moved to
             Khafji to check the Iraqi advance.       The artillery, however,
             with its greater mobility (5-ton trucks) could be moved up
             immediately to engage. The orde- was passed to ist
             Battalion, 12th Marines to deplo@ one artillery battery
             forward just south of Yha-@ji and establish communications
             with recon elements in the city.       For protection, 3rd Marines
             ordered a detachment of mobile TOW missiles and .50 cal3.ber
             machine guns to accompany the battery.        This detachment was
             to link up with the battery enroute.
                  When Captain Morgan received his marching orde-s, he
             wasted no time.     After briefing his Officers and Staff
             NCO'S, the battery assembled and moved.out.        As soon as C
             Battery reached the main highway for the dash north, Capt
             Morgan 'realized the gravity of the situation.        The scene was
             absolute-chaos, with bot@-lanes of the highway jammed with
             civilians fleeing Khafji, as,well as, Saudi and Qatari forces
             retreating south as fast as possible.       The two lane highway
             was clobbered with civilian cars, APC'S, tanks, tractor
             trailers and they were four lanes abreast in some areas.          The
             battery threaded its way.,e-hrough the jumble, alternately
             racing forward.and braking often.
                  When the battery reached the linkup point, the security
             detachment was not there.      Capt Morgan waited anxiously for a
             few moments; he knew that the importance of the mission would
             not allow him to wait forever.       Establishing contact with
             1/12, the Battalion Commander, who had been forward earlier,
             ordered him to move out to his assigned position.         The
             situation was in doubt, but it was felt the Iraqis had to be
             stopped at Khafji and not allowed to move south.
                  Charlie occupied a position along the highway about 6
             kilometers south of Khafji, dangerously close, should th,e
             IrAq:Ls.punch through the thin defenses in the city.

                                     UNCLASSIFIED