AAR 1ST MARDIV IN SWA

File: 970725_dec96_decls34_0104.txt
Page: 0104
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



             its attack position, which was approximately 14km inside
             Kuwait. At 0200, TF Papa Bear began moving to its attack
             position.   3/9 led the Task Force movement, followed by Ist
             Tanks and 1/1 along Axis OUTLAW. At 0533, TF Papa Bear crossed
             PL Black into Kuwait. By 0745, the entire Task Force was in
             its attack position.

                   3/9 crossed the LOD at 0748 and moved to its assault
             position (vic QS 730730), where it linked up with its STA
             team guides.   'Wolf" and 'Badger" returned from their
             reconnaissance of the first obstacle belt (vic QS 765765) and
             reported no enemy sighted. The approach to the first obstacle
             belt went as planned. TF Ripper was through its breach and
             well into its zone. 3/9 commenced its breach of the first
             obstacle belt at 0905. Obstacles encountered were a front wire
             barbed fence, 120m deep AP/AT minefield and a rear wire barbed
             fence. The Obstacle Clearing Detachments (OCD's) launched line
             charges across the obstacle belt. The line charges proved
             extremely effective against the minefield. The lanes were then
             marked with expedient marking materl'Al and proofed by
             track-width mine plows. At 0940, two lanes were completed
             through the first obstacle belt.

                   3/9 began moving through the breach, prepared to assault
             and clear Iraqi defenses north of the obstacle belt. No enemy
             forces were encountered.    By 1040, 3/9 had established a 2000m
             x 3000M breachhead and cleared the way for follow-on forces.
             Following close behind 3/9, ist Tanks passed through the breach
             lanes and began to clear its zone to the northeast. After
             passing through the breach, 1/1 attacked southeast along the
             minefield to clear troop positions and vehicle revetments. 1/1
             then moved to the northwest corner of the workers camp,
             previously cleared by TF Taro, and waited for the next breach.

                   Ist Tanks expanded its zone to the north and received
             sporadic shell fire. 1/11 provided supporting fires on targets
             of opportunity and displaced forward once the breachhead was
            -secured.

                   During the expansion of the TF breachhead, the breach
             support reams cleared and proofed two additional lanes.
             Engineers marked the lanes and then began reloading thd MK-154-
             conficfured AAV's in preparation for breaching the second
             obstacle belt.

                   At 1100, 3/9 again sent "Wolf", "Badger" and STA elements
             to reconnoiter the second belt. "Wolf" and "Badger" came
             under enemy indirect fire and requested air and artillery to
             suppress the enemy. Four AV-8Bs and one OV-10 FAC(A) were
             utilized to destroy (1) FO tower, (2) mortar bunkers, and (2)
             T-55 tanks.

                   The Task Force "All Command Group passed through the breach
             immediately following the 'trail elements of ist Tank Battalion
             and moved forward to establish a hasty CP location (vic QS
             792784). The: "B" Command Group,,remained on the friendly side
             of the breach to,.coordinate movement through -the breach lanes.   S3
             When the last vehicles of 1/1 had moved through the breach, the
                                     UNCL;@SSIFIFD