11TH MARIES OPER DS SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT EVENTS

File: 970725_dec96_decls39_0006.txt
Page: 0006
Total Pages: 16

Subject = 11TH MARIES OPER DS SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT EVENTS

Parent Organization = 1ST MARDIV

Unit = 11TH MARINES

Folder Title = 5TH BN-11TH MARINES- COMMAND CHRONOLOGY JAN-FEB 91

Document Number = 4

Box ID = BX600180

UNCLASSIFIED

during the day. 3/11 moved through the first breach in
trace of Tr Ripper and established positions beyond the
first obstacle belt while 5/11 supported Tr Ripper by fire.
3/12 supported Tr Grizzly and 1/12 supported Tr Taro as they
continued to infiltrate and establish lanes through the
first obstacle belt. As Tr Papa Bear was committed to the
assault breach, 1/11 provided direct support. Later in the
morning, 5/11 moved by echelon through the Tr Grizzly breach
site, 3/12 displaced by echelon through the Tr Ripper breach
site, and 1111 displaced by battalion through the Tr Papa
Bear breach site. 1/12 assumed its on order mission
reinforcing 1/11 as 1/11 displaced. During the morning
hours, 0-36 radars detected dozens of counter+ire targets,
42 of which were engaged by either artillery or close air
support aircraft. The effective neutralization of this
counterfire threat allowed the maneuver forces to move
forward and breach rapidly with minimal enemy indirect fire
interference. After 1/11 occupied positions beyond the
first obstacle belt and as Tr Papa Bear cleared its
position, 1/12 displaced through Tr Papa Bear's breach site
and moved up near the second obstacle belt remaining
reinforcing to 1/11. Later in the day, 3/11 continued
displacement forward by echelon through the second obstacle
belt to continue to support Tr Ripper's movement. The Ilth
Marines continued to provide timely fire support for the
Division's assault despite the rapid pace of movement,
massive collection of EPW'S, and periodic increased chemical
threats. Specific noteworthy events included:

0001: 3/11 DEPARTED ASSEMBLY AREA IN TRACE OF Tr RIPPER CROSSING KUWAITI
BORDER AT 0205 AND ARRIVING IN ATTACK POSITIONS NEAR GRID DS 67 68 AT
0331; MISSION DS Tr RIPPER.

0200; Tr PAPA BEAR BEGAN MOVEMENT FROM ASSEMBLY AREA TO ATTACK POSITION.

0325: Tr TARO LEAD ELEMENTS INFILTRATED THROUGH FIRST OBSTACLE BELT.

0355: 5/11 MISSION CHANGED TO GENERAL SUPPORT REINFORCING (GSR) 3/11. 5/11
155MM BATTERIES ANSWER CALLS FOR FIRE FROM Tr RIPPER ON BEHALF OF 3/11
"SISTER" BATTERIES.

0359: G-DAY AND H-HOUR CONFIRMED.

0507: Tr RIPPER CROSSED LINE OF DEPARTURE (LD) ENROLJTE FIRST OBSTACLE BELT
WITH 3/11 IN TRACE.

0600: H-HOUR; Tr RIPPER ARRIVES AT FIRST OBSTACLE BELT BREACH SITE GRID
QS 72 77.

0620; Tr RIPPER CLEARS FIRST TWO LANES THROUGH FIRST IRAQI OBSTACLE BELT.

0659: CFL 2 IN EFFECT.

0745: Tr PAPA BEAR IN ATTACK POSITION.