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File: 082696_d50022_197.txt
"B" Command Group turned control of the lanes over to the TF
S-4 and by 1205 had rejoined the "A" Command Group.
The TF tog Trains were initially established on the south
side of the breach, awaiting notification that eneniy resistance
bad been sufficiently suppressed to allow passage north. The
RAS was established on the south side to handle any casualties
incurred during the breach. At 1200, the completed flow of
combat units through the breach all6wed for the displacement of
the Log Trains. By 1400, the Log Train.; were deployed on the
north side of the breach and control of the lanes was turned
over to 1st Division MPs.
At 1435, 3/9 began moving up to its attack position while
receiving sporadic shell fire in its zone. The battle in TF
Ripper's zone, north of the second obstacle belt, spread into
Task Force Papa Bear's on order zone, causing a delay in 3/9's
breaching efforts. By 1500, 1/11 had displaced forward and the
Task Force Slmm mortars were positioried. The planned
neutralization fires on the defensive positions were executed.
Division's intent was for the Task Force to quickly clear
the second belt and establish a breachhead in order to land TF
X-Ray (1/3) inside the Task Force zone prior to darkness. By
1520, 3/9 had passed through 1st Tanks' zone and began its
breach of the second obstacle belt (vic QS 890S60). OCD's
launched their line charges across the minefield to establish
two lanes; however, one lane's line charges did not detonate,
requiring an alternate lane to be established. By 1600, only
one lane was open; the other lane turned sour due to an M-60
roller tank disabled by an AT mine. 3/9 commenced work on yet
another alternate lane. A division of Cobras reported in to
the Task Force and were initially used by 3/9. 3/9 passed
through the breach and i~ediately engaged (5) T-55 tanks
retreating to the northwest, killing two of them. Continuing
its assault against Iraqi defenses, 3/9 incurred 10 casualties
from enemy mortar fire. All casualties were evacuated by AAV
to 3/9 BAS. Traffic moving north through the~lane was stopped
in order to allow the medevac AAV to pass south. 3/9 continued
its assault, clearing trenches defended by the 22nd Brigade,
5th Mechanized Division, and~destroying a 73mm recoilless
ritle, an AT-3 with ammo, and (3) 82:nxn mortars tubes with ammo.
Cobras continued working the area between Al Burqan and
the second belt. Tank main guns, artillery from 1/11, TOWs and
81mm mortars were all'firing on enemy positions.
Despite only one lane being cleared, 1st Tanks passed
through the breach at 1615 and began engaging reveted tanks and
infantry in bunkers. TOW Co moved to the right flank and
engaged troops in bunkers and trenches with ~~:K-19s and small
arms. As TOWs came into position, they engaged and destroyed
(6) T-55/62s. I Co, 3/9 (attached to 1st Tank Bn) moved into
its battle position and immediately became encumbered with EPWs
who surrendered by the hundreds. 1st Tanks repositioned its
units to shape~jts defense by moving TOWs back and ~xtending
their irontage to'fom a~scr~en line. In doing so, TOWs
e~countered a T-55 vhich was i~meciiate1y destroyed.
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