8TH TANK BN COMMAND CHRONOLOGY NOV 90 TO MAR 91 12 APR 91

File: 970107_aug96_decls2_0015.txt
Page: 0015
Total Pages: 60

Subject: 8TH TANK BN  COMMAND CHRONOLOGY NOV 90 TO MAR 91  12 APR 91     

Unit: 8TH TANK BN 

Parent Organization: 2 MARDIV    

Box  ID: BX600007

Folder Title: COMMAND CHRONOLOGY 8TH TANK BN 26 NOV - 31 MARCH 1991                                           

Document Number:          1

Folder Seq  #:          5




                                           UNCLASSIFIED
               hostilities commenced between United States and Iraqi ground, naval and air
               forces. On the 2@th of January 1991 the section made a large move from its
               former position near Al Jubail to a position just south of the city of Al
               Kibrit, Saudi Arabia. Shortly thereafter the battalion was attached to 6th
               Marines and daily liaison was begun. Liaison with 2d MarDiv 0-2 continued
               daily.
                    On 5 February 1991 three Kuwaiti Nationals were attached to 8th TkBn and
               given duty assignments as interpreter/scouts under the cognizance of the S-2
               Officer. Their names were
                    From 5 February to 23 February the S-2 section schedule was routine,
               consisting of daily visits to 6th Marines S-2, briefings for staff and
               officers, and classes to each company. During this period of time the 6-2
               HMMWV proved essential to the sections operations. The HMMWV was also
               essential for transporting maps.
                    On the 23rd of February a final liaison visit to Gth Marines S-2 was made
               in preparation of the upcoming ground assault. It was at this time that two
               of the Kuwaiti Nationals were taken from the battalion and transferred to lst
               Battalion, 6th Marines.                                were transferred. The
             .,evening of the 23rd a final intelligence briefing was given by Capt Williams
               to the staff and officers.
                    The morning of 24 February at approximately 0530 the 6-2 section moved
               into the first obstacle belt in Kuwait. Capt Williams traveled with the Alpha
               Command in an LVT C-7. Cpl Decann and lstlt Al-Saeed travelled in the
               high-back HMMWV with the combat train. SSgt Hart traveled with the Bravo
-7.
                    After crossing through the first obstacle belt it became clear that Iraqi
               resistance would be light. Groups of 5-10 EPW's were moving south along the
               breach lanes. Sporadic artillery fire was received, primarily 122mm with UT
               fuse. Some mortar fire was received. The battalion moved through the belts
               in two lanes, Red I and Red 2. Lane Red I received the largest volume of
               fire, Additionally, at the second obstacle belt there was a report of an
               exploded chemical mine containing either mustard or nerve agent. The
               battalion remained in MOPP 2 through the breach.
                    At the first battalion objective resistance remained lights with no small
               arms fire taken. At 1530 Capt Williams transferred out of the LVT C-7 into
               the HMMWV for the purpose of controlling and handling the large volume of
               EPW7s being taken On three occa                 iams was able to move forward
               of the battalion perimeter with                 to apprehend surrendering
               prisoners. By 1800 the total EPW count was 497 and growing. Between 1800 on
               the 24th and 0600 on the 25th approximately 100 more EPW's were taken. The
               EPW's were primarily from the gth Infantry Brigade and included the Commanding
               Officer, a LtCol. All enlisted EPW's were marched to the division collection
               point. All officer EPW's were transported by vehicle. Cpl Decann supervised
               the battalion hasty EPW collection point.
                    On the 25th of February the battalion continued to attack north with the
               6th Marine Regiment. Weather conditions were poor and visibility
               significantly degraded. This day was later referred to as the "nuclear day"
               because the smoke was so dense it reminded Marines of the aftermath of a
.
                  On the 25th by 1600 an additional 347 prisoners had been taken. These
               EPW's were primarily from the 3rd Armor Corps and included two LtCols. Large
               amounts of captured equipment and documents were being collected. 6th Marines
               S-2 was notified and an ITT team requested. The large numbers of EPW's began
               to have a degrading effect on the battalions ability to advance forward by the
               morning of 25 February.


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                                               UNCLASSIFIED

Document 60 f:/Week-34/BX600007/COMMAND CHRONOLOGY 8TH TANK BN 26 NOV - 31 MARCH 1991/8th tank bn command chronology nov 90 to mar 91:01029709504317
Control Fields 17
File Room = aug96_declassified
File Cabinet = Week-34
Box ID = BX600007
Unit = 8TH TANK BN
Parent Organization = 2 MARDIV
Folder Title = COMMAND CHRONOLOGY 8TH TANK BN 26 NOV - 31 MARCH 1991
Folder Seq # = 5
Subject = 8TH TANK BN COMMAND CHRONOLOGY NOV 90 TO MAR 91
Document Seq # = 1
Document Date =
Scan Date =
Queued for Declassification = 01-JAN-1980
Short Term Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Long Term Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Permanent Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Non-Health Related Document = 01-JAN-1980
Declassified = 02-JAN-1997