AAR 1ST MARDIV IN SWA

File: 970725_dec96_decls34_0107.txt
Page: 0107
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






             PliASE 11: BATTLE FOR AL BUROAN

                  Stand to took place at 0530 on 25 February. Visibility
             was extremely restricted due to dense fog. Division delayed TF
             X-Ray's helicopter landing until the fog cleared. A Task Force
             orders group was called for 0630 to discuss plans for the day.

                  .kt 0800, a T-55 tank and two type-63 APC's appeared out of
             the fog and stopped approximately 50 meters f2-om the Task Force
             CP. A group of Iraqi soldiers accompanied the vehicles and
             surrendered to the Task Force Security Platoon. Anong those
             surrendering was a
                                       who disclosed under immediate tactical
             interrogation 44mi4eet@-d that elements following his surrender
             party intended to fight. Moments later, the Task Force CP came
             under tank main gun and automatic weapons fire. Headquarters
             Marines moved forward to engage the enemy with MX-19s, .50 cal,'
             AT-4s, and LA.AWS. After a ten minut4@ enqaqement during which5 U,.S.C.
             several of the enemy vehicles were either- disabled or
             destroyed, the attacking force withdrew into the fog.          552.(b)(2)
                  Meanwhile, Ist Tanks had been notified of the impending
             threat and had received enemy automatic weapons fire itself.
             The Battalion quickly repositioned its forces to engage the
             enemy. D Co was re-oriented on line to the east and C Co was
             positioned on D Co's right flank. During this time, both tanks
             and APCs were engaged with Dragons and AT-4s from I Co, 3/9 in
             the fog at ranges less than 500 meters. The dense fog rendered
             the TOW screen somewhat ineffective as friendly tanks moved
             east into blocking positions. C Co engaged and destroyed over
             18 armored vehicles, while D Co cleaned-up what leaked through
             and continued to push out. As TOWS made their shift north, -
             the TAC (A) in an OV-10 reported a build up of armored vehicles
             to the northeast. Those vehicles were subsequently engaged by
             a FASTFAC controlling CAS aircraft. As fog cleared, TOWs
             engaged enemy to the southeast at extended ranges and
             registered a number of kills.

                  AH-'IW Cobras were called in and engaged the enemy with
             Hellfire missiles. Once the fog burned-off, fixed-wing
             aircraft also engaged targets. Fixed-wing and Cobras were
             controlled by the TAC (A) against targets farther to the
             east/northeast with excellent results. Artillery missions
             called in were initially delayed for two reasons. First, 1/11
             had begun its displacement to the west side o* the Burqan
             ollfield. Secondly, at 0800, Division had placed into effect
             restrictive fire support measures to protect the TF X-Ray
             landing which had not yet taken place. The engagement of the
             enemy occurred on the far side of the established RFL. TF Papa
             Bear's attempt to cancel the RFL until X-Ray had actually
             landed was denied by Division. All fire missions had to be
             cleared with Division, and were fired by the reinforcing
             battalion, 1/12.

                  The counter-attack lasted approximately 3 hour@s with kills
             by Ist Tanks estimated to be (50)itankg, (25)- APCS, and (20)
             armored vehicles of other types. There were other enemy
                                    III,            D