46                                 U.S. MARINES IN TIlE PERSIAN GULF, 1990-1991


    That completed the last major ground action of the Iraqi offensive. The Saudi
and Qatari forces captured more than 600 enemy soldiers and destroyed more
than 90 Iraqi tanks and armored vehicles. These statistics were of secondary
value when compared with the new spirit the attack gave the Saudi ground
forces. Its battalions had taken on what was viewed as a veteran Iraqi army and
defeated the much larger force. Colonel Admire later noted that the Saudi
achievement led to their subsequent decision to commit their forces join in the
allied offensive, whereas before they had limited their participation to defensive
operations within Saudi Arabia.
    The Iraqi offensive profoundly affected the upcoming allied offensive. The
change in Arab plans supported General Boomer's decision to have the 1st and
2d Marine Divisions conduct a simultaneous breach. In a series of MEF-level
commanders' conferences held after the failed Iraqi attack, General Myatt echoed
the observations of Task Force Shepherd's Marines that the Iraqi soldiers were
unmotivated, poorly trained, and unable to conduct combined arms operations.
Apprehensions over the strength of the obstacle belts lessened and both divisions
streamlined their organizations for rapid offensive operations.   Myatt was
particularly amazed at the enemy's failure to mass artillery, or to use it to any
degree. Artillery was considered one of the Iraqi army's strengths and General
Myatt saw it as the main threat facing the 1st Marine Division's offensive.
Incidents of fratricide accounted for the division's losses, not enemy action.
Concern to avoid such losses in the future led to increased emphasis on unit
commanders ensuring positive identification of every sighting before giving
permission to fire. Consequently, General Myatt, General Keys,     and their
regimental commanders exercised greater restraint over the movement of their
units during the offensive than the rapid !raqi collapse might have otherwise
warranted. General Boomer, General Myatt, and General Keys wanted an all-
out drive but not at the expense of American dead from friendly fire.71


                                       Painting by LICo Keith A. McConnell, U5MCR
                      Captured Iraqi tank, Fehruaiy 1991.