60                                U.S. MARINES IN THE PERSIAN GULF, 1990-1991


    PM 23 FEB (G-i)
     RECON AND..............
    OCCUPATION          OF
    FIRING POSITIONS
     TO   SUPPORT           ~     ::.              �..
    iNFILTRATION AND
    BREACHiN.:G..       PS
       MISSIONS
    1/11 GS PRI TAR C
    S/ik: DS GRIZZLY
    1/12: DS TARO
    ~/11: (35 PRI SIjEPHERD
    3/11: DS RIPPER

    80................................................................


                           ~RIZZiY:


                                      .1..     i.2...m.~iw............


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                                            11      :        BOADEff


                6:0              70                                 go

Locallon of Task Forces Grizzly and Taro and supporfing artillery on the evenhtg of 23
Fehrua,y 1991.

    Prisoners told Marine interrogators of poor morale and a gene�al unwilling-
ness to fight among the soldiers defending the obstacle belt. One prisoner
claimed that entire companies wanted to surrender.  He also reported the
evacuation of Al Jaber Air Field by most of its defenders. The possibility of a
tactical coup occurred to both General Myatt and Colonel Fulks; diplomaflc
concerns notwithstanding, the continued defection of the Iraqi soldiers provided
the allies an opportunity to breach the first obstacle belt without loss to them-
selves. Having once been the Division G-3, Colonel Fuiks understood the impor-