Iraqi war - who remembers? Good read on the tank battle

[Little J]

Where were you? I was up at State tutoring a HS student at his house to make a few bucks. War broke out and we spent an hour or so with his family that particular night watching in awe as it unfolded with reports and live video from the front - crazy, and at the time like nothing you had ever seen.

This article on the tank battle M1A1 Abrams brought it all back for me. Decent read - the military made it look easy to us arm chair observers, but it is was good training, execution, and technology and a lot of brave men. I can still see in my minds eye countless videos of the missiles coming in and destroying targets. "Stormin Norman" Schwarzkopf commanding - now deceased and buried at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Scud missiles that were the brunt of many a joke due to their lack of ability to hit their target.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/worl...iercest-tank-battle/ar-BB1dYyin?ocid=msedgntp

 

[mikeinpenna]

Where was I? In an advertising class worrying about my then-20 year old brother who was on the ground in Saudi with Uncle Sam's Misguided Children, firing their M198 155mm howitzer in anger at elements of the Republican Guard. Watched for news of India battery, 3rd battalion, 14th Marines. Thankfully, no new was good news.

PS. Didn't read the article yet, but assuming a theme is that the Iraqi T-72s were no match for the A-10 Warthogs, let alone the Abrams main battle tanks.

 

[Midnighter2]

Where were you? I was up at State tutoring a HS student at his house to make a few bucks. War broke out and we spent an hour or so with his family that particular night watching in awe as it unfolded with reports and live video from the front - crazy, and at the time like nothing you had ever seen.

This article on the tank battle M1A1 Abrams brought it all back for me. Decent read - the military made it look easy to us arm chair observers, but it is was good training, execution, and technology and a lot of brave men. I can still see in my minds eye countless videos of the missiles coming in and destroying targets. "Stormin Norman" Schwarzkopf commanding - now deceased and buried at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Scud missiles that were the brunt of many a joke due to their lack of ability to hit their target.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/worl...iercest-tank-battle/ar-BB1dYyin?ocid=msedgntp

Marine Corps Air Station overseas; my dad was about to retire (I was in 10th grade). He never deployed since he was with Headquarters, but lots of the base did (mostly the fighter squadrons and their support teams).

 

[bwifan]

Where were you? I was up at State tutoring a HS student at his house to make a few bucks. War broke out and we spent an hour or so with his family that particular night watching in awe as it unfolded with reports and live video from the front - crazy, and at the time like nothing you had ever seen.

This article on the tank battle M1A1 Abrams brought it all back for me. Decent read - the military made it look easy to us arm chair observers, but it is was good training, execution, and technology and a lot of brave men. I can still see in my minds eye countless videos of the missiles coming in and destroying targets. "Stormin Norman" Schwarzkopf commanding - now deceased and buried at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Scud missiles that were the brunt of many a joke due to their lack of ability to hit their target.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/worl...iercest-tank-battle/ar-BB1dYyin?ocid=msedgntp

Did someone say Scud Stud???

 

[Obliviax]

I was working at a large computer hardware company that had many defense contracts with the US Army. I recall watching the news in the office on TV's they rolled in. History Channel had a show in this in their "Greatest Tank Battles" series. This isn't it but it was similar.

For those that don't know, Iraq had invaded Kuwait for no reason other than they wanted their and for more real estate to fight Iran.

 

[Ken82d]

Where was I? In an advertising class worrying about my then-20 year old brother who was on the ground in Saudi with Uncle Sam's Misguided Children, firing their M198 155mm howitzer in anger at elements of the Revolutionary Guard. Watched for news of India battery, 3rd battalion, 14th Marines. Thankfully, no new was good news.

PS. Didn't read the article yet, but assuming a theme is that the Iraqi T-72s were no match for the A-10 Warthogs, let alone the Abrams main battle tanks.

A-10s were in the air over the Abrams for round two with Iraq.

 

[91Joe95]

A few years ago I found an old notebook my senior year English teacher made us write in every day. Operations Desert Shield and Storm were big topics in it. Lots of detail I had forgotten. I remember when the barracks got hit by a SCUD, and a PA national guard sign had blown onto it and worrying if my cousin had died. Found out later he was right next door in another barracks and had to pull bodies from it. Still has nightmares from it.

Some of the stuff you read about with the tank charges and other things is astounding. They didn't talk about it in the news at the time, but its pretty mind boggling.

 

[Lion84]

There is a good series on Netflix about the evolution of Tanks over the year and one of the episodes goes into detail about the Iraq tank battles - the Soviets were surprised how poorly their tanks did but wrote it off to poor training by the Iraqi army.

 

[Chickenman Testa]

This is what a high school classmate of mine posted on FB recently. He was a really quiet, meek, poor kid who got picked on at times, but he was a real nice kid. Anyway, he joined the Marines and was in the thick of it:


“30 years ago today, butterflies in my stomach, terrified that I might make the wrong decision and let my crew down, I and 3 of the best men I've ever known set off in an M-60 A1 main battle tank equipped with a mine plow to be the first tank through the minefields and open a breech point for the other best men I'll ever know in Bco 1st Tanks. Hiram Rollins, Khalis the greek and Sean Lauderdale, the crew of "Saddams Anal Intruder" and all my brothers from Bravo, I'll be lifting a drink to all of you tonight.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Kuwait_International_Airport”

 

[PSU85Shipp91]

Thank you , all of the brave men and women. I have a drink raised to you. I admire your service, courage and love of this country.

Thank you.

 

[PSU85Shipp91]

Stayed up until 3 am every night watching CNN coverage, tough to go to work.

 

[PSU73]

Remembering: the miles long wreckage on the road out of Kuwait after the A10’s destroyed the ‘sitting duck’ convoy of army and loot hauling ass back to Iraq;
hearing that Allied defenses could use the incoming arc to track the location of where it was fired from and then return the fire with high degree of accuracy;
the unique way of ‘blowing up’ the burning oil wells to put out the fire.

 

[Thomas1945]

I was laughing my ass off. Perhaps a little History will help.
My younger brother John is an idiot. While I earlier had spent 4 years in the USMC, he just wanted to emulate his older sibling for some childish reason. But he joins the Marine Reserves ( the 6 month active 5 1/2 years inactive deal. Now here comes the first hilarious part.

John had just graduated from the U of Miami and had been accepted to Temple’s medical school, so this idiot easily could have received a deferment. Now fast forward 5 1/2 years and John is ready to be discharged. The USMC showing their usual lack of good judgment wants him to re up. He was at the time serving as a truck driver, an obviously critical Marine MOS. John drops on them that while he’s flattered, he recently graduated from medical school and is performing his residency. Thus this might be an inconvenience They go ballistic and make him an offer you can’t refuse. John is somehow transferred to the Naval Reserve’s as a Lt. ( equal to a Marine Capt ). And it gets better.

For the next 16 years John is in the Naval Reserves, but the Pentagon in their wisdom somehow forgets to assign him to a unit. Fear not my friends, every year he did have to attend summer camp for 2 weeks. Meanwhile in some strange bizarre alternative universe the Navy keeps promoting him. Okay it’s now January of 1990 and the Navy says if he re up’s they’ll make him a captain ( that’s a full bird Marine colonel for those still awake ). I begged him to retire, because I love my country and was terrified that at this rate he may one day end up as a member of the Joint Chief of Staffs. Throwing caution and any rational thought to the wind, you guessed it he stays in.

A few months later he’s mobilized and sent to Saudi Arabia while bidding good bye to a mid six figure income and his medical practice.

While I truly sympathize with anyone who fought in the first Gulf War, and feel terrible for anyone who was injured or God forbid lost their life, I just couldn’t stop laughing as the bombs were falling on Baghdad.

 

[Art]

I was working at a large computer hardware company that had many defense contracts with the US Army. I recall watching the news in the office on TV's they rolled in. History Channel had a show in this in their "Greatest Tank Battles" series. This isn't it but it was similar.

For those that don't know, Iraq had invaded Kuwait for no reason other than they wanted their and for more real estate to fight Iran.

View embedded media

The engagement at 73 Easting (it's a map coordinate) was part of the larger battle described in the article referenced in the OP.

 

[91Joe95]

I was laughing my ass off. Perhaps a little History will help.
My younger brother John is an idiot. While I earlier had spent 4 years in the USMC, he just wanted to emulate his older sibling for some childish reason. But he joins the Marine Reserves ( the 6 month active 5 1/2 years inactive deal. Now here comes the first hilarious part.

John had just graduated from the U of Miami and had been accepted to Temple’s medical school, so this idiot easily could have received a deferment. Now fast forward 5 1/2 years and John is ready to be discharged. The USMC showing their usual lack of good judgment wants him to re up. He was at the time serving as a truck driver, an obviously critical Marine MOS. John drops on them that while he’s flattered, he recently graduated from medical school and is performing his residency. Thus this might be an inconvenience They go ballistic and make him an offer you can’t refuse. John is somehow transferred to the Naval Reserve’s as a Lt. ( equal to a Marine Capt ). And it gets better.

For the next 16 years John is in the Naval Reserves, but the Pentagon in their wisdom somehow forgets to assign him to a unit. Fear not my friends, every year he did have to attend summer camp for 2 weeks. Meanwhile in some strange bizarre alternative universe the Navy keeps promoting him. Okay it’s now January of 1990 and the Navy says if he re up’s they’ll make him a captain ( that’s a full bird Marine colonel for those still awake ). I begged him to retire, because I love my country and was terrified that at this rate he may one day end up as a member of the Joint Chief of Staffs. Throwing caution and any rational thought to the wind, you guessed it he stays in.

A few months later he’s mobilized and sent to Saudi Arabia while bidding good bye to a mid six figure income and his medical practice.

While I truly sympathize with anyone who fought in the first Gulf War, and feel terrible for anyone who was injured or God forbid lost their life, I just couldn’t stop laughing as the bombs were falling on Baghdad.

Brotherly love. Women just don't understand it.

 

[interrobang]

Watching it all unfold on TV during high school study hall

 

[Aardvark86]

Remembering: the miles long wreckage on the road out of Kuwait after the A10’s destroyed the ‘sitting duck’ convoy of army and loot hauling ass back to Iraq;
hearing that Allied defenses could use the incoming arc to track the location of where it was fired from and then return the fire with high degree of accuracy;
the unique way of ‘blowing up’ the burning oil wells to put out the fire.

My late brother was early on the scene at highway of death. Not a pretty sight.

 

[cment]

I was laughing my ass off. Perhaps a little History will help.
My younger brother John is an idiot. While I earlier had spent 4 years in the USMC, he just wanted to emulate his older sibling for some childish reason. But he joins the Marine Reserves ( the 6 month active 5 1/2 years inactive deal. Now here comes the first hilarious part.

John had just graduated from the U of Miami and had been accepted to Temple’s medical school, so this idiot easily could have received a deferment. Now fast forward 5 1/2 years and John is ready to be discharged. The USMC showing their usual lack of good judgment wants him to re up. He was at the time serving as a truck driver, an obviously critical Marine MOS. John drops on them that while he’s flattered, he recently graduated from medical school and is performing his residency. Thus this might be an inconvenience They go ballistic and make him an offer you can’t refuse. John is somehow transferred to the Naval Reserve’s as a Lt. ( equal to a Marine Capt ). And it gets better.

For the next 16 years John is in the Naval Reserves, but the Pentagon in their wisdom somehow forgets to assign him to a unit. Fear not my friends, every year he did have to attend summer camp for 2 weeks. Meanwhile in some strange bizarre alternative universe the Navy keeps promoting him. Okay it’s now January of 1990 and the Navy says if he re up’s they’ll make him a captain ( that’s a full bird Marine colonel for those still awake ). I begged him to retire, because I love my country and was terrified that at this rate he may one day end up as a member of the Joint Chief of Staffs. Throwing caution and any rational thought to the wind, you guessed it he stays in.

A few months later he’s mobilized and sent to Saudi Arabia while bidding good bye to a mid six figure income and his medical practice.

While I truly sympathize with anyone who fought in the first Gulf War, and feel terrible for anyone who was injured or God forbid lost their life, I just couldn’t stop laughing as the bombs were falling on Baghdad.

That is a great story. Thanks for sharing.

 

[cment]

For Storm I was at my dads house. Don’t remember for Shield.

 

[Harrisburg Dave]

The engagement at 73 Easting (it's a map coordinate) was part of the larger battle described in the article referenced in the OP.

I had an opportunity to war game the battle with a tank unit commander. He told me that the battle, when the entire front was measured, involved more armor than Kursk. I managed to cost the US a huge number of casualties due to my brilliant leadership.

 

[Dupage Lion]

My late brother was early on the scene at highway of death. Not a pretty sight.

T

I had an opportunity to war game the battle with a tank unit commander. He told me that the battle, when the entire front was measured, involved more armor than Kursk. I managed to cost the US a huge number of casualties due to my brilliant leadership.

In the “Fog of War” one of our Corps Commander,General Franks, was giver wrong information on the location of
The RepublicanGuards Tank divisions which enabled them to escape the noose and dede mau back to Baghdad.
This was at the same time CNN was showing continuous coverage of the Highway of Death which led GeorgeHW Bush
to call off the action at the 100 Hour mark- too neat by half as the Republican Guard units propped Sadat up for 12
more years resulting in tens of thousands of Kurds in the North and Shite Marsh Arabs in the South being slaughtered!

 

[83wuzme]

Rick Atkinson’s book “ Crusade “ is a thorough account of Desert Storm.
The Iraqi’s mounted an early attack at Khafji. In the media, it looked like the Coalition, especially the Americans, were caught flat - footed. In reality, the target had zero strategic value and demonstrated to American commanders that the Iraqi’s couldn’t coordinate anything above the battalion level. It certainly played out this way during the ground campaign.

 

[Metal Mike]

Were was I. I was on active duty with the US Army. I was assigned to Aberdeen Proving Grounds (APG) to the Project Manager for Nuclear, Biological and Chemical (NBC) Defense. I remember that time so well. I was out of danger but we had been working 7 days a week Sept to Jan because of the threat of chemical attacks. Anyway on the day the war started I was working until about 11 PM. I was on my way home and I needed gas. I was in uniform and thinking about getting a few hours of sleep before getting back to work. While pumping gas this guy who looked about 40 years old comes up to me and asked if they were going to draft him. I assured him he was in no danger. I thought it was funny.

The metallurgist makes the slag and the slag makes the steel.

 

[MJG-90]

I enlisted in '92 as a 73D (accounting specialist). My first duty station was Fort Sill Oklahoma. That place is pretty much all artillery and good luck sleeping some nights. In my first summer there, I got sent off to NBC school (Nuclear, Biological, Chemical) to become my unit's keeper of masks and other NBC protection gear. This was my first opportunity to talk to a bunch of people who were on the ground in Iraq for the first war there. Some of the stuff they told me was pretty gruesome. If you aren't familiar with MLRS, read the link below. A twelve pack takes out a grid square. The guys I had class with said they'd fire off twelve rockets then advance to make sure the grid square was clear. They said all they'd find was boots with feet still in them and piles of meat.

M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[diontechristmas]

I was pretty young in 1991, but years later I met a man who was a tank commander in this battle. In true fashion of most veterans, he talked little of the details of his service. He always shared one antidote however in that he had the hatch open on his tank at the start of the battle and in the haze of war (and his first combat) was standing up with his head out of the tank. He says his gunner said “sir, what the hell are you doing..close the damm hatch already” or something to that effect. Since then I have read a fair amount on these events.

We held great advantages in firepower. Technology, tactics and training and just massacred the Iraqi armored divisions. I know it was the largest tank battle in the history of the world, but what an incredible rout it was (thankfully).

 

[83wuzme]

I was pretty young in 1991, but years later I met a man who was a tank commander in this battle. In true fashion of most veterans, he talked little of the details of his service. He always shared one antidote however in that he had the hatch open on his tank at the start of the battle and in the haze of war (and his first combat) was standing up with his head out of the tank. He says his gunner said “sir, what the hell are you doing..close the damm hatch already” or something to that effect. Since then I have read a fair amount on these events.

We held great advantages in firepower. Technology, tactics and training and just massacred the Iraqi armored divisions. I know it was the largest tank battle in the history of the world, but what an incredible rout it was (thankfully).

The Israelis usually fought with their tank commanders partially out of the hatch. Not surprisingly, their commanders suffered higher rates of serious injuries and deaths. But it also gave their tank crews a better idea of what was going on than their adversaries.
Another thing the Israeli tank crews did was constantly shift their positions. You never know when somebody is lining you up.
I read that during the 1991 conflict, most America battlefield casualties were actually “ blue on blue “.

 

[lionroar88]

I was sleeping soundly in my barracks in Germany. At approximately 3am we could hear our Team Sergeant running through the halls, banging on doors... 5 minutes later I was standing in formation with my battle gear waiting for orders that would never come. Our unit was being deactivated due to The INF treaty, so we really didn't have a job. All of our TacSat operators, MPs, and motor pool staff were mobilized and sent to SA. Those of us lucky enough to not be mobilized were sent TDY to perform 24 on 24 off guard duty for the units that were deployed. One night while walking the fence line with a fellow soldier and our German National Army counterparts we were stopped dead in our tracks as our counterparts turned on us with their weapons drawn 'We could kill you right now, claim you attacked us from behind, and we would not be punished.' Yep, we were pulling perimeter duty unarmed while our German 'friends' had fully loaded UZIs.

 

[RickinDayton]

Where were you? I was up at State tutoring a HS student at his house to make a few bucks. War broke out and we spent an hour or so with his family that particular night watching in awe as it unfolded with reports and live video from the front - crazy, and at the time like nothing you had ever seen.

This article on the tank battle M1A1 Abrams brought it all back for me. Decent read - the military made it look easy to us arm chair observers, but it is was good training, execution, and technology and a lot of brave men. I can still see in my minds eye countless videos of the missiles coming in and destroying targets. "Stormin Norman" Schwarzkopf commanding - now deceased and buried at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Scud missiles that were the brunt of many a joke due to their lack of ability to hit their target.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/worl...iercest-tank-battle/ar-BB1dYyin?ocid=msedgntp

I was there from the very beginning of Desert Shield thru Desert Storm (almost 1 year). Deployed with our Tactical Hospital in support our our F-16 Fighter Wing out of Shaw AFB, SC. Our F-16 pilots said the road of death out of Kuwait for those Iraqis was so easy to score kills it was sad. They took no pleasure in the destruction but had a mission which they fulfilled. Such is war at times. Our pilots and the Italuan Tornado squadron co-located with us out of the UAE spend alot in the airspace over Iraq attacking Baghdad and involved in CAS (close air support). Stormin Norman (Army) as well as General Horner and General Gleason (USAF) had a brilliant battle plan that the forces executed incredibly well.