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Persian Gulf War: U.S. Marines’ Minefield AssaultMHQ | 16 comments | Print This Post | Email This Post
Problems with the explosive devices, however, slowed the operation and resulted in damage to several tanks that hit live mines while sweeping the supposedly cleared lanes with mine-clearing plows. The operation also was delayed by numerous false reports of chemical agents. With little Iraqi resistance, however, the marines pushed through the first minefield and reached the second barrier by noon, but they were then plagued with more defective line charges, more damaged tanks, and increased Iraqi artillery fire. The leathernecks’ biggest problem, however, was what to do with the thousands of surrendering Iraqi soldiers, who threatened to bog down the advance. Commanders of the assault units soon turned the flood of POWs over to marines from the supply columns behind them. Others, recognizing that the dispirited Iraqis were harmless, had their men simply direct them toward the rear. Happy to be alive and out of the war, Saddam’s soldiers marched to the south, waving dirty white rags and smiling at the marines rushing northward. The push through the two minefields had left eleven tanks damaged and fourteen men wounded. There had been concern about massed artillery fire catching them bogged down among the mines. But, ‘None of our fears materialized,’ Boomer said. Despite low clouds, scattered rain, and dense smoke from burning wells in the sabotaged Kuwaiti oil fields, the marine aviators did their best to support the ground forces. Cobra helicopters had to get under the clouds in order to attack Iraqi tanks or artillery firing on the marines. ‘I had six or eight Cobras air taxiing down highways in Kuwait with their landing lights on to get into the First or Second division areas to help them out,’ Moore recalled. The two heavy task forces ran into only scattered pockets of opposition from dug-in Iraqis, most of whom would surrender after being hit by long-range TOW missiles or tank fire. By late afternoon, Papa Bear had cleared its first objective just behind the second minefield belt. Ripper had to postpone its move onto the sprawling Al Jaber Airfield about nine miles to the northwest due to premature darkness. Still, the marines’ aggressiveness and light Iraqi resistance had put the advance hours ahead of schedule, creating a major problem for General Schwarzkopf. The marines’ rapid drive increased the risk that they would expose their left flank or would push the Iraqi troops out of Kuwait before the main attack could hit them. As a result, Schwarzkopf ordered the U.S. Army’s Seventh Corps to begin its assault by 3 p.m., about fifteen hours ahead of schedule. After a relatively easy first day, both marine divisions faced their toughest fights of the war on the twenty-fifth, when Iraqi armored units staged strong counterattacks. For the First Division, the battle included a precarious defense of Myatt’s forward command post, featuring an aggressive attack by a company of marine LAV-25s against a superior force of Iraqi tanks and armored vehicles. The Second Division, meanwhile, was fighting off separate attacks from Iraqi mechanized and armored units in what was called the biggest tank battle in marine history. In one fight, the ‘Reveille Engagement,’ marines, including Bravo Company, the reserve tank unit with its M1A1s, were roused from their sleep to destroy thirty T-72s and four T-55s — in minutes. Counterattacks and darkness, however, prevented both divisions from moving north. Although the weather remained bad on February 26, Boomer ordered Myatt to move on Kuwait International Airport and had Keys sweep to the west of Kuwait City to cut off the highways out of the capital. With supporting shellfire from the battleships Missouri’s and Wisconsin’s sixteen-inch guns, the assault units broke through the defenses. Shortly after dawn on the twenty-seventh, marines raised the U.S. flag in front of the airport terminal. To the south, Grizzly had worked its way through the maze of bunkers and buildings at Al Jaber Airfield, meeting no resistance. Meanwhile, the Second Division quickly occupied a ridge northwest of Kuwait City, sealing off major roads and trapping hundreds of fleeing Iraqis. On February 28, Arab troops passed through the marines’ lines and entered Kuwait City, which erupted in a joyous celebration. Later that day, President Bush ordered a cease-fire and the Persian Gulf War essentially ended for the marines. The U.S. Marines had driven about one hundred miles in one hundred hours, defeated seven Iraqi divisions, destroyed 1,040 tanks, 608 armored vehicles, and 432 artillery pieces, and taken 22,308 prisoners — at the cost of five killed and forty-eight wounded. At a February 27 press briefing in Riyadh, Schwarzkopf praised the marines: ‘It was a classic, absolutely classic, military breaching of a very, very tough minefield….And I think it will be studied for many, many years to come as the way to do it.’
This article was written by Otto Kreisher and originally published in the Summer 2002 edition of MHQ. For more great articles, subscribe to MHQ: The Quarterly Journal of Military History today! Pages: 1 2 3 4Help HistoryNet by bookmarking to
            Tags: 20th - 21st Century, Historical Conflicts
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16 Comments to “Persian Gulf War: U.S. Marines’ Minefield Assault”
I was a gunner on gun 1 for A 1/11. I’m finding it hard to find any detailed facts on our unit. I do know that my gun was the only Gun to direct fire while in Kuwait. I think it was about 1300 meters. I was on the site and our battery commander I think Cpt. Hughes was giving me the directive while looking through binos and he and the rest of the gun section fired 5 HE Shells ducking in between shots because the small force was firing at us. I beleive they were using M60’s and 50 cals. Where is the best place to find more info on this. Also I was honorably discharged when we returned and I heard my gun section recieved bronze stars. I was the one on the site and wondered if they were rewarded a bronze star would I be entitled to one as well? Thanks for your time, Semper Fi
By Ken Adams on Jul 22, 2008 at 4:11 pm
I was a member of the 1st “Tiger” Brigade of the might “Hell on Wheels” division. I consider it a privilege to have served with the Marines(2nd Marine Division), and our accomplishments are now taught at military schools and have created a standard of how to integrate the services in modern warfare. I am proud to have served my country, and would do it again it. Semper Fi+Hell on Wheels=Swift victory. Huah!
By Patrick Devolder on Jul 23, 2008 at 3:16 pm
Nice article about TF Taro. TF X-Ray A/1/3 was part of Taro but was issued a FRAGO to conduct the only Helicopter Borne Assault Operation of the Gulf War for the Marine Corps. Twice conducting assaults into oilfields with CAT Teams and inflicting destruction on die-hard Iraqi vehicles and receiving small arms fire at the second oil field. Storming Kuwait International Airport with Close Air Support from Cobras and French Gazelles.
It was an amazing experience as a LCPL and M249 SAW gunner with the burden of lugging over 150lbs worth of combat gear, to include an extra crate of grenades for the squad.
CPT Rodriguez
US Army
Semper Fi and Rangers Lead The Way!
By Rod on Jul 28, 2008 at 2:57 am
I was a member of 2nd Reconnaissance Bn. during the first Gulf War. We deployed numerous teams into Kuwait days before the ground assault began. We would walk all night then dig holes and stay in them all day. We remained inside Kuwait for six days and then humped all the way back to the Saudi border in one night.
By David Clark on Aug 23, 2008 at 11:33 pm
I was part of the Marine Team that planned the mine field clearing. They left out that we had to designe saddels on the AAV’s to carry all the pvc pipe to fill the Huge tank ditches in front of both mine fields all well carrying 1500lbs of C4 plus all the other explosives we had to use to clear obsticals on the way to the airport. All in an AAV the a 22cal. can penitrate. Semper Fi.
By Tony Warren on Aug 24, 2008 at 1:39 pm
I was a member of Task Force Ripper, o341. C Co 1st Bttln 7th MAR DIV wpns plt. Semper Fi brothers.
By Brent Imker on Sep 19, 2008 at 10:30 am
I was a member of Task Force Grizzly.
3/7 – We lost 2 Marines (KIA)
Lcpl. Brian Lane
Lcpl. Christian Porter.
14 wounded(WIA).
Semper Fi Brothers
http://www.taskforcegrizzly.org
By Kauffman on Oct 9, 2008 at 11:07 pm
As a gunner on Capt. A. Hart’s M1A1 the Crusader, we were fortuneate enough the fire the first shotin the “Reveille Engagement”. I wish that we could have ended things then.
Semper Fi,
Lee Fowble
Co. B 2ndPlt. 4th Tk.Bn.
By Lee Fowble on Nov 25, 2008 at 12:25 am
It was my pleasure to be amongst the distinguished company of such Marine heros. I miss you all; RIP LCpl’s Lane and Porter, you will forever be remembered.
I will always cherish and miss my days as a Marine grunt (0311) with Kilo Company, 3rd Battalion 7th Marines.
God Bless you all and Semper Fidelis
By James Flores on Jan 9, 2009 at 1:27 am
I was with 3/7 Wpns Co Dragons attached to L Co. I stayed in upon our return (88-01) but never served with a finer group of Marines and friends “brothers”
Semper Fi
MAGTF 4-90
By Scott Kerrick on Jan 14, 2009 at 10:03 pm
I was with Charlie Co., 2nd LAI Bn. We were four days in country and battle hard by the time the “ground offensive” started.
I could not have served under a better commanding officer: Captain James Amidon! There couldn’t be a finer set of military men than those that I was able to serve with.
Semper Fi!
Mark Reece
Sergeant
By Mark Reece on Jan 28, 2009 at 12:05 am
I was the Company Commander of Co I, 3/7 the lead element into Kuwait. LCpl Brian Lane was a member of our company and well respected. LCpl Christian Porter was carrying our gear in his 5 ton. We miss you Marines. You will never be forgotten!
Semper fi
John Foldberg
LtCol USMC (ret)
By John Foldberg on Feb 22, 2009 at 8:38 pm
I was on a TOW hummer originally a part of TOW Co, 1st Tank Battalion, 1st MarDiv. Our platton was put on the berm with 3d Marines hours before the berm crossing. I distinctly recall a Captain asking for any NCO’s on our vehicle. There were none…just two LCpl’s…JP Wilson and myself. He instructed us to us to keep in touch with a bunch of 0351’s that would be following us in a vehicle with no radio. We were on the far left flank of the wedge and were to bound out 500 meters, scan for enemy, and signal back to our rear with a red lens…..maintaining radio silence. It was such a cluster…..I recall looking back across the movement through our thermal and seeing nothing but red…all Marines marching. We decided we weren’t flashing a damn thing at a locked and loaded USMC infantry battalion.
Lots more to the story….but I am glad I found this recap..I was less than 5o0 yards away when the hummer got hit by the HARM. We were in front of it and over a rise…saw the flash and heard the explosion.
By Rich Wright on Feb 26, 2009 at 11:21 pm
I served with the 1st Tiger Brigade (B Company, 3/41 Infantry) during Operations Desert Shield / Storm. I’m proud to have served with my unit and with the 2nd Mar Div. No other Army unit worked side by side with another branch like we did. I have since caught up with some of the Marines that conducted the breech going into Kuwait and met one Marine that helped clear the lane that I went through. It was both an honor and a privelage to have served with my Marine brothers. “Straight and Stalwart”, “Hell on Wheels” and “Semper Fi”.
By Kevin Williams on Mar 18, 2009 at 10:08 pm
Came to 3/7 H & S as the Religious Program Specialist right before we went over the burm. Was only with the battalion for less than a month, but will always be a part of the unit. Was Chaplain Mark Gefaller’s bodyguard and have the utmost respect for everyone from 3/7. We went through alot in only a short amount of time. Have never forgotten LCPL Christian Porter or LCPL Brian Lane! Brothers forever!
Semper Fi
RPSN Mike Parsons
By Mike Parsons on May 4, 2009 at 9:07 pm
I served in Alpha Battery, 1st Div. 11th Marines (A1/11). I was suprised to see the above post by Ken Adams on Jul 22, 2008 at 4:11 pm asking about the direct fire our unit was involved in. I to have been looking for more information about this. Ken, If you ever see this, I hope that you get the same credit your gun mates got. I was right there with John Maher making a drop for the guns when this all went down and we returned fire. From the historical point I wonder why this part of history has gone unspoken of? Last, our CO was Cpt. McCarthy, who was followed by Cpt. Hughes after the war. Both are good men and even better Marines. Semper Fi to the Marines of 1991’s A 1/11 and all Marines to follow…
By David Oaks on May 6, 2009 at 5:41 pm