Desert Redleg by Lingamfelter L. Scott;

Author:Lingamfelter, L. Scott; [Неизв.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: University Press of Kentucky
Published: 2020-12-06T20:00:00+00:00

Map 9.2. 1st Infantry Division Assault Positions, February 24, 1991

Before we moved from TAA Roosevelt to our forward positions, Rhame had lobbied the VII Corps diligently to have a “follow-on” mission after the breach was secured. It made no sense to him to occupy the destroyed position of the Iraqi 26ID when we could be moving forward to engage the enemy deeper in Iraq. For example, we could target the vaunted Iraqi Republican Guard. But Rhame’s request had been a “hard sell” to the VII Corps planners. Maybe they thought we would be too combat depleted, with lots of casualties, and would need to recover after the breach operation. But rest was not something well-suited for a division whose motto was “No Mission Too Difficult, No Sacrifice Too Great, Duty First!” VII Corps relented to Rhame’s desire to have a follow-on objective and indeed gave the BRO an on-order mission to continue the attack into Iraq. But as I drifted to sleep that night, we were not certain if we would be conducting a follow-on attack.

When we awoke early on the morning of February 25, we had a busy day ahead of us. First the 1st, 2nd, and now 3rd Brigades of the division, following a short artillery preparation, attacked at 0600 that morning to rapidly overwhelm any remaining Iraqi resistance and seize objectives along PL New Jersey, the northernmost limit of the division’s sector of operation. As the forward brigades cleared enemy bunkers and trench lines, they captured two brigade command posts, as well as the command post of the Iraqi 26ID. Among the captured was one brigade commander, several battalion commanders, and numerous company commanders and platoon leaders. It was a big haul. By 1200 hours that day, the division was in position to pass the 1(UK)AD, including its 2,500 tracked vehicles and 5,000 wheeled vehicles, off our right shoulder northeastward to attack Iraqi positions beyond our sector.15

As we transitioned the 1(UK)FA to its division, Dodson began the effort to untether the other supporting field artillery brigades and send them back to the combat divisions they would support as those divisions advanced off the left shoulder of the breach we were making in the enemy’s lines. The 42nd FA Brigade was cut free first and headed west to link up with the 3AD as it advanced north and northeast into Iraq. The 75th FA Brigade then departed our sector to link up with the 1AD, which would make a similar north and northeast advance, also sliding off the left shoulder of the 1ID.

Both field artillery brigades had to make 20- to 40-kilometer lateral moves westward for their linkups, which would be no easy task. Getting them on the road was a priority for Dodson. Finally, the 142nd FA Brigade would link up with the 1(UK)AD on the BRO’s right shoulder and attack forces northeast of our sector. Remarkably, it all went rather smoothly, but with a twist. Dodson made the decision to move the 1(UK) FA through the breach ahead of their British maneuver forces.

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