We awoke at 0400 as usual, for stand-to, on 17 January and as usual we turned on the radios. It was “A-Day.” As we went outside on that clear, cold morning, we could see planes heading south returning from the first strike. Air traffic remained high for about one week. Two days later, Iraq started launching SCUD Missiles and we were forced to react every time the alert was called. This was mostly an annoyance that interrupted our sleep. One morning, in the dark around 0530 hours, we witnessed an explosion high in the air during a SCUD attack. I immediately had the Battery put on their gas masks and break into the war reserve chemical suits. We reported the explosion to DIVARTY and they acted shocked and reluctant, even though other units reported it also. We monitored the air with of detection kits and determined and determined it was all clear by 0630. A day later the US announced that Patriot missiles were shooting down SCUDs, and this is what we saw.
During this time after the war started the Division plan continued to be refined. Originally A/40th was to be the lead 3AD element behind the scouts. The intent was to maximize our long range (30 km) and knock out Iraqi artillery. This plan was modified to move us into the formation of the lead battalion of the Division, the 4/8 CAV under the command of LTC 'Mad Dog' Hallman. The lead Brigade was to be the 2nd Brigade commanded by an aggressive COL Higgins. The 2nd Brigade soldiers were known as 'Higgins' Boys.' We participated in exercises from Battery up to Division level in an attempt to practice Desert Warfare as well as confuse Iraqi spies as to when we were moving west.
About 12 February we were told we were G-9, or 9 days from ground invasion day. The following day we began our two day move west and north to Forward Assembly Area Butts. The day for the invasion was 21 February. On the 17th we were told we were at G-4 and holding. A peace initiative was being arranged. In the meantime A/40th was planning to fire the first 3rd Armored Division rounds of the war.
On 20 February I was summoned to COL Michitsch's tent and instructed to take the Battery to the 1st Infantry Division sector to the east right up to the Iraqi border and fire a raid at trench line and logistics targets. The destination was 45 kilometers northeast and we drove up in two hours. I linked up with my old friends from 1/27 FA (MLRS) in Babenhausen and shared some land to bivouac on. On 22 February we moved up to the end of the friendly lines and lined up the launchers on the trench line. Several Iraqi artillery rounds landed a few kilometers from where we were preparing to fire. At 1300 hours the first of 108 rockets were fired along with supporting fires from four cannon Battalions of the 1st Infantry DIVARTY. No more rounds came over from Iraq. Apparently one of the gunners looked at the other after the fire storm came and said, “Well were not trying that stupid shit again...” The sight of nine MLRS launchers firing at maximum elevation looked like the old TV movie 'The Day After.' It looked like a massive nuclear strike. After the raid was complete, two Iraqi soldiers came over the berm and surrendered. We returned to 3AD later that afternoon as the local heroes.
The next day the rumors were flying as to peace and Iraqi withdrawal. This was 23 February and we knew that the tentative G-Day would be the 24th. That night on the way to the battle brief at DIVARTY, my driver, SPC Patschke drove the HMMWV into a 10 foot deep tank trap. Even with the night vision goggles we could not see it. We were lucky we were not killed. My driver was slightly injured and the HMMWV still needs a front end alignment. Fortunately an M-1 tank crew saw us go in and pulled us out of the hole. At staff call it was announced, tomorrow would be G-Day, in a little less than six hours. 7th Corps was supposed to move the remaining 40 kilometers to the Iraqi berm and attack at G+1.
On the morning of 24 February, my 31st birthday, A/40th linked in with 2nd Brigade and prepared to move to the Iraqi border. The launchers and FDC's located in the 4/8 CAV formation behind C-Company, on the Battalion left. The Battery trains located behind 45th Support Battalion commanded by LTC Fairchild. At 0930 the DIVARTY S-3 called and informed me that there had been a “Major collapse along the MARCENT (Marine Central Command) line, 7th Corps has received a 'warning order' to attack today.” We were going to invade Iraq a day ahead of schedule. The 3rd Armored Division began to move at 1000 on 24 February 1991. A/40th was in the lead Battalion. Ahead of 3AD was the 2nd Armored Calvary Regiment (2nd ACR). 3AD had 1AD on it's left. As we moved toward Iraq, all soldiers donned their chemical gear. This is the second time in Theater that we were putting the war reserve suits on and also the second time put on inside the cramped confines of vehicles. We also began to take nerve agent antidote pills at 1300 hours. We took these pills every eight hours. They caused sweating, nausea and upset stomachs.
As we approached Iraq a severe sand storm developed and visibility was reduced to 50 feet. The largest armored force in history crossed into Iraq at 1443 hours 24 February. The breech of the berm was unopposed, however some forces reported sporadic incoming artillery. Our major threat was to the right flank. The 1st Infantry Division would not be on our right until they had overcome the Iraqi trench lines. As I monitored the tankers radio net, I realized that these guys were planning to shoot at anything that they could not identify. I radioed to the launchers to keep a tight formation because these guys were 'trigger happy.'
During this time after the war started the Division plan continued to be refined. Originally A/40th was to be the lead 3AD element behind the scouts. The intent was to maximize our long range (30 km) and knock out Iraqi artillery. This plan was modified to move us into the formation of the lead battalion of the Division, the 4/8 CAV under the command of LTC 'Mad Dog' Hallman. The lead Brigade was to be the 2nd Brigade commanded by an aggressive COL Higgins. The 2nd Brigade soldiers were known as 'Higgins' Boys.' We participated in exercises from Battery up to Division level in an attempt to practice Desert Warfare as well as confuse Iraqi spies as to when we were moving west.
About 12 February we were told we were G-9, or 9 days from ground invasion day. The following day we began our two day move west and north to Forward Assembly Area Butts. The day for the invasion was 21 February. On the 17th we were told we were at G-4 and holding. A peace initiative was being arranged. In the meantime A/40th was planning to fire the first 3rd Armored Division rounds of the war.
On 20 February I was summoned to COL Michitsch's tent and instructed to take the Battery to the 1st Infantry Division sector to the east right up to the Iraqi border and fire a raid at trench line and logistics targets. The destination was 45 kilometers northeast and we drove up in two hours. I linked up with my old friends from 1/27 FA (MLRS) in Babenhausen and shared some land to bivouac on. On 22 February we moved up to the end of the friendly lines and lined up the launchers on the trench line. Several Iraqi artillery rounds landed a few kilometers from where we were preparing to fire. At 1300 hours the first of 108 rockets were fired along with supporting fires from four cannon Battalions of the 1st Infantry DIVARTY. No more rounds came over from Iraq. Apparently one of the gunners looked at the other after the fire storm came and said, “Well were not trying that stupid shit again...” The sight of nine MLRS launchers firing at maximum elevation looked like the old TV movie 'The Day After.' It looked like a massive nuclear strike. After the raid was complete, two Iraqi soldiers came over the berm and surrendered. We returned to 3AD later that afternoon as the local heroes.
The next day the rumors were flying as to peace and Iraqi withdrawal. This was 23 February and we knew that the tentative G-Day would be the 24th. That night on the way to the battle brief at DIVARTY, my driver, SPC Patschke drove the HMMWV into a 10 foot deep tank trap. Even with the night vision goggles we could not see it. We were lucky we were not killed. My driver was slightly injured and the HMMWV still needs a front end alignment. Fortunately an M-1 tank crew saw us go in and pulled us out of the hole. At staff call it was announced, tomorrow would be G-Day, in a little less than six hours. 7th Corps was supposed to move the remaining 40 kilometers to the Iraqi berm and attack at G+1.
On the morning of 24 February, my 31st birthday, A/40th linked in with 2nd Brigade and prepared to move to the Iraqi border. The launchers and FDC's located in the 4/8 CAV formation behind C-Company, on the Battalion left. The Battery trains located behind 45th Support Battalion commanded by LTC Fairchild. At 0930 the DIVARTY S-3 called and informed me that there had been a “Major collapse along the MARCENT (Marine Central Command) line, 7th Corps has received a 'warning order' to attack today.” We were going to invade Iraq a day ahead of schedule. The 3rd Armored Division began to move at 1000 on 24 February 1991. A/40th was in the lead Battalion. Ahead of 3AD was the 2nd Armored Calvary Regiment (2nd ACR). 3AD had 1AD on it's left. As we moved toward Iraq, all soldiers donned their chemical gear. This is the second time in Theater that we were putting the war reserve suits on and also the second time put on inside the cramped confines of vehicles. We also began to take nerve agent antidote pills at 1300 hours. We took these pills every eight hours. They caused sweating, nausea and upset stomachs.
As we approached Iraq a severe sand storm developed and visibility was reduced to 50 feet. The largest armored force in history crossed into Iraq at 1443 hours 24 February. The breech of the berm was unopposed, however some forces reported sporadic incoming artillery. Our major threat was to the right flank. The 1st Infantry Division would not be on our right until they had overcome the Iraqi trench lines. As I monitored the tankers radio net, I realized that these guys were planning to shoot at anything that they could not identify. I radioed to the launchers to keep a tight formation because these guys were 'trigger happy.'
40th Artillery Mugs & Steins
40th Artillery Drink Coasters
40th Artillery T-Shirts
by Captain Leonard G. Tokar, Jr., Commanding
Desert Storm Summary 2
History of A/40th MLRS - Persian Gulf War
Persian Gulf War
Privacy Policy
Copyright © 2009-2012
