Iraq had been involved in an eight-year long war with Iran, which had left the country heavily in debt and in need of financial assistance. Iraq had also been hit hard by the sharp drop in oil prices in the 1980s. In an effort to improve its economy, Iraq sought to gain control of Kuwait’s oil reserves, which were among the largest in the world.
Iraq had long had territorial disputes with Kuwait and had been unhappy with the way in which Kuwait had been drilling for oil along their shared border. Iraq also accused Kuwait of “slant drilling” into Iraq’s oil fields and of overproduction which was causing a drop in oil prices and damaging Iraq’s economy.
Due to these factors Iraq invaded and annexed Kuwait on August 2, 1990 which led to the Gulf war.
The war was fought between Iraq, led by Saddam Hussein, and a coalition of countries led by the United States.
The United Nations Security Council issued a resolution condemning the invasion and demanding that Iraq withdraw its troops from Kuwait.
The coalition forces, which included countries such as the United States, Great Britain, France, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt, began to build up their military presence in the region.
United States and its coalition partners in response to the invasion and annexation of Kuwait by Iraq launched Operation Desert Shield to protect the oil-rich countries of the Persian Gulf, particularly Saudi Arabia, from potential Iraqi aggression.
Another Operation Desert Storm was launched to weaken the military capabilities of Iraq and to force the withdrawal of its troops from Kuwait. The coalition forces launched a massive bombing campaign against Iraq, targeting military and strategic infrastructure in an effort to degrade its ability to continue the occupation of Kuwait.
The Battle of 73 Easting
The Battle of 73 Easting was a tank battle fought between the United States and Iraq. It took place on February 26, 1991, in the Eastern province of Iraq, near the border with Kuwait. The battle was fought between the U.S. 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment (2nd ACR) and the Iraqi Republican Guard’s Tawakalna Division.
The battle began in the early morning when the 2nd ACR, under the command of Colonel Herbert J. McChrystal, encountered the Tawakalna Division while conducting a reconnaissance mission. The Tawakalna Division was considered to be one of the best-equipped and trained units in the Iraqi forces, and it was tasked with defending the approach to the Iraqi capital, Baghdad.
The 2nd ACR was equipped with M1A1 Abrams tanks, Bradley Fighting Vehicles, and other armored vehicles, while the Tawakalna Division was equipped with Soviet-made T-72 tanks and other armored vehicles. The 2nd ACR was outnumbered by the Tawakalna Division, but it had superior training and equipment.
The battle of 73rd Easting began with an intense exchange of artillery fire, with the 2nd ACR’s M270 Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS) and the Tawakalna Division’s FROG-7 rockets. The 2nd ACR then launched a surprise attack on the Tawakalna Division, using its M1A1 Abrams tanks and Bradley Fighting Vehicles to outflank and destroy the enemy’s armored vehicles.
The battle lasted for several hours, and the 2nd ACR was able to destroy over 100 Iraqi tanks and other armored vehicles, while suffering minimal losses. The Tawakalna Division was effectively destroyed as a fighting force, and the 2nd ACR was able to advance deeper into Iraq.
The Battle of 73 Easting is considered one of the most great tank battles in modern history. It was a decisive victory for the United States and its coalition partners, and it demonstrated the effectiveness of the U.S. military’s training and equipment. The battle was also significant because it marked the first time that the U.S. Army had fought a large-scale tank battle since World War II.
One of the key factors that contributed to the U.S. victory at the Battle of 73 Easting was the use of advanced technology. The M1A1 Abrams tanks and Bradley Fighting Vehicles were equipped with advanced fire control systems, thermal sights, and laser rangefinders, which allowed them to engage and destroy enemy vehicles at long ranges. Additionally, the U.S. military’s use of GPS navigation and digital communication systems allowed them to coordinate their attacks and maneuver effectively on the battlefield.
Another important factor that contributed to the U.S. victory was the superior training and experience of the 2nd ACR. The regiment had been training for several years in preparation for the Gulf War, and its soldiers were highly skilled and motivated. This, combined with the advanced technology, allowed the 2nd ACR to outmaneuver and outfight the Tawakalna Division.
The Battle of 73 Easting also had important strategic implications. The destruction of the Tawakalna Division effectively cleared the way for the coalition forces to advance towards Baghdad. Additionally, the battle demonstrated the weakness of the Iraqi military and the lack of will of its soldiers to fight, which led to the rapid collapse of the Iraqi army in the following days and the end of the war.