Editing Gulf War (section)

==Ground campaign==
[[File:DS1991.jpg|thumb| M109 howitzers belonging to 4th Battalion of the [[3rd Field Artillery Regiment (United States)|3rd Field Artillery Regiment]], 2nd Armored Division (FWD) conducts artillery strikes on Iraqi positions during the [[1st Gulf War]]. 4-3 FA was the primary fire support battalion for Task Force 1–41 during the [[1st Gulf War]], February 1991.]]
{{See also|Battle of Al Busayyah|Battle of Phase Line Bullet|Battle of 73 Easting|Battle of Norfolk|Battle of Medina Ridge|Battle of Kuwait International Airport|Battle of Rumaila}}

A 90,000 round artillery preparation fire on Iraqi defensive positions preceded the major ground assault, lasting 2.5 hours.{{sfnp|Bourque|2001|p=194}} 1st Infantry Division Artillery, which included 4-3 FA battalion, was decisive during artillery combat operations performing multiple raids and fire missions. These combat operations resulted in the destruction of 50 enemy tanks, 139 APCs, 30 air defense systems, 152 artillery pieces, 27 missile launchers, 108 mortars, and 548 wheeled vehicles, 61 trench lines and bunker positions, 92 dug in and open infantry targets, and 34 logistical sites.<ref>Lingamfelter P.190-191</ref> The ground campaign consisted of three or possibly four of the largest [[tank]] battles in American military history.<ref name="wearethemighty.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.wearethemighty.com/articles/6-massive-tank-battles-from-us-history|title=These were the 6 most massive tank battles in US history|date=24 March 2016}}</ref><ref name="Chenoweth-2005">{{cite book |title=Semper Fi: The Definitive Illustrated History of the U.S. Marines |last=Chenoweth |first=H. Avery |year=2005 |page=408}}</ref> The battles at 73 Easting, Norfolk, and Medina Ridge are well noted for their historical significance.<ref name="wearethemighty.com"/> Some consider the [[Battle of Medina Ridge]] the largest tank battle of the war.<ref name="VUA Citation"/><ref name="wearethemighty1">{{cite web |author=Logan Nye |date=2021-04-16 |title=These were the 6 most massive tank battles in US history |url=https://www.wearethemighty.com/mighty-history/6-massive-tank-battles-from-us-history/ |access-date=2021-11-20 |publisher=We Are The Mighty}}</ref> Other sources consider the [[Battle of Norfolk]] the largest tank battle of the war and the second largest tank battle in American history.<ref name="wearethemighty1"/> The U.S. Marine Corps also fought the biggest tank battle in its history at [[Kuwait International Airport]].<ref name="Chenoweth-2005"/> The U.S. 3rd Armored Division also fought a significant battle at Objective Dorset not far from where the Battle of Norfolk was taking place. The U.S. 3rd Armored Division destroyed approximately 300 enemy combat vehicles during this particular encounter with Iraqi forces.<ref name="VUA Citation"/>

The U.S. VII Corps was the primary combat formation of the coalition forces.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-1991-02-26-1991057001-story.html|title = VII Corps leads armored surge into Iraq WAR IN THE GULF| date=26 February 1991 }}</ref> It was a formidable fighting force consisting of 1,487 tanks, 1,384 infantry fighting vehicles, 568 artillery pieces, 132 MLRS, 8 missile launchers, and 242 attack helicopters.{{sfnp|Bourque|2001|p=90}} It had a total troop strength of 146,321 troops.{{sfnp|Bourque|2001|p=473}} Its primary full strength fighting formations were the [[1st Armored Division (United States)]], the [[3rd Armored Division (United States)]] and the [[1st Infantry Division (United States)]]. The [[2nd Armored Division (United States)|2nd Armored Division (Forward)]] was assigned to the 1st Infantry Division as its third maneuver brigade.{{sfnp|Dinackus|2000|p=4–10}} Its Task Force 1-41 Infantry would be the spearhead of VII Corps.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://history.army.mil/html/forcestruc/vua_citations.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120915090951/http://www.history.army.mil/html/forcestruc/vua_citations.html | url-status=dead | archive-date=15 September 2012 | title=Operations DESERT SHIELD and DESERT STORM: Valorous Unit Award Citations &#124; Unit Award Orders & Citations }}</ref> In addition, the corps had the [[2nd Cavalry Regiment (United States)]] to act as a scouting and screening force, and two further heavy divisions, the [[1st Cavalry Division (United States)]] and the United Kingdom's 1st Armoured Division, as well as the U.S. [[11th Aviation Group (United States)|11th Aviation Group]].<ref name="VUA Citation"/>{{sfnp|Bourque|Burdan|2007|p=275}}{{sfnp|Bourque|Burdan|2007|p=377}} VII Corps fought a number of large battles against Iraqi forces. Some of them historical in scope and size. Three of the battles at Norfolk, Medina Ridge, and 73 Easting are considered among the largest tank battles in history.<ref>{{cite web|author=Logan Nye |url=https://www.wearethemighty.com/mighty-history/6-massive-tank-battles-from-us-history/ |title=These were the 6 most massive tank battles in US history |publisher=We Are The Mighty |date=2022-04-22 |access-date=2022-05-09}}</ref> By the end of combat operations on 28 February 1991, U.S. VII Corps had driven {{Convert|260|km}}, captured 22,000 Iraqi soldiers, and destroyed 1,350 Iraqi tanks, 1,224 armored personnel carriers, 285 artillery pieces, 105 air defense systems, and 1,229 trucks.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://armyhistory.org/jayhawk-goes-to-war-vii-corps-in-operation-desert-storm/ |title=Jayhawk Goes to War: VII Corps in Operation DESERT STORM – The Campaign for the National Museum of the United States Army |date=30 April 2016 |publisher=Armyhistory.org |access-date=2021-11-20}}</ref>

[[File:An OH-58D Kiowa helicopter departs from a communications site in the desert during Operation Desert Shield.jpg|thumb|An OH-58D Kiowa helicopter departs from a communications site in the desert during Operation Desert Shield|left]]
The primary combat vehicles of the American divisions were the [[M1A1 MBT|M1A1 Abrams]] tank and the [[Bradley Fighting Vehicle]].{{sfnp|Bourque|2001|pp=75, 92}} The primary American artillery system was the self propelled [[M109 howitzer]].{{sfnp|Bourque|2001|p=107}} The primary American attack helicopter was the [[Boeing AH-64 Apache]] (Army) with the [[Bell AH-1 Cobra]] (Army and Marines) also being in theatre.{{sfnp|Bourque|2001|p=107}} The U.S. [[A-10#|Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II]] ground attack aircraft would distinguish itself during the Gulf War aided by the [[OH-58D]] [[JAATT]] eyes in the sky. Together they inflicted significant damage on Iraqi ground forces.{{sfnp|Bourque|2001|p=244}} U.S. A-10 "Warthog" crews would destroy 900 Iraqi tanks, 2,000 other military vehicles and 1,200 artillery pieces during combat operations.{{Citation needed|date=February 2023}}

The [[U.S. Marine Corps]] was represented by the [[1st Marine Division]] and the [[2nd Marine Division]].<ref name="marinesmil">{{cite magazine |author=Paul W. Westermeyer |title=The Battle of al-Khafji |magazine=U.S. Marines in Battle |date=28 January – 1 February 1991 |url=https://www.marines.mil/Portals/1/Publications/U.S.%20Marines%20in%20Battle%20Al-Khafji%20%20PCN%20106000400_1.pdf?ver=2012-10-11-164150-403}}</ref> They were supported by the U.S. Army's 2nd Armored Division's Tiger Brigade to provide the Marines with additional armor support.<ref name="marinesmil"/> Marine armor units mostly consisted of the older [[M60 tank|M-60]] tank.<ref name="marinesmil"/> The 1st Marine Division destroyed around 60 Iraqi tanks near the Burgan oil field without suffering any losses.<ref>Blitzkrieg in the Gulf by Yves Debay</ref> The [[1st Marine Division (United States)|1st Marine Division]] Task Force Ripper led the drive to the Kuwait International Airport on 27 February 1991. Marine Task Force Ripper destroyed about 100 Iraqi tanks and [[armored personnel carrier]]s, including [[T-72 tank|T-72]] tanks.<ref>U.S. Marines in the Persian Gulf, 1990–1991 With the 1st U.S. Marine Division in Desert Shield and Desert Storm. pp.92–93.</ref> The division commander Maj. Gen. J.M. Myatt said,{{sfnp|Nordeen|Isby|2010|p=66}} "During the first day of combat operations 1st Platoon, D Company, 3rd Tank Battalion destroyed 15 Iraqi tanks".{{sfnp|Nordeen|Isby|2010|p=73}} The Marines also destroyed 25 [[Armoured personnel carrier|APC]]s and took 300 [[Prisoner of war|prisoners of war]].<ref>U.S. Marines in the Persian Gulf, 1990–1991 With the 1st U.S. Marine Division in Desert Shield and Desert Storm Cureton P.94</ref> The U.S.M.C. would often encounter the Iraqi 3rd Armored Division in their theater of operations. Once the 1st Marine Division reached Kuwait International Airport they found what remained of the Iraqi 12th Armored Brigade, 3rd Armored Division defending it. The Marines destroyed 30 to 40 Iraqi T-72 tanks which had taken up defensive positions around the airport.{{sfnp|Nordeen|Isby|2010|p=73}} The Iraqi 3rd Armored Division losses included more than 250 T-55/62s and 70 T-72 tanks by the end of combat operations.{{sfnp|Nordeen|Isby|2010|p=73}} The Iraqi 3rd Armored Division would be totally destroyed. The 2nd Marine Division played a major role repelling the attempted Iraqi invasion of Saudi Arabia which is known as the [[Battle of Khafji]]. The 2nd Marine Division also faced heavy resistance during the [[Battle of Kuwait International Airport]]. The battle featured the "Reveille Engagement" which went on to become the largest tank battle in United States Marine Corps' entire history.<ref>Col H. Avery Chenoweth (2005) Semper Fi: The Definitive Illustrated History of the U.S. Marines</ref> Marine Reserve unit Bravo Company, 4th Tank Battalion, 4th Marine division was assigned to the 2nd Marine Division.<ref name="bravocompany4thtankbattalion.org">{{cite web |url=http://bravocompany4thtankbattalion.org |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160109120912/http://bravocompany4thtankbattalion.org/ |archive-date=9 January 2016 |title= History of Bravo Company, 4th Tank Battalion in Desert Storm 1991 |access-date=5 January 2019 }}</ref> Bravo Company destroyed a total of 119 enemy vehicles and took over 800 [[POW]]s by the end of combat operations.<ref name="bravocompany4thtankbattalion.org"/> The 1st Tank Battalion claimed 50 Iraqi T-55 and T-62 tanks and 25 APCs. The 3rd Battalion claimed 57 T-55s and T-62s along with 5 T-72s, 7 APCs, and 10 trucks. The 8th Battalion destroyed more than three dozen tanks and a number of other vehicles.<ref>M60 vs T-62 Cold War Combatants 1956–92, Nordeen & Isby, p.73</ref> U.S. Marine Corps armor units would destroy hundreds of Iraqi tanks by the end of combat operations.{{sfnp|Nordeen|Isby|2010|p=73}}<ref>{{cite web | url=https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/m60-old-tank-crushed-saddam-hussein-during-first-gulf-war-146816 | title=M60: This Old Tank Crushed Saddam Hussein During the First Gulf War | date=22 April 2020 }}</ref> U.S. Marine Corps tank losses would be light as they suffered the loss of ten M-60 tanks during combat operations.{{sfnp|Nordeen|Isby|2010|p=74}}

[[File:A Challenger 1 tank during the Gulf War.JPEG|thumb|British Challenger 1 tanks during the Gulf War. The British Challenger tank was the most efficient tank of the Gulf War, suffering no losses while destroying approximately 300 Iraqi tanks during combat operations.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tanknutdave.com/the-british-challenger-1-main-battle-tank/|title = The British Challenger 1 Main Battle Tank}}</ref>]]
The United Kingdom was represented by its 1st Armoured Division known as the Desert Rats. The British 1st Armoured Division fielded approximately 176 [[Challenger 1]] tanks.<ref>Dunstan P.8</ref> British infantry rode into battle on the [[Warrior tracked armoured vehicle]]. It had reasonable armour protection and a 30mm gun. Modified versions of the vehicle included mortar carriers, [[MILAN]] antitank systems, and command and control vehicles; and the British possessed a variety of excellent light armoured vehicles built on their [[FV101 Scorpion]] chassis. British artillery was primarily American made M109 howitzers (155mm), [[M110 howitzer]]s (203mm), and [[M270 MLRS]] which were compatible with American systems. Their air support consisted of [[Gazelle helicopter]]s, used for reconnaissance, and the [[Lynx helicopter]] which was comparable to the American [[AH-1 Cobra]]. The British had their full contingent of engineer, logistics, and medical units.{{sfnp|Bourque|2001|p=260}}

The British 1st Armoured Division was responsible for protecting the right flank of VII Corps. It was assumed by the Corps' planners the Iraqi 52nd Armored Division would counterattack VII Corps once their penetration into Iraqi defenses was discovered. The British 1st Armoured Division had two brigades (the 4th and 7th) which participated in [[Operation Granby]], the name given to the British military operations during the 1991 Gulf War. The British 1st Armoured Division had traveled 217 miles in 97 hours. The British 1st Armored Division had captured or destroyed about 300 Iraqi tanks{{citation needed|date=February 2023}} and a very large number of armored personnel carriers, trucks, reconnaissance vehicles, etc.{{sfnp|Bourque|2001|p=275}}{{sfnp|Bourque|2001|p=377}} The Desert Rats also destroyed multiple Iraqi artillery positions.<ref name="Halberstadt P.117, 121">Halberstadt P.117, 121</ref> The division also took over 7,000 Iraqi prisoners of war including two division commanders and two other general officers.{{sfnp|Bourque|2001|p=319}} The British 1st Armoured Division destroyed or isolated four Iraqi infantry divisions (the 26th, 48th, 31st, and 25th) and overran the Iraqi 52nd Armored Division in several sharp engagements. The Iraqi 80th Armored Brigade would also fall victim to the British 1st Armoured Division.{{sfnp|Bourque|2001|p=265}}

Iraq was represented mostly by its own VII Corps and its Jihad Corps.{{sfnp|Bourque|2001|p=244}} Its most notable participants were its elite Republican Guard Divisions Tawakalna, Medina, Hammurabi, and Adnan.{{sfnp|Bourque|2001|p=43}}{{sfnp|Bourque|2001|p=350}} The first three of these had a strength of over 660 tanks, 660 infantry fighting vehicles, and thousands of antitank weapons, self propelled artillery, and other combat systems.{{sfnp|Bourque|2001|p=244}} The Tawakalna Republican Guard Division was Iraq's most powerful division which included approximately 14,000 soldiers, 220 [[T-72]] tanks, 284 [[infantry fighting vehicle]]s, 126 artillery pieces, and 18 MLRS.{{sfnp|Bourque|2001|p=324}} The Iraqi 52nd Armored Division was also a primary participant.{{sfnp|Bourque|2001|p=377}} It was a powerful division consisting of 245 tanks and 195 [[armored fighting vehicle]]s.{{sfnp|Bourque|2001|p=185}} The Iraqi 10th and [[12th Division (Iraq)|12th Armored Division]]s were also present. The two divisions formed the foundation of the Jihad Corps.{{sfnp|Bourque|2001|p=244}} The Iraqi [[10th Division (Iraq)|10th Armored Division]] was considered the best regular division in the Iraqi Army.{{sfnp|Bourque|2001|p=243}} It had more modern equipment than the other regular Iraqi units.{{sfnp|Bourque|2001|p=243}} It was equipped with T-72 and [[T-62]] tanks.{{sfnp|Bourque|2001|p=243}} The T-62 tank being its primary system.{{sfnp|Bourque|2001|p=243}} Overall the primary tank of the Iraqi forces was the [[T-55]] tank.{{sfnp|Bourque|2001|p=19}} The Iraqis fielded them in great numbers.{{sfnp|Bourque|2001|p=19}} The Iraqis also had elements of two other independent armored brigades in theatre, those being the 50th and 29th Armored Brigades.{{sfnp|Bourque|2001|pp=333–337}}
Iraq would also field multiple Infantry Divisions.<ref>U.S. Marines in the Persian Gulf, 1990–1991 With the 1st U.S. Marine Division in Desert Shield and Desert Storm Cureton P.97</ref>

The Iraqis suffered the loss of over 3,000 tanks and over 2,000 other combat vehicles during these battles against the American-led coalition.{{sfnp|Bourque|2001|p=455}} It is estimated that Iraqi forces suffered 20,000–50,000 troops killed during combat operations.{{sfnp|Bourque|2001|p=455}} It is also estimated that over 75,000 Iraqi soldiers were wounded.<ref>"Persian Gulf War". MSN Encarta. Archived from the original on 1 November 2009.</ref> Between 80,000 and 175,000 Iraqi troops were taken prisoner.{{sfnp|Bourque|2001|p=455}}<ref name="google1990"/><ref name="google1991"/> Iraqi forces inflicted very minimal damage on Coalition forces.{{sfnp|Bourque|2001|p=471}}<ref>Carhart, Tom (1994). Iron Soldiers: How America's 1st Armored Division Crushed Iraq's Elite Republican Guard. New York: Random House. p.323 {{ISBN|0671791656}}</ref><ref>Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 December 2016. Retrieved 28 October 2017.</ref>

===Liberation of Kuwait===
{{Main|Liberation of Kuwait campaign}}
{{See also|Order of battle of the Gulf War ground campaign}}
[[File:3 AD Iraq.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4|US [[M1A1 MBT|M1A1 Abrams]] tanks from the [[3rd Armored Division (United States)|3rd Armored Division]] along the Line of Departure]]

US decoy attacks by air attacks and naval gunfire the night before Kuwait's liberation were designed to make the Iraqis believe the main coalition ground attack would focus on central Kuwait.{{Citation needed|date=February 2023}} For months, American units in Saudi Arabia had been under almost constant Iraqi artillery fire, as well as threats from Scud missiles and chemical attacks. On 24 February 1991, the 1st and 2nd Marine Divisions and the 1st Light Armored Infantry Battalion crossed into Kuwait and headed toward Kuwait City. They encountered trenches, barbed wire, and minefields. However, these positions were poorly defended, and were overrun in the first few hours. Several tank battles took place, but otherwise coalition troops encountered minimal resistance, as most Iraqi troops surrendered. The general pattern was that the Iraqis would put up a short fight before surrendering. However, Iraqi air defenses shot down nine US aircraft. Meanwhile, forces from Arab states advanced into Kuwait from the east, encountering little resistance and suffering few casualties.{{citation needed|date=March 2017}}

Despite the successes of coalition forces, it was feared that the Iraqi Republican Guard would escape into Iraq before it could be destroyed. It was decided to send British armored forces into Kuwait 15 hours ahead of schedule, and to send US forces after the Republican Guard. The coalition advance was preceded by a heavy artillery and rocket barrage, after which 150,000 troops and 1,500 tanks began their advance. Iraqi forces in Kuwait counterattacked against US troops, acting on a direct order from Saddam Hussein himself. Despite the intense combat, the Americans repulsed the Iraqis and continued to advance towards Kuwait City.{{sfnp|Bourque|2001|p=375}}

Kuwaiti forces were tasked with liberating the city. Iraqi troops offered only light resistance. The Kuwaitis quickly liberated the city despite losing one soldier and having one plane shot down.{{Citation needed|date=February 2023}} On 27 February, {{Citation needed span|text=Saddam ordered a retreat from Kuwait,|date=February 2023}} and President Bush declared it liberated.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Rosenthal |first=Andrew |date=1991-02-28 |title=War in the Gulf: Bush Halts Offensive Combat; Kuwait Freed, Iraqis Crushed |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/02/28/world/war-in-the-gulf-bush-halts-offensive-combat-kuwait-freed-iraqis.html |access-date=2023-02-26 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> However, an Iraqi unit at Kuwait International Airport appeared not to have received the message and fiercely resisted. US Marines had to fight for hours before securing the airport, after which Kuwait was declared secure. After four days of fighting, Iraqi forces were expelled from Kuwait.{{Citation needed|date=February 2023}} As part of a [[scorched earth]] policy, they [[Kuwaiti oil fires|set fire to nearly 700 oil wells]] and placed land mines around the wells to make extinguishing the fires more difficult.<ref>{{cite web|last=International|first=Radio Canada|date=2015-11-06|title=History: November 6, 1991 Canadians cap the last oil fire in the Gulf War|url=https://www.rcinet.ca/en/2015/11/06/history-november-6-1991-canadians-cap-the-last-oil-fire-in-the-gulf-war/|access-date=2021-03-25|website=RCI {{!}} English}}</ref>{{Failed verification|date=February 2023}}

===Initial moves into Iraq===
[[File:DesertStormMap v2.svg|thumb|Ground troop movements 24–28 February 1991 during [[Operation Desert Storm]]]]
The war's ground phase was officially designated Operation Desert Saber.{{citation needed|date=February 2023}} The first units to move into Iraq were three patrols of the British Special Air Service's B squadron, call signs Bravo One Zero, Bravo Two Zero, and Bravo Three Zero, in late January. These eight-man patrols landed behind Iraqi lines to gather intelligence on the movements of Scud mobile missile launchers, which could not be detected from the air, as they were hidden under bridges and camouflage netting during the day.{{sfnp|Riley|2010|p=207}} Other objectives included the destruction of the launchers and their fiber-optic communications arrays that lay in pipelines and relayed coordinates to the [[Transporter erector launcher|TEL]] operators launching attacks against Israel. The operations were designed to prevent any possible Israeli intervention. Due to lack of sufficient ground cover to carry out their assignment, One Zero and Three Zero abandoned their operations, while Two Zero remained, and was later compromised, with only Sergeant [[Chris Ryan]] escaping to Syria.{{Citation needed|date=February 2023}}

Elements of the 2nd Brigade, 1st Battalion [[5th Cavalry Regiment (United States)|5th Cavalry]] of the 1st Cavalry Division of the US Army performed a direct attack into Iraq on 15 February 1991, followed by one in force on 20 February that led directly through seven Iraqi divisions which were caught off guard.{{citation needed|date=February 2009}} On 17 January 1991 the 101st Airborne Division Aviation Regiment fired the first shots of the war when eight [[AH-64]] helicopters successfully destroyed two Iraqi early warning radar sites.<ref name="ReferenceA">Screaming Eagles 101st Airborne Division by Russ & Susan Bryant P.85</ref> From 15 to 20 February, the [[Battle of Wadi al-Batin]] took place inside Iraq; this was the first of two attacks by 1 Battalion 5th Cavalry of the 1st Cavalry Division. It was a feint attack, designed to make the Iraqis think that a coalition invasion would take place from the south. The Iraqis fiercely resisted, and the Americans eventually withdrew as planned back into the Wadi al-Batin. Three US soldiers were killed and nine wounded, with one M2 Bradley IFV turret destroyed, but they had taken 40 prisoners and destroyed five tanks, and successfully deceived the Iraqis. This attack led the way for the XVIII Airborne Corps to sweep around behind the 1st Cav and attack Iraqi forces to the west. On 22 February 1991, Iraq agreed to a Soviet-proposed ceasefire agreement. The agreement called for Iraq to withdraw troops to pre-invasion positions within six weeks following a total ceasefire, and called for monitoring of the ceasefire and withdrawal to be overseen by the UN Security Council.{{Citation needed|date=February 2023}}

The coalition rejected the proposal, but said that retreating Iraqi forces would not be attacked,{{citation needed|date=February 2009}} and gave 24 hours for Iraq to withdraw its forces. On 23 February, fighting resulted in the capture of 500 Iraqi soldiers. On 24 February, British and American armored forces crossed the Iraq–Kuwait border and entered Iraq in large numbers, taking hundreds of prisoners. Iraqi resistance was light, and four Americans were killed.<ref name="leyden.com">{{cite web|author=Andrew Leydon |url=http://www.leyden.com/gulfwar/week6.html |title=Carriers in the Persian Gulf War |publisher=Leyden.com |access-date=18 March 2010}}</ref>

===Coalition forces enter Iraq===
[[File:IrakDesertStorm1991.jpg|thumb|left|Aerial view of destroyed Iraqi [[T-72]] tank, [[BMP-1]] and [[Type 63 (armoured personnel carrier)|Type 63]] armored personnel carriers and trucks on Highway 8 in March 1991]]

Shortly afterwards, the US VII Corps, in full strength and spearheaded by the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment, launched an armored attack into Iraq early on 24 February, just to the west of Kuwait, surprising Iraqi forces. Simultaneously, the [[XVIII Airborne Corps|US XVIII Airborne Corps]] launched a sweeping "left-hook" attack across southern Iraq's largely undefended desert, led by the US [[3d Armored Cavalry Regiment|3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment]] and the [[24th Infantry Division (United States)|24th Infantry Division (Mechanized)]]. This movement's left flank was protected by the French [[Division Daguet]]. The [[101st Airborne Division]] conducted a combat air assault into enemy territory.<ref name="ReferenceA" /> The 101st Airborne Division had struck {{convert|155|mi|km|order=flip|abbr=on}} behind enemy lines.<ref name="ReferenceA" /> It was the deepest air assault operation in history.<ref name="ReferenceA" /> Approximately 400 helicopters transported 2,000 soldiers into Iraq where they destroyed Iraqi columns trying to flee westward and prevented the escape of Iraqi forces.<ref>''Screaming Eagles: The 101st Airborne Division from D-Day to Desert Storm'' by Christopher J Anderson P.8</ref> The 101st Airborne Division travelled a further {{convert|50|to|60|mi|km|sigfig=1|order=flip|abbr=on}} into Iraq.<ref name="ReferenceA" /> By nightfall, the 101st cut off Highway 8 which was a vital supply line running between Basra and the Iraqi forces.<ref name="ReferenceA" /> The 101st had lost 16 soldiers in action during the 100-hour war and captured thousands of enemy prisoners of war.{{Citation needed|date=February 2023}}

The French force quickly overcame Iraq's 45th Infantry Division, suffering light casualties and taking a large number of prisoners, and took up blocking positions to prevent an Iraqi counterattack on the coalition's flank. The movement's right flank was protected by the United Kingdom's 1st Armoured Division. Once the allies had penetrated deep into Iraqi territory, they turned eastward, launching a flank attack against the elite Republican Guard before it could escape. The Iraqis resisted fiercely from dug-in positions and stationary vehicles, and even mounted armored charges.{{Citation needed|date=February 2023}}

Unlike many previous engagements, the destruction of the first Iraqi tanks did not result in a mass surrender. The Iraqis suffered massive losses and lost dozens of tanks and vehicles, while US casualties were comparatively low, with a single Bradley knocked out. Coalition forces pressed another {{Convert|10|km|abbr=on}} into Iraqi territory, and captured their objective within three hours. They took 500 prisoners and inflicted heavy losses, defeating Iraq's 26th Infantry Division. A US soldier was killed by an Iraqi land mine, another five by friendly fire, and 30 wounded during the battle. Meanwhile, British forces attacked Iraq's Medina Division and a major Republican Guard logistics base. In nearly two days of some of the war's most intense fighting, the British destroyed 40 enemy tanks and captured a division commander.{{Citation needed|date=February 2023}}

Meanwhile, US forces attacked the village of [[Muthanna Governorate|Al Busayyah]], meeting fierce resistance. The US force destroyed military hardware and took prisoners, while suffering no casualties.{{Citation needed|date=February 2023}}

On 25 February 1991, Iraqi forces fired a Scud missile at an American barracks in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. The missile attack killed 28 US military personnel.<ref>''Twentieth Century Battlefields'', "The Gulf War".</ref>

The coalition's advance was much swifter than US generals had expected. On 26 February, Iraqi troops began retreating from Kuwait, after they had set 737 of its oil wells on fire. A long convoy of retreating Iraqi troops formed along the main Iraq–Kuwait highway. Although they were retreating, this convoy was bombed so extensively by coalition air forces that it came to be known as the [[Highway of Death]]. Thousands of Iraqi troops were killed. American, British, and French forces continued to pursue retreating Iraqi forces over the border and back into Iraq, eventually moving to within {{convert|150|mi|km|order=flip|abbr=on}} of Baghdad, before withdrawing back to Iraq's border with Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.<ref name="Holsti2011">{{cite book|last=Holsti|first=Ole R.|author-link=Ole R. Holsti|title=American Public Opinion on the Iraq War|page=20|chapter=The United States and Iraq before the Iraq War|date=2011-11-07|publisher=[[University of Michigan Press]]|isbn=978-0-472-03480-2|quote=Air attacks inflicted heavy casualties on retreating forces along what became known as 'the highway of death.' American, British, and French units pursued the Iraqis to within 150 miles of Baghdad.}}</ref>