Desert Storm - The Ground War, Day 3 - The Great Tank Battle of 73 Easting - Animated

Summary

The Great Tank Battle of 73 Easting, part of the Gulf War, was a pivotal moment in modern armored warfare. U.S. and British forces, led by the 7th U.S. Armored Brigade and 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment, engaged Iraqi Republican Guard divisions in a fierce, high-tech tank battle. The stormy desert conditions, combined with superior American firepower and infrared optics, led to a decisive victory, with Eagle Troop of the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment destroying an entire Republican Guard battalion. The battle highlighted the effectiveness of advanced technology and battlefield tactics, cementing the battle's place in history as a key moment in Desert Storm.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Great Tank Battle of 73 Easting was a major military clash during the Gulf War, featuring intense armored combat between U.S. and Iraqi forces.
• 😀 The battle took place in harsh conditions, with sandstorms reducing visibility and complicating the engagement for both sides.
• 😀 U.S. forces, particularly the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment, led the charge, encountering and decisively engaging Iraqi Republican Guard units.
• 😀 The U.S. military's technological superiority, including advanced infrared sights and superior gunnery, played a critical role in the battle's outcome.
• 😀 American units, especially the Abrams tanks and Bradley fighting vehicles, effectively used long-range firepower to destroy Iraqi tanks at distances beyond their opponents' sight capabilities.
• 😀 Despite strict orders not to engage in a decisive battle, some U.S. units, like Eagle Troop, took aggressive action, engaging large numbers of Iraqi tanks in close combat.
• 😀 A tragic friendly fire incident occurred when two American A-10 aircraft mistakenly attacked British vehicles, killing nine soldiers.
• 😀 The American and British forces systematically destroyed Iraqi armored units, including T-72 tanks and armored personnel carriers, leading to massive losses for the Republican Guard.
• 😀 The 73 Easting became a crucial geographical line that marked the end of major combat for U.S. armored units, with the second armored cavalry regiment destroying two Republican Guard brigades.
• 😀 The battle demonstrated the effectiveness of modern, high-tech warfare in desert environments, with U.S. forces leveraging artillery, airstrikes, and superior vehicle technology to defeat a numerically superior enemy.

Q & A

What is the significance of the 73 Easting in the context of the battle?

The 73 Easting refers to the location where the largest tank battle since World War II took place, marking a crucial point in the Gulf War. It was the site of intense combat between the Coalition forces, specifically the U.S. 7th Armored Division, and the Iraqi Republican Guard's Tawakalna Division.

What was the role of the Second Armored Cavalry Regiment during the battle?

The Second Armored Cavalry Regiment acted as the lead element for the U.S. armor divisions, tasked with probing eastwards, scouting enemy positions, and engaging the Republican Guard. They played a critical role in clearing enemy forces, setting the stage for the main attack.

How did the weather conditions affect the battle?

The sandstorms significantly reduced visibility during the battle, creating difficulties for both the Coalition and Iraqi forces. However, the U.S. forces had a technological advantage with infrared sights, allowing them to operate effectively despite the weather.

What was the outcome of the British friendly fire incident?

In an unfortunate friendly fire incident, American A-10 aircraft mistakenly targeted British Warrior Infantry Fighting Vehicles, resulting in the deaths of nine British soldiers. This occurred due to the aircraft misidentifying the British vehicles as enemy tanks.

How did Eagle Troop contribute to the success of the battle?

Eagle Troop, part of the U.S. 2nd Armored Cavalry, played a decisive role in the engagement. They aggressively engaged a significantly larger enemy force, destroying 47 enemy tanks and a host of other vehicles. Despite being outnumbered, they successfully neutralized the Iraqi positions without losing a single vehicle.

What was the impact of the Coalition's superior firepower and technology?

The Coalition forces, particularly the U.S. Abrams tanks and their advanced infrared optics, had a substantial advantage over the Iraqi T-72 tanks, which lacked similar targeting systems. This allowed the U.S. to destroy enemy vehicles at long range, minimizing their own casualties while inflicting heavy losses on the Iraqi forces.

What tactical advantage did the 7th Armored Brigade have during the battle?

The 7th Armored Brigade, also known as the Desert Rats, had the advantage of maneuvering along the flank of the Iraqi forces, catching them off guard. Their superior tank models, including the Challenger 1, allowed them to make long-range kills and destroy numerous Iraqi tanks without suffering significant losses.

What was the significance of the Highway of Death in the Gulf War?

The Highway of Death refers to the devastating aerial bombardment of retreating Iraqi forces along Highway 80, as they tried to flee Kuwait City. Coalition bombers and strike aircraft targeted the convoy, causing massive destruction and earning the highway its grim nickname.

What was the strategic importance of the 52nd Iraqi Armored Division's response?

The 52nd Iraqi Armored Division put up a spirited defense against the British 4th Armored Brigade, although their efforts were ultimately ineffective. Their response was crucial in delaying the Coalition advance and buying time for other Iraqi forces to retreat, but it ultimately failed in the face of superior Coalition firepower.

How did the use of artillery and airstrikes impact the battle's outcome?

Artillery and airstrikes played a pivotal role in neutralizing Iraqi counterattacks. The U.S. forces called in precise artillery support and A-10 airstrikes on enemy armor, which helped destroy large numbers of tanks and armored vehicles. This air-ground coordination was instrumental in breaking the Iraqi resistance at key points.