The last great tank battle of the 20th century
In short: On February 26, 1991, a specialized reconnaissance unit faced a brutal armored confrontation in the Iraqi desert. While tasked with scouting, they were forced to engage elite divisions in a violent clash that redefined modern armored warfare. It was a high-stakes gamble of maneuver and firepower.
The Battle of 73 Easting occurred during the Gulf War as part of 'Operation Desert Sabre.' The U.S. VII Corps executed a sweeping maneuver, described by General Norman Schwarzkopf as a 'Hail Mary,' to destroy elite Republican Guard divisions and cut off Iraqi retreats. The 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment (2nd ACR) served as the forward scouting element, tasked with stripping away enemy security and locating defenses so the main body of the 1st Infantry Division could strike with full weight.
The engagement was defined by its scale and intensity. The 2nd ACR, a 4,500-man unit, faced the Iraqi Tawakalna Division and the 12th Armored Division. Despite heavy aerial and artillery bombardment, Iraqi units remained effective, occupying well-constructed defensive emplacements. Harsh conditions intensified the combat; visibility dropped to merely 400 metres (1,300 ft) during dust storms, necessitating that the armoured cavalry use sophisticated thermal imaging to spot opposing forces.
A critical turning point occurred when the 2nd ACR's mission shifted from scouting to direct engagement. Lieutenant General Frederick M. Franks Jr. ordered the regiment to push toward the 70 Easting coordinate line to prevent the Republican Guard from moving, while simultaneously warning them to avoid becoming 'decisively engaged.' In the final hours, four of the 2nd ACR's armored cavalry troops—utilizing about 36 M1A1 tanks—defeated two enemy brigades. The 2nd Squadron alone destroyed 55 Iraqi tanks and captured 865 prisoners, cementing the engagement's status as a landmark in 20th-century warfare.
The battle highlights the nuance of 'covering force' operations. Unlike a standard reserve, the 2nd ACR lacked a dedicated reserve battalion, meaning they had to maintain momentum while facing superior numbers. The Iraqi forces were specifically oriented to protect the IPSA pipeline Road, creating a dense defensive line that required the Coalition forces to use a combination of M270 MLRS artillery, air strikes, and direct armored thrusts to break through.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Battle of 73 Easting
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