3 - 5 Cav Black Knights

The Mission

Our Infantry company was task organized with an M1 Abrams Tank Battalion, 4-34 Armor from the 8th Infantry Division from Mainz, Germany.  This Battalion replaced one of ours that did not deploy.  4-34 AR, "Task Force Centurions" was the only combat unit to deploy from the 8th ID.  It was commanded by LTC Burton, who's knick name was "Soldier Hard".  He was a little like General George Patton, and a little like the Cav Commander on Apocalypse Now - the "I love the smell of napalm" guy.  

Given the mission to destroy the Iraqi Republican Guards, the battalion was to cross the border into Iraq and move as part of General Schwartzkoph's "Hail Mary" to Objective Collins, a large piece of desert North West of Kuwait City.  The Battalion expected to encounter the enemy dug-in in elaborate defensive belts.  Tanks learned to respect Infantry soldiers armed with anti tank missiles after the Arab/Israeli wars of the 60's.  So, as Task Force Centurion was to approach these defensive belts, the tanks were to halt, and cover the Bradley's approach up to the trenches.  The ramps would come down and the Infantry squads were to jump into the trenches, and conduct an assault.  After securing the trench, the soldiers were to mount up, and the TF would move forward to the next dug in position.

The "Fighting First" was selected by Captain Brown, our Company Commander, to be the lead squad in the Company trench assault.  There are a total of 6 squads in a Company, organized into 3 platoons.  After many rehearsals conducted in accurately reproduced trenches, the technique developed was to lead with the 3 SAW gunners. PFC Zappone was the lead machinegunner, placing maximum fire power to the front, followed by the other 2 SAW gunners, who were to fire down branches, then CPL Williams, who was to throw a grenade around each corner encountered prior to rounding the corner, then me directing the squad, then 1LT Walter, our Platoon Leader.  Following us was the trail team, who would carry more ammo, evac casualties and replace any wounded SAW gunners.  Our Platoon Sergeant, SFC Davis, had his BFV straddling the trench, firing his Coax Machinegun over our heads  to suppress the enemy as we moved down the trench.  The other 3 Bradley's were to provide near and far security with their 25mm automatic cannons and TOW missile launchers, to ensure we would not get any unwanted enemy pressure during the assault.  A reassuring measure was that the Combat Ambulance, an M113 Armored Personnel Carrier, was to drive right up to the toe-hold, to quickly evac any casualties.  A medic also accompanied us into the trench, and each squad member was designated as a primary or alternate aid and litter team member.

This mission was constantly rehearsed, day, night, and with our chemical gear on.  I realized during one rehearsal, when I gave the command to "fix bayonets", that only 3 of the 9 soldiers had weapons that were capable - the 203's and SAW's were not capable of attaching bayonets.  (Although CPL Williams quickly detached his 203 tube and fixed his bayonet).  Of all things to find in the desert, I came across a dental mirror, which I stuck in my helmet and used as a "rear view mirror", to see what was going on behind me as we moved forward.  We also found that at night, much of the light of the battle field washed out our night vision devices, which made them useless. 

We had the plan worked out as well as it could be.  The squad was confident but knew what could happen.  At this point we still did not know what type of enemy resistance to expect, and expected a prolonged fight.  I didn't let my thoughts known to my men, but I really did not expect everyone to make it.  It was becoming very "real" to everyone.  Rosado and Zappone were married, Zap had a young daughter.  We made a pact that if anyone were killed, another squad member would contact the family.  When the Chaplain came to our position the night before the Ground War started, everyone got a Bible or a Rosary, and prayed.