Once the CRAP commandos had taken the base, at around 3.30 am on 24 February, General Janvier, who commanded the division, radioed through the order to advance at 5.30 am: ”Forward everyone, and good luck!” The French armed forces made rapid progress into the desert, advancing several dozen miles with little resistance from the Iraqis. Alongside one tank regiment and two light armoured regiments, the infantry component was essentially provided by the 3rd Marine Infantry Regiment (RIMa), backed up by the 2nd RIMa, the 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment and elements of the 1st Infantry Regiment and Reconnaissance and Deep Action Commandos (CRAP).Īt the core of this land operation, the Daguet Division's mission was to provide reconnaissance and cover for the majority of the allied forces advancing to the west, along what became known as the ”Highway of Death”, between Kuwait City and Basra. For that reason, in addition to the standard protective clothing, all troops were equipped with NBC suits with panoramic visors and carbon-lined gloves and socks.Ĭomprised of over 10 000 troops, the French Daguet Division joined the air, naval and logistical elements engaged by France. A major nuclear, biological and chemical threat, taken very seriously by the international community, hung over the coalition forces. In keeping with NATO's operational practices, prolonged logistical build-up, training, certification and air preparation phases were planned for 17 January to 28 February 1991, before implementation of the United States' new ”AirLand Battle” concept, which consisted of reducing enemy forces using only air power and surgical strikes.Īlthough the units had been deployed for some months, the land attack itself, codenamed Operation Desert Storm, was not actually launched until 24 February, ending after a hundred hours of fighting, three days later. France joined a military coalition comprised principally of the NATO member states and led by the United States, who alone provided 500 000 of the 900 000 troops mobilised.

On 2 August 1990, in the aftermath of a protracted war against Iran, Saddam Hussein's Iraq invaded the Emirate of Kuwait to challenge its exploration of the oilfields on the border.įrom the outset of hostilities, the international community mobilised to come to the aid of Kuwait, in the context of three UN Security Council resolutions.

Tank battle first gulf war