Bombers Gulf war

[Bombardier]

I served with 23 (Gibraltar) Battery attached to 2nd Field Regiment Royal Artillery. Saw the new year (1990-1991) in at about 20,000 feet on our way to Saudi. Worked in Battery Command post (H1). battery made up of 155mm M109A2's. First time we ever fired Bomblet rounds.

Ill post in more detail later when I dig out some info to jog my ever decreasing memory. LOL :)

[Bombardier]

On 21st February 1991, our gun group fired its first round in anger taking part in the Artillery raids against Iraqi Mortar positions. On the 24th February the coalition forces commenced the ground attack. 23 Battery Gun Group fired with U.S Artillery and MLRS in support of this attack. 23 Battery returned to Germany on the 29th/30th March 1991 after Saddam Hussein finally accepted UN peace proposals.

[Zofo]

I think you posted on a picture earlier but were you with 4 Bde?
Where did you do work up training, Devil Dog?

[Bombardier]

27 Field Regiment Royal Artillery deployed approximately 70% of its personnel to the Gulf on Operation Granby.
In early October 1990 the Regiment was ordered to provide the third M109 gun battery to 2 Field Regiment, which was deploying to the Gulf as the close support Regiment to 4 Armoured Brigade. The battery was to deploy at war establishment with 8 guns. Therefore, on 16 October 1990, 210 all ranks from 6, 23, 49 and HQ batteries formed up as the 23 Field Battery Group.
Training commenced at Sennelager, Germany with an intensive period of refresher training in First Aid, NBC and small arms training. As the commitment to the Gulf expanded, the Regiment was tasked to provide additional manpower. 49 Field Battery, augmented by OP personnel from 3 Royal Horse Artillery, 2 and 45 Field Regiments, formed a BC’s and four FOO parties to support 16/5 Lancers, the 1 Armoured Division Medium Recce Force. 6 Field Battery (now only 60 strong) prepared to go through the Sennelager process , having being nominated as in Theatre reserves (ITRs) and another 7 individuals were drafted to the Gulf to fill individual appointments as the exact requirements of the British Force in such unfamiliar territory became clearer.
Throughout November and December training and preparation continued; the 23 Battery Group converted to, trained with and fired their M109 guns; the latter taking place in snow and driving rain on Munsterlager South (MLS) ranges. All-arms training with respective battle groups (23 Bty with 1 RS and 49 Bty with 16/5 Lancers) was undertaken with an intensity and urgency born of a clear understanding of the task ahead.
Throughout this frenetic period, training time and resources were used to their maximum effect. NATO allies not deploying to the Gulf gave up their range allocations at Sennelager, Hohne and MLS to allow British units to conduct live firing training prior to deployment to the Gulf.
Equipments for both 23 Field Battery and 49 BC’s and FOO parties were shipped to the Gulf inlate December 1990 and advance parties deployed by air during the period 12 - 26 Dec 1990. The initial period in theatre was hectic as training resumed with Command groups undertaking brigade and divisional TEWTs and MAPEXs and battery instructors were taught specialist individual skills to cope with both terrain and climate.

More about my unit and time in the Gulf to follow >>>>>>>>>> :)

[Zofo]

A good overview - thanks for that! I enjoyed reading about the ORBAT - you say you converted to M109's - what were you firing before (or did I miss something along the way?!

[Bombardier]

When moved from Topcliffe, North yorkshire to Dortmund we took over the 105 mm Abbots from 19 Field Regiment. :cool:

[Bombardier]

Our equipments arrived at the Al Jubail terminal on 1/2 Jan 1991 and were offloaded immediately. The main bodies deployed by air and were complete in Al Jubail, Saudi Arabia, by 02 Jan 1991, I was on a plane when the New year arrived. Personnel married up with their vehicles and within 24 hours we were deployed to a desert concentration area 40KM to the North. Progressive training recommenced as gun crews, drivers, signallers and FOO parties practiced their specialist skills, usually in full NBC equipment. As the days passed, training assumed an urgency that few had experienced before. Special-to arm training concluded with live firing using L15 and bomblet ammunition and the conduct of close Air support (CAS) with G5 Harriers of the US Marine Corps.
Throughout this period, new equipment and supplies were issued as they arrived in theatre. Warrior OPV, satellite positioning systems (Megallan), clothing and medicines were pushed forward from Al Jubail port as swiftly as the resupply chain could manage.
Troops were having to cope with an unfamiliar enviroment , a punishing daily routine and the wettest winter in the Gulf in living memory. At the conclusion of this phase Bc's and FOOs moved to join their battle groups and 23 Bty(along with the rest of the 2 Field Regiment gun group) continued with manoeuvre and deployment training.

To be continued >>>>>> :)

[Zofo]

Progressive training recommenced as gun crews, drivers, signallers and FOO parties practiced their specialist skills, usually in full NBC equipment.

I heard a lot of this on radio! We heard a lot of things on the radio clear and not so clear!

[Bombardier]

Continued>>>>>

At 0400 hours, 17 Jan 1991, the air war commenced with the bombing of Iraqi airfields, radar and communication systems. Any lingering doubts as to whether the Allied Forces would be committed to battle ceased.
The Iraqi holdings of chemical weapons, a viable delivery means in the shape of the SCUD B rocket and their declared intention to use such weaponry were known. Subsequently therefore, NBC drills were frequent and, interspersed with the occasional false alarm, resulting in very swift and professional procedures.
Training continued at both battle group and formation level. Battlegroup attacks, obstacle crossings (the infamous sand berms were much in everybodys minds), meeting engagements, counter attacks and night replenishments were all practised, ammended, re-practised and refined until commanders at all levels were satisfied with procedures and standards achieved.
The dried salt lakes (Sabkha) took their toll of vehicles, particularly the heavier armoured vehicles and tested the ingenuity of the REME (Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers) recovery personnel.
The training period culminated in a 4 Armoured Brigade FTX with 1 RS and 3 RRF taking part in infantry and Artillery live firing phases to test all procedures. The stage was now set for the move forward of 1 (UK) Division to battle positions, in concert with other Allied Forces.

To be continued>>>>>>> :)

[Bombardier]

Continued>>>>>>

On 21 and 22 January 1991, 1 (UK) Div moved North to area KEYS, some 32 Kms south of the Kuwait/Saudi Border. The move was a spectacular amalgam of ground and air movement, with few desert roads packed with convoys going in both directions and the air overhead filled with a constant shuttle of Hercules transport aircraft and support helicopters bringing men and supplies forward. A troop of 6 Batterys ITR's joined the 2 Field Regiment group during the move, bringing forward a fleet of M548 tracked support vehicles to be used as ammunition limbers. Once in position, all forward elements were dug in by the Sappers and training continued.
CPX's conducted during this period concentrated on the move into staging areas prior to the attack and then passage of lines through 3 (US) Armoured Bde once the initial breach of Iraqi defences had been completed. 4 (UK) and 7 (UK) armoured Brigades trained together for the first time in area Keys, with guns and BCs/FOOs supporting either or both Brigades. Once the exercises were completed, HQ 1 (UK) Div initiated radio silence to assist the deception plan whilst the brigades moved west accross the Wadi Al Batin into Battle positions.
On 21 February 1991, the gun group fired its first rounds in anger, taking part in the Artillery raids against Iraqi Mortar positions. Over the next two days,final preparations (including the test firing of all small arms) took place, church services were held and liaison officers moved forward to join their respective US force Headquarters.

[Bigbird]

This is interesting, I always wondered exactly what part the British Forces played. :o

[Bombardier]

Continued>>>>

G Day was 24 February 1991, with the ground attack by coalition forces commencing at 0548 hours. 23 Battery gun group fired with US Artillery guns and MLRS in support of the attack at pre determined targets along the front.
At 0510 hours on 25 February, 1 (UK) Division went into action, moving through US Forces, with 16/5 Lancers leading, supported by 49 Btys BC and FOO's. Close on their heels, on the 4 Armoured Brigade axis, came the 1 RS BG supported bt 23 Bty BC and FOO's en route for the Iraqi positions on objectives BRASS and TUNGSTEN (see battle sketch).
A late change of plan led to the destruction of three D30 artillery positions on the brigade axis on objective BRONZE at 2359 hours, 25 Feb 91. Intense artillery fire was brought to bear, in support of the Lif Guards squadron, concluding in continuous illuminating missions to assist in the collection of POW's.
H hour for BRASS and TUNGSTEN was 0615 hours 26 Feb 91. Each position contained large quantities of Iraqi armour, artillery and infantry positions. The action consisted of a series of brief engagements using the maximum fire power available. Forces were reorganised swiftly at the end of each engagement before pressing home the next attack. By 0400 hours 27 Feb 1991, both objectives had been secured and large numbers of enemy prisoners ahd been taken.
Concurrent to the attacks on BRASS and TUNGSTEN, 16/5 Lancers, supported by 49 Bty BC and FOO's attacked Objective LEAD, destroying large numbers of T55 tanks. Unfortunately , during this action two REME personnel from 16/5 Lancers were killed by a T55 as it broke out of its position. The T55 was subsequently destroyed by a 16/5 Lancers Scorpion.
23 Btys guns (as part of the 2nd Field Regt gun group) fired continuously in support of the attacks on BRASS, TUNGSTEN and LEAD. Bcs and FOOs brought down a withering fire of L15 and HE bomblet rounds as targets dictated and CAS was brought in as directed by BCs. The final fire mission of the 4 (UK) Armoured Brigade operation was carried out by a 23 Bty FOO party, in support of an attack by B Coy, 1 RS on a heavily defended Iraqi bunker position, rsulting in its total destruction.
Late in the afternoon of 27 February 91, all coalition forces were ordered to halt their advance, reconstitute and await further orders. The concerted and punishing Allied ground and air action had had its desired effect on the Iraqi ground forces. However it was not until 1 March 1991 that the Irqai government accepted the UN peace proposals.


The next and final part comimg soon army;

[Bombardier]

From 2 March 1991, coalition forces started to reconstitute and undertake major vehicle repairs where necessary. from 24 February 1991 many of the armoured vehicles had been kept battleworthy by means of ad hoc (but effective) battlefield repairs and the time was now available to make more conventional and lasting repairs.
23 Bty BC and FOOs rejoined the Bty whilst 49 Bty BC and FOOs remained with 16/5 Lancers. During the next few days a church service was held, intelligence debriefs and battlefield tours were carried out and significant quantities of undamaged Iraqi equipment were moved to the Divisional collection point. Some of these equipments have been suborned to more peaceful purposes than their Soviet makers once intended, as display pieces in both BAOR (British Army of the Rhine) and UK.
On 26 March 1991, 23 Bty recovered by road and air to Al Jubail where equipment was handed in and vehicles were prepared for their sea shipment back to BAOR. The Bty returned to Germany on 31 March 1991 and those ITRs deployed as key installation guards in and around Riyad returned on 7 April 1991. The Regimental ORBAT was now complete and all had returned safely.

THE END, hope it made good reading :cool:

[Zofo]

V. interesting! Any details you have of the actual operations of firing, prepping the guns and the actions taken on receiving a fire order would be appreciated!
A good all round view of the battles - well done sir!

[Bombardier]

Heres a very brief and sanitised overview of a firemission. The Ops (Observation Posts) would work with the Battle group and when a traget was identified and needed to be softened up the Ops who were usually Artillery Guys would send a message via radio similar to the following without the necessary code of course.

Hello zero this is N11A Fire Mission Battery over
Command post would repeat zero fire mission battery out
(this would happen with every order) so....

Hello zero this is N11A fire mission battery over
zero fire mission battery out
N11A
Grid 123 456
Alt 1500
direction 3200 mils (this would be coded to avoid the enemy locating our position)
Enemy infantry dug in at my command adjust fire

zero (command post would repeat back to ensure it has been recieved correctly)

The Guns would then inform the Op that they were ready
zero ready over
N11A ready out

N11A fire over over
zero fire out

zero shot over
N11A shot out

When the rounds had landed and if corrections were required then the Op may say something like..

N11A drop 100 right 200 over
zero drop 100 right 200 out

the routine would be repeated until the rounds were landing where they were required then the Op would say

Cancel at my command five rounds fire for effect over
zero five rounds fire for effect out

zero shot over
N11A shot out

zero rounds complete over
N11A rounds complete out

Then the Op would always give a result for morale purposes

N11A Infantry destroyed over
zero infantry destroyed out.

It is very difficult to desscribe this sort of thing, not sure if it would breach the Official secrets act etc so I have been very brief. Other stuff would accompany some of the text above but for this purpose it does give a decent idea of how it would work. Our first fire mission was against Iraqi mortars and was conducted before we crossed the Breach into Iraq. :mrgreen:

[Zofo]

This "Fire for effect" bit - for the effect of what exactly? The effect it makes, it does or (stupidly) for appearances?? I'm not trying to be obtuse here but I can't work out what it really means! Help!!?

Good stuff on the above by the way - which reminds me, another question!
The bit where you say "Cancel at my command..." what does that mean?
Stop the fire order?

[Bill Farnie]

Bombardier,
This is some great stuff, keep it coming if you remember anything else. The Gulf War was over so fast that there's not much that I know about it except for what the 101st Airborne did. Knew nothing about the Brits until this thread.


Bill

[Bombardier]

The best way I can describe fire for effect is that any rounds now fired are not being adjusted and they will when fired achieve the desired effect, usually total destruction of the target. As for Cancel at my command, At my command is an executive order so the guns will not fire until the order is given, however when cancel at my command is given the guns will fire when they are ready and only inform the Op when they have fire as opposed to telling them when they are ready to fire. I really do have to be careful with these questions, I have not given anything away that is not probably already available, but still need to choose my words carefully.

Anyway hope this answers your questions http://www.militaryimages.net/forums/images/icons/icon14.gif

[Zofo]

Thanks mate for that, very helpful indeed. o-

[tosh66]

"The aim of fire discipline is to ensure that in response to calls for fire from the OPs, the appropriate action is taken at the FDC, the CP and the Guns strictly in accordance with the intentions of the originator and with the minimum delay"

I can still remember that, word perfect from 1984!

[Bombardier]

When I first entered the GULF 1 forum I was greeted with this message
There have been no posts in the last 30 days in this forum.
Try using the controls below to search for any older posts that may exist.

It was easy enough to recover all the threads by using the controls, have a go yourself. :)

[Unregistered]

Hi Bombadier,

A very good account - I was a member of the 23 Bty Foo party that fired the final mission! If you want the detail behind let me know?

[Bombardier]

Yes please as much detail as possible (Y)