The largest tank battle of the Gulf War and second largest in American history, ending Iraqi Republican Guard resistance before the ceasefire.
Key Facts
- Date
- February 27, 1991
- Iraqi tanks destroyed
- ~850 tanks
- Divisions involved
- No fewer than 13 divisions
- Additional vehicles destroyed (Dorset)
- ~300 vehicles
- Iraqi soldiers captured (Dorset)
- 2,500 soldiers
- Conflict context
- Final battle before unilateral ceasefire
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
During the Gulf War ground offensive, Coalition forces advanced into southern Iraq to destroy the Iraqi Republican Guard. VII Corps, spearheaded by the U.S. 2nd Armored Division (Forward)'s Task Force 1-41 Infantry, pushed into Muthanna Province to engage the Tawakalna Mechanized Infantry Division and elements of eleven other Iraqi divisions.
On February 27, 1991, U.S. and British armored forces clashed with Iraqi Republican Guard units in Muthanna Province. The U.S. 1st Infantry Division, 2nd Armored Division (Forward), and British 1st Armoured Division engaged the Iraqi 18th Mechanized and 9th Armoured Brigades, along with other formations. Coalition forces destroyed approximately 850 Iraqi tanks and hundreds of additional combat vehicles across more than 13 participating divisions.
The battle effectively destroyed the Iraqi Republican Guard's combat capability in the region and was the final major engagement before the unilateral ceasefire on February 28, 1991. A follow-on action at Objective Dorset saw the U.S. 3rd Armored Division destroy 300 more vehicles and capture 2,500 Iraqi soldiers, completing the collapse of organized Iraqi resistance in the theater.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
2 belligerents
Side B
1 belligerent