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Task Force 1-41 Infantry

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Task Force 1-41 was the name of a Task Force which participated in the 1st Gulf war in 1991. It was the spearhead of the VII Corps main attack. Pronounced Task Force One Four One it was also known as Task Force Iron. It consisted primarily of units from the U.S. Army's 2nd Armored Division(FWD) out of Garlstedt, Germany. It was accompanied by the 3rd Brigade of the British 1st Armoured Division now known as 1st (United Kingdom) Division. U.S. Army Special Forces were also assigned to Task Force 1-41 performing reconnaissance operations. Task Force 1-41 did the initial breach of Iraqi defensive entrenchments prior to the main offensive known as Desert Storm. Task Force 1-41 was the first coalition unit to breach the Saudi Arabian border and the first coalition ground force to record a confirmed kill in Iraqi territory. The Task Force also performed counter reconnaissance operations prior to the beginning of Operation Desert Storm. This generally includes destroying or repelling the enemy's reconnaissance elements and denying their commander any observation of friendly forces. It participated in the Battle of 73 Easting and the Battle of Norfolk. Task Force 1-41 was responsible for destroying the Iraqi 18th Mechanized and 9th Armored Brigades of the Republican Guard Tawakalna Mechanized Infantry Division and the Iraqi 26th Infantry Division. The Task Force also assisted the U.S. Army's 1st Infantry Division in defeating the 37th Brigade of the 12th Iraqi Armored Division which had set up defensive positions west of the IPSA Pipeline Road. Task Force 1-41 earned a Valorous Unit award for its efforts.

Destroyed Iraqi tanks burning at the Battle of Norfolk during the 1st Gulf War, February 1991.


Task Force Units

  • 1st Battalion, 41st Infantry
  • 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry
  • Armor Support-2/66 Armor
  • Armor Support-3/66 Armor
  • Direct Support Role-4th Battalion, 3rd Field Artillery
  • Breach Infiltration-317th Engineer Battalion
  • Attack Helicopter Support-1st Battalion, 1st Aviation


A M109A2 self propelled howitzer, belonging to 4/3 FA Battalion, prepares to move into position to engage Iraqi forces during the 1st Gulf War, February 1991. 4/3 FA Battalion conducted numerous fire missions and artillery raids during the conflict.

Valorous Unit Award Citation

For extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy. Task Force 1-41 was the first coalition force to breach the Saudi Arabian border on 15 February 1991 and conduct ground combat operations in Iraq engaging in direct and indirect fire fights with the enemy on 17 February 1991. The Task Force was part of the VII Corps main attack beginning 24 February 1991 as it conducted a forward passage through 1st Infantry Division elements and began a mission to clear a zone which again resulted in enemy contact. On 26 February, following a 60 kilometer road march, the Task Force immediately engaged in ground combat with armored and dismounted enemy of brigade size. For six hours it was involved in continuous combat with a tenacious and determined enemy occupying extremely well prepared and heavily fortified bunkers. Task Force infantry elements dismounted and engaged the enemy in numerous short range fire fights while methodically clearing the extensive bunker complex. By morning the Task Force had systematically reduced the entrenched enemy positions in zone. Continuing as part of the VII Corps attack the Task Force travelled 85 kilometers in less than 24 hours while engaging at short range multiple, dug in enemy tanks in ambush positions. The Task Force reached its final objective 28 February 1991 with a push which continued the destruction of enemy armored vehicles. During the entire ground campaign, involving their attack through Iraq into Kuwait, Task Force 1-41 travelled over 200 Kilometers in 72 hours and destroyed 65 armored vehicles and 10 artillery pieces, while capturing over 300 enemy prisoners.

4/3 FA Battalion conducts artillery strikes on Iraqi positions during the 1st Gulf War. 4/3 FA was the primary fire support battalion for Task Force 1-41 during the 1st Gulf War, February 1991.

See also

Cultural References

References

  • http://www.history.army.mil/html/forcestruc/vua_citations.html
  • Bourque, Stephen A. (2001). Jayhawk! The 7th Corps in the Persian Gulf War. Center of Military History, United States Army. LCCN 2001028533. OCLC 51313637.
  • https://www.youtube.com/v/wI6Xpn-Cp24
  • The Road to Safwan: The 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry in the 1991 Persian Gulf War by Stephen A. Bourque and John Burdan III
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