The Wargamer

Introduction

There has been much attention paid to American courage and valor in the recent fighting in Iraq - and rightfully so. Still, my mind drifts back to 1991 and the strong coalition that faced the evil dictator of Iraq, Saddam Hussein, and called his bluff. The United States did indeed play a major role in that conflict, but other countries, such as the United Kingdom, also made an impressive showing. This is part of their story. 

Eight years of harsh war with neighboring Iran had left Iraq with little gain. The despot Hussein now found himself faced with two big problems. The first was a wounded ego. Iran had not crumbled before the armor and infantry forces of Iraq as he had promised. Hussein needed a stunning victory to bolster the morale of the people and to make them realize what a great leader he was. 

There was also the matter of an empty national treasury. Even though Hussein himself helped himself to generous portions of the monthly income from petroleum sales internationally, the country was on the verge of bankruptcy. A quick influx of funds was needed.

The solution was found in another neighbor, tiny, yet very wealthy Kuwait. Here he could achieve a quick and easy victory. Doing so would bring the biggest oil producing area in the Middle East under his domain. Yes, Kuwait would do nicely. 

There would be the unavoidable international "wailing and gnashing of teeth," but it would soon pass. And Kuwait would be his. His Arab brothers would understand and soon stand behind him. If not, they might also come under his wrath. And if Kuwait was not enough, there was oil-rich Saudi Arabia right next door. If needed, it could also be assimilated. 

The Iraqi Army

At this point in history, the Iraqi military was the fourth largest in the world, following behind the USSR, the United States and China. It was a formidable force with over 4,500 tanks, 4,000 artillery pieces, 1,000 modern aircraft, and a standing army of over 500,000 men. 

That is not to say, however, that it was a modern army. Weapons had been purchased and received as gifts or loans from many different countries. Small arms varied in units from the antiquated yet venerable M-1 rifle to modern AK-74s and M-16s. Modern or not, it was a force big enough to offer serious problems to any adversary.

Thus Saddam began rattling his saber towards Kuwait as soon as the war with Iran had come to an end. In addition to being the richest country in the Near East, Kuwait offered valuable access to the Persian Gulf, which Iraq desperately needed. It was a settled matter in the mind of Hussein. Kuwait would have to be taken and assimilated into his own country.

During the first seven months of 1990, Iraqi troop movements and political thunderings were blissfully ignored by all concerned, including Kuwait. On August 2, 1990, Iraqi tanks rolled across the border into the tiny country and took it by force. In less than a week, the forces of Hussein had taken Kuwait, announced that it was no longer an independent country and lined up Iraqi troops along the Saudi Arabian border, guns aimed across the border.

President George Bush of the United States took the initiative and began a campaign to get backing from many of the world's leaders against this forceful intrusion and violation of international interests. Within days, the United Nations officially condemned the invasion and gave a clear statement for Iraq to get out of Kuwait at once. Hussein simply ignored the threat. The stage was now set for defensive operations to protect Saudi Arabia, known as Desert Shield. Hussein's further incalcitrance would lead to the second step, or Desert Storm.

There seemed to be a definite parallel between Hussein's actions in the Middle East and Hitler's opening moves in the Sudetenland, Austria, and Poland. Hussein had issued the challenge. Now it was up to the world to respond.

King Fahd of Saudi Arabia sensed the imminence of the threat and appealed to the United States for aid. The first American troops arrived on August 9th. They were followed by contingents from many other nations, including the United Kingdom. As the months passed, both sides continued to build up their forces until there were nearly 400,000 Iraqi troops equipped with over 4,000 tanks facing a coalition force of 600,000 with over 3,600 tanks.

"The Mother of all Battles"

Saddam cunningly promised a harsh war with many casualties for any arrayed against him. He further intimated even more disastrous consequences if any effort were made against his taking of Kuwait. The media hopped upon the theme and spoke in awe of the fearful Iraqi defenses and what such a confrontation might cost in lives. It further elevated the status of the Republican Guard (primarily chosen out of their loyalty to the Baath regime and Hussein) as elite first line fighters. In reality, the Republican Guard was lavishly equipped with the best in the Iraqi arsenal, but their fighting abilities certainly did not qualify them as "elite."

Protests broke out in the United States and other parts of the world against the action of the United Nations coalition. Congress seemed initially divided over the matter. The whole event began to resemble Vietnam all over again, but it was not the same.

A new military had been born out of the experiences in Southeast Asia. A new modernized, "green screen" soldier, with technologies that had been developed for 20 years was waiting for a chance to use them in combat.