Task Force 1-41 Infantry was a U.S. Army heavy battalion task force which took part in the Gulf War of January-March 1991. It consisted primarily the 1st Battalion, 41st Infantry Regiment, itself part of the 2nd Armored Division (Forward), based at Lucius D. Clay Kaserne, 24 km north of Bremen, in the Federal Republic of Germany. Task Force 1-41 was commanded by Lieutenant Colonel James L. Hillman.[1] After arrival in Saudi Arabia, 1st Battalion, 41st Infantry, was task organized (effectively merged in parts) with 3rd Battalion, 66th Armor Regiment.[2] This 'task organization', routine before combat, was designed to ensure that infantry and armour were present in balanced organizations so that they could provide mutual support. The task force's higher headquarters, 3rd Brigade, 2nd Armored Division, was itself attached to the 1st Infantry Division (Mechanized) to make up for a missing brigade of that division.[3] The brigade became known as Task Force Iron.[4] It would become the spearhead of VII Corps. The brigade was the first to breach the sand berms dividing Saudi and Iraqi territory,[5] and the battalion itself was the first over the berm.[6]
Shortly after arrival in theatre the Task Force also received a counter reconnaissance mission.[7] This generally includes destroying or repelling the enemy's reconnaissance elements and denying their commander any observation of friendly forces. On 15 February 1991 4/3 FA fired on a trailer and a few trucks in the Iraqi sector that was observing American forces.[8] On 16 February 1991 several groups of Iraqi vehicles appeared to be performing reconnaissance on the Task Force and were driven away by fire from 4/3 FA.[9] Another enemy platoon, including six vehicles, was reported as being to the northeast of the Task Force. They were engaged with artillery fire from 4/3 FA.[10] Later that evening another group of Iraqi vehicles were spotted moving towards the center of the Task Force. They appeared to be Iraqi Soviet made BTRs and tanks. For the next hour the Task Force would fight several small battles with Iraqi reconnaissance units. TF 1-41 IN fired TOW missiles at the Iraqi formation destroying one tank. The rest of the formation was destroyed by artillery fire from 4/3 FA.[11] On 17 February 1991 the Task Force took enemy mortar fire, however, the enemy forces managed to escape.[12] Later that evening the Task Force would receive enemy artillery fire but suffered no casualties.[13] The Task Force participated in the Battle of 73 Easting and the Battle of Norfolk.[14] Unfortunately however Task Force 1-41 Infantry was involved in the worst US "friendly fire" incident of the Gulf War on 27 February 1991.[15]
1st Battalion, 41st Infantry Regiment, was equipped with M2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicles and formed part of the 2nd Armored Division (Forward). The other combat battalions of the brigade were the 2nd and 3rd Battalions of the 66th Armor Regiment (equipped with M1A1 Abrams tanks) and the 4th Battalion of the 3rd Field Artillery Regiment (operating M109 howitzers).[16] The 2nd Armored Division (Forward) was a very well-trained unit, and 1-41 Infantry had experienced leaders. During exercises the battalion regularly exchanged combat elements with the other combat units in the division, with B company of the 3-66 Armor being frequently attached to the 1-41 Infantry.[17]
The 2nd Armored Division (Forward) arrived in Saudi Arabia in early January 1991, with 1-41 Infantry arriving on 8 January. After receiving their equipment and moving to a forward area near the border with Iraq, 1-41 Infantry and 3-66 Armor exchanged companies on 31 January to task organize for combat; A and D companies of 1-41 Infantry were attached to 3-66 Armor, and the infantry battalion received A and B companies of 3-66 Armor.[18] Task Force 1-41 also comprised two companies of engineers, a platoon from the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Air Defense Artillery Regiment and a fire support element from the 4-3 FA.[19] While technically not part of the Task Force ten U.S. Army Special Forces ODAs performed reconnaissance operations for the Task Force and other elements of VII Corps.
Task Force Iron was attached to the 1st Armored Division, forming it's third maneuver element.[20] Task Force Iron 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 while assigned as part of the 3rd Brigade(2nd Armored Division) of the 1st Infantry Division had a hand in destroying 60 Iraqi tanks and 35 infantry vehicles along the IPSA pipeline.[21] The Task Force was assisted by the British 1st Armoured Division during this engagement. This became known as the Battle of Norfolk. The Task Force suffered 38 casualties and half-dozen combat vehicles were destroyed, including multiple M1A1 Abrams tanks, during combat operations. Task Force 1-41 earned a Valorous Unit Award for its efforts.[19]
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.
3d Platoon, Battery C, 2d Battalion, 3d Air Defense Artillery
Two Ground Support Radar sections
Fire Support Element, 4th Battalion, 3d Field Artillery
System Support Team, 489th Support Battalion
Sources: Hillman, p.5-6, Dinackus, 2000, p.4A8. US Army Center of Military History DA GO 1991-20
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.[19]
4/3 FA Battalion, 2nd Armored Division(FWD) 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.
Bourque, Stephen A.; Burdan, John (2007). The Road to Safwan: The 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry in the 1991 Persian Gulf War. Denton, Texas: University of North Texas Press. ISBN9781574412321.
