Existing comment:
Central, Southern, and Northern Operations:
the US Army's 3rd Infantry Division bore responsibility for leading the drive to Baghdad. Its task lay in the destruction of Iraqi forces encountered and isolation of the city. The United States' 1st Marine Expeditionary Force and Britain's 1st Armoured Division constituted a supporting effort. They would secure the city of Basra and the oilfields of southern Iraq to prevent their destruction. They would also protect the 3rd Infantry Division's right flank during its drive to Baghdad. The 82nd Airborne and 101st Air Assault Divisions also supported the main drive to Baghdad. The 82nd Airborne and 101st Air Assault Divisions also supported the main drive to Baghdad. They bore responsibility for eliminating resistance bypassed by the 3rd Infantry Division and assaulting Baghdad. The 4th Infantry Division planned to invade Iraq via Turkey, but the Turkish government would not agree to this action. The 4th Infantry Division therefore redeployed to Kuwait. Responsibility for operations in northern Iraq shifted to Special Forces operatives working with Kurdish fighters and the 173rd Airborne Brigade. This unit intended to conduct an air deployment into northern Iraq. |