European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - February 27, 1991, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Page 6 the stars and stripes wednesday february 27,1991 a a ,. Milf Elf vets group reveling in operation desert storms ground warfare Medio Pool As Allied ground forces continued their sweep through Kun. Wait and Iraq they rarely encountered determined Resis Lance from president Saddam Hussein a forces. In one typical scene above marines cover a surrendering iraqi Soldier As he Eide res from a Trench. Below an Allied pc. Hide churns past a dug in iraqi tank blazing amid a Cloud of Black smoke. Allied commanders claim More than 270 iraqi tanks including 32 top of the line t-72s, have been knocked out since coalition forces launched the ground Campaign. By Mark Fritz the associated press in Southern Iraq big Allied guns fired White phosphorous shells to create a smoke shield and Apache attack helicopters Hung Low on the Periphery providing air support. The army a 1st cd a div was on the move. Lead Armor units of the division s 2nd brigade rolled North monday behind a line of heavy . Artillery fire. They encountered Only sporadic return artillery fire and took scores of iraqi prisoners. A what we re encountering now is a lot of abandoned position said capt pave Francavilla 32, of Colorado Springs Colo commander of co c of the brigades 1st in 5th Cut regt. A i done to know if they deserted were destroyed or what we re being very careful a Francavilla a company of Bradley fighting vehicles a nicknamed a the Wolf pack a mane Vered with other platoons of Bradley and m1a1 tanks through two minefields one about 750 feet across firing precautionary shots at abandoned Hunters. One danger of such a rapid drive into enemy positions is that ground units May get ahead of air and artillery cover resulting in a Friendly fire casualties. Co c radio chatter included several warnings about the artillery fire. Black billowing smoke drifted into overcast skies from burned out trenches of Oil the much publicized iraqi defense against Allied Armor. Francavilla said a-10 tank killing jets fired tracer rounds into the Oil the night before so it would ignite and Burn out. The company a troops caught snippets of new s from elsewhere on the front. They were cautious but jubilant that the agonizingly anticipated ground War was in its earliest stages decidedly one sided. A this is More like an exercise than a War a said Francavilla. But he did not Rule out a trap. A the Early ease of the operation did much to uncool the tightly wound soldiers in the 1st in w hich sustained its first casualties of the  wednesday. A scout patrol with armoured elements from co c and co a was hit by iraqi mortar lire in the same area . Troops passed with ease . The patrol had just take Nan i Ruqio. Bunker and seven prisoners. Three soldiers were killed and nine wounded. When the first casualties were brought Back it left other troops apprehensive angry and a lot better prepared to Deal with what might lie ahead by sue Anne Pressley the Washington Post re Washington As the american legion opened its National conference in Washington monday Many of the 2,000 leaders from the veterans group revealed in the american strategy and successes in the persian Guif War. But they also remembered the vict Nam War and the striking contrast Between Public attitudes then and now. A i think this country a going through a catharsis a said Chuck Borman 44, a re tired lieutenant colonel who Heads the american legion in North Carolina. A a they re cleansing themselves for the guilty feelings they have about Viet a  a ,./. A c. A Borman has experience in both Southeast Asia and the Middle East. He served two Tours in Vietnam As an army helicopter Pilot and worked two years in the Early 1980s to train saudi arabians National guard. In this War he said a a we re not going to be bogged Down. We know who the enemy  this time he said the returning veterans will be embraced not scorned. A a a a a in recent years Vietnam veterans have begun joining the american legion in record numbers spokesman Lew Wood said at the groups 31st annual conference at the Sheraton Washington. Tie said they now make up a third of its 3 million members.  that surge has Given the american legion its largest membership since 1948, Wood said. And the group also has become the nations largest organization of Vietnam  the legionnaires were not just cheering americans so far successful of fort in the Gulf War. They Spe Mcd thoughtful sceptical and in some cases regretful about the developments. Many said that As Long As american troops Are there the Job should be completed quickly. Said Clinton Allen 71, of Tulsa a world War ii army Veteran �?o1 done to want us to Stop until we kill that mad a a  a a it it. Albert Hunnewell a Green Beret in Vietnam said he thinks of soldiers in the Gulf War As a a kids a though on average they Are older than he was when he entered Battle. A one things for sure a said Hunne Well of Hudson nil a the Vietnam vets will not Jet happen to them what happened to  a it was a heart rending Day a said maj. Jim Noel 37, a paediatrician from Lustus fla., who decided to return to Active duty from Reserve status just before Iraq invaded Kuwait on aug. 2. A a it was a Day they All grew up a Little bit a Day they got a renewed sense of dedication a he said. A Noel commander of a Mobile medical unit that is the battalions northernmost treated the casualties including one Serviceman who later died after Evacula. Tion to a Field Hospital at the rear. Noel performed three hours of surgery As the. Soldier received 18 pints of blood. A the had no blood pressure when he came in but he had one when he went out a Noel said. Quot you hate to lose a patient any time but you hate to lose one of these Guys. They re the heroes. They re fighting for