European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - March 1, 1991, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Friday March 1,1991 the stars and stripes ground War step by step setting the stage War in the Gulf feb. 23,1991 Page 3 occupying Force 545,000 iraqis in Kuwait. A a v buildup . Positions the 101st and 82nd airborne divisions 24th inf Day Mech and 3rd  Cav behind saudi arabian task Force. / ground forces Bluff Allied forces Are aligned opposite iraqi. Positions in Kuwait so that it appeared they planned to attack the iraqi positions directly. The iraqis build an extensive Barrier on the bolder and along the East coast of Kuwait. Feb. 23, 1991 before the storm feb. 24 the attack begins 4 00 . Local time a 01st and 2nd Marine divisions launch attacks through the Barrier system accompanied by the . Army Tiger brigade of the 2nd army div. A a French 6th army div accompanied by . Units launch an Overland attack to the As Salman Airfield. Q a two saudi task forces breach the iraqi Border defences and continue attacking up the East coast. A. 8 00 . A 101st airborne launches an assault deep into enemy territory to establish a Forward operating base. Afternoon Quot "1 0 diversionary pan Arab and saudi attacks. A a a  24th inf div Mech crosses the Border. A . Vii corps 1st and 3rd army divisions and 2nd Cav div Cross the Border. A . 1st inf div and British 1st army div Cross the Border. Special forces had been sent deep into enemy territory to observe. \ the Allied strategy in is War relied on two feints a a threatened amphibious assault on the kuwaiti coast. Purpose Force the iraqis to deploy their forces along the coast a which they a a last minute shift of vast numbers of Allied soldiers to the West them to enter Iraq West of the dug4n iraqi forces. The iraqis Are unaware of this movement because their air Force had been put of Unju action. A feb. 25-26 tightening the Vise a saudis continue up the Eastern flank. A saudi and Arab forces turn towards Kuwait  British unit continues to attack. A . Vii corps sweeps eastward toward the Republican guard. 0 24th infantry div moves into the Tigris and euphrates Valley and blocks the Only escape route for retreating iraqi units. A. A a a a a a a a. A. A the French set up a flanking position to prevent iraqi forces from entering. From the West. To a feb. 27 claiming Kuwait a xviii airborne corps forms solid Wall across North attacking due a East. A a Vii corps also attacks due Easi. A Arab forces from both the West and the East close in on Kuwait City. A 1 St Marine div continues to hold Kuwait International  the 2nd Marine div blocks All exits from Kuwait City. Iraqi units with 75% of strength remaining iraqi units with 50-75% of strength remaining. Allied bombing h a weakened iraqi drifts. Dug in on the front a lines to 50% or below Iran saudi Arabia 50 Miles. 50 pm coalition forces s a set up along kuwaiti Border \ feb. 24 special a forces la diversionary a a amphibious Force in a ii. A stars and strips