Operation Desert Storm: Key Battles and Leadership Insights
From Tanks to Airpower: The First Gulf War’s Combat Operations
Today is January 4th, 2025—thirty-four years ago, U.S. and coalition forces were about to transition from Operation Desert Shield to Desert Storm. Operation Desert Storm was the combat phase of what most now call the First Gulf War, aimed at freeing Kuwait from Iraq's occupation. It kicked off on January 17, 1991, after Saddam Hussein's forces invaded Kuwait in August 1990. Led by the United States, a coalition of 42 countries came together to push back against Iraq’s aggression and liberate Kuwait. The operation started with a massive air campaign, followed by a fast-moving ground attack. For those of us in uniform, it was a moment that showcased the U.S. Military near the peak of its Cold War strength. Kuwait was liberated by February 28, 1991
During this period, the U.S. Military's end strength still exceeded 2 million personnel compared to our ~1.3 million today. The Navy, shy of its 600-ship strategic goal, maintained around 550 ships compared to the 295 deployable ships today. The previous decade was still close in the rearview mirror with memories of learning Soviet battle formations along with their weapons and equipment. Much like assessments of unstoppable Russian success during their initial attack on Ukraine, assessments of Iraqi strength and resulting high U.S. casualty counts were never seen.
The Gulf War, often remembered for its swift and decisive victories, was a complex conflict highlighting modern warfare's evolution. These four books offer essential perspectives to understand this pivotal moment in military history. Crusade by Rick Atkinson provides a comprehensive narrative of the First Gulf War, integrating strategic analysis with storytelling. The Generals' War: The Inside Story of the Conflict in the Gulf by Michael R. Gordon and Bernard E. Trainor studies the leadership decisions and political dynamics that shaped the war's outcome. Warrior's Rage: The Great Tank Battle of 73 Easting by Douglas Macgregor offers a firsthand account of one of the most intense tank battles of the conflict. The ground campaign included some of the largest tank battles in U.S. history. Finally, Desert Storm Air War: The Aerial Campaign against Saddam's Iraq in the 1991 Gulf War by Jim Corrigan examines the air campaign that revolutionized the use of airpower in modern military strategy. Together, these works provide a detailed and multifaceted understanding of Operation Desert Storm.
Crusade: The Untold Story of the Persian Gulf War
By Rick Atkinson
Rick Atkinson’s Crusade: The Untold Story of the Persian Gulf War is a compelling and detailed account of the First Gulf War, blending strategic insights with vivid battlefield narratives. Atkinson, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, examines the conflict from multiple perspectives, offering a balanced and comprehensive look at the war's planning, execution, and aftermath. With access to key players and meticulous research, Crusade reveals this landmark military campaign's complexities and human dimensions.
Why You Should Consider Reading It
Comprehensive War Overview: Atkinson explores all aspects of the Gulf War, from the strategic decisions made in Washington to the experiences of soldiers and Marines on the front lines.
Engaging Battlefield Narratives: The book provides graphic descriptions of key moments, giving readers a clear sense of the war’s intensity and challenges.
Insight into Leadership and Strategy: Atkinson looks into the leadership of key figures, including General Norman Schwarzkopf, shedding light on the personalities and decisions that shaped the war.
Key Takeaways
The Complexity of Coalition Warfare: Atkinson highlights the challenges and successes of coordinating a multinational force in a high-stakes conflict.
The Role of Technology and Air Power: The book illustrates how advanced weaponry and a coordinated air campaign further defined modern warfare.
The Human Cost of War: Through compelling firsthand accounts, Atkinson conveys the courage, sacrifices, and determination of those who served in Desert Storm.
Publication Details
Publisher: Mariner Books; Reprint (Paperback)
Pages: 608
Release Date: October 19, 1994
If you’re interested in understanding the Gulf War in its full context, from high-level strategy to the gritty realities of combat, Crusade is a good choice. Atkinson’s balanced perspective and engaging storytelling make this book a worthy option for military history enthusiasts and anyone looking to grasp the complexities of modern warfare during Operation Desert Storm.
The Generals' War: The Inside Story of the Conflict in the Gulf
By Michael R. Gordon and Bernard E. Trainor
The Generals' War: The Inside Story of the Conflict in the Gulf by Michael R. Gordon and Bernard E. Trainor provides a detailed examination of the First Gulf War through the lens of military leadership. Drawing on extensive interviews and insider accounts, the authors explore the strategic decisions, operational challenges, and key personalities that defined the conflict. This book offers a critical look at how decisions made by the U.S. and coalition leaders shaped the outcome of the war, highlighting both triumphs and missteps.
Why You Should Consider Reading It
Leadership Under Scrutiny: The book examines the actions of top commanders, including General Norman Schwarzkopf, offering insights into their strategies and decision-making.
Strategic and Operational Analysis: Gordon and Trainor analyze the complexities of planning and executing a large military campaign, from air strikes to the ground assault.
A Balanced Perspective: The authors present a nuanced view of the war, acknowledging its successes while critiquing missed opportunities and flawed decisions.
Key Takeaways
The Challenges of Coalition Warfare: The book highlights the difficulties of coordinating a multinational force with diverse political and military objectives.
Strategic Decisions Shape the Battlefield: From the air campaign to the ground assault, the book illustrates how high-level planning influenced tactical outcomes.
The Human Side of Command: The authors reveal the personal dynamics and pressures of wartime leadership through detailed portraits of military leaders.
Publication Details
Publisher: Back Bay Books (paperback)
Pages: 576
Release Date: November 9, 1995
The Generals' War is an essential read for those interested in understanding the complexities of leadership during the First Gulf War. With its thorough research and balanced critique, this book is perfect for military history enthusiasts and anyone curious about the interplay between strategy, politics, and battlefield realities.
For additional insight into the friction between strategy and politics, consider reading our review on The Melting Point by General Frank McKenzie
Warrior's Rage: The Great Tank Battle of 73 Easting
By Douglas Macgregor
Douglas Macgregor’s Warrior's Rage: The Great Tank Battle of 73 Easting provides a gripping firsthand account of one of the most decisive tank battles of Operation Desert Storm. As an operations officer during the battle, Macgregor offers unique insights into armored combat tactics, leadership decisions, and the raw intensity of armored combat. In addition to detailing the events on the ground, the book serves as a pointed critique of senior officers and generals, whom Macgregor argues often lacked the aggressiveness needed to capitalize on battlefield opportunities.
Why You Should Consider Reading It
Firsthand Perspective: Written by one of the battle’s key leaders, the book provides an insider’s view of the events at 73 Easting, offering unparalleled authenticity.
Detailed Battle Analysis: Macgregor breaks down the tactics and decision-making processes that led to the victory, making it a must-read for those interested in military strategy.
Critique of Leadership: Macgregor does not shy away from criticizing senior military leaders, highlighting instances where poor decision-making and political maneuvering hindered operational success.
Key Takeaways
Tactical Excellence in Armored Warfare: The 73 Easting battle is presented as a textbook example of how superior tactics and training can overcome challenging conditions.
Leadership in High-Stakes Scenarios: Macgregor reflects on the decisions made under pressure and the importance of effective leadership in combat.
The Reality of Modern War: The book depicts the chaos, danger, and complexity of armored combat in the Gulf War.
Publication Details
Publisher: Naval Institute Press (Hardcover)
Pages: 280
Release Date: September 1, 2009
If you’re fascinated by the dynamics of armored warfare or want a deeper understanding of the Gulf War’s most iconic battles, Warrior's Rage is a great choice. Macgregor’s firsthand narrative and strategic insights make this book a standout in the field of military history.
Desert Storm Air War: The Aerial Campaign Against Saddam's Iraq in the 1991 Gulf War
By Jim Corrigan
Jim Corrigan’s Desert Storm Air War: The Aerial Campaign Against Saddam's Iraq in the 1991 Gulf War provides an in-depth account of the groundbreaking air operations that played a decisive role in the Gulf War. The book explores how advanced airpower strategies, cutting-edge technology, and meticulous planning dismantled Iraq’s defenses and set the stage for coalition victory. Combining technical detail with human stories, Corrigan brings the skies of Operation Desert Storm to life.
Why You Should Consider Reading It
Comprehensive Air Campaign Analysis: The book examines the strategies, technologies, and execution of the air campaign, offering insights into one of Operation Desert Storm's pivotal aspects.
Technological Innovation: Corrigan highlights how precision-guided munitions, stealth technology, and advanced aircraft revolutionized modern warfare.
Stories from the Cockpit: Through firsthand accounts from pilots and ground crews, the book portrays the human stories and experiences that powered the advanced technology of the air campaign.
Key Takeaways
Air Superiority as a Game-Changer: The coalition’s dominance in the skies neutralized Iraq’s air defenses and demonstrated the potential of airpower’s support to future warfare.
The Role of Planning and Intelligence: The success of the air campaign underscores the importance of meticulous preparation and real-time intelligence to support combat operations.
The Human Element: Behind every precision strike and sortie were skilled aviators and support personnel whose dedication and expertise were critical to success.
Publication Details
Publisher: Stackpole Books (Hardcover)
Pages: 288
Release Date: August 1, 2017
Desert Storm Air War is a good choice for anyone interested in airpower's technological and tactical evolution. Corrigan’s detailed narrative and engaging storytelling make this book a must for military aviation enthusiasts and those looking to understand the air campaign’s role in Operation Desert Storm.
Tags: Operations
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Just for clarification, Douglas Macgregor was the cavalry squadron operations officer (S3) during the Battle of 73 Easting in the Persian Gulf War and technically did not carry the title of squadron commander, although his leadership could be indeed characterized as that like that of the commander, given his forward positioning and actions during the battle. See Richard J. Newman's article at http://www.usnews.com/usnews/news/articles/970728/archive_007519.htm.
Very good reviews and breakdown; I also appreciate that you show the publishing information (date of publication, number of pages, etc); that can determine if it is worth buying in hardback or waiting for paperback. I have noticed that there aren’t too many desert storm books out there, especially comprehensive books. Hopefully as time moves forward, more veterans will sit down to discuss or write their experiences. I would love to hear more stories about marines and special forces, especially the battle to retake Kuwait City and the airport.