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THE GULF WAR

By: Douglas Wiles

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Contents

BackgroundWhy Iraq invaded KuwaitInitial UN attacksApache helicopterThe shooting down of David EberlyThe Cease-firePublic opinion after the war

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Background

On 2nd August Iraq invaded KuwaitKuwait is Iraq’s Southern and much smaller neighbourWithin a few hours Iraqi Dictator Saddam Hussein had achieved his objective of seizing the tiny oil-rich state

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Why invade Kuwait?

Kuwait has considerable financial resources

Iraq only has a very short coastline, having Kuwait as part of Iraq would extend

the coastline considerably.

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Initial UN attacks

Political outrage - deadline set

Deadline was breached

Allied attack begins with Apache strike at 2:38 A.M. on 17th January 1991

On 23rd January intense attacks against Iraqi aircraft shelters begins.

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Apache Helicopter

•The Apache was designed for the attack role

•It has Boron Carbide armour

•Blast shields separate the pilot and co-pilot

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David EberlyDavid Eberly was shot down along with Thomas Griffith on the 19th JanuaryHe was captured and interrogated He was released on the 5th March

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The Cease-fire

The bombing campaign overwhelmed the Iraqis, so once the long dreaded ground war was underway, it was quickly over, with relatively few casualtiesThe Cease-fire occurred at 8A.M. on February 28th

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After the Gulf War

Although the war was a success, there have been complaints about the way it was carried outThere was American Government was censoring the mediaToo many Iraqi civilian deathsDaytime vs. Nighttime bombing

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Summary "I have seen in your eyes a fire of determination to get this war job done quickly. My confidence in you is total, our

cause is just. Now you must be the the thunder and lighting of Desert Storm."

I have covered:

• Details of the cause and duration of the war

• One of the principle weapons of the war: the Apache helicopter

•The shooting down of David Eberly

•The controversy concerning civilian deaths following the war