The Battle of Norfolk - World at War

Most challenging to play: USA [Allied] against Iraqi [Japanese]. Conditions: Night (reduced visibility). Size: Small-Medium.

Background: February 27, 1991. Iraq.

The Battle of Norfolk was a tank battle fought on February 27 1991, during the Gulf War, between armored forces of the United States Army and those of the Iraqi Republican Guard. It took place about 60 miles (100 kilometers) east of, and 18 hours after, the Battle of Al Busayyah, and several kilometers east of the Battle of 73 Easting, which had ended just two hours earlier. The Battle of Norfolk was named for Objective Norfolk, an area that encompassed the intersection of the IPSA Pipeline Road and several desert trails and a large Iraqi supply depot defended by Iraqi armor.

This scenario is based in the actions of the 2nd Plt, A Troop, 1-4 US Cavalry near objective Norfolk. During the early hours of February 27, 1-4 US Cav was conducting a screen mission for 1 ID. The S3 of the unit, Major John Burdan, became aware that A and B Troops were inadvertently moving away from each other while advancing to establish the screen line. Thus, a gap in the screen line was generated. The 1st Squadron commander (LTC Robert Wilson) decided to inspect the screen line personally, taking along one M3 and an M113. This command group found a dug-in Iraqi T-72 and quickly dispatched it. Soon it became evident that BMPs and T-72s were behind the 1st Squadron's screen line. Lacking the firepower needed to clear this enemy group, the 2nd Plt of A Troop (2LT Adrian Lowndes) was called in to clear the enemy positions and to re-establish the screen line.