Storm on the Horizon : Khafji--The Battle That Changed the Course of the Gulf War

David J.Morris' account of the Battle of Khafji is interesting not because of the plight of the marines who were trapped in Khafji but rather, their observations of the traits and performance of the Qatari and Saudi Arabian army.

In addition, there are other bits of information that are of interest.

On the performance of the Saudi Arabian army:

1. The unit involved exhibited poor fire discipline. At one point, it was noted that they were firing TOWs in a wanton display of firepower. There was no regard for the conservation of ammunition. It is also stated in the book that they have a habit of expending all their ammunition before returning to base.

2. The Saudi Arabian units started firing at extreme ranges when the chances of hitting anything is low.

3. The Saudi Arabian V-150 TOW missile carriers starting launching TOW missiles without regard for anything or anyone in their rear area (backblast).

3. The Iraqi units were using a large number of Chinese-built Type 531 APCs.

4. The Saudi Arabians stopped to loot the Iraqi bodies regardless of the surrounding firefight. They were not looting weapons but personal effects!

5. The Saudi Arabian V-150s is a thin-skinned vehicle. There were reports of how RPGs sliced the vehicle in half. A number were destroyed in the fighting. Singapore fields the V-200, a variant (used only in Singapore) of that vehicle. Anyway, most thin-skinned vehicles would be sliced apart by LAWs or RPGs.

6. The Qatari AMX-30s (with a maximum frontal armour of 80mm) were highly vulnerable to tank fire. Two were destroyed in that action. One of them 'charged' in...

7. The Iraqis were using Brazilian ASTROS II rockets to shell the marine positions but the marines noted that these were highly inaccurate. Of course, the Brazilians, Chinese and French were the biggest suppliers of arms to Iraq... The Malaysian army has since bought a number of the ASTROS II multiple rocket launchers.

8. Dismount? What dismount? The Saudi Arabians rode into combat!

I think the title is surely hyperbole?