Opération Daguet
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Opération Daguet was the codename for French operations during the 1991 Gulf War (also called the 'Persian Gulf War' or 'Operation Desert Storm'). The conflict was between Iraq and a coalition force of approximately 30 nations led by the United States and mandated by the United Nations in order to liberate Kuwait.
The lead up to the war began with the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait on August 2, 1990, following unproven Iraqi contentions that Kuwait was illegally "slant-drilling" oil across Iraq's border. The invasion was met with immediate economic sanctions by the United Nations against Iraq. After a period of diplomacy and coalition forces deploying to Saudi Arabia and other Gulf States, hostilities commenced with air operations on January 17 1991, resulting in a decisive victory for the coalition forces, which drove Iraqi forces out of Kuwait with minimal coalition deaths. The main battles were aerial and ground combat within Iraq, Kuwait, and bordering areas of Saudi Arabia. The war did not expand outside the immediate Iraq/Kuwait/Saudi border region, although Iraq fired missiles on Israeli cities.
The main coalition nations were -
- United States: 550,000 troops
- Saudi Arabia: 118,000 troops
- United Kingdom: 43,000 troops
- Egypt: 40,000 troops
- United Arab Emirates: 40,000 troops
- Oman: 25,500 troops
- France: 18,000 troops
- Syria: 17,000 troops
- Kuwait: 11,000 troops
Deployment
Soon after the invasion of Kuwait, France sent an additional frigate to augment two French warships already in the Persian Gulf. Operation "Salamandre" is then launched with the deployment of the 5th Regiment of Combat Helicopters (RHC) and a company of the first Regiment of Infantry on board the French aircraft carrier 'Clemenceau'.
On September 14, 1990, Iraqi forces enter the residence of the French ambassador in Kuwait. In response François Mitterrand increases the number of troops and aircraft deploying to Saudi Arabia. Soon after, the French intervention is renamed "Operation Daguet" under the command of General Michel Roquejoffre. Additional French reinforcements arrived in December 1990 and January 1991.
The main ground force was the 6th French Light Armoured Division, including troops from the French Foreign Legion. Initially, the French operated independently under national command and control, but coordinated closely with the Americans, Saudis and CENTCOM. In January, the Division was placed under the tactical control of the US XVIII Airborne Corps.
The role of the 6th French Light Armoured Division and the US XVIII Airborne Corps was to protect the theatre left flank and perhaps draw off Iraqi tactical and operational reserves.
Operations - air and naval phase
Prior to the start of air strikes in January 1991, coalition naval forces were operating in the Persian Gulf to enforce sanctions against Iraq. Along with other nations, French warships conducted boarding operations against ships suspected of breaking the sanctions against Iraq. On one such occasion, on 2 October 1990, the French frigate Doudart de Lagree (F 728),[link] intercepted the North Korean vessel, Sam Il Po, which was carrying plywood panels. After the merchant vessel repeatedly failed to answer bridge-to-bridge radio calls, warning shots were fired across the vessel's bow. Sam Il Po then stopped and permitted the French ship to board. [link]
A long series of UN Security Council resolutions were passed regarding the conflict. One of the most important was Resolution 678, passed on November 29, giving Iraq a withdrawal deadline of January 15 1991, and authorizing "all necessary means to uphold and implement Resolution 660", a diplomatic formulation authorizing the use of force. After the deadline passed, on January 17 1991, intensive air operations began. The majority of missions were flown by the United States, but French Air Force aircraft also took part. SEPECAT Jaguars undertook ground attack missions, Mirage F1s undertook ground attack and reconnaissance missions and Mirage 2000s provided fighter air cover.
Operations - ground phase
On the February 24 1991, the ground phase began. Reconnaissance units of the 6th French Light Armored Division advanced into Iraq. Three hours later, the French main body attacked. The initial objective for the French was an airfield 90 miles inside Iraq at As-Salman. Reinforced by a brigade from the US 82nd Airborne Division, the French crossed the border unopposed and attacked north. The French then came across elements of the 45th Iraqi Mechanized Infantry Division. After a brief battle, supported by French Army missile-armed Aérospatiale Gazelle attack helicopters, they controlled the objective and captured 2,500 prisoners. By the end of the first day, the French 6th Light Armoured Division, supported by the 82nd Airborne Division had secured its objectives and continued the attack north, securing the highways from Baghdad to southern Iraq..
See also
- List of military equipment used by the French Armed Forces, during Opération Daguet
- Gulf War
External links
- [Illustrated chronology of French forces during the Gulf War]
- [Final report to the US Congress- Conduct of the Persian Gulf War]
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