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The 14th/20th Hussars took part in the actions from 25th to 28th February 1991.
After arriving in Concentration Area KEYS, 4th and 7th Armoured Brigades, both descendants of the Second World War Desert Rats Divisions, took part in a series of exercises in the desert and continued personal training. Particular attention was paid to biological and chemical defence training as Iraq was known to have used both forms of warfare against Iran in their recent war. All ranks were injected against a variety of possible biological threats, including anthrax and pneumonic plague. The Regimental Band were trained as first-line medics and stretcher-bearers, so were used to give some of the injections. Equipment husbandry was high on the priority list for the crews, led and taught by the Light Aid Detachment. Their diligence and hard work produced excellent results with a remarkably low breakdown rate for the tanks. The state of readiness of the Regiment rose steadily, in a determined and professional way.
Lieutenant Colonel Mike Vickery gave his orders to the Battlegroup on 21st February 1991. Reconnaissance Troop moved out to liaise with 3(US) Brigade. The 14th/20th Battlegroup moved to a staging area just south of the Iraqi border on 25th February and led 4th Armoured Brigade through a US-made border breach. The Battlegroup (BG) moved forward at 1930 hrs in an advance to contact, in heavy rain, shaking out into a square formation. The BG quickly had to untangle itself in the dark from the resupply trucks of 7th Armoured Brigade (in an argument between tanks and trucks, tanks win). The BG’s first contact with the enemy was made by B Squadron at 2230 hrs, who engaged enemy armoured vehicles with success. The Queen’s Company moved in to clear the position and take prisoners. The sound of a Guards Sergeant Major drilling surrendered Iraqi soldiers in the early morning delighted the Commanding Officer. B Squadron’s action continued into the night, destroying a number of Iraqi armoured vehicles.
