![]() This defilade position gave the Iraqis protection from the powerful long-range direct fire of the M1 Abrams tanks and the M2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicles. The Iraqi forces were well-deployed such that they could not be seen by American forces advancing until after they had cleared the top of the ridgeline. Medina Ridge was one of the few battles during Desert Storm in which American forces encountered significant Iraqi resistance and found it extremely difficult to advance. 1st Armored Division's 2nd Brigade, also saw major action in this battle and was commanded by Colonel Montgomery Meigs (a descendant of General Montgomery C. 3rd Bde, 3ID replaced 1st Armored Division's 1st Brigade for the duration of the war and was commanded by Colonel James Riley. The brunt of the fighting at Medina Ridge was conducted by the 3rd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, which was the only brigade from the 3rd Infantry Division in the war. The 1st Armored Division's Cavalry Squadron-1-1 Cavalry-made contact with the Medina Division and informed the Division Commander of the location of the enemy forces. The 1st Armored Division, commanded by Major General Ron Griffith, consisted of some 3,000 vehicles including 348 M1A1 Abrams tanks. Phase lines are map references occurring every few kilometers used to measure progress of an offensive operation. ![]() It took place west of Phase Line Kiwi, east of Phase Line Smash, and north of Phase Line Grape. ![]() The battle, which was waged over approximately two hours, was the largest tank battle of the war and the largest tank battle in United States history. Medina Ridge is the name American troops gave to a low rise, approximately seven miles (11 km) long. ![]() 1st Armored Division and the 2nd Brigade of the Iraqi Republican Guard Medina Luminous Division outside Basra. The Battle of Medina Ridge was a decisive tank battle fought on February 27, 1991, during the Gulf War, between the U.S. ![]()
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