“I was a tank driver. I actually fought against American tanks and survived to tell you this story today. My whole crew survived, but our tanks mobility was destroyed by one of yours. We were halted in a defense behind the ridge. The ground was flat in front of us. Perfect ground for tanks to drive and shoot. Also perfect to get shot. It was a one sided fight but I firmly believe we Iraqi’s fought valiantly and bravely.

I have no knowledge of if we attained any strikes on American tanks. My commander was 3 years my senior, and he ordered us to halt with the rest of our group, and fire on the Americans.

Through our armor and headsets I could hear low ‘pwoom. pwoom. pwoom.’ noises of tank guns firing and striking each other. It was scary, but very exciting! As untested tank soldiers, it was difficult to understand what we were doing was real. An American tank struck ours on the track. I heard a sudden loud noise like a metal bar hitting a container. I realized I could not move our tank. We were useless. We could not move. Our commander ordered the rest of us outside.

My memory of the battle is like observing a movie through a thin tube. I saw very little. I’m glad I made it alive. I miss my crew as I have not seen them in over 20 years. I fled Iraq before the invasion and fall of Saddam. I do not miss the army. I do not miss war. I do miss Iraq.

– Anonymous Former Iraqi Soldier. 52nd Armoured Division. Operation Desert Storm 1991

This story was documented by Battles and Beers. Every soldier has a story, and every story deserves to be told.

This story and hundreds more like it are available in my book, “What War Did To Us” Find it on Amazon!

2052054 Comments8 SharesLikeCommentShare