When Saddam Hussein's Iraq invaded Kuwait in August 1990, triggering the First Gulf War, a coalition of thirty-five countries led by the United States responded with Operation Desert Storm, which culminated in a one-hundred-hour coordinated air strike and ground assault that repelled Iraqi forces from Kuwait. Though largely forgotten in descriptions of the war, an eight-day barrage of artillery fire made this seemingly rapid offensive possible. At the forefront of this offensive were the brave field artillerymen known as "redlegs."
In Desert Redleg: Artillery Warfare in the First Gulf War, a veteran and former redleg of the 1st Infantry Division Artillery (otherwise known as the "Big Red One"), Col. L. Scott Lingamfelter, recounts the logistical and strategic decisions that led to a coalition victory. Drawing on original battle maps, official reports, and personal journals, Lingamfelter describes the experience of the First Gulf War through a soldier's eyes and attempts to answer the question of whether the United States "got the job done" in its first sustained Middle Eastern conflict. Part military history, part personal memoir, this book provides a boots-on-the-ground perspective on the largest US artillery bombardment since World War II.
Col. L. Scott Lingamfelter, USA (Ret.), began his twenty-eight-year military career as a field artilleryman where he progressed in rank to colonel. He served in the Virginia House of Delegates from 2002 to 2018. His commentaries have been published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch and the Washington Times. Check out his website https://copybookwarrior.com/.
Table of Contents
Introduction 1
1 The Big Red One 7
2 Fort Riley 12
3 The Convergence of Leaders 18
4 The Approaching Storm 27
5 A First-Class Ride to Confusion 42
6 War 56
7 Preparing for the Fight 72
8 A Fight to Remember 102
9 Into the Breach 136
10 A Relentless Pursuit 160
11 An Uncertain Peace 192
12 An Unresolved Peace 225
13 The Long March Home 245
14 Retrospective and Reality: Did We Get the Job Done? 267
Glossary 287
Notes 295
Bibliography 305
Index 307
Photos follow page 150
What People are Saying About This
Maj. Gen. Lynn Hartsell
"Scott Lingamfelter's Desert Redleg is an excellent account of the prominent role and devasting power of the 1st Infantry Division Artillery during Desert Storm. Lingamfelter's intriguing narrative of the logistical challenges, including efforts to synchronize artillery support for the Big Red One, reveals the perseverance of American soldiers. His assessment of the doctrinal, tactical, strategic, and geopolitical lessons learned in the Gulf War offers perspective for the US Army today and in the future. As a field artillery battalion commander during the Gulf War, Desert Redleg brings back personal and vivid memories of the gallant efforts we made in driving the Iraqis from Kuwait."
Col. Gregory Fontenot
"Desert Redleg is a riveting account of the role of 1st Infantry Division Artillery during the Persian Gulf War. Relying on his personal diaries and the notes of his artillery comrades,Lingamfelter recounts the initiative, courage, and detailed planning required to penetrate Iraq's prepared defenses, exploit the breakout, and pursue its forces to the coast of Kuwait. None of us who fought to free Kuwait thought of the war as short, and Desert Redleg dispels the myth of the short war."
From the Publisher
"Lingamfelter crafts an excellent story of the Big Red One's road to war during operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm as seen through the unique perspective of a field artilleryman. As our army transitions from fighting insurgencies to multi-domain, large scale, combat operations similar to those experienced during the 1990-1991 Gulf War, Lingamfelter's work is a very timely publication. Overall, Desert Redleg is an enjoyable book on two levels: first, it captures both general and artillery lessons learned from a past conflict, which should be studied for the future; and second, it brought back memories of my own similar experiences as an Armor Officer and of the soldiers I served alongside during Desert Storm." — Brig. Gen. Clint Anderson, US Army (Ret.)
Brig. Gen. Clint Anderson
"Lingamfelter crafts an excellent story of the Big Red One's road to war during operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm as seen through the unique perspective of a field artilleryman. As our army transitions from fighting insurgencies to multi-domain, large scale, combat operations similar to those experienced during the 1990-1991 Gulf War, Lingamfelter's work is a very timely publication. Overall, Desert Redleg is an enjoyable book on two levels: first, it captures both general and artillery lessons learned from a past conflict, which should be studied for the future; and second, it brought back memories of my own similar experiences as an Armor Officer and of the soldiers I served alongside during Desert Storm."
Gen. J. H. Binford Peay III
"Desert Redleg proudly chronicles the field artillery's role, operations, and performance in support of the 1st Infantry Division during the First Gulf War. Lingamfelter's leadership style, entertaining narrative, and review of the historical records masterfully illuminate the key requirements for organization and synchronization of combat power. It is as if you are there in the fight with Lingamfelter and his teammates. The fundamentals and lessons found within Desert Redleg are timeless and should be heeded today as the US Army prepares for full-spectrum warfare."
