Warrior's Rage: The Great Tank Battle of 73 Easting

by Douglas MacGregor USA (Ret.)

On 26 February 1991, cavalry troops of "Cougar Squadron," the 2nd Squadron of the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment, charged out of a sandstorm during Operation Desert Storm and caught Iraq's Republican Guard Corps in the open desert along the North-South grid line of a military map referred to as the "73 Easting." Taken by surprise, the defending Iraqi armor brigade was swept away in salvos of American tank and missile fire in what became the U.S. Army's largest tank battle since World War II. Douglas Macgregor, the man who trained and led Cougar Squadron into battle, recounts two stories. One is the inspiring tale of the valiant American soldiers, sergeants, lieutenants, and captains who fought and won the battle. The other is a story of failed generalship, one that explains why Iraq's Republican Guard escaped, ensuring that Saddam Hussein's regime survived and America's war with Iraq dragged on. Certain to provoke debate, this is the latest book from the controversial and influential military veteran whose two previous books, Breaking the Phalanx and Transformation Under Fire , are credited with influencing thinking and organization inside America's ground forces and figure prominently in current discussions about military strategy and defense policies. Its fast-moving battle narrative, told from the vantage point of Macgregor's Abrams tank, and its detailed portraits of American soldiers, along with vivid descriptions of the devastating technology of mounted warfare, will captivate anyone with a taste for adventure as well as an interest in contemporary military history.

Genres: History, Military Fiction, Nonfiction, War, Politics, Criticism, Military History

280 pages, Hardcover

First published January 15, 2001

Reviews

[The_J · Rating 4 out of 5]

Insight into the greatest military victory of my life and perhaps of the Post-WWII era. Of course Kursk will always be thought of as the greatest tank battle, but there was a dominance that was in question, that suddenly had no question after the Iraq war. But the saddest comment in the book might just have been that as great a victory as it was - inherent cautiousness and a desire to end it too soon costs our country blood and treasure later. When you are stepping on their neck don't stop until it is done.

[David Skeen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A comprehensive look at a major armored battle in the 1991 Gulf War where a squadron of the 2nd ACR hammered Iraqi Republican Guard units. Macgregor was the squadron operations officer; by his account, he led the squadron and made command decisions with minimal oversight from the squadron commander.

[Jonathan Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a Tank man myself, the telling of quite possibly the last great tank battle of the modern battlefield is fantastic.

[Kyle Mcavoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book gives a great look into any armed forces group in the US, not just armored calvary. The look into the real US military is one of post-vietnam hysteria, George H. W. Bush said, "This will not be, another Vietnam," and This book basically confirmed what I already new: Gen. Schwarzkopf was the only general who wasn't afraid to be embarrassed. He knew the Iraqi's were not capable of doing anything to the Coalition's tanks and APC's

The book was great, telling the story of a company of men in armored vehicles sent to do there job. the great part was hearing about the guys that went above and beyond, under enemy fire. I wish i could have saw or been there, because the hole story put it in vivid detail.

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

The writer of the lhe last couple books that I have read regarding 'recent' history have been journalists, while this author was an active duty oficer at the time. The contrasts between the two styles is glaring, and unfortunately Douglas Macgregor comes off as a mid-grade officer at odds with his seniors.

I'd love to hear BG McMaster's account . . . I guess "Dereliction of Duty" goes onto my reading list.

[Michael O'Brien · Rating 4 out of 5]

A tank commander's first hand account of the Gulf War of 1991, especially how the president and senior military commanders lacked the will to follow Saddam's invasion of Kuwait to it's logical conclusion.

[James · Rating 2 out of 5]

I appreciate the need for a ghost writer now. Amateur writing and the attacks on the leadership are tiresome.