Saddam's generals : perspectives of the Iran-Iraq War / Kevin M. Woods [and others].

Format:

Book

Government document

Contributor:

Woods, Kenneth M.

Institute for Defense Analyses

National Intelligence Council (U.S.)

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Hussein, Saddam, 1937-2006.

Hussein, Saddam.

Iran-Iraq War, 1980-1988.

Iran-Iraq War, 1980-1988--Personal narratives.

Iran--History, Military.

Iran.

Iraq--History, Military.

Iraq.

War--Economic aspects.

Genre:

Military history

Personal narratives

Personal narratives.

Physical Description:

1 online resource ([238] pages) : color illustrations, color maps

polychrome.

Other Title:

Perspectives of the Iran-Iraq War

Place of Publication:

Alexandria, VA : Institute for Defense Analyses, 2011.

System Details:

text file

Summary:

Overview: This monograph represents a continuation of a series of research efforts designed to extend the knowledge of the contemporary Middle East, military history, and Iraqi military effectiveness during the course of three major wars: the Iran-Iraq War, the First Gulf War, and Operation Iraqi Freedom. This second volume is based on interviews with figures significant in the Iran-Iraq War, extensive examination and study of captured Iraqi records, and a review of secondary sources. The interviews presented here involve not only lengthy discussions with Lieutenant General Ra'ad Majid Rashid al-Hamdani, staff officer and battalion commander during the Iran-Iraq War, whom the Project 1946 research team had interviewed before, but similar types of discussions with a number of senior Iraqi military leaders who played key parts in the Iran-Iraq War. These were Major General Mizher Rashid al-Tarfa al-Ubaydi, a senior officer and section leader in Iraq's military intelligence service dealing with Iran during the conflict; Major General (ret) Aladdin Hussein Makki Khamas, corps chief of staff, division commander, and director of Iraq's Combat Development Directorate during the war; Lieutenant General Abid Mohammed al-Kabi, commander-in-chief of the Iraqi Navy from 1982 to 1988; and Major General 'Alwan Hassoun 'Alwan al-Abousi, a squadron and wing commander during the conflict. As a result of these interviews, the Project 1946 team deepened and extended its understanding of a number of aspects and incidents during the period. Among the insights gained were: 1) the growth of Iraqi intelligence capabilities during the war's course, 2) the growth of Saddam's perceptions on the nature of war and his broadening understanding of the naval and air wars, 3) the development of Iraqi military doctrine, 4) the lack of a clear strategic or operational vision among Iraq's leaders, military as well as civilian, at the beginning of the war, and 5) the difficulties the Iraqis confronted in incorporating technology and modern conceptions of war into military organizations that did not possess a high level of education"--Page 5-6.

Contents:

Summary and analysis

Historical context and timeline

Interview: Lieutenant General Ra'ad Majid Rashid al-Hamdani

Interview: Major General Mizher Rashid al-Tarfa al-Ubaydi

Interview: Major General (ret) Aladdin Hussein Makki Khamas

Interview: Lieutenant General Abid Mohammed al-Kabi

Interview: Major General 'Alwan Hassoun 'Alwan al-Abousi.

Foreword

Introduction

Summary and analysis

Background

Origins and planning for war

Saddam's education in war

Adaption of Iraqi military forces to the reality of war

Technology, intelligence, and the war

Final comments

Section 1: Senior leadership

Foreign assistance

Officer Corps

Saddam's personality

First Gulf War

Section 2: Chemical weapons

Conditions and events leading to the Iran-Iraq War

Military training

Section 3: Personal interactions with Saddam

Senior leadership

Section 4: Officer Corps

Loss of Fao (1986)

Recovery of Fao (1988)

Intelligence capabilities

Fourth Battle of Basra (1986)

Fifth Battle of Basra (1987)

Section 5: Expansion of Iraqi military

End of Iran-Iraq War

Section 6: Personal background

Attitudes toward Iran

Expansion of Iraqi intelligence

Section 7: Loss of Fao (1986)

General military intelligence directorate

Iranian intelligence capabilities

Deception operations

Section 8: Senior leadership

SIGINT

Section 9: Personal background

Events leading to Iran-Iraq War

Preparations for Iran-Iraq War

Section 10: Battle of Allahu Akbar Hill

First Battle of Basra (1982)

Battle at al-Amara

Second Battle of Basra (1984)

Battles at Abadan and Ahvaz (1980)

Battle at Susangard (1980)

Section 11: Adaptation in Iraqi military

Combat development directorate

Section12: Chemical weapons

NCO Corps

Iranian operations and tactics

Section 13: Personal background

History of Iraqi navy

Expansion of naval involvement in Iran-Iraq War

Preparation for Iran-Iraq War

Foreign technology

Section 14: Defensive naval operations (1980-82)

Offensive Naval Operations (1982-86)

Naval operations after the loss of Fao (1986-88)

Intelligence capabilities and bombing of USS Stark

Section 15: Shatt al-Arab

Attacks on Iranian oil terminals

Bombing of USS Stark

Section 16: Intelligence capabilities

Development of navy and naval operations

Significance of Iranian operations

Saddam and senior leadership

Interview: Major General 'Alwan Hassoun 'Alwan al-Abousi

Section 17: Personal background

State of Iraqi Air Force readiness

Initial air strikes (Fall 1980)

Planning and training

Intelligence and the bombing of Osirak Reactor

Section 18: Long-range strikes

Military cooperation

Chemical weapons

Intelligence

Section 19: Attitudes toward the Air Force

Air defense systems

Bombing of USS Stark.

Section 20: Senior leadership

Iraqi F-1s shot down by Saudi F-15s during First Gulf War

Evacuation of Iraqi fighters to Iran during First Gulf War

War of the cities

Appendix A: References

Appendix B: Place names index and reference maps

Map 1: Iraq, with North, Central and South regions outlined

Map 2A: Southern Iraq, Iraqi offensives, 1980

Map 2B: Southern Iraq, extent of Iraqi advances, 1981-82; Iranian offensives; extent of Iranian advances during the war; Basra defenses 1982-87

Map 2C: Southern Iraq, Iraqi offensives, 1988

Map 3A: Central Iraq, Iraqi offensives, 1980

Map 3B: Central Iraq, extent of Iraqi advances, 1981-82; Iranian offensives; extent of Iranian advances during the war

Map 3C: Central Iraq, Iraqi offensives, 1988

Map 4A: Northern Iraq, Iraqi offensives, 1980

Map 4B: Northern Iraq, extent of Iraqi advances, 1981-82; Iranian offensives; extent of Iranian advances during the war

Map 5: Persian Gulf, tanker war

Map 6: Persian Gulf, air raids on Iranian islands

Map 7: Persian Gulf, attack on Larak Island with mid-air refueling

Appendix C: Index of themes

Bibliography.

Notes:

Title from title screen (viewed on Dec. 7, 2011).

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Electronic reproduction. [S.l.] : HathiTrust Digital Library, 2011.

Other Format:

Print version: Saddam's generals

OCLC:

767700460

Access Restriction:

Use copy Restrictions unspecified