TASK FORCE V LESSONS LEARNED: THE IRAN-IRAQ WAR

File: 120596_aaday_02.txt
Page: 02
Total Pages: 5
T

         like Tabun. This was supposedly employed during the 1988 attack
         on the A1 Faw peninsula, and in several of the other operations
         which made up the Tawakalna Ala Allah campaign. However, we
         doubt this was the case. Similarly, we find no evidence
         whatsoever that the Iraqis have ever employed blood gasses such
         as Cyanogen Chloride or Hydrogen Cyanide.

         (U) Blood agents were allegedly responsible for the most
         infamous use of chemicals in the war--the killing of Kurds at
         Halabjah. Since the Iraqis have no history of using these two
         agents--and the Iranians do--this leads us to conclude the
         Iranians perpetrated this attack. It is also worth noting that,
         lethal concentrations of cyanogen are difficult to obtain over
         an area target, thus the reports of 5,000 Kurds dead in Halabjah
         are suspect.

         (U) Mustard gas--the one most commonly associated with
         Iraq--is relatively easy to handle, although it is a two-edged
         weapon. Its persistence is a function of humidity and
         temperature, making its use as a long-term contaminant--in
         European conditions--nearly ideal. In the Middle East, however,
         where temperatures soar above 100 degrees Fahrenheit, its
         persistence is significantly reduced--unless one of two
         alternatives is followed.

         It is possible to make it more persistent by
         thickening, and to do so without reducing its effectiveness,
         although its dispersal is reduced thereby. A second alternative
         is to impregnate a carrier with the agent, the preferred carrier
         [(b)(1)sec3.4(b)(1)]
                                                      The principal form of this
         type is "Dusty Mustard," which made its first operational
         appearance during the Iran-Iraq War. It will be discussed
         later.

         (U) The tactics of employment are similar to other weapons
         having short or long-term effects. It is desirable to make the
         first volleys of any chemical attack a mixture of two agents,
         vomit or nausea agents and killer agents like Phosgene or
         Cyanogen. The soldier who is asleep or too slow masking either
         dies directly from the effects of the lethal agent or indirectly
         from having to mask and unmask while vomiting and in the process
         inhaling the lethal agent.

         (U) Persistent agents like Mustard are usually fired on
         artillery positions, lines of communication and likely
         counterattack routes as well as command and control
         installations. Against artillery, gas attacks are principally
         meant to slow down service of the guns, reduce the accuracy of
         sighting, and slow down the processing of commands. In most
         circumstances it produces a significant increase in gunner
         fatigue as body heat builds up inside protective suits.