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 Maji d Rashid al-Hamdani, staff officer and battalion commander during the Iran-Iraq War, whom the Project 194 6 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. Contents Foreword Introduction: Summary and Analysis Background Origins and Planning for WarSaddam’s Education in War The Adaptation of Iraqi Military Forces to the Reality of War Technology, Intelligence, and the War Final Comments Historical Context and Timeline Interview: Lieutenant General Ra’ad Majid Rashid al-Hamdani 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 Military Training End of Iran-Iraq War Interview: Major General Mizher Rashid al-Tarfa al-Ubaydi 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 Foreign Assistance Attitudes toward Iran Interview: Major General (ret)Aladdin Hussein Makki Khamas Section 9: Personal Background Saddam’s Personality Senior Leadership 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 Military Training Section 12: Chemical Weapons NCO Corps Iranian Operations and Tactics Saddam’s Personality Interview: Lieutenant General Abid Mohammed al-Kabi 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 Loss of Fao (1986)Bombing of USS Stark Recovery of Fao (1988)Section 16: Intelligence Capabilities Development of Navy and Naval Operations Significance of Iranian Operations Saddam and Senior Leadership ............................. 177Interview: 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 Foreign Technology Saddam’s Personality Intelligence and the Bombing of Osirak Reactor Section 18: Long-range Strikes Military Cooperation Foreign Technology Chemical Weapons Intelligence Section 19: Attitudes toward the Air Force Air Defense Systems Bombing of USS Section 20: Senior Leadership Foreign Assistance 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 Appendix C: Index of Themes.
