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Stephen A. Bourque

The Road to Safwan: The 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry in the 1991 Persian Gulf War Hardcover – Illustrated, September 6, 2007

by Stephen A. Bourque (Author), John Burdan III (Author)

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The Road to Safwan is a complete history of the 1st Infantry Divisions cavalry unit fighting in Operation Desert Storm. Stephen A. Bourque and John W. Burdan III served in the 1st Infantry Bourque in Division Headquarters, Burdan as the Operations Officer of the 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry. Based on extensive interviews and primary sources, Bourque and Burdan provide the most in-depth coverage to date of a battalion-level unit in the 1991 war, showing how the unit deployed, went into combat, and adapted to changing circumstances.

The authors describe how the officers and men moved from the routine of cold war training to leading the Big Red One in battle through the Iraqi defenses and against the Iraqi Republican Guard. The 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry participated in the 1st Brigade attack on G-Day, the large tank battle for Objective Norfolk, the cutting of Basra Road, and the capture of Safwan Airfield, the site where General H. Norman Schwartzkopf conducted cease-fire negotiations with the Iraqis. The squadrons activities are placed squarely within the context of both division and corps activities, which illustrates the fog of war, the chain of command, and the uncertainty of information affecting command decisions.

The Road to Safwan challenges the myth that technology won the 1991 Persian Gulf War. Contrary to popular view, it was a soldier’s war not much different from previous conflicts in its general nature. What was different was the quality and intensity of the unit’s training, which resulted, repeatedly, in successful engagements and objectives secured. It is the story of the people, not the machines, which ultimately led this squadron to the small town of Safwan.

Print length

336 pages
Language

English
Publisher

University of North Texas Press
Publication date

September 6, 2007
Dimensions

6.5 x 1 x 9 inches
ISBN-10

1574412329
ISBN-13

978-1574412321
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"The Road to Safwan illustrates problems that assailed every unit deployed in Desert Storm. It is a storehouse of 'lessons learned.'"

"To my knowledge, this is the first scholarly book focused upon the all-important battalion and squadron level. The documentation is superb."

About the Author

Stephen A. Bourque served with the Big Red One and earned a Bronze Star during Operation Desert Storm. Following his retirement from the army after twenty years enlisted and commissioned service, he obtained his doctorate from Georgia State University, taught at California State University, Northridge, and wrote Jayhawk!: The VII Corps in the Persian Gulf War. Currently he is associate professor of history at the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College. He lives in Kansas City with his wife, Debra.

John W. Burdan III is a retired Army Officer living with his wife, Bridget, in Colorado Springs, Colorado. A West Point graduate, Burdan was commissioned as an armor officer in 1977. He served with the 1st Infantry Division in the Gulf from May 1989 to June 1992, receiving the Bronze Star and Bronze Star with V device for his service during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ University of North Texas Press (September 6, 2007)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 336 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1574412329
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1574412321
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.32 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.5 x 1 x 9 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #2,217,208 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #328 in Operation Desert Storm Military History
- #609 in Military Regiment History
- #1,796 in United States Military Veterans History

Customer Reviews:
13 ratings

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Lookingglassman

My only problem is this books read like a "to do list" An example is "The unit ...

Reviewed in the United States on April 14, 2017

Verified Purchase

I was with 2-34 Armor in the 1st Infantry division during Desert Storm and picked up this book to see what the cavalry experienced. It was a very interesting read to see how other units in the 1st Infantry saw the war. It also brought back fond memories because I was so familiar with the places and things that happened to the men in the Cav. My only problem is this books read like a "to do list" An example is "The unit moved there. Once they were there they set up an assembly area. The next day a screen line was established by this or that troop." That is all fine and dandy =, but I was hoping to get more of the individual Soldier, NCO and Officer perspective and not what I felt was just something that came off like an Army manual. Nonetheless, it is a very good book and wroth buying.

2 people found this helpful

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Mike Golf

Good Read!

Reviewed in the United States on March 3, 2016

Verified Purchase

As the former M1A1 (Heavy) tank Platoon Sergeant with my tanks spread out between A Troop, B Troop, & HQ Troop, assigned to the 1st Squadron, 4th US cavalry, I found book interesting and well written. I actually learned many details of our time in Iraq due to the fact that I was generally not "in the loop" regarding what the entire 4th Cavalry did, but only what our tanks (we called them Panzers) were directly involved with.
The book has many details, both good AND bad and kept my interest well. I wish there were more photos as the camera I was using didn't survive the ever-present sand & fine dust we all breathed, slept with, & ate.

3 people found this helpful

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Gareth Mannion

Story of my unit in Iraq

Reviewed in the United States on June 9, 2021

Verified Purchase

I buy this for relatives who tell me I wasn't in a real war

Reviewed in the United States on March 13, 2011

Verified Purchase

An excellent story of a Gulf War regiment written by two people who were a part of the war. Details of the ground war and a overview of the war, written from the perspective of ground unit troops.

2 people found this helpful

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DRB

Desert Storm!

Reviewed in the United States on April 14, 2012

I was there two decades ago with the 2nd Armored Div(fwd) out of Garlstedt, Germany. This book brought back many memories. I was astonished at the details which are provided in this book. It gives a very accurate account of the war of those who served in the same sector of operations as the 4th Cavalry. I believe this is one of the best two books on the war. I thought this was a very sound book. A easy read.

4 people found this helpful

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K.Schneider

ARMORED CAVALRY

Reviewed in the United States on April 10, 2010

Once in a while a book comes along that will make you want to cover to cover " The Road to Safwan". Is once such book. The authors Bourgue & Burdan hit the nail on the head.

The history of the 1/4 Cav is written with such detail,and explaination it will keep you craving for more.

This is a "must buy" a "must read" !!!!

5 people found this helpful

Helpful

T. Pritchett

The Road to Safwan

Reviewed in the United States on December 26, 2007

For an ex-military person, the book is well written. Anyone not familiar with military nomenclature, would be confused.

I was with the 1-4 Cav, Alpha troop 2nd Platoon during Desert Storm. There are a few stories that could have used a bit more investigation.

All that said, it was nice to relive many of the occurrences of 1990-91.

I would recommend it to any 1-4 Cav'er.

5 people found this helpful

Helpful

Kirk A. Waymire

Remembering the Past

Reviewed in the United States on March 11, 2009

This book brought back many memories (events, names, etc.). With a son that is now in the service and served in Iraq, we can relate to each other. This book help him see my time in the Quarterhorse and gave him some insight to what we did in '91.

5 people found this helpful

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Bernd Pfeuffer

Sachlicher, etwas trockener Bericht

Reviewed in Germany on July 16, 2009

Verified Purchase

Im Kern ist dieses Buch eine klassische Bataillons-Geschichte, geschrieben von ehemaligen Mitgliedern dessen Führung. In diesem Fall beschränkt auf den 1. Golfkrieg unter General Schwartzkopf.

Nach dem unvermeidlichen patriotischen Vorspann wird sachlich eingegangen auf praktische Probleme, wie:

- fehlende Karten
- Abhängigkeit von (zu wenigen) GPS-Empfängern
- nicht explodierten Bomblets der berüchtigten Streumunition
- schlechten Funkverbindungen
- friendly fire

Insgesamt ist die Darstellung sehr trocken geraten, was aber nicht wirklich zu bemängeln ist.

Einziger echter Kritikpunkt:

Auch wenn am Schluss eingeräumt wird, dass die Iraker mangels adäquater Ausrüstung, Ausbildung und Führung kein gleichrangiger, eher ein allzu leichter Gegner waren, ergehen sich die Autoren in Lobeshymnen über die Performance ihrer Soldaten. Bei einem ernsthaften Gegner wäre die Bilanz wahrscheinlich weniger euphorisch ausgefallen.
Der letzte ernsthafte Gegner der US Army war nun mal die deutsche Wehrmacht, deshalb beschäftigt man sich ja auch an den amerikanischen Militärakademien auch heute noch mit den Feldzügen derselben.

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