This month marks the 30th anniversary of the Gulf War. A conflict which saw a grand coalition of Western countries, Arab nations and Gulf states unite to liberate Kuwait from the grip of Saddam Hussein. In this article we’ll take a look at some of the small arms and light weapons captured by the coalition forces during the 100 hour ground campaign that saw allied forces sweep through Kuwait and into Iraq before a ceasefire was called on 28th February 1990.
These photographs were taken by US forces in the field and are sourced from the US National Archives. In this first photograph are a selection of 7.62×39mm chambered AKM/S pattern rifles, its difficult to make out identifying marks which would allow us to ascertain the country in which they were manufactured.
Fig.1.1. Original caption: “Captured AKM assault rifles are tagged and displayed during Operation Desert Storm” (Source: US National Archive)
Below are several photographs of ZPU-4 anti-aircraft quad mounted guns. The guns themselves are 14.5×114mm KPV heavy machine guns. There are at least two seen in the photograph as well as several vehicle mounted 12.7×108mm DShK heavy machine guns, these were reportedly called the “Doshka” by Iraqis.
Fig.1.2. Original caption: “A right front view of a ZPU-4 anti-aircraft machine gun that was captured from Iraqi forces during Operation Desert Storm” (Source: US National Archives)
Fig.1.3. Original Caption: “A left front view of a ZPU-4 anti-aircraft machine gun that was captured from Iraqi forces during Operation Desert Storm” (Source: US National Archives)
Fig.1.4. Original caption: “A Marine non-commissioned officer from the 1ST Marine Division kneels beside an M-19 60mm mortar that is part of a display of captured Iraqi weapons and equipment being shown to reporters following the cease-fire that ended Operation Desert Storm. An AKM rifle and an RPG-7 rocket launcher are at lower left” (Source: US National Archives)
The photograph below shows USMC personnel discussing a selection of captured Iraqi weapons which include a a Chinese-made later pattern 7.62×39mm Type 56 self-loading rifle (note the characteristic plastic pistol grip), an RPG-7 rocket propelled grenade launcher and a small, possibly Soviet-made 50mm mortar, along with some RPG rockets and larger calibre mortar rounds.
Fig.1.5. Original Caption: “LT. COL. Michael H. Smith, left, commanding officer, 3rd Battalion, 9th Marines, and Brig. GEN. Thomas V. Draude, right, assistant division commander, 1st Marine Division, talk with CPL. Lance D. Wilson about a display of captured Iraqi weapons and equipment following the cease-fire that ended Operation Desert Storm. The weapons include an AKM rifle and an RPG-7 rocket launcher at lower left and an M-19 60mm mortar at upper center” (Source: US National Archives)
In the image below a pair of Marines from the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force pose in front of a TOW equipped HMMV with a Chinese-made early pattern 7.62×39mm Type 56 self-loading rifle and an RPG-7 rocket propelled grenade launcher.
Fig.1.6. Original caption: “Two members of the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force display a captured Iraqi AKM assault rifle, left, and an RPG-7 grenade launcher as they stand beside their M998 High-Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV) during the ground phase of Operation Desert Storm. A TOW 2 Tube-launched, Optically-tracked, Wire-guided (TOW) anti-tank weapon is mounted on the roof of the HMMWV. The Marines are still wearing their Nuclear-Biological-Chemical (NBC) protective suits and overboots” (Source: US National Archives)
Below is a photograph of a completely destroyed BMP-1 armoured personnel carrier. The photographer has placed a flare gun and a badly chard Chinese-made Type 56-2 7.62×39mm self-loading rifle which is missing its top cover.
Fig.1.7. Original caption: “A charred AKM assault rifle and a flare pistol lie on the hull of a destroyed Iraqi BMP-1 mechanized infantry combat vehicle during the ground phase of Operation Desert Storm.” (Source: US National Archives)
The final photograph below reflects a long held tradition of commemorating actions and participation in historic campaigns with the presentation of captured weapons as trophies. Below is a captured 7.62×54mmR PKM general purpose machine gun which was captured at Kuwait City airport. The weapon has a plaque fixed to its buttstock and was presented to Maj Gen. Francis X. Hamiliton Jr.
Fig.1.8. Original caption: “A Soviet-made PKM 7.62mm light machine gun captured by members of the 1st Force Service Support Group (FSSG) during Operation Desert Storm at the Kuwait International Airport, February 26, 1991. It was presented to Maj Gen. Francis X. Hamiliton Jr. commander, Marine Corps Logistics Bases and commanding general, Marine Corps Logistics Base, Albany, GA., by Brig. Gen. James A. Brabam Jr., commanding general, 1st FSSG in recognition of his command’s support during Operation Desert Storm.” (Source: US National Archives)
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