The Fires of Babylon: Eagle Troop and the Battle of 73 Easting

by Mike Guardia Narrated by Johnny Heller

Overview

On the morning of August 2, 1990, Iraqi armored divisions invaded the tiny emirate of Kuwait. The Iraqi Army, after its long war with Iran, had more combat experience than the US Army. The Kuwaitis had collapsed easily enough, but the invasion drew fierce condemnation from the United Nations, which demanded Hussein's withdrawal. Undeterred by the rhetoric, the Iraqi dictator massed his forces along the Saudi Arabian border and dared the world to stop him. In response, the United States led the world community in a coalition of thirty-four nations in what became known as Operation Desert Storm. Leading this charge into Iraq were the men of Eagle Troop in the U.S. Army's 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment.



Commanded by then-Captain H. R. McMaster-who would go on to serve as National Security Advisor in the Trump administration-Eagle Troop was the lead element of the U.S. VII Corps' advance into Iraq. On February 26, 1991, Eagle Troop encountered the Tawakalna Brigade of Iraq's elite Republican Guard. By any calculation, the twelve American tanks didn't stand a chance. Yet within a mere twenty-three minutes, the M1A1 tanks of Eagle Troop destroyed more than fifty enemy vehicles and plowed a hole through the Iraqi front. History would call it the Battle of Seventy-Three Easting.

Editorial Reviews

AMPS

"...a great book for those who are interested in modern tank combat, Operation Desert Storm and Army leadership when under fire...Highly Recommended

Military Review

"...an engaging historical account of Eagle Troop, 2nd Squadron, 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment’s push into Kuwait as part of Operation Desert Storm in February 1991. The author links together detailed accounts of Eagle Troop’s Battle of 73 Easting derived from personal interviews and memoirs of soldiers from Eagle Troop to give a minute-by-minute account of the battle. This book is not an argumentative piece, nor does it try to persuade the reader to view events under a particular lens; it is simply a description of events as told by the soldiers who lived through the United States’ first major tank battle since World War II. The author, Mike Guardia, is a veteran of the U.S. Army and served as an armor officer from 2008 to 2014...well written and informative given the first-hand accounts and level of detail derived only from extensive research and a willingness to provide accuracy in detail. I recommend this book to casual readers interested in personal accounts of the battle and to Army leaders interested in how this battle relates to the U.S. Army Operating Concept tenets and core competencies. "

Armor Magazine

"Fires is a day-by-day account of Eagle Troop’s breakthrough of the Iraqi lines. The 12 American tanks –which by any calculation didn’t stand a chance – destroyed more than 50 enemy vehicles within 23 minutes and plowed a hole through the Iraqi front. America’s armored force more than proved itself able to overcome the T-72. Guardia characterizes the Battle of 73 Easting as “the largest tank battle in American history and [it] has since been regarded as ‘the last great tank battle of the [20th Century...a solid contributor to the lore on Operation Desert Storm."

Watch on the Rhine Society of 3rd Infantry Division

"Author Mike Guardia not only carefully researched the Battle of 73 Easting and Eagle Troop’s role in decisively defeating the Iraqi enemy, but also tells the story of the men of Eagle Troop and their cohesiveness as a unit which he ascribes to Capt. McMaster’s leadership and to the professionalism of the troop’s officers and NCOs....I recommend Fires of Babylon for the insight it gives into what it takes to build a well-trained and cohesive unit, and how important good leadership is to unit morale and, ultimately, performance."

Soldier Magazine

‘if you’re interested in modern armored warfare and tactics then this is well worth a read.’

History of War

‘Guardia’s writing does justice to the exciting story … This is a no-holds-barred account, told as truthfully as possible. … Overall, it’s gripping stuff.’

From the Publisher

"Guardia's writing does justice to the exciting story . . . This is a no-holds-barred account, told as truthfully as possible. . . . it's gripping stuff." ---History of War

From the Publisher - AUDIO COMMENTARY

"Guardia's writing does justice to the exciting story . . . This is a no-holds-barred account, told as truthfully as possible. . . . it's gripping stuff." —History of War

October issue of Watch on the Rhine. Society of 3rd Infantry Division

"Author Mike Guardia not only carefully researched the Battle of 73 Easting and Eagle Troop’s role in decisively defeating the Iraqi enemy, but also tells the story of the men of Eagle Troop and their cohesiveness as a unit which he ascribes to Capt. McMaster’s leadership and to the professionalism of the troop’s officers and NCOs....I recommend Fires of Babylon for the insight it gives into what it takes to build a well-trained and cohesive unit, and how important good leadership is to unit morale and, ultimately, performance."

History of War #18

‘Guardia’s writing does justice to the exciting story … This is a no-holds-barred account, told as truthfully as possible. … Overall, it’s gripping stuff.’

NOVEMBER 2017 - AudioFile

Guardia’s audiobook, narrated by Johnny Heller, presents an informative picture for the military history buff. It's an examination of the Battle of 73 Easting—a crucial initial tank battle during Operation Desert Storm—as told by the soldiers who fought in it. In this conflict, the 12 American tanks of Eagle Troop, the lead element of the U.S. VII Corps, advanced into Iraq and sliced through the 53 tanks of the Tawakalna Brigade of Iraq's elite Republican Guard in 23 minutes. Voicing real-life characters may not have given Heller much room for creativity, and the production suffers as a result. He employs a matter-of-fact tone that makes it difficult to differentiate among the 20 or so soldiers. Nevertheless, it’s worth listening to the story of this important battle. D.E.M. © AudioFile 2017, Portland, Maine

Product Details

BN ID:	2940170631995
Publisher:	Tantor Audio
Publication date:	07/04/2017
Edition description:	Unabridged

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