The Gulf War of 1991 heralded a new type of warfare that was characterised by astonishing speed and high technology with remarkably low numbers of casualties amongst the coalition forces. Just under a million coalition personnel were deployed to the Gulf region to face a variety of threats from extreme temperatures to weapons of mass destruction (biological, chemical and suspected nuclear) and a formidable Iraqi occupation force. This book assesses the defensive Operation Desert Shield (the build up of coalition forces) and the offensive Operation Desert Storm (the liberation of Kuwait) as well as the key personalities on both sides.

Includes maps of: Middle East; Key Coalition Airbases, Supply Routes, and Supporting Carrier Battle Forces; Coalition Ground Forces; Iraq's Ground Forces on the Eve of the Coalition Offensive; Ground Offensive, 24 FEB 1991; Left Hook, 25 FEB 1991; Attacking the Republican Guard, 26 FEB 1991; Victory, 27 FEB 1991.

Background to war: The origins of the GulfWar13 -- Warring sides: Iraq and the coalition forces 17 -- Outbreak: Saddam invades Kuwait 25 -- Fighting: Operation Desert Storm 30 -- Portrait of a soldier: Lieutenant Alex Vernon, 24th Infantry Division (Mechanised) 68 -- World around war: The global impact of the GulfWar 71 -- Portrait of a civilian: Dina's story 78 -- How the war ended: Ending hostilities 81 -- Conclusions and consequences: Casualties 85.