To The Victors Belong Few Spoils

To The Victors Belong Few Spoils

U.S., British and French military men couldn't wait to paw over some of the Soviet-supplied Iraqi tanks littering the Kuwaiti desert. They expected the abandoned armor to be a boon for battlefield training and analysis. But many tanks were reduced to smoldering hulks by guided missiles. Others, taken out by A-10 attack planes, at first appear to be in good condition, until survey crews discover a small hole in their exteriors. That hole indicates that shrapnel produced by armor-piercing shells has destroyed everything inside. Although the allies captured thousands of Iraqi tanks, the Americans have found just five reasonably intact specimens...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!