Opération Daguet (, Operation Brocket) was the codename for French operations during the 1991 Gulf War. 18,000 members of the French Armed Forces were deployed during the conflict and they represented the second largest European contingent. Operating on the left flank of the US XVIII Airborne Corps, the ground component of the French force, named Division Daguet, was formed in September 1990 in Saudi Arabia as part of France's contribution to Operation Desert Shield. France also deployed several combat aircraft and naval units. Opération Daguet was commanded by Army general Michel Roquejeoffre.
The task given to the Division Daguet, which was composed of units drawn from more than 25 regiments, was the capture of the Al Salman Air Base some 150 km inside Iraqi territory, passing through two intermediate objectives designated "Rochambeau" and "Chambord". 3 American battalions from the 325th Infantry Regiment, 1 from the 319th Field Artillery Regiment as well as the 27th Engineer Battalion were placed under French operational control, reinforcing by 4,500 men the 12,500-strong French ground force. The offensive was launched on 24 February 1991 at 7 a.m and the mission accomplished in no more than 48 hours by crushing the Iraqi 45th Mechanized infantry Division, which the French troops encountered on the way. The Al-Salman airfield was taken on the afternoon of February 25 and the village on the morning of February 26 without resistance.
Background
The conflict was between Iraq and a coalition force of approximately 30 nations led by the United States and mandated by the United Nations Security Council in order to liberate Kuwait. The lead up to the war began with the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait on 2 August 1990, following unproven Iraqi contentions that Kuwait was illegally "slant-drilling" oil across Iraq's border. The invasion was met with immediate economic sanctions by the United Nations against Iraq. After a period of diplomacy and coalition forces deploying to Saudi Arabia and other Gulf States, hostilities commenced with air operations on 17 January 1991, resulting in a decisive victory for the coalition forces, which drove Iraqi forces out of Kuwait with minimal coalition deaths. The main battles were aerial and ground combat within Iraq, Kuwait, and bordering areas of Saudi Arabia. The war did not expand outside the immediate Iraqi–Kuwaiti–Saudi border region, although Iraq fired missiles on Israeli cities.
Deployment
Soon after the invasion of Kuwait, France sent an additional frigate to augment the two French warships already in the Persian Gulf. Operation Salamandre launched with the deployment of the 5th Regiment of Combat Helicopters (RHC) and a company of the first Regiment of Infantry on board the , escorted by the cruiser , the tanker and the tugboat Buffle.
On 14 September 1990, Iraqi forces entered the residence of the French ambassador in Kuwait. In response, French President François Mitterrand increased the number of troops and aircraft deploying to Saudi Arabia. Soon after, the French intervention was renamed Opération Daguet under the command of General Michel Roquejeoffre. Additional French reinforcements arrived in December 1990 and January 1991.
The French ground forces contribution was the provisional Division Daguet, which was drawn from various corps of the army. Division Daguet split its forces into two tactical groups for the actual ground war: Group West (Groupement ouest) and Group East (Groupement est). Initially, the French operated independently under national command and control, but coordinated closely with the Americans, Saudis and CENTCOM. In January, the Division was placed under the tactical control of the US XVIII Airborne Corps and reinforced for the ground war with the following units from the US Army: 3 battalions from the 325th Infantry Regiment, one battalion from the 319th Field Artillery Regiment (all part of the 2nd Brigade of the 82nd Airborne Division) and the 27th Engineer Battalion.
The role of the Division Daguet and the US XVIII Airborne Corps was to protect the theatre left flank and perhaps draw off Iraqi tactical and operational reserves.
The landing platform ship was sent to Kuwait to increase the force's medical capabilities.
Naval operations
The naval part of the operation was called Opération Artimon. From August, it was carried out by three A 69 type avisos, organised around the frigates and , supported by the tanker . In October, the deployment was reinforced with the frigate and fleet escort Du Chayla.
In December, and replaced La Motte-Picquet. In March Jean de Vienne was relieved by .