By GREGG KIRK
Big Shout Magazine, May 1991

Bombs, bullets, and Patriot missiles weren’t the only weapons used against Saddam Hussein and his Iraqi army during the recent Persian Gulf War (Operation Desert Storm). The Allied Forces also engaged in some very effective psychological warfare.

This “PSYOP” campaign was designed to shake the resolve of the Iraqi forces and encourage their surrender, as well as to convince them that the Allies were not the “bad guys” and were interested in achieving an early peace. All forms of media were employed, including newspapers, television, radio — and especially leaflets dropped from the heavens.

Flyers featuring grim cartoons and warnings printed in Arabic were distributed by the millions and packed either in artillery rounds (for more accurate dissemination) or static-line boxes for aerial drops. At strategic times and places, Allied planes or helicopters passed over Iraqi encampments and showered their targets with the propaganda. Based on the number of soldiers who laid down their weapons and surrendered, it apparently had the desired effect.

The leaflets reproduced below came to Big Shout Magazine directly from Saudi Arabia courtesy of the 4th Psychological Group-Airborne, out of Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

TRANSLATION: “Welcome” (on the sign); “It is your choice to stay alive. Stop fighting now and join the Allied Coalition.”

TRANSLATION: “Previously, we informed you that we would attack the 7th Armored Division, so we kept our promise for that and we did attack it yesterday. Warning! We will attack one more time tomorrow. Now it becomes your choice. Either stay and face death or accept the invitation of the Allied Forces to keep your life.”

TRANSLATION: “You are abandoned! The route to supply has been cut and the supply will never reach you. Saddam does not care about your fate. He is the one who left you to face death. Drop your weapon, join your Arab fellows in love and peace.”