The Battle of Norfolk was in a sense a continuation of the fighting that began with the Battle of 73 Easting the day before. It took place under rainy and foggy weather conditions. It began at 0030 on 27 February 1991. During the early stages 1st Infantry Division Artillery, including 4-3 FA battalion, was decisive during combat operations performing multiple raids and fire missions. These combat operations resulted in the destruction of 50 enemy tanks, 139 APCs, 30 air defense systems, 152 artillery pieces, 27 missile launchers, 108 mortars, and 548 wheeled vehicles, 61 trench lines and bunker positions, 92 dug in and open infantry targets, and 34 logistical sites. Two American Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicles were destroyed by the Iraqi Republican Guard 18th Mechanized Brigade while conducting forward reconnaissance. American artillery and MLRS units continued to conduct fire missions against Iraqi targets a dozen miles to the east. With air support from the 2nd Battalion, 1st Aviation's attack helicopters and fire support from both the 4th Battalion of the 3rd Field Artillery Regiment and the rest of 1st Infantry Division artillery preventing Iraqi artillery from interfering, the U.S. 1st Infantry Division conducted a passage of the 2nd ACR's lines.