In the early hours of January 17, 1991, US-led forces began an offensive that in only six weeks would see Iraqi troops in full retreat from Kuwait. The brief war would see the combat debut of a new generation of ‘smart’ weapons, including stealth fighters, cruise missiles and satellite navigation. Iraq tried to strike back with its arsenal of Scud missiles, but Saddam Hussein’s military was outclassed at every turn and finally defeated in the largest tank battle since World War Two.

Written 30 years after the conflict, this special publication from the publishers of Britain at War magazine looks back at the operations that still echo in global politics today.