Baltic Approaches D+16 (25 July, 1987) Part III

1300-1600 In the early afternoon, fighting in eastern Jutland intensified as the GDR  17^th Motor Rifle Regiment is fully committed and pushes forward. For the next three hours, the East Germans fight a series of engagements against the West German 16^th PzG Brigade and sub-units of the US 1^st Brigade/9^th Infantry Division. The NATO defenders continue call on considerable artillery and air support and this helps to keep the lines in place. By 1500 the East Germans regiment pulls back to reconsolidate and prepare for another attack around dusk. The regimental commander explains his plan to NGF and asks why the 20^th Tank Division has not yet joined the effort. He is simply informed that the Soviet tanks will arrive soon.

1615– The 8^th Guards Tank Regiment/20^th Tank Division is still not in position to join the fight. NATO air attacks have brought on considerable delays. It is estimated the regiment will require at least 3 more hours until it will be in position to relieve or support the East Germans.

1655– Warsaw Pact air support across Jutland has been almost non-existent. The limited number of ground attack sorties that do enter the battle area are almost immediately engaged by NATO fighters. More than one officer at NGF has noticed that the sorties are being flown entirely by Soviet aircraft. An inquiry is made to Western TVD and CINC-West personally responds. He explains to Colonel General Korbutov that for the time being, the East German Air Force has been grounded due to ‘reliability matters.’ Korbutov is unsure if this means the aircraft themselves are unreliable, or perhaps something more alarming is going on behind the scenes.

1720– COMBALTAP consults with the Danish government over the continued presence of Polish Army units on Danish territory. A ceasefire continues, but the Poles have yet to declare their intentions for the future. The government wants the Poles to withdraw entirely from Jutland. COMBALTAP explains such a move is not in his command’s best interests militarily.

1800– The GDR 28^th Motor Rifle Regiment has entirely withdrawn from Zealand. NATO air attacks have increased in frequency as the afternoon progressed. The regimental command post has still yet to reestablish communications with the higher headquarters on the East German mainland. However, some less official efforts have had success in making contact with civilian radio operators in Wismar who claim a nationwide 24 hour curfew has been established by the government and state television is openly reporting that a number of GDR military units have rebelled.

1945– Western TVD and Northern Group of Forces have also been monitoring reports out of East Germany. With the interior situation there largely unknown, the loyalty of the East German regiments in Denmark is openly questioned by senior Soviet officers. NGF’s commander, Colonel General Korbutov is especially suspicious of the East German troops now, given that their homeland appears to be on the verge of rebellion.  He can do nothing to affect the regiment stranded on the beaches of Mons. But the 17^th MRR in Jutland is a different matter. Orders are transmitted to the 8^th Guards Tank Regiment cancelling the attack against NATO lines expected to commence within the hour. Instead, the regiment is directed to take up positions around the East German force and await additional instructions.

2105– The 20^th Tank Division’s other regiments are directed to start moving north and conduct the attack that had been assigned to the 8^th Guards Tank Regiment and the East German 17^th MRR.

Author’s Note: I kept the Gdansk fighting excerpts out of this post because I think they’ll fit better in the upcoming Politics: Poland post. With that in mind, the next two posts will cover events in East Germany and Poland on D+16.