Central Front: US III Corps In World War III (Part III)

One of the first transport aircraft to arrive in Europe from the United States on D-3 carried the advance party of III Corps. The corps commanding general remained at Fort Hood coordinating the preparation and movement of corps troops and material from the US to Europe. General Saint and his staff would depart for Europe …

Air War On The Central Front: The Red Air Force’s First Day Of War D+0 (9 July, 1987) Part II

The preemptive airstrike launched by Israel in the opening minutes of the Six-Day War destroyed the majority of the Egyptian Air Force on the ground. The Soviet Air Force digested the lessons of Israel’s overwhelmingly successful operation and soon thereafter began developing countermeasures aimed at making it impossible for NATO to catch the Soviet and …

Air War On The Central Front: The Red Air Force’s First Day Of War D+0 (9 July, 1987) Part I

The efficiency and power of NATO air forces was never underestimated by senior Soviet military commanders. In the late 1970s a new generation of combat aircraft were beginning to make their way into service with major NATO alliance members. It was clear Western air forces were on the verge of a renaissance and major modernization. …

Central Front: US III Corps In World War III (Part II)

REFORGER was officially activated on the late afternoon of 5 July 1987 at President Reagan’s direction. Even before Reagan’s address to the nation when he announced his intention to reinforce Germany, III Corps was in motion. Warning orders had been received at the corps and division levels. Advance parties were on the move to embarkation …

Central Front: US III Corps In World War III (Part I)

In a January 1987 interview with CBS News, US III Corps commander Lieutenant General (at the time) Crosbie Saint was asked what the mission of his corps would be if Warsaw Pact forces invaded Western Europe. He replied bluntly, “To save Germany and NATO.” History has proven Saint’s pre-war words to be accurate. Six months …

WWIII Aircraft Losses: 4 ATAF, Central Front D+0 (9 July, 1987) Part I

WWIII Aircraft Losses: 4 ATAF, Central Front D+0 (9 July, 1987)  Part I We are moving south from 2 ATAF into the operating area of its sister allied air force. The first day of war presented different opportunities and challenges for 4 ATAF. Its airbases and other facilities did not receive even half of the …

5 Primary Factors That Contributed To The Soviet/WP Defeat On The Central Front: Operation Dark Comet Part II

NATO’s objectives for Operation Dark Comet were met and exceeded on a number of levels. Soviet command bunkers were struck and by all accounts destroyed completely. The three most powerful Soviet army groups on the Central Front had been decapitated. As a result of the F-117s handiwork, the Soviet Front and Theater commanders then found …

5 Primary Factors That Contributed To The Soviet/WP Defeat On The Central Front: Operation Dark Comet Part I

Operation Dark Comet was a bolt out of the blue, impacting the Soviet armies and air forces just a handful of hours prior to the start of the Warsaw Pact offensive on the Central Front. It was long accepted as fact on both sides of the Iron Curtain that the Soviets and their Pact allies …

5 Primary Factors That Contributed To The Soviet/WP Defeat On The Central Front INTRO

Military historians love to debate the reasons why major armies were soundly defeated on the fields of battle throughout history. The Central Front in 1987 is no exception. For thirty-plus years historians have conducted research and presented an endless number of theories to explain in great detail just how and why the Soviet Union and …

The Central Front Mobilization Race Part III

On 28 June, 1987 the Soviet general secretary informed the Ministry of Defense that Zapad ’87 was to commence on the first of July. A final decision on the date hostilities were to commence was not mentioned. Senior Soviet generals suspected Zapad would transition directly into a broader mobilization and from there to war. Marshal …