The Arabian Peninsula/Persian Gulf D+2 (11 July, 1987)

With the 7th MAB now on the ground and marrying up to its equipment in Dhahran, the US military presence in eastern Saudi Arabia was consolidating quickly. The Marines would be combat-ready  within twelve hours. Additional fighter squadrons, along with tankers, AWACS, and other air assets were set to arrive at airbases in Saudi Arabia, …

The Central Front D+2 (11 July, 1987) Part IV

CENTAG’s commander General Glenn Otis, US Army, found himself far more optimistic than his Soviet counterparts on the morning of D+2. The major attacks that were launched against his front on D+1 had all been defeated or contained. The US V and VII Corps stood practically in the same places they had twenty-four hours ago. …

The Central Front D+2 (11 July, 1987) Part III

The situation in and around Brauschweig continued to ebb and flow from the late afternoon into the evening hours of D+2. The 1st Panzer Brigade fell back into the city itself with the 55th and 56th Guards Tank Regiments struggling to maintain contact. As the 1st Pz Brigade’s fighting withdrawal reached the more built up …

The Central Front D+2 (11 July, 1987) Part II

NORTHAG Continued…..   With the main Soviet effort against I NL Corps focused on the 4th Division, the 1st Division’s sector further south was calm in comparison. Facing it were two East German motor rifle divisions. For much of  the past twenty four hours the two opposing formations had sparred, with the East Germans coming …

The Central Front D+2 (11 July, 1987) Part I

At 0300 hours local time on D+2 Alfons Pawelczyk, the mayor of Hamburg contacted Bonn to inform the West German government that the Hamburg Senate had just voted to declare Hamburg an open city. The declaration meant that the city, now unfortified and undefended, would be exempt from enemy attack under international law. Pawelczyk, and …

Baltic Approaches D+2 (11 July, 1987) Part III

The slow progress in the air campaign against Denmark, and a growing need to begin air attacks against southern Norway and RAF bases in Scotland was forcing the Soviets to examine Sweden. The Scandinavian nation had remained neutral in the conflict thus far, adhering to its historic position of not involving itself in European conflicts. …

Baltic Approaches: D+2 (11 July, 1987) Part II

LANDJUT’s next defensive line was established across the length of Schleswig-Holstein from Husum in the west to Brodersby on the Baltic. The Jutland Division anchored the western end of the line, and the West German 6th Panzergrenadier Division in the center. The eastern section was defended by West German Territorial units. Deployed north of the …

Baltic Approaches: D+2 (11 July, 1987) Part I

D+2 presented a myriad of new problems for COMBALTAP, his battle staff, and commanders to contend with. Pre-war analyses, simulations, and exercises had largely predicted that the probable Warsaw Pact assault on Schleswig-Holstein, and Denmark would come from two directions: a land advance from the  East German border northwest into Schleswig-Holstein and ultimately onto the …

The Southern Flank: D+2 (11 July, 1987) Part II

Commander 6th Fleet Vice Admiral Kendall Moranville, USN was anxious to unsheathe his command’s offensive sword and take the fight directly to the Warsaw Pact homelands. The Eastern Med was secure and Moranville wanted to turn his surface ships and submarines to the next phase of wartime operations. Two destroyers attached to the Saratoga battlegroup …

The Southern Flank: D+2 (11 July, 1987) Part I

Overall, D+2 was a quiet twenty-four hour period across the Southern Flank. Reinforcements continued moving into theater for both NATO and the Warsaw Pact as both sides continued their respective preparations for offensive and defensive operations. To be frank, neither side was ready to launch a major land offensive at the present time, though this …