Central America/Caribbean D+0-D+6 (9 July-15 July, 1987)

D+0 (9 July, 1987) Eastern Bloc merchant ships are banned from entering the Panama Canal. Further, no East Bloc vessels can enter Limon Bay on the Atlantic side of the canal, or the Gulf of Panama on the Pacific side. The restrictions were initially intended to be temporary, but after the mysterious sinking of a …

The Western Pacific D+1-D+6 (10 July-15 July, 1987)

D+1 (10 July, 1987) Skirmishes erupt on the DMZ in Korea between ROK and North Korean forces. The clashes are brief, and limited to exchanges of small arms fire.   US B-52 bombers based at Andersen AFB, Guam are dispersed to alternate airfields in the Northern Marianas.   North Korean leader Kim Il-Sung gives a …

The Arabian Peninsula/Persian Gulf D+3-D+6 (12 July-15 July, 1987)

    D+3 (12 July, 1987) The day passes relatively quietly. Soviet forces in Yemen continue to lick their wounds while awaiting guidance and orders from Moscow regarding the next phase of operations. Further offensive action against Iran has been prohibited for the time being. It remains uncertain whether or not this will change at …

The Central Front D+6 (15 July, 1987) Part VI

With a major Soviet-Warsaw Pact attack expected to come in the north within hours, CENTAG started D+6 unsure about what the day would bring. The 1st Guards Tank Army’s first echelon units in the Main Battle Area (MBA) were almost ready to take over where 8th Guards Army had left off. Air attacks against the …

The Central Front D+6 (15 July, 1987) Part V

  1200- 3rd Shock Army resumes its advance west. Three divisions begin moving on a 30km front from Peine south to Heere. The army group’s fourth division, the 47th Guards Tank Division remains in the rear, serving as 3SA’s operational maneuver group. The Soviet attack develops along the lines NORTHAG anticipated it would, leading General …

The Central Front D+6 (15 July, 1987) Part IV

0700 Continued- Artillery barrages and airstrikes preceded the Soviet divisions westward advance. A full regiment of MiG-29 Fulcrums was on station over the area, keeping NATO airpower from inflicting damage on the advancing first-echelon regiments, and giving protection to the MiGs and Sukhoi attack planes flying strikes in support of the units on the ground.  …

The Central Front D+6 (15 July, 1987) Part III

0500- Elements of the 2nd Guards Tank Army (2GTA) begin a series of supporting attacks against the Dutch 4th and 1st Divisions. The 207th Motor Rifle Division moved into the 4th Division’s sector expecting to find the enemy quickly. This was not to be the case. The two forward brigades had largely withdrawn, as per …

The Central Front D+6 (15 July, 1987) Part II

Upon returning to  NORTHAG’s wartime headquarters just after midnight, General Martin Farndale took some time to reflect on the conduct of his command in the war so far. After six full days of fighting, the Northern Army Group’s performance had exceeded virtually all expectations. The Dutch, West German, British, and Belgian corps’ making up NORTHAG …

The Central Front D+6 (15 July, 1987) Part I

Minor adjustments were made to General Snetkov’s original attack plan, but it generally remained intact and entirely feasible. 2nd Guards Tank Army, reinforced with East German divisions, was in position to commence attacks against the Dutch 1st and 4th Divisions as originally intended. Simultaneously, 20th Guards Army’s lead divisions would advance towards the seam separating …

The American Homefront D-1 (8 July, 1987)

At 7 PM Eastern Daylight Time, the nightly news broadcasts on CBS, NBC, and ABC started. Two of the ‘Big Three’ anchors were broadcasting live from Europe. Tom Brokaw was in London, and Peter Jennings was in Brussels. Dan Rather remained at the CBS studios in New York City much to his chagrin. He wanted …