Baltic Approaches D+22 (31 July, 1987) Part II

1400- The Danish attack commences. 1st and 2nd Brigades of the Jutland Division advance southeast from Bredebro. This division is in far better material shape than its West German counterpart to the east. The Danish sector of the front had been considerably quieter following the rebellion in Polish ranks. The division’s commander took advantage of …

Baltic Approaches D+22 (31 July, 1987) Part I

Author’s Note: I wanted to do the Baltic Approaches in a single entry. Unfortunately, a computer issue yesterday has brought on a delay. So, tomorrow or early Monday I’ll post the remainder of this entry tomorrow, followed by a Ukraine update later on Monday. Then we head farther north. LANDJUT’s offensive in southern Jutland commenced …

Baltic Approaches D+21 (30 July, 1987)

Early on D+21 the NATO counterattack on the North German Plain was underway. Unfortunately, allied land forces in the BALTAP region were nowhere near ready to commence offensive operations. Despite the best efforts of COMBALTAP and his ground commanders, the NATO brigades and divisions arrayed in Jutland appeared to need another twenty-four hours before their …

Baltic Approaches D+20 (29 July, 1987)

0035- Officers from the East German 28th Motor Rifle Regiment meet with a contingent of Danish officers at Viemose. The meeting lasts just twenty minutes and revolves around the terms and conditions necessary to bring about a formal surrender of the East German regiment. A second meeting is agreed upon and scheduled for later in …

Baltic Approaches D+19 (28 July, 1987)

0500- With the shock and initial paralysis from the limited nuclear exchange on the previous day beginning to wear off, political leadership in the capital cities of allied nations were taking stock of the situation, which was evolving perilously. The Superpowers now occupied center stage with all but the most indispensable allies relegated to the …

Baltic Approaches D+17 (26 July, 1987) Part III

Danish reinforcements started arriving in southern Zealand on the morning of D+17. With the situation at sea decided for the most part, and the threat of further Warsaw Pact amphibious landings now nonexistent, LANDZEALAND saw fit to release a pair of battlegroups from its reserve. Simultaneously, and in coordination with Flag Officer Denmark, units of …

Baltic Approaches D+17 (26 July, 1987) Part II

The importance held by Denmark in Soviet and Warsaw Pact war plans was absolute. Seizing control of the country shortly after the start of a NATO-Warsaw Pact conflict would grant the Soviet Baltic Fleet an ability to breakout into the North Sea and beyond unmolested and at its leisure. A breakout would increase the amount …

Baltic Approaches D+17 (26 July, 1987) Part I

The Soviets controlled Gdansk. The shipyard was secure, as were other key areas of the port city. The outskirts though, remained unsettled. Pockets of Solidarity members and rebellious Polish military and police, who’d been ejected from the city, fight on into the morning. As the day carries on, the plight of the city becomes a …

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

1300-1600 In the early afternoon, fighting in eastern Jutland intensified as the GDR  17th 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 16th PzG Brigade and sub-units of the US 1st Brigade/9th Infantry Division. The NATO defenders …

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

0700-1200 0700- The first purely military move against Gdansk by Soviet forces was the use of heliborne troops to seize the highway bridge spanning the Vistula River east of the city and the smaller bridges connecting the island of Wyspa Sobieszewska to the city. The operations were conducted by two Soviet airmobile battalions out of …