The Central Front D+16 (25 July, 1987) Part VI Bravo

The 4th Infantry Division secured Alsfeld and the surrounding network of roads in the early hours of D+16. The Soviet motor rifle troops that had stubbornly held a portion of the town into the evening hours had used the cover of night to slip out practically unnoticed. 2nd Brigade/4th Infantry spent the next four hours …

The Central Front D+13 (22 July, 1987) Part V

One of the greatest difficulties for Soviet commanders at the division level and higher was the efficient movement of forces within and between unit sectors. This was especially true of the second and third echelon divisions now coming onto the battle line in Northern Germany, as well as those moving through East Germany inbound to …

The Central Front D+10 (19 July, 1987) Part V

0000-0600  In the V Corps area of the CENTAG front there was a considerable amount of linebacker movement, so to speak, underway in the early morning hours. By 0200 the 8th Infantry Division had cleared the battlefield fully. Two of the 4th Infantry Division’s brigades (4th ID) were deployed on Phase Line Yale (PL Yale) …

The Central Front D+8 (17 July, 1987) Part III

On D+7 1st Guards Tank Army had attacked west with two divisions (one tank, the other motorized rifle)  in the first echelon across a front of roughly 38 kilometers. This was essentially the area defended by the US V Corps 8th Infantry (Mechanized) and 3rd Armored divisions. Their covering forces were pulled back into the …

The Central Front D+7 (16 July, 1987) Part IV

1st Guards Tank Army commenced its advance at 0600 hours. There was a level of concern in the army group’s headquarters regarding the dispositions of the opposing NATO forces. The main avenue of the advance would be through the US V Corps area and it was known for certain two heavy divisions were positioned there. …

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+4 (13 July, 1987) Part IV

CENTAG Early in the afternoon on D+4 advance parties from the 1st Guards Tank Army went forward. 1st GTA’s commander, Lieutenant General Anatoli Tchernitsov was eager to gain a first-hand look at the battle his army group would be joining in a short time. As Tchernitsov sat down with his counterpart from 8th Guards Army, …