The Northern Flank D+8 (17 July, 1987) Part II

D+8 marked the onset of a decisive period for both NATO and Soviet fortunes on the northern flank. The fighting in Lapland, and arrival of the US and French aircraft carrier groups in the Norwegian Sea were making the northern reaches of Norway the most valuable plot of real estate in the world at the …

The Northern Flank D+6 (15 July, 1987) Part II

The pace of the Soviet advance down E-6 remained sluggish on D+6 owing to the same reasons talked about at length in previous entries.  It was not helping the 131st Motor Rifle Division’s cause that a large portion of the attack helicopters and airmobile troops supporting its advance were detached and ordered to prepare for …

The Northern Flank D+5 (14 July, 1987) Part II

The 131st Motor Rifle Division’s progress down the coastal route continued at the pace of a snail on D+5, mostly due to the same problems that the division had been contending with since crossing the border two days previous. Movement was largely restricted to the E-6 roadway, while Norwegian Home Guard and British SAS troops …

The Northern Flank D+4 (13 July, 1987) Part I

In spite of the urgency attached to the effort, NATO fighter-bombers tasked to hit Andoya did not launch until 0545 CEST. The morning strike was undertaken by eight RAF Jaguars of the No.6 squadron, supported by a USAF EF-111 Raven jamming aircraft. Originally, AFNORTH’s air planners intended to use US F-111s against Andoya. Preparations for …

The Northern Flank D+3 (12 July, 1987) Part III

  Allied Forces Northern Norway (NON) was reeling from the introduction of Soviet ground forces into its area of responsibility on D+3. Even before the first Soviet motor rifle troops crossed the frontier, NON’s plans for the defense of its region were severely disrupted. Soviet air superiority, coupled with the seizure of the air station …

The Northern Flank D+1 (10 July, 1987) Part I

10 July, 1987 began with redoubled Soviet efforts to establish air superiority over Northern Norway and pave the way for future air and sea operations farther south. The  Northwestern TVD, like its sister commands, was contending with sizable delays to its  timeline of operations. The air situation over Norway especially was a half day behind …