The Central Front D+20 (29 July, 1987) Part II

Author’s Note: Short entry today owing to some real-life commitments. Apologies. Looks as if there will be a total of four Central Front entries for D+20. The remaining two will be posted in full by Monday morning. –Mike 0120 Hours- NORTHAG’s commanding general was not exactly devastated when he received the order to delay the …

The Central Front D+12 (21 July, 1987) Part III

*Author’s Note: I wasn’t intending for this entry to be short but work became an issue today. Unfortunately, this means Central Front D+12 will wrap up Sunday instead of Friday as I had planned. Sorry about that, guys.     0845 The initial reports of American armor to his division’s front did not surprise the …

The Central Front D+9 (18 July, 1987) Part II

The British 1st Armored Division had completed its withdrawal and passage through the 4th Armoured Division’s lines by first light. The 7th Armoured Brigade remained in position east of Hanover, screening the rest of its parent division as it moved west. Enemy opposition was minimal, limited mainly to fire strikes that more often than not …

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

The focal point in the battle for West Germany was rapidly developing around Hanover. NATO and the Warsaw Pact each recognized the significance of the city and surrounding areas to their future operations, and overall war aims. Hanover was the gateway to the Weser River. Beyond that body of water lay the Ruhr Valley, the …

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

20th Guards Army resumed its advance at 0400 CEST. The reconnaissance company and advance guard of the 32nd Guards Tank Division’s lead regiment reported no enemy activity around Eschede. Unoccupied defensive positions are discovered, yet no Dutch troops or combat vehicles were in sight. To the south, the 35th Motor Rifle Division makes a similar …

The Central Front D+4 (13 July, 1987) Part III

Warsaw Pact activity in NORTHAG’s southern area in the first half of the day was centered around a series of aggressive medium-sized probes and supporting attacks along the length of the Belgian, British, and West German lines.  3rd Shock Army had discovered, to its surprise, that NATO forces had fully withdrawn from Braunschweig during the …

The Central Front D+4 (13 July, 1987) Part II

NORTHAG D+4 opened on the North German Plain in much the same way the previous day ended. Warsaw Pact pressure on Dutch lines was constant although not heavy. Probing and limited attacks continued along the length of I NL Corp’s line. Dutch forces held firmly to their positions with little trouble as the morning progressed. …