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 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 The two forward brigades had largely withdrawn, as per …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 …

Air War on the Central Front D+5 (14 July, 1987) Part I

Lieutenant Colonel Michael Holland’s war had yet to begin. He was one of eight Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve officers brought together as an ad-hoc advance party by Tactical Air Command forty-eight hours earlier. On D+3 Holland had been at McGuire Air Force Base working with his squadron to get ready for war …

The Central Front D+5 (14 July, 1987) Part V

The southern region of the Federal Republic of Germany was not spared from the Third World War. Soviet and Warsaw Pact forces streamed across the border here on D+0 as they had in the northern and central areas of the country. Fighting was fierce, casualties heavy, and collateral damage considerable. Lamentably, the fighting in southern …

The Central Front D+5 (14 July, 1987) Part IV

The temporary moratorium placed on offensive operations by Western TVD failed to disrupt Soviet forces in central Germany to the degree as it had the army groups farther north. D+5 was a day of transition for the 8th Guards Army and 1st Guards Tank Army. The indecision surrounding the final destination of 1st GTA had …

The Central Front D+5 (14 July, 1987) Part III

By the early afternoon, General Snetkov was growing less confident about the chances of commencing the attack today. No guidance was forthcoming from CINC-West, though Snetkov was hardly surprised by the communications black hole that had developed between his command post and Western TVD’s wartime headquarters. He was certain that his superior was not willfully …

The Central Front D+5 (14 July, 1987) Part II

CINC-West’s succinct explanation for the hold was wholly unexpected. It spawned a fresh stream of questions in Snetkov’s mind. The general acknowledged the order, and sent off a message of his own to the Western TVD’s wartime headquarters, diffusely requesting the reason why the attack was being postponed. CINC-West’s response was short and direct: ‘Political …