Central Front WWIII 1987 Addendum E: CENTAG- V Corps Part II

1st Armored Division’s Break Through At Fulda In the CENTAG region, the attacks that commenced in the V Corps sector on D+15 were making progress. CENTAG’s commander General Glenn Otis, US Army, was encouraged by the current operations. The two V Corps divisions were pressing their attacks east in the direction of Bad Hersfeld and …

Memories of World War III: First Battles Part I

On 9 July, 1987 hundreds of thousands of soldiers, sailors, airmen and non-combatants received their baptisms of fire as the Third World War commenced. Over the years the experiences of countless men and women on both sides of the battleline remained unknown. With the advent of social media this began to change as more and …

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+16 (25 July, 1987) Part VI Alpha

In the CENTAG area the attacks that commenced the previous day in the V Corps sector had made good progress. CENTAG’s commander General Glenn Otis, US Army, was encouraged by the progress of the current operations. The two V Corps divisions were pressing their attacks west in the direction of Bad Hersfeld and Fulda. Beyond …

The Central Front D+15 (24 July, 1987) Part VI

CENTAG Region D+15 The 4th Infantry Division and 1st Armored Division’s attacks went off as scheduled before dawn and within twenty minutes of one another. Each attack force consisted of a heavy maneuver brigade supported by division-level artillery, along with attack helicopters as well. Early on, both forces met stiff resistance, especially 2nd Brigade/4th Infantry …

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+7 (16 July, 1987) Part V

The cavalry squadrons of the 8th Infantry Division and 3rd Armored Divisions played their role as covering forces well. The battalion-sized units harassed the enemy formations making their way west through the morning. Bolstered by fixed wing close air support, attack helicopters, and artillery, they slowed down the leading units of the 11th Guards Division …

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+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 …