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

NATO was faced with a pair of potentially decisive crises in the early hours of D+16. The first was a crisis of command in NORTHAG while the other was of the physical variety, having to do with the emerging situation on the battlefield. Given the urgency of the moment, these two crises were inexorably joined …

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

NORTHAG’s picture of the battlefront and the Soviet drive to the Weser remained unruffled and consistent as the new day started. 3rd Shock Army’s push to Hameln was continuing with a tank division expected to be committed sometime around daybreak. Behind this unit was a nearly intact tank army approaching the northern Leine bridgeheads. This …

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

Confusion and indecision descended on I NL Corps headquarters as midnight passed and a new day began. Details of the situation in the Suderberg-Gifhorn sector made their way up the chain of command in muddled fashion. The 52nd Armored Infantry Brigade was retreating from Eschede. Beyond that, very few solid facts were known. The corps …