Ukraine 2023 Update: Challengers, Leopards and Abrams Will Be Heading To Ukraine

We’re jumping back to reality for a short spell to discuss the decisions by Germany and the US earlier in the week to supply Ukraine with main battle tanks. Specifically, Leopard 2s and M-1 Abrams. Great Britain also announced last week it will be sending around a baker’s dozen Challenger 2s to Ukraine. Overall, the …

The Central Front Mobilization Race Part I

Mobilization has played a key role in war planning for centuries. Only in the later half of the 19th Century, with the advent of railroads and industrialization, did it take on a new importance and standing. In Europe during the years leading up to World War I, Mobilization was transformed into nothing less than an …

WWIII Naval Losses: NATO, D+0 (9 July, 1987)

As anticipated, the first day of the Third World War generated fierce engagements between NATO and Warsaw Pact forces at sea. From the North Cape to the mouth of the Persian Gulf naval and air forces clashed. Surface warships and submarines from both sides were damaged and destroyed. From the opening of hostilities in the …

Observations on the Ukraine Conflict- 28 March, 2022

After 30+ days of war, the situation on the ground in Ukraine is nothing short of a stalemate. The much-vaunted Russian land offensive built around maneuver and superior firepower never came to fruition. Instead, a poorly equipped, poorly-led Russian army crossed the border with minimal close air support and inferior communications backing it up. Then …

D+18 1201-1600 Zulu 27 July, 1987 Part II

Greene, FRG 1240 Zulu (1440 Local Time) His presence on the western bank of the Leine was giving his security detail, as well as 2nd Brigade’s commander fits. 1st Cavalry Division’s commander Major General John Yeosock understood this but did not allow it to deter him from coming forward to personally observe operations. The river …

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

1705- 6th Guards Tank Division is entirely on the eastern bank of the Leine at Freden. The tail-end elements are moving into the area south of the crossroads of B64 and B3 roadways which has been designated as the division’s rear area. 1730- Crossing operations get underway at the now-operational Greene bridgehead. Lead elements of …

The Central Front D+15 (24 July, 1987) Part IV-Bravo

NORTHAG 1200-1700 (Southern Sector of the Weser Defenses) NATO combat strength in the southern sector of the Weser defense was currently anchored around the Belgian 16th Armored Division. This division’s title is somewhat misleading. It was actually organized more along the lines of a traditional 3-brigade mechanized infantry division once the absorption of reserve units …

The Politics of Global War: Dueling Dangers in Moscow D+14 (23 July, 1987) Part II

The Politburo meeting continued into the early afternoon hours. As time went on, the news from Poland had taken on a life of its own. More significantly, it was developing into a cautionary legend passed down from generation to generation. The details were ambiguous and slid farther from reality with every passing moment. Only its …

Status of US Combat Divisions D+13 (22 July, 1987)

I thought it would be a good idea at this point in the blog to work up a cheat sheet of sorts briefly laying out the statuses and locations of US Army and US Marine Corps combat divisions and select independent brigades on D+13. At this point in the conflict there is a lot to …

The Central Front D+11 (20 July, 1987) Part V

The attack was scheduled to start at 1400. This was the earliest possible time that it could be launched. 20th Guards MRD had taken dreadful losses the previous day and to be replenished in both men and equipment. With permission from General Snetkov in East Germany, Lieutenant General Tchernitsov was siphoning troops, tanks, infantry fighting …