The Central Front D+3 (12 July, 1987) Part I

General Snetkov had stretched the truth when he informed Ligachev that his northern army groups had identified weak points in NATO lines. They hadn’t --yet. Snetkov was determined to make sure that changed in the next twenty four hours, however. Upon returning to his headquarters, the general issued orders to 2nd Guards Tank Army and …

Air War on the Central Front D+3 (12 July, 1987) Part II

As the day progressed the level of enemy air activity remained low in comparison to what it had been in the opening days of the fighting. It was becoming evident the Soviet and Warsaw Pact air forces in Eastern Europe were on the doorstep of a reconsolidation period. Mid-morning Intelligence reports making their way to …

Air War on the Central Front: D+3 (12 July, 1987)

In the early morning hours of D+3, General Bill Kirk, USAF reflected on the progress of the air war on the Central Front thus far. The four star general wore two hats, serving as Commander in Chief, U.S. Air Forces in Europe/Commander, Allied Air Forces Central Europe. Like a good number of his NATO and …

A Meeting Outside of Berlin D+3 (12 July, 1987) Part II

Word of the request for chemical weapons release by 8th Guards Army’s commander arrived at the Kremlin during a strained meeting of the Politburo. The slow progress in Germany, coupled with setbacks in other theaters had been starting to fray the nerves of some Politburo members. News that an army group commander had already requesting …

A Meeting Outside of Berlin D+3 (12 July, 1987) Part I

The meeting was held at the luxurious home of an East German Central Committee member in Waldsiedlung, the exclusive residential zone for senior party officials located north of Berlin. The site was a sensible choice. Berlin, and its suburbs had been greatly unaffected by the war so far. NATO was particularly reluctant to strike targets …

The Central Front D+2 (11 July, 1987) Part IV

CENTAG’s commander General Glenn Otis, US Army, found himself far more optimistic than his Soviet counterparts on the morning of D+2. The major attacks that were launched against his front on D+1 had all been defeated or contained. The US V and VII Corps stood practically in the same places they had twenty-four hours ago. …

The Central Front D+2 (11 July, 1987) Part III

The situation in and around Brauschweig continued to ebb and flow from the late afternoon into the evening hours of D+2. The 1st Panzer Brigade fell back into the city itself with the 55th and 56th Guards Tank Regiments struggling to maintain contact. As the 1st Pz Brigade’s fighting withdrawal reached the more built up …

The Central Front D+2 (11 July, 1987) Part II

NORTHAG Continued…..   With the main Soviet effort against I NL Corps focused on the 4th Division, the 1st Division’s sector further south was calm in comparison. Facing it were two East German motor rifle divisions. For much of  the past twenty four hours the two opposing formations had sparred, with the East Germans coming …

The Central Front D+2 (11 July, 1987) Part I

At 0300 hours local time on D+2 Alfons Pawelczyk, the mayor of Hamburg contacted Bonn to inform the West German government that the Hamburg Senate had just voted to declare Hamburg an open city. The declaration meant that the city, now unfortified and undefended, would be exempt from enemy attack under international law. Pawelczyk, and …

Baltic Approaches D+2 (11 July, 1987) Part III

The slow progress in the air campaign against Denmark, and a growing need to begin air attacks against southern Norway and RAF bases in Scotland was forcing the Soviets to examine Sweden. The Scandinavian nation had remained neutral in the conflict thus far, adhering to its historic position of not involving itself in European conflicts. …