The North Atlantic D+3 (12 July, 1987) Part I

At 0556 EDT an ASM-135 Anti-Satellite missile launched from a US Air Force F-15A Eagle destroyed a Soviet Radar Ocean Reconnaissance Satellite (RORSAT) in low-earth orbit over the Labrador coast. The successful intercept would create a twelve hour hole in Soviet satellite coverage over the North Atlantic. The mission had been timed, planned, and undertaken …

Advertisements

The Northern Flank D+3 (12 July, 1987) Part III

  Allied Forces Northern Norway (NON) was reeling from the introduction of Soviet ground forces into its area of responsibility on D+3. Even before the first Soviet motor rifle troops crossed the frontier, NON’s plans for the defense of its region were severely disrupted. Soviet air superiority, coupled with the seizure of the air station …

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

Supply, fuel, and munition expenditures were also on SACEUR’s mind as D+3 progressed. Like his land commanders, General Galvin was keenly aware that NATO ground and air forces were burning through everything from tank rounds, to spare parts at a brisk clip. Fortunately, NATO war stocks contained enough munitions and material for ten days of  …

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

Conditions in the CENTAG area were favorable to NATO forces for much of D+3. Enemy pressure against the West German III Corps and US V Corps diminished by the early afternoon hours. Meanwhile, in Bavaria, US VII Corps was contending with probing attacks launched by East German motor rifle divisions while the West German II …

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 …

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 …