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

LANDJUT’s next defensive line was established across the length of Schleswig-Holstein from Husum in the west to Brodersby on the Baltic. The Jutland Division anchored the western end of the line, and the West German 6th Panzergrenadier Division in the center. The eastern section was defended by West German Territorial units. Deployed north of the …

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

D+2 presented a myriad of new problems for COMBALTAP, his battle staff, and commanders to contend with. Pre-war analyses, simulations, and exercises had largely predicted that the probable Warsaw Pact assault on Schleswig-Holstein, and Denmark would come from two directions: a land advance from the  East German border northwest into Schleswig-Holstein and ultimately onto the …

The Southern Flank: D+2 (11 July, 1987) Part II

Commander 6th Fleet Vice Admiral Kendall Moranville, USN was anxious to unsheathe his command’s offensive sword and take the fight directly to the Warsaw Pact homelands. The Eastern Med was secure and Moranville wanted to turn his surface ships and submarines to the next phase of wartime operations. Two destroyers attached to the Saratoga battlegroup …

The Southern Flank: D+2 (11 July, 1987) Part I

Overall, D+2 was a quiet twenty-four hour period across the Southern Flank. Reinforcements continued moving into theater for both NATO and the Warsaw Pact as both sides continued their respective preparations for offensive and defensive operations. To be frank, neither side was ready to launch a major land offensive at the present time, though this …

The North Atlantic D+2 (11 July, 1987) Part II

Admiral Kapitanets plea to Northwestern TVD fell upon deaf ears. The theater commander was deeply sympathetic to the situation Northern Fleet was facing, however, he had no help to offer. There were no uncommitted airborne units available to spare for a potential operation against Iceland and relieve the pressure on Kapitanets’ boats. The next phase …

The North Atlantic D+2 (11 July, 1987) Part I

Defensive operations at the GIUK barrier were underway in earnest by dawn on 11 July. The tempo of operations increased through the morning, and afternoon, peaking at some point around 1600 Zulu. The first wave of Soviet SSNs and SSGNs heading south encountered an aggressive, well-coordinated, multi-layered defense made up of MPAs, surface ships, and …

The Northern Flank D+2 (11 July, 1987) Part II

  One positive occurrence for NATO in the late morning of the 11th was the appearance of the amphibious group carrying equipment and supplies for the British 3 Commando Brigade and two companies of infantry belonging to the Dutch Marine Corps. The group and its escorts arrival was twelve hours later than expected, largely due …

The Northern Flank D+2 (11 July, 1987) Part I

The Northern Region theater of operations was the single strategic area where the Soviets were enjoying significant success thus far in the war. While Soviet forces and commanders on other fronts grappled with unforeseen challenges and obstacles to overcome, the Northwestern TVD had been largely spared. Air superiority was now firmly established over the northern …

The Arabian Peninsula/Persian Gulf: D+1 (10 July, 1987) Part II

US Air Force assets on the ground in Saudi Arabia on the morning of 10 July were as follows: 2 squadrons of F-15A Eagles from the 49th TFW,  1 squadron of F-16C Falcons and a detachment of A-10 Warthogs were staked out at Dhahran Air Base. A detachment of 4 E-3A Sentries, and a growing …

The Arabian Peninsula/Persian Gulf: D+1 (10 July, 1987) Part I

Time was running out for the Soviets. Opportunities to interdict the MPS ships en route to Dhahran, Saudi Arabia had largely been exhausted as dawn broke on 10 July. Submarine attacks on MPSRON 2 and its escorts resulted in the sinking of a US frigate at the cost of two subs. The seven cargo ships …