The Politics of Global War: Cause and Effect D+13 (22 July, 1987) Part II

Two full weeks of war had all but removed the veil of uniform civility and compliance from the face of the Polish populace. The relationship between the Poles, and their Soviet overseers was nearing the point of extreme duress. The war showed every sign of continuing and growing in size and scope. Every night NATO …

The Politics of Global War: Cause and Effect D+13 (22 July, 1987) Part I

22 July, 1987 (D+13) was a consequential day in multiple theaters. Battles had been won and lost, and dispositions clarified. By the end of the day it became clear which side was winning, and which was losing in most theaters. Generally speaking however, the outcome of the war itself hung in the balance. Events on …

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 …

Central America/Caribbean D+11 thru D+13 (20-22 July, 1987)

D+11 (20 July, 1987) Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega condemns Cuban leader Fidel Castro during a 90 minute speech. He accuses Castro of ‘cowardice’ and ‘betraying the revolution.’ Ortega vows that Nicaragua will continue the fight against American imperialism, and promises to assist Manuel Noriega in evicting the Americans from Panama. A short time later additional …

The Central Front D+13 (22 July, 1987) Part V

One of the greatest difficulties for Soviet commanders at the division level and higher was the efficient movement of forces within and between unit sectors. This was especially true of the second and third echelon divisions now coming onto the battle line in Northern Germany, as well as those moving through East Germany inbound to …

The Central Front D+13 (22 July, 1987) Part IV

Author’s Note: When I wrote up the Central Front D+12 entries I neglected to cover the CENTAG area. So, in order to catch up, this entry will be a timeline summary of the main action in US V Corps sectors on D+12. Tomorrow or Saturday, I’ll post D+13 Part V which will cover CENTAG on …

The Central Front D+13 (22 July, 1987) Part III

The meeting took place at the same location as the one held ten days earlier; a luxury home in Waldsiedlung, a suburb north of Berlin that served as an exclusive residential zone for senior GDR politicians and party officials. Snetkov arrived shortly before 2100. The journey from Stendal to this exclusionary neighborhood outside of Berlin …

The Central Front D+13 (22 July, 1987) Part II

NORTHAG commander General Martin Farndale was flirting with the idea of a major counterattack aimed at pushing the Soviets off the Leine once and for all using III Corps.  Despite his misgivings and opposition to the previous day’s rather precarious operation its success was inspiring him. His confidence was running high. A major effort now …

The Central Front D+13 (22 July, 1987) Part I

The appearance of American and British armor, virtually out of nowhere, brought chaos and major disruptions to 3rd Shock Army on the previous afternoon and evening. Like a forest fire the NATO armored rampage had spread unchecked until it practically reached the banks of the river. Two motor rifle divisions were now all but combat …

The Western Pacific D+13 (22 July, 1987)

The tempo of North Korean operations in South Korea noticeably slackened in the morning hours. While the day progressed, the pace continued to lessen. The anticipated ground attacks were not as powerful as expected. Armor and motorized infantry unit movement was limited and restrictive in many sectors. According to reports transmitted by some frontline ROK …