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

Author's Note: Apologies for the short post today. Since I'm considered an essential employee I had to dedicate the lion's share of the afternoon to work related issues. Next post will be up on Friday. I hope everyone's healthy and doing well during this time. --Mike    0000-0600 Control of the 1st Guards Tank Army …

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

It wasn’t until the late afternoon that 2nd Squadron/3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment was ejected off the first ridge overlooking the Leine and Alfeld. Their resistance had been strong, and resilient. It took far longer than anticipated to remove them, and the effort nearly bled 56th Guards Motor Rifle Division white in the process. Shortly afterwards, …

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

0445-1200 The river crossing operation began on time. At Alfeld, two battalions of artillery lashed the ridge on the western side overlooking the river with high explosive rounds. This was the area where the American tanks and fighting vehicles were dug in. The next volley from the guns delivered a thick screen of smoke onto …

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

NATO forces had been chased across the Leine completely. Soviet tanks, infantry fighting vehicles and troops were pressed up against the eastern bank of the river. The 56th Guards Motor Rifle Division was spread at Brüggen, Alfeld, and Freden. The division’s engineering battalion had been savaged by an air attack on its assembly area the …

Baltic Approaches D+11 (20 July, 1987) Part III

NATO airpower was not only causing problems for the Polish divisions moving into and towards western Jutland. The Soviet divisions in the east were feeling the effects too. Danish, West German, and USAF ground attack jets were inflicting casualties, seeping the combat strength out of units, and slowing movement across southern Jutland around the clock. …

Baltic Approaches D+11 (20 July, 1987) Part II

Jutland was proving to be a tough nut to crack for the Warsaw Pact. The advance by the Northern Group of Forces (NGF) into Danish territory was meeting stubborn resistance on the ground and fighting under a sky that belonged to NATO entirely. NGF’s commander Colonel General Ivan Korbutov had been warned that the amount …

Baltic Approaches D+11 (20 July, 1987) Part I

Western TVD’s interdiction efforts against the supply pipeline being established between Sweden and Finland continued on D+11. The focal point of these attacks was near the Aland Islands at the mouth of the Gulf of Bothnia where the bulk of Swedish resupply vessels and aircraft would transit. The short distances between adversaries, and the constrictive …

The North Atlantic D+11 (20 July, 1987) Part III

It had taken longer than expected but on D+11 SACLANT secured HMS Illustrious and her escorts for operations in the Norwegian Sea and Barents. After the loss of Invincible, the British government became extremely reluctant to risk another Royal Navy aircraft carrier. Morale in Great Britain had taken a hit when news of Vince’s sinking …

The North Atlantic D+11 (20 July, 1987) Part II

By early afternoon Soviet ASW forces were vigorously sanitizing the approaches to the Kola ports, and coastal waters.  Il-38 Mays dropped sonobuoy lines, and were augmented by Helix and Hormone helicopters operating from airfields ashore. The number of diesel subs operating inshore. Some Foxtrots and Tangos were recalled from patrol sectors in the White Sea …

The North Atlantic D+11 (20 July, 1987) Part I

Before departing from the Kola Peninsula, Marshal Akhromeyev visited the Red Banner Northern Fleet headquarters in Severomorsk to meet with fleet commander Admiral Ivan Kapitanets. Akhromeyev informed him of the personnel changes taking place at the theater headquarters. He then made it a point to emphasize to the admiral that his own job was safe-for …