The Western Pacific D+11 (20 July, 1987) Part III

Conditions along the Sino-Soviet frontier on D+11 were precarious to say the least. Soviet and Chinese forces stationed along the border maintained their vigilance, sharply aware of how close their respective nations stood to the brink of war. Cognizant of the incidents over the past two days, both sides avoided moving large numbers of troops, …

The Western Pacific D+11 (20 July, 1987) Part II

Sino-Soviet tensions did not materialize out of nowhere on 9 July, 1987. The World’s two dominant Communist powers had a long history of mutual distrust, and bitterness between them. China’s suspicions of Moscow’s intentions were deep-rooted, going back to the 1950s when Soviet words and promises regarding the People’s Republic of China did not measure …

The Western Pacific D+11 (20 July, 1987) Part I

On the Korean Peninsula all of the major fighting took place north of the Han River on D+11. The North Korean first echelon divisions continued to drive south, seeking to create a hole in the Combined Forces lines for the mechanized infantry and tank divisions waiting behind the lines to exploit. The North Koreans were …

Arabian Peninsula/Persian Gulf D+11 (20 July, 1987) Part II

Meetings between Soviet diplomats and senior Iraqi government officials lasted through the morning. Around the noon hour military officials from both nations joined the discussions. Saddam Hussein was gradually coming around though it was unclear if this was the result of his own realizations, or from the evolving iron fist in a velvet glove approach …

Arabian Peninsula/Persian Gulf D+11 (20 July, 1987) Part I

Author’s Note: Apologies for breaking this post up into parts. I’m out of town for a day or two and writing time is limited. I’ll wrap this up on Saturday evening. Again, I’m very sorry.   As dawn approached it was evident to all Soviet diplomats and military officers presently in Iraq that Saddam’s much …

A Second Glimpse at West Berlin D+10 (19 July, 1987) Part III

The US Army’s Berlin Brigade had its own special forces unit. The 410th Special Forces Detachment consisted of six A-Teams, with each one made up of twelve Green Berets (two officers and ten enlisted). Four of the teams were earmarked for operations outside of Berlin in the event of war. The remaining two would operate …

A Second Glimpse at West Berlin D+10 (19 July, 1987) Part II

The lessons of the 1948 Berlin Blockade had been taken to heart by the West Berlin government, and many of the city’s citizens. In the event of another blockade or war, a massive airlift of food, and other essential supplies by the United States and her allies to relieve the city could not be assured. …

A Second Glimpse at West Berlin D+10 (19 July, 1987) Part I

After eleven days of war, West Berlin remained physically unblighted by the colossal battles raging across the European continent. Remarkably enough, the fighting had yet to directly affect the western half of the divided city. Outside of a handful of rifle shots quite early on the first day of the war not a single piece …

Air War on the Central Front D+10 (19 July, 1987)

On D+10 2 ATAF (Allied Tactical Air Force) was almost entirely consumed with the land battle raging in the NORTHAG sectors. Maintaining air superiority over the battlefield and providing near-constant close air support for the NATO ground units engaged north and south of Hanover, especially those defending east of the Leine. This day saw a …

Central America/Caribbean D+7-10 (16-19 July, 1987)

D+7 (16 July, 1987)   -US Navy personnel and civilian contract workers from the United States assume full duties at the Panama Canal. All Panamanian nationals, and other foreigners working there are furloughed for the ‘duration of the present emergency.’   -As more US troops arrive in Honduras, the number of clashes between Nicaraguan and …