The Central Front D+2 (11 July, 1987) Part II

NORTHAG Continued…..   With the main Soviet effort against I NL Corps focused on the 4th Division, the 1st Division’s sector further south was calm in comparison. Facing it were two East German motor rifle divisions. For much of  the past twenty four hours the two opposing formations had sparred, with the East Germans coming …

The Central Front D+2 (11 July, 1987) Part I

At 0300 hours local time on D+2 Alfons Pawelczyk, the mayor of Hamburg contacted Bonn to inform the West German government that the Hamburg Senate had just voted to declare Hamburg an open city. The declaration meant that the city, now unfortified and undefended, would be exempt from enemy attack under international law. Pawelczyk, and …

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

The slow progress in the air campaign against Denmark, and a growing need to begin air attacks against southern Norway and RAF bases in Scotland was forcing the Soviets to examine Sweden. The Scandinavian nation had remained neutral in the conflict thus far, adhering to its historic position of not involving itself in European conflicts. …

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 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 …