The Central Front D+17 (26 July, 1987) Part IV Charlie

0705- 3rd Shock Army’s forward command post was a scene of unrelenting tumult. Enemy jamming was gradually becoming less of a problem, but the situation on the other side of the Leine remained in a state of chaos. One tank division was moving forward into the attack, seemingly blind to what was going on to …

The Central Front D+17 (26 July, 1987) Part III

3rd Shock Army’s commander fervently hoped this day would bring better fortunes for his army group’s forward divisions. The two tank divisions pushing towards the Weser at Hoxter had been on the verge of breaking through the Belgian forces in front of them in the later afternoon of D+17. Follow on regiments were preparing to …

The Central Front D+16 (25 July, 1987) Part III

Two tank regiments from the 6th Guards Tank Division east of Einbeck began their attack at 0600 hours. Following the sharp clashes between the division’s motor rifle regiment and forward units of the Belgian 4th Brigade on the previous day, the 52nd and 53rd Guards Tank Regiments encountered heavier defenses and resistance as they approached …

The Central Front D+8 (17 July, 1987) Part I

The focal point in the battle for West Germany was rapidly developing around Hanover. NATO and the Warsaw Pact each recognized the significance of the city and surrounding areas to their future operations, and overall war aims. Hanover was the gateway to the Weser River. Beyond that body of water lay the Ruhr Valley, the …