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

For the Soviet Union, the principal objective of this war was to capture and neutralize the Federal Republic of Germany. Campaigns and offensives undertaken in separate theaters were planned and executed in support of this goal. In the leadup to war, the Kremlin believed wholeheartedly that seizing West Germany was an elixir for the Soviet …

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

NORTHAG’s new American commander arrived at Holzminden and spent 15 minutes with General Yeosock. 1st Cav’s commanding general briefed him on the still-developing plan, providing as much detail as the limited amount of available time would allow. Saint liked the plan. It was aggressive and bold, but not wildly reckless. He gave Yeosock his approval …

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

1st Cavalry Division’s commander General John Yeosock was discovering a potential way to bring his entire division into the battle in a decisive fashion. The loose collection of thoughts in his mind came together and a plan was taking shape. The inspiration for his plan was the brilliant thunder run pulled off by the 2nd …

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

The NATO intelligence estimates and timetables for the southern Leine crossings were imprecise. 8th Guards Tank Division was already across the river by midnight and its lead combat elements had arrived at their advance departure areas southeast of Einbeck. 3rd Shock Army’s commander monitored their progress carefully, as well as the additional artillery and air …

The Central Front D+15 (24 July, 1987) Part V

1705- 6th Guards Tank Division is entirely on the eastern bank of the Leine at Freden. The tail-end elements are moving into the area south of the crossroads of B64 and B3 roadways which has been designated as the division’s rear area. 1730- Crossing operations get underway at the now-operational Greene bridgehead. Lead elements of …

The Central Front D+15 (24 July, 1987) Part IV-Bravo

NORTHAG 1200-1700 (Southern Sector of the Weser Defenses) NATO combat strength in the southern sector of the Weser defense was currently anchored around the Belgian 16th Armored Division. This division’s title is somewhat misleading. It was actually organized more along the lines of a traditional 3-brigade mechanized infantry division once the absorption of reserve units …

The Central Front D+15 (24 July, 1987) Part IV-Alpha

 NORTHAG 1200-1700 (Northern Sector of the Weser Defenses) The afternoon arrived with Soviet tank and motor-rifle formations engaged in heavy fighting against the West Germans southeast of Hameln. 47th Guards Tank Division’s first push had dislodged the West German mechanized infantry from around Dielmissen. The movement of the 193rd Panzergrenadier Battalion away from the village …

The Central Front D+15 (24 July, 1987) Part III-Bravo

0700- The air battle in the NORTHAG sector starts. NATO air attacks against the Alfeld and Brüggen and meet heavy opposition from ground-based air defenses and MiGs. Nearly seventy Soviet fighters have been committed to defending the airspace above the northern bridgeheads. The unexpectedly heavy defenses lead NATO air commanders to conclude that the increased …

The Central Front D+15 (24 July, 1987) Part III-Alpha

Author’s Note: My free time was far shorter today than expected, so I’m going to make Part III into a pair of entries. I’ll post Bravo on Monday and then catch up by mid-week. Dawn came and went as Soviet activity in the Hameln area continued to steadily build. By 0700, NORTHAG anticipated that two …

The Central Front D+15 (24 July, 1987) Part II

Precisely on time at 0100, the scheduled reconnaissance mission by the TR-1 tactical reconnaissance aircraft commenced. The aircraft, a variant of the venerable U-2, was an invaluable reconnaissance and intelligence asset. Therefore, its flight path was nowhere near the battlefront. The TR-1’s patrol pattern was essentially a fixed straight line established just east of the …