An In-Depth History and Analysis of the Third World War
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 …
Continue reading "A Second Glimpse at West Berlin D+10 (19 July, 1987) Part III"
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. …
Continue reading "A Second Glimpse at West Berlin D+10 (19 July, 1987) Part II"
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 …
Continue reading "A Second Glimpse at West Berlin D+10 (19 July, 1987) Part I"
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 …
Continue reading "Air War on the Central Front D+10 (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 …
Continue reading "Central America/Caribbean D+7-10 (16-19 July, 1987)"
0000-0600 In the V Corps area of the CENTAG front there was a considerable amount of linebacker movement, so to speak, underway in the early morning hours. By 0200 the 8th Infantry Division had cleared the battlefield fully. Two of the 4th Infantry Division’s brigades (4th ID) were deployed on Phase Line Yale (PL Yale) …
Continue reading "The Central Front D+10 (19 July, 1987) Part V"
56th Guards Motor Rifle Division commenced its attack at 1430 hours. Even before the designated time, NATO aircraft and artillery were in action against the advancing tanks, BTRs, and BMPs. Allied air superiority over the battlefield was significant for the defensive efforts of the covering forces in front of the Leine. Conversely, NATO air power …
Continue reading "The Central Front D+10 (19 July, 1987) Part IV"
NORTHAG 1200-1400 The 3rd Shock Army’s commander was growing impatient. The arrival of the two motor rifle divisions at the front was taking too long. The majority of the 56th Guards MRD’s combat and support units were in position. The division would begin combat operations within the next two hours. The 58th Guards MRD, …
Continue reading "The Central Front D+10 (19 July, 1987) Part III"
NORTHAG 0600-1200 As dawn broke on the Central Front, the Commander-in-Chief of Group Soviet Forces Germany General Boris Snetkov studied the battle map and wondered if it would be better for the Leine crossing to be made north of Brüggen where the road network was better able to support a large mechanized advance. Bundestrasse 1 …
Continue reading "The Central Front D+10 (19 July, 1987) Part II"
Hoyershausen, Federal Republic of Germany  0200 Hours CEST The commander of the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment stood at the edge of the two-lane road nodding in satisfaction as the blackened shapes of main battle tanks and infantry fighting vehicles rumbled by him. The armored vehicles belonged to his regiment’s 1st Squadron and were moving southeast …
Continue reading "The Central Front D+10 (19 July, 1987) Part I"
Third World War 1987 