Slow Drift to War Europe 1984

[Farmer12]

Now I will turn our attention to the 7th Corp. The 1st Armored division has setup a defensive line running from Rehau thru Hof and then up to a forested ridgeline a distance of about twenty kilometers. Then the divisions have setup it forces along this forested ridgeline for a distance of twenty-five kilometers. The position ends about ten kilometers to the west of Naila German. The 1ST Armored 1st brigade is covering the line from Rehau to the ridgeline. With two armored battalions and two mechanized infantry battalions. Terrain on this part of the divisions position lends itself to Armored combats and that is why the second brigade has the mission of covering this section of the line.


The divisions 3rd brigade is covering the ridgeline position, the more rugged terrain being less tank friendly the brigades two infantry battalions with one armored battalion is better suited for defending this part of the divisions front. It’s near the village of Geroldsgrun that the 1st Armored section of the line come to an end. The 2nd Brigade has three armored battalions and one infantry battalion is the reserve force and it has been broken up into four tank heavy battalions two battalions are assigned as the reserve forces for each of the brigades holding the front-line positions. You know its amazing how the balance of a mechanized battalion changes if you detach three companies of infantry and receive three companies of tanks.


It looks like the East German 1st Corp composed of the only East German combat units. The division are the 7th Tank division and the 1st and 4th MRD. We also know that these three divisions are made up of the most fanatical followers of the current East German Government. We can expect this Corp of troops to make an all-out attack on the 1st Armored. We expect that the attack will be defeated but we have concerns that an attack in combination with the Czech attack on the Canadians might be able to turn the flank of the 1st Armored division. So at least one of the reserve battalions from the 2nd Brigade will be kept close to that junction between the 1st brigade of the 1st Armored and the 3rd Brigade of the Canadian Army.

Next, the 40th Mechanized infantry division a California National Guard unit. Its section of the line runs from its boundary with the 1st Armored. The divisions 1st Brigade cover the first part of the line from Geroldsgrun through a hilly forested are to the village of Marktrodach then running across farmland setting up in a tree line and then alone the northern edges of the village of Kronach. Then the 3rd brigade takes over the line from Kronach and keeping to the tree line to the village of Mitwitz. Then the line continues to the North and west to a forested ridge locate here this is where the 3rd Brigades armored battalion is setup with an excellent view to the north. The 2nd brigade of the 40th Mech is setup as the reserve force.



What forces that the WARSAW Pact had placed on this section of the line is at best inexact. We know that several division category D divisions have been moved into the area of East Germany opposite to the 40th Mechanized Division. At the same time, we do not know which divisions have been assigned to this section of the front. At this time, we are not even sure how many divisions are facing the 40th. The best estimate will be from three to five divisions. At this time, we have tentatively identified the Rifle Corp as the 25th Rifle Corp. The divisions assigned to this Corp we have a less definite information. The 381st and the 384th have been id but we know for sure at least one division more division in the area. We also have signs that at least one more division is being moved into the area and radio intercepts indicate that at least on other division will be sent after the division currently being sent has arrived. This is the best information that we have at this time.



Next, we will look at the 1st Infantry divisions frontline positions. The North eastern end of this divisions battle positions. The village of Bieberbach is the northern most tip of the 1st Infantry Division. The line initially runs to the west along a series of villages and the tree line. Then turning at the village of Neiderfulbach to the south and west, then at the village of Untersiemau turning to the west again using various tree lines to the village of Seblach. Then the line sticks to northern edge of the forests. Then on to the village of Walchenford where the line is handed over to the 3rd Infantry Division.



Intelligence indicates that the 16th Combined Arms Army will be carrying out the attack on the 1st ID. There are two to three Motorized Rifle Divisions will carry out, the initial attack with a Tank Division in reserve. As for the 1st ID the 1st and 3rd Brigade will be the units holding the frontlines with the 2nd Brigade as the reserve force.

Then the 3rd Infantry is controlling the Hof Gap where we are expecting a main assault in coordination with the forces attacking 5th Corp around Fulda. From Walchenford the line goes about seven kilometers and then the lines turn north for four kilometers to the village of Aub. Then the line goes to the north and west for sixteen kilometers. Then near the village of Eichenhausen the line goes in a westerly direction for fifteen kilometers to the village Steinacher Forst recht der Saale. The 1st brigade is covering the first twenty kilometers of the front from Walchenford to Kleineibstadt. Then the 2nd Brigade takes over the line from Kleineibstadt to Eichenhausen and the remaining fifteen kilometers from Steinacher Forst recht der Saale. The 3rd brigade is in a central location with the ability to move either to support whatever section of the line was hit.

The 11th Guards Combined Arms Army with the 40th Guards Tank division and the 44th Tank divisions and the 26th and 34th MRD. The reason we have such a good idea of the divisions in this army is that all of the units were assigned to the Army prewar. Also, we have not had any reason to believe that any additional divisions have been attached to the Army.

 

[kent]

It's getting close

 

[Farmer12]

Time is coming just when I will not say but it is coming but some surprise has to be maintained. The Soviet may or may not attack right away.

 

[Farmer12]

Now the we are going into the 5th Corps Area of responsibility. The first units are the 116th Infantry brigade Virginia National Guard with a battalion of armor attached to the brigade. This brigade was placed under the command of 5th Corp. This section of the line is both mountainous and heavily forested. The terrain totally unfavorable to use of armored or mechanized units. While we don’t have any definite details, we believe that one of the category D divisions will be sent against the 116th Infantry.
The 8th ID has the 3rd Brigade covering the southern part of the divisions line. Brigade has six battalions four mechanized and two armored battalions while the 3rd brigade has two mechanized and one armored battalion with the 1st brigade as the reserve force, with two mechanized and one armored battalion set up in three separate reserve forces. These units cover the thirty kilometers of the front but the actual battle line is longer about thirty-five kilometers.


The southernmost battalion has setup in a line formation ridges overlooking the town of Gersfeld. In the town Gersfeld elements of a battalion of German Territorial army troops defending village. This battalion covers the longest section of the line. But this battalion is defending the most defensible terrain. To the north the remaining eight battalion’s setup in positions from Poppenhausen to Hunfeld. These battalions are setup every three kilometers the idea is to let them know that the most direct route to Frankfort is very heavily defended. The with the three battalions from the 1st brigade as well as elements of the 11th ACR will be used as blocking forces. Currently the 6-77th Armor is setup near the village of Weyhers. The 3-8th infantry by the village of Dipperz. The 2-87th infantry is setup in the forested area just north of the village of Traisbach


The 4th ID will cover the line from Hunfeld thru to Friedewalde. The 1st and 2nd brigades are in the frontline with the 3rd brigade as the reserve unit. The 1st brigade runs from the village of Mackenzell to Hunfeld to the village of Gruben and then along the edge of the forest. Then across fields with scattered stands of trees to the village of Leimbach on to the town of Eiterfeld. Then the battleline is set up along a string of villages and through a stand of trees. Then the 2nd Brigade takes over the from the 1st Brigade then the line runs through a second stand of trees to the Schenklengfeld then to the village of Motzfeld. After that a forest ridge and then onto the Freidewalde and then in the forest heading to the village of Ronshausen. The 3rd Brigade is setup as the reserve units for the 4th ID. The 1-12th is setup in around the village of Petersberg. With the 1-77th Armored is setup in and around Hauneck with the 2nd of the 77th Armored setup around the village of Rothenkirchen. Just to let you know the 11th Cavalry is covering to the front of the 5th Corp.

In reserve we have the 3rd Armored division which is setup in a rough line in front of Fulda the intent being that if the Soviets breakthrough the 3rd Armor can setup a defensive line behind the 8th ID. While the 197th Mechanized brigade the 194th Armored and the 4th Brigade of the 4th Infantry are similarly setup in a rough line behind the 4th ID.

The Soviet forces that are most likely to be involved the army located closest to the border is the 8th Guards Combined Arm Army there were four divisions assigned to this army. The 79th Guards Tank Division and three MRD probably the 20th 39th and 57th Guard division. We also do have some indications that at least two additional divisions have been added to the 8th Guards Combined Arms Army but we do not have the particulars on these two division or possibly three divisions we are not sure. All of these division are within twenty kilometers of the frontier. What we do know it that three to four divisions are up front with two what appear to be Tank divisions that will follow up.


What we can be sure of is that two Rifle Corps of troops the 4th Corp with 351st and 352nd divisions and the 5th Corp with the 353rd and 354th division. The reason we do know this is that these Corps and the attached divisions have miserable radio security. These divisions were between twenty to thirty kilometers from the border.


The Operational Maneuver Group is the 1st Guards Tank Army the prewar divisions assigned to the army were the 9th Tank division and the 11th Guard Tank division and the 20th MRD. The army is concentrated in a triangle shaped area with Trusetal the northeast corner, the north west corner Brietungen and the south east corner is Schmalkalden.



But we cannot be sure this is all of the forces that can be committed to the attack but we do not know if these units are assigned to support the attack on the Fulda Gap. The army is the 28th Combined Arms Army. The 6th Guards Tank division is based in and around the city of Eisenach, to the south is the 28th Tank division in and around the town of Ruhla. Then the 73rd Tank division is setup around Tabarz and finally the 50th MRD is setup near the city of Friedrichroda. All the division and support units have direct routes to the area of the Fulda Gap. We have indications that one or two Airborne battalions are also in the area. Just what their mission is. Well hard to say. But bear in mind that these units do not have helicopters as part of the units TO&E so any transport would have to be provided by the helicopter units assigned to the various armies.



Also, we know that there are between five and six category D division a little further back than the 28th Combined Arms Army but this does not mean those units cannot be more through that Army to go on the offensive. The one thing I can tell you is that there were about nine or ten of these divisions in the area but at least two were sent to Czechoslovakia and one or two sent south the reinforce the units attacking the 40th ID. But for now, we will have to wait to see what these units do. The one problem we have with identifying these division is that none of the divisions seem to be using their radios and any communications they do must be by telephone.

 

[Farmer12]

Now we will look at the next section of the line now controlled by the British Army. We do have a bit of concern about the newly organized British 5TH Corp. The elements of the Corp support units are mostly newly organized. The personal of the Corp support units are still learning to work together and the newly organized units are learning to work with the other support units and the divisions and brigades of the Corp.

The 6th divisions brigades, the 51st Highland Brigade with three territorial battalions the 1st /51st, 2/51st, 3/51st. The 52nd Lowland Brigade the battalions are the 1st Royal Scots and the 1st Argyll & Sutherland and two territorials battalions the 1/52nd and the 2/52nd. These two brigades are use to working together and any support unit in them are pretty much up to their missions. The exception is the 2nd Guards brigade with the 1st and 2nd Coldstream Guard and the 1st Grenadier Guards. The battalions are of course highly trained. The problem with this brigade is the newly created support units. Rather than put Guards men into support role missions they used a collection of regulars and territorials to fill out the support units. The recalled Guardsmen are in replacement companies to fill in casualty losses.


The two remaining units is the newly formed 8th RTR and recce units is The Ayrshire (Earl of Carrick’s Own) Yeomanry is a Territorial unit that had one squadron organized. The unit is B squadron and is equipped with Ferret Armored Cars and the A squadron is using older Saladin Armored Cars. The artillery units are somewhat understrength and are made up of obsolete 25-pound artillery guns. The guns are old and some of the tubes on the gun are well used.

The 6th has a group of good battalions, I have no problem labeling the Guards units as elite and the two Scot regular battalions are crack. While the Territorial battalions all have a solid core of high quality personal and the rest of the men can be held together by the cores of those battalions. Over all the division has good combat personal but the divisions support units are somewhat lacking in quality. So, we will need to keep an eye on the division.

As for the 43rd Wessex division, has the same problem with its divisional level support personal. Two of the three battalions were already organized, except for 10th Brigade which is recently organized. Also, all of the infantry battalions in the division are made up of Territorial battalions. The two mechanized battalions one is territorial and the other was a regular light infantry battalion. The tank battalion is recently organized as is one of the divisions two recon battalions. The division does not have its own artillery brigade, so as you know we attached an American National Guard Battalion the 45th Artillery brigade.

The 10th brigade made up of a newly formed tank battalion the 9th RTR armed with Chieftains, while the regular battalion the 1st Royal Anglian Regiment equipped with Saracen APR and the territorial battalion, the 3rd Yorkshire Volunteers equipped with FV-432 APC’s both have be converted from light infantry to mechanized in that have just been mechanized. The 43rd Wessex Brigade with 1st Wessex Regiment, 2nd Wessex Regiment, 3rd Devon & Cornwall Vols., 6(V) Light Infantry. The 160th Brigade 3rd (Vol) Royal Welch Fusiliers, 3(V) Royal Regiment of Wales 4th (V) Royal Regiment of Wales. There are two Recon battalions in the division, one is the Royal Wessex Yeomanry which is equipped with Land Rovers and a newly formed Queens Own Dorset Yeomanry equipped with Saladin Armored Cars. As for the other American units that are attached to the 5th Corp. These units are the 107th ACR as well as the 103rd and the 115th Artillery brigades and the XI corps artillery.


The 43rd Wessex is covering the southern part of the 5th Corps line the section of the line is some thirty-five kilometers. The 43rd Wessex Brigade has three of its four battalions on the front line. The brigades line starts just south of the village of Ronhausen moving a little to the east to a valley. Then the line runs along a valley passing the village of Ziebach then along a narrow valley. With the line on west side of the open valley. Near the village of Machtlos the line goes through the forested hills to the village of Nentershausen and then Wienbenhasel. The 3rd Devon &Cornwall Vols is being held as the brigade’s reserve near the village of Iba. Then the 160th Brigade with two battalions on the frontline with one in reserve. The line runs from Wienbenhasel to the town of Sontra. Then along a valley that runs north by the village of Wichmannhausen to Oetmannhausen to the village of Wehretal. Then the 4th (V) Royal Regiment of Wales is being held in reserve near the village of Mitterode.


The 10th Brigade is split up into three battalion sized strike groups. The 1st Royal Anglian Regiment is setup near the village of Cornberg. The 9th RTR is setup as a central reserve in the village of Cornberg. To the north the 3rd Yorkshire Volunteers setup near the village of Gilfershausen.


The 6th Infantry division covers the rest of the front to the north. The 52nd Lowland Brigade takes the line from Wehretal to Germerode to Vockerode. Then the position runs along the ridgeline to west and north. Three of the four battalions are on the frontlines the 1st Royal Scots are the reserve battalion for the brigade. Then the 51st Highland Brigade 1st and 2nd battalion of the 51st Highland Brigade. The 3rd battalion of the 51st regiment is the brigades reserve. The 8th RTR has been broken up into supporting units for the frontline battalions. The 2nd Guards brigade has 1st Coldstream Guard battalion setup in and around the Rodebach. The 2nd Coldstream Guards battalion are setup in and around the village of Dudenrode. The 1st Grenadier Guards are setup near the village of Ermschwerd.


The 5th Corps reserve unit is the 107th ACR two. Given the shortage of tanks assigned to the division two of the 107th ACR’s squadrons are located in defensive positions behind the 6th division while one squadron is setup as the core reserve. One squadron is located near the village of Walburg. The next squadron is located near the village of Laudenbach. While the Corp reserve squadron is located near the village of Kaufungen.


Facing this force is the 29th Combined Arms Army with three divisions the 52nd, 198th and the 245th MRD all the divisions have T-54/5’s. The reason we are so confident that these divisions are part of the 29th is that all were assigned to this Army prewar. We also are pretty sure that at least two or three the Category D division have been assigned to the 29th Combined Arms Army. But we do not have any firm information on the unit ids. There are other units further back but we will talk about those units after we go over the Belgium Army.

The 245th MRD is setup in two concentrations two regiments one motorized rifle regiment and one tank regiment are located near Dippach. Near the village Gerstungen are two Motorized Rifle Regiments. It looks like the 245th will be making a two-pronged assault one attack will be headed toward Ronshausen. The other attack in the direction of the village of Nenterhausen. It looks like a division as setup behind the 245th but we don’t what kind of division but it has some problems with radio discipline but nothing that told us anything. But the lack of radio discipline leads us to believe that the division is a Category D division.

The 52nd MRD also looks like it will carry out a two-prong attack. Two Motorized Rifle regiments setup close to the Ifta. Where this prong is heading we are not sure but we feel it will be the town of Sontra or the village of Waldkappel or the village of Wehretal. The other prong appears to be heading toward Eschwege. A Motorized Rifle regiment is setup in and around the village of Treffult with a tank regiment setup behind the motorized rifle regiment. The tank regiment is located near the village of Nazza.

Futher to the north we have a pair of Category D division what their unit designation are we don’t know. But we know that the divisions are setup between Wahlausen and the Arenshausen. Because of radio intercepts, we know that the Soviet troops have been training in land navigation. The reason we know this is that because of radio messages with people trying to find out where they were or asking for someone to come and find them. We believe that the two divisions are going to move cross country in the mountains toward our lines and attack. Are there any questions sir? There were none, now we will turn to the 1ST Belgium Corp.

 

[VIKINGTANK]

Great story, and so detailed. The 1st Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment, as mentioned above, was indeed a light role Bn in 1984. Note that the Anti-tank platoon had CONBAT (Converted BAT) 120mm recoilless rifles rather than Milan ATGW that we had left in Germany 2 years previously. An absolute git to dig in and a suicide weapon if I have ever seen one. Keep up the good work.

 

[Farmer12]

VIKINGTANK- Thank you, I aim to keep it up. I will also state I will be slow my postings to two to three posting every two weeks to maintain the quality. Also thanks for the bit on the CONBAT, although i may just convert the unit back to Milans by handing the Conbats over to units assigned to home security and taking any Milans those units have and giving them to the 1st Battalion The Royal Anglians. It makes more sense to send the unit to West Germany with the proper equipment.

 

[Finbarr the Fair]

VIKINGTANK- Thank you, I aim to keep it up. I will also state I will be slow my postings to two to three posting every two weeks to maintain the quality. Also thanks for the bit on the CONBAT, although i may just convert the unit back to Milans by handing the Conbats over to units assigned to home security and taking any Milans those units have and giving them to the 1st Battalion The Royal Anglians. It makes more sense to send the unit to West Germany with the proper equipment.

Please take all the time you need. The excellence of your story is worth the wait for your research.

I'm not sure though that there would be enough spare Milan missiles to equip a British light infantry unit in this scenario. You could I suppose raid the School of Infantry training establishment if that hadn't already been done to beef up the usual BAOR units.

But VikingTank may well know better.

 

[Farmer12]

Finbarr the Fair- Good point and to tell you the truth after i posted i did start to wonder if the home defense forces had any Milans

 

[sloreck]

Frankly all the ground forces the UK needs at home are those needed to guard installations and be able to react/hunt down any Spetsnatz or sabotage groups. Of course there remains a training establishment. There is no WP threat to the UK any time in the foreseeable future in terms of a ground assault, even if the Soviets reached the channel and nukes have not flown (given French plans highly unlikely), any cross-Channel assault would take quite some time to be more possible than SEALION was OTL. Things like anti-tank weapons can be almost completely shipped to forward deployed forces, that is where they will be needed. Older AT weapons that are in storage will suffice for any potential needs in the UK (anti-vehicle etc). Naturally SAMs, air defense aircraft, and coastal defense ships are a different story.

 

[Farmer12]

sloreck- True, except just enough equipment for training purposes.

 

[Farmer12]

The Belgium Armies 1st Corp have two of the regular division in frontline positions. Initially the newly organized 2nd infantry was holding the front line but when the frontlines were reallocated the 1st Mechanized was put back on the frontline. The total frontline held by the Belgium’s 1st Corp is holding a roughly fifty-kilometer front. With 16th and 1st Divisions each covering half of the frontline. While the in both cases the complete division is on the front line while on brigade from the newly formed 2nd division is located behind each division the 10th Mechanize brigade is setup behind the 16th divisions and the 12th Motorized brigade is setup behind the 1st divisions. Meanwhile the Para commando reinforced by the one of the newly organized Armored battalions with the M-47’s are taking up positions in the Harz Mountains. While the American National Guard units the 31st Armored is being held back as a special Corp reserve. While the 130th and 197th Artillery brigade will provide artillery support.

The 1st Division section of the line runs from Eichenberg to Ebergotzen a distance of about twenty-five Kilometers. The 1th mechanized brigade of the 16th Division position starts in Eichenberg to the village of Hebenshausen to a wood ridge with a good view of the surrounding terrain to the village of Reckershausen along the wooded ridgeline overlooking the open terrain then village of Ludophshausen as a strong point and back to the wooded ridgeline overlooking the village of Lichtenhasen. To the village of Bremke where the 7th Mechanized Brigades sector ends. Then the 17th Armored takes over the line going north and east to another wooded ridgeline and further north and east to another wooded ridgeline then northern along the ridgeline with the village of Wollmarshhausen where a strong point has been set up. Then to another ridgeline more to the west of the other ridgeline with a village of Potzwenden in the middle of the ridge.


Then further north to the along the ridgeline to the village of Ebergotzen where the 16th divisions section of the line begins. The village of Ebergotzen is a strong point. Then along the ridge line to the village of Renshausen and then back to the ridgeline then another strongpoint in the village of Gillersheim then to the village of Lindau the line goes to the village of Katlenburg where the 17th Armored Brigade takes over the line. From Katlendburg to a ridgeline and then to the village of Dorste then to the wooded ridgeline to north. Where the 17th Armored brigades line end with a short gap in the line covered by the tanks of the 17th Armored Brigade.

The Belgium Para Commando regiment is defending the town of Osterode and up to the Dam located here on the map. This section of the line is heavily defended. The fourth battalion which was a cadre unit was filled out with prior service personal and the regiment as a whole is backed up with one of the newly reorganized M-47 Tank battalions with the title of the 3rd Lancers. One company of tanks is attached to each battalion. Three of the four battalions are in defensive positions with one battalion in reserve with its tank company.

Now we can talk about the 1st Belgium Corps reserve units. The other newly organized M-47 tank battalion the 4th Lancer in a reserve position with two to newly form Carabineers companies the troops are mechanized. As you may or may not remember sealift command leased some civilian ROLO ships used to transport cars between the US and Europe and they loaded them up with some lighter vehicles and they also put a fair number of operational M-113 on board. One of the ships docked in Antwerp and we handed over enough M-113’s to transport the units. The original plan had been one company per tank battalion but since the 3rd Lancer was attached to the para commando regiment the second Carabineer Company was attached to the 4th Lancers this amalgamation. This reinforced battalion is setup in an arc in the villages of Willensen, Gittelde and then to the village of Windhausen. The idea is to be in position if the enemy breaks through the line the battalion and its infantry will be in position to deal with the breakthrough if necessary.


The 2nd Divisions brigades are setup in two positions, the 12th Motorized Brigade is setup in and around the village of Westerhof. While the 10th Mechanized brigade is setup in and around the village of Sieboldshausen. The Army National Guard 31st Armored brigade is setup in three battalion sized reaction forces. The 1-131st Armored battalion is setup in and around the village of Moringen. The 2-152nd Armored battalion is setup in and around the village of Dransfeld. While the 1-279th Infantry setup near the village of Hardegsen. Now we will look at the Soviet forces.

The setup is like this the forces facing the Belgium 1st Corp are well a little confusing. The West Germany border Guards have seen patrols from troops from four category D divisions the 357th,358th,359th and the 360th divisions apparently the Corp in charge is the 7th Rifle Corp. The troops, tanks and artillery are all close to the border. The 357th MR division is setup along the line from Bornhagen here on the map to Hohes Kruez. The 358th covers the line from Hohes Kruez to Teistungen. The 359th from Teistungen to Zwinge. The 360th from Zwinge to Ellrich.

Behind this Corp are what looks to be at least two possibly three divisions of Motorized Rifle troops. The units are concentrated in the area of Breitenworbis and Bischofferode one of the problems we are having in getting a good reading on the troops in that area is that the troops stick to the forests. While we have some idea of the forces, we are not sure of the exact strength. Due to the open nature of the terrain we know that two Tank divisions are in the area of Werther and Nordhausen with a Corp command in the area.

In the area of Strausfurt and Sommerda, we know that the 5th Guards Tank army is the army. The army has assigned to it, three tank divisions and one understrength MRD. The reason we know it’s the 5th Guards Tank Army is that a division that has been undergoing training in the Soviet Union the 84th MRD division. We knew that prewar the 84th was assigned to the 5th Guards Tank Army. Now during the initial mobilization, we sort of lost track of various divisions and the armies they were assigned to. But about a week ago the 84th MRD was moved from its training area and sent to Germany. The movement of a division even an understrength division will be watched. So, we watched the division to see where it ended up. The division ended up in the area of Strausfurt and Sommerda.


Previously we had watched the units in the area and we had identified three Tank divisions were in the area. But the problem was we did not know which divisions they were the Soviet had removed all identifying marking from their vehicles and troop. So now we have the 84th MRD and we had also had another bit of luck a radio intercept which made no unit identification but implied that the division in question had been part of the Army in the past. The 84th MRD is understrength it only has about half strength in tanks and the unit is short of APC’s and trucks. That allowed us to put two and two together. We now believe that the 8th Guard Tank division and the 39th and 193rd Tank division are the other divisions and the army is the 5th Guard Tank Army.

At Bad Tennstadt we noticed something a little unusual. We have a collection of tents located inside a barb wired compound. The tents are standard soviet tents that hold twenty men to a tent and the numbers of tent in the compound total three hundred tents and an outside the compound is another group of thirty-nine tent setup on one side of the compound. The men inside the compound are wearing Soviet military uniforms while the troops outside were dressed in KGB uniforms. We think that this is a penal camp for penal troops to be used as needed. We also saw couple of warehouses not far away and those warehouses are under heavy guard. We figure that the weapons for the penal troops are being stockpiled in those warehouses. We estimate between three and four thousand men are inside the compound and another four to five hundred KGB guards on the outside of the compound.

We also see a similar setup in another location the compound and guards on the outside and a heavily defend group of warehouses. This time the location is near town of Sondershausen only the size of the force is different with an estimate number of men inside the compound of five to six thousand troops and at least another five to seven hundred more men on the outside of the compound. So, it looks like we will be seeing some attacks by Soviet Penal troops. We are looking at possible actions that could negate the effectiveness of the penal troops.

Next it looks like there are about four category D divisions, setup in an arc the divisions are setup one division per location. Pointing at the map, Muhlhausen, Unstruttal, Bleicherode and Sonderhausen. None of the units appeared to be engaged in any special operations. One thing we know is that the most of the tanks are T-34/85 with what appears to be some JSU tanks and at least some of the SU-85’S and 100’s. The units appear to be at near full strength when it comes to armor but all of the tanks are obsolete.


Next, we will be looking at the Harz Mountains it looks like two of the Category D divisions have been assigned to the mountains and we know that the divisions are the 370th and the 371st. As usual we have encountered patrolling units from the two division and some of the patrolling units have unit patches. As usual there does not seem to be a lot of unit security.

After looking over the setup of the Soviet forces and the terrain leads us to believe that the four class D divisions will drive forward and push any recon units back to the main line of resistance. Then there will be two concentrated divisional sized attacks. We also believe both attacks will be two pronged. With at least one diversional attack. The southern attack will be two coordinated regiment sized attacks on two sections of the frontline. The southernmost attack will be through this gap here and centered on the village of Friedland. One MR regiment will leaded the attack and I would expect that the divisions tank regiment would be right behind the lead regiment.

The second attack on this section of the line would be made by a MR regiment followed by another MR regiment. We believe this will be more of a secondary attack somewhere between the villages of Bremke and Wollmarshausen. The reason we believe this will be a secondary assault is the terrain which is not favorable to tank operations but if the attack moves forward then it would force reinforcement to be allocated to prevent a breakthrough.

Now the other attacks will be more to the north along the northern edge of the 1st Belgium Corp. We have three potential areas of attack, the first is Ebergotzen, the second would be Katlenberg Lindau, the third potential area of attack would be down this open area between Osterode and Dorste. But the third line of attack has to go through so much defensive terrain that is unlike to be an avenue of attack. The more probable line of attacks would be against Ebergotzen and Katlenberg Lindau.

The attack on Ebergotzen will probably be a MR regiment followed by a second MR regiment we feel that the terrain the Soviets will have to attack through would favor Motorized Infantry. The second attack with a MR regiment leading the way and the division tank regiment will be a part of this attack. The reason is that the terrain in that area favors a tank attack. The assault will first be again Katlenberg Lindau and then on to Northeim.

We believe that the plan is to breakthrough both Friedland to the south and Northeim to the north. Then the two prongs will meet in Gottingen with the plan of creating a cauldron with elements of the 1st and 16th Division. Which would be to pretty destroy the 1st Belgium Corp. Something that would seriously damage the moral of the Belgium. That is something to be considered. Before we go to the next section of the briefing there is a group of what we believe are penal troops those penal troops will be used as a diversion but where just where we do not have an idea.

Also, the two class D division that are setup in the Hartz mountains will be driving any recon and outposts back to the mainline of resistance. We believe that the troops in the mountains are to keep the Belgium Para Commandos and the British troops busy. Now we will turn to the British 1st Corp.

 

[VIKINGTANK]

Please take all the time you need. The excellence of your story is worth the wait for your research.

I'm not sure though that there would be enough spare Milan missiles to equip a British light infantry unit in this scenario. You could I suppose raid the School of Infantry training establishment if that hadn't already been done to beef up the usual BAOR units.

But VikingTank may well know better.

Farmer12/Finbarr the Fair. Having lost our Milan some 2 years previously and being very proficient on CONBAT I would think that the Bn would have deployed with CONBAT (all 6 of them!); if I remember rightly (and I was very young and lowly in rank!) most UK based units (especially the Territorial Army (TA)) had WOMBAT/CONBAT and it is more likely that units with Milan in Germany would have received an upload of spare launchers and what missiles were available. Note: UK was never very good at ordering large quantities of anything especially £10,000 missiles (I know wiki says £7,500)! The UK also never ordered the Explosive Reactive Armour (ERA) defeating 2T missile although 1984 is pre-deployment of Soviet ERA I think.

It is worth noting that while CONBAT was a git to tow, manhandle (easily manhandled by a crew of 3 according to the pamphlet), and dig in it was an enormously destructive weapon firing a High Explosive Squash Head (HESH) round that, in a good fire position, would easily knock out any Soviet tank frontally - until they over run us!

Sorry to interrupt you gleaming story.

 

[Farmer12]

VIKINGTANK- Thanks for the info, 6 WOMBAT/COMBAT is standard for for light battalion, does the job. But it is not easily moveable. I hope to use that info in the storyline.

 

[Farmer12]

Next, we will be looking at the Harz Mountains it looks like two of the Category D divisions have been assigned to the mountains and we know that the divisions are the 370th and the 371st. As usual we have encountered patrolling units from the two division and some of the patrolling units have unit patches. As usual there does not seem to be a lot of unit security. We also know that an MRD division that had been previously been assigned to the north of the Harz Mountain has been moved into a position in the Harz Mountains. It also looks like a tank division has sent from the reserves to replaced the MRD division but we do not know the identity of either of those two divisions. what the exact command structure of the force is we don’t know. But it looks like these units are assigned to sweep the Mountains of NATO forces.
Now we go to the BOAR, the newly formed 5th divisions front has been modified in the last few weeks. The 54th brigade is setup in the Harz Mountains and the units is spread rather thin. The British are relying on the rugged terrains to aid in the defense. The brigade is covering about twenty-two kilometers of the front. The brigade connects with the Belgium troops to the south the first part of the line is setup behind the Sosestausee reservoir then crosses through the mountains to the Okerstausee reservoir setup with the reservoir to their front to the edge of village of Oker. All three of the infantry battalions are on the line while the Armored battalion with attached infantry units is the support force.

The 42nd Brigade will take the next position, covering the next twenty kilometers of the front. From the village of Oker to village of Immenrode then along the tree line going to the village of Weddingen. Then again along the tree line to Klein Dohren then again along the tree line to the village of Liebenburg. Where the 42nd Brigades ends.

Recon units from the 42nd Brigade and the 1st Guards Mechanized recon units. These units, the Duke of Lancaster Own Yeomanry and the both a squadron from the Life Guards and the A squadron of the 15/19 Hussars. from the 1 Guards Mechanized brigade is the reserve brigade for the 5th division. Sitting almost immediately behind the 42nd brigade is the 1st battalion of the Scotts Guards is setup in the forests around Astfeld to cover approaches to Oskar. The 5th RTR is setup by the village of Othfresen. It is expected that the heaviest attacks on the 5th Division will happen against the 42nd Brigade. But both Recon Squadrons are out in front of the

The next division in line was the 1st Tank Division, it takes over the line near Neuenkirchen and the line goes through some stands of trees to the Werlaburgdorf and then on to Borbum then to Dorstadt then to Wolffenbuttel and then to next stand of trees. The line turns east to next tree strip. The length of the front covered by the 1st Tank division is twenty-nine kilometers. The 12th Armored Brigade covers fourteen kilometers of the line from Neuenkirchen to Kissenbruch. While the 22nd Armored brigade takes over the rest of the line from Kissenbruch to one kilometer to the north of the village of Salzdahlum. The 7th Armored brigade broken up into three battalion sized reaction forces. The 3rd Queens regiment located in the village of Flothe. The Royal Hussars are located on the northern end of this stand of trees centrally locate to support all parts of the line. The 2nd RTR is located in the village of Thiede. By the way the both battalions are operating Challengers. Also, one of the 1st Corps recon regiment the 9th/12th Royal Lancer is covering the divisions front.

Then the 4th Armored division takes over the line. The position taken is on the outskirts of Brunswick going north to Volkmarode on to Hondelage on to the villages of Grassel, Wedelheine, Isselbuttel then on to the outskirts of Gifhorn where the Netherlands 1st Corp. The 11th Armored brigade took over from the 22nd Armored brigade and cover the line for fifteen kilometers to just south of the village of Bevenrode. The 33rd Armored brigade cover the rest of the line from Bevenrode to Abbesbutel which is by the Mittelland Canal. The rest of the line is behind the Mittelland Canal then behind the Elbe Sietenkanal to the village of Wabuttel then to Issenbuttel Tankumsom.

Then the reserve brigade of the 4th Armored Division. The 20th Armored brigade is broken up into three battalion sized reaction forces. The 1st Royal Regiment of Wales is positioned inside the town of Brunswick. The Blues and Royals are setup in the village of Miene. The 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guard are near the town of Gifhorn. The 16th /18th Royal Hussars is the recon unit in front of the 4th Armored Division.

The 3rd Tank division, is broke up into three brigade sized forces, the 4th Armored brigade is in position in and around Salzgitter. The 6th Airmobile brigade is in position Peine and the 19th Brigade is setup near Lieferde. The 2nd Infantry division is of course spread out over the whole area.



The Soviet forces along this area of the line is doing something a little strange. None of the first line divisions are setup on the front line. The only units on the front lines are Category D divisions. One Rifle Corp the 9th is setup on the southern half of the British line. We have tentatively identified two divisions the 361st and the 363rd we know another division is setup behind the front lines as a reserve force. The northern half of the line is covered by the 10th Rifle Corp and we have identified all the divisions in the Corp the 364th ,365th ,366th. What is strange is all three divisions are setup on the front line with no reserve divisions.

We also know that the 2nd Guard Army is widely spread out one MRD is located in and around the town of Haberstadt with a second MRD setup near the town of Ochersleben. To the north of that is a tank division since we know this is the 2nd Guard Army we believe this division is the 16th Guard Tank Division. There is a final MRD is setup near the town of Haldensleben. We also know that an independent assault landing brigade is in the area. We have tracked a large number of helicopter flights. So, we do believe that the Soviets are planning some sort of attack or attacks in the British rear area.


We also have in the region a soviet artillery division the 34th Artillery division close to Magdeburg and we also know that a pair of tank divisions the 90TH and the 20th Division are also setup in and around Magdeburg. We lucked out and one of our agents kept his head down during all the troubles. He sent us some information on the units in Magdeburg.



What bothers the intel boys is that the setup does not make a lot of sense. We suspect that they have a plan but we don’t know exactly what they are up to. We will probably find out what they are up to the hard way. But given the fact that the Mitteland Canal is slices across the northern say third of BOAR front and the city of Brunswick fills up the center. That leaves the southern part of the line as the most probable line of attack and the reinforcements are setup in such a way as to deal with that sort of attack



You have the 5th RTR and the 1 Scotts Guards backing up the 42nd brigades with the 7th brigade 3rd Queens Regiment in Clothe. With the Royal Hussars in these trees and the 2nd RTR in Theide. With the 4th brigade setup in the area of Salzgitter with the 1st Irish Guards mech infantry for tank units the Royal Irish Hussars and the 17th /21st Lancers. That means any attack made in that area will meet heavy resistances.

 

[michaelbaneblade]

My God Farmer with these updates you are really teasing Us. Keep her lit sir this is fantastic writing.

 

[Farmer12]

michaelbaneblade- There is an ulterior motive this give me an easy way to check on what units are where when i started the war and that will make my like a lot easier. Also i have been looking over the terrain in google map some of the frontlines are more than just defensible they would be murderous for the attacker to attack. Also i have found some good observation points for defensive units. Giving these units the ability to reach out and touch the Soviets.

 

[Farmer12]

Now we will go 1st Netherland Corp area of the frontline. With the shortening of the line the Dutch have been able to thicken their defenses. While at the same time the 5th Mechanized division a mobilization only division is replacing the 4th Mechanized Division on the frontline. The reason is simple enough, the 4th Mechanized division is almost totally equipped with Leopard 1 tanks with only one tank battalion equipped with Centurions.


That is why the 5th Mechanized Division will take over the defense of the southern portion of the Netherland frontline. The division is setup behind the Elbe Seiten canal starting as Issenbuttel. The frontline is setup behind the Elbe Seiten Canal runs from Issenbuttel to where the L289 crosses the Elbe Seiten Canal will defended by the 52nd Mechanized Infantry. From the bridge to a position two kilometers to south and east of where Highway L286 crosses the canal. The 53rd Mechanized Infantry takes over the defense with the 51st Armored brigade as the division’s reserve brigade. This brigade is broken up into three separate battalion counterattacks. 12th Tank battalion is located in a forested area just south of the village of Wesendorf. While the 16th Mechanized Infantry battalion is setup in the forests to the west of Wagonhoff and the 54th Tank battalion is setup in the woods to the north of town of Gifhorn.


As you may or may not know the 1st and 5th Mechanized division the armored brigades are equipped with Leopards 1 and the Mechanized Brigades are equipped with Centurions.

The 1st Mechanized Division covers the northern part of the 1st Netherlands Corp battle front. The 11th Mechanized Brigade is setup from the 53rd Northern boundary to about one kilometer to the north of the Village of Alt Isenhagen where the 12th Mechanized Brigade takes over the position from Alt Isenhagen to just north of where this road K62 has a bridge crossing the Elbe Sieten Canal. The 13th Armored brigade is setup in three separate battalion sized strike groups. The 49th Tank Battalion setup in the trees around the village Dedelstorf. While the 11th Tank battalion is located in the forest around Sprakensehl. With the 17th Mechanized battalion is setup in the forest area that covers the northern part of the 1st Divisions position.

4th Mechanized division is setup in three brigade sized forces. The 43rd Mechanized Brigade is setup in and around the village of Muden. While the 41st Armored Brigade is setup near the village of Grob Oesingen. While the 42nd Mechanized brigade which has the only battalion of Centurions in the Division is setup near the village of Steinhorst. While the 2nd Infantry division is helping the local territorial army carry out rear area security missions.

We will include the 1st Corp of the Bundeswehr in this section of the briefing with the Netherland 1st Corp because of the situation along this section of the front. The Bundeswehr’s abandonment of the salient has adjust the situation and we will treat the Soviet units on the south side of the Elbe as a single element with different options on attacking the NATO forces.



The 1st Corp of the Bundeswehr has placed the 1st Panzer Division has been placed in command this section of the frontline. The 1st Panzer from near the village of Klein Bollensen to Altenmendingen. The 2nd Panzer Brigade is in charge of defending the section of the line from Klein Bollensen to Emmondorf. While the 1st Panzer Grenadier brigade controls the line from Emmonsdorf to Altenmendingen. With the 3rd Panzer Brigade has setup three battalion sized forces in counter attack positions. 33rd Panzer battalion is setup in and around the town of Suderburg. The 32nd Panzer Grenadier battalion is located in and near the village of Schwienau. The 335th Panzer battalion is located near the village of Natendorf.



The 11th Panzer Grenadier Division takes over the line and controls the line from Emmondorf to the Elbe River. The 31st Panzer Grenadier Brigade is in charge of the line from Emmondorf to the village of Wendisch Evern. Then from Wendisch Evern to the Elbe River the 32nd Panzer Grenadier Brigade with the 33rd Panzer Brigade are the reserve brigade. The 333rd Panzer battalion is setup in and around the village of Barnstedt. With the 331st Panzer Grenadier battalion is setup near the village of Reppenstedt. With the 334th Panzer battalion setup near the village of Wittorf.


Now we will look at the Corp reserves. The 27th Fallschirmjaeger Brigade is setup near the village of Amelinghausen. While the 3rd Panzer Division is broken up into three separate brigade sized reaction forces. The 8th Panzer brigade is setup near the village of Wroidel covering the 1st Panzer division section. While the 7th Panzer Grenadier Brigade is setup near the village of Betzendorf. The 9th Panzer Lehr Brigade is near the village of Radbruch. It does not seem that positioning of the elite Panzer Lehr Brigade here but none the less as the showcase Panzer brigade it can be considered an elite formation.

The Corps final division is the 7th Panzer Division has been setup in an arc roughly covering both the 1st Netherland Corp and the 1 Bundeswehr Corp. The German Command staff made the decision with consultation with NATO forces has been turn into a division sized reaction force. The 19th Panzer Grenadier is located near the town of Bergen here, while the 20th Panzer Brigade is setup near the village of Wietzendorf and the 21st Panzer Brigade is located near the village of Munster. The plan is to use the division as a divisional sized counter attack force to counter attack any major breakthrough the frontlines.



The Soviet forces facing the 1st Netherland Corp are relatively small in size. There are four Category D divisions. All four divisions and the Corps that control the divisions have been identified. The Corp identification is the 11th Corp and the divisions are the 361st and 362nd. This Corp will attack the 5th Mechanized Division. We know that there are a pair of Motorized Rifle Divisions setup behind the Rifle Corps. Given the size of the attacking forces and the fact that the terrain immediately behind the Dutch units is rugged terrain. Causes us to believe that the mission of the Soviet Unions units facing the 1st Netherland Corp are supposed to keep the Dutch busy while the main attacks are elsewhere.


There is a formation of Soviet units in an arc from Holzhausen to Osterwohle then on to Cheine. In this area we know that there are at least three MRD division possibly four. We expect that the divisions will cut across the empty salient and moving on the Bundeswehrs 1st Corp. But we also know that an artillery division that was once in this area has been moved to the south to the area around the village of Klotze. While the Air Assault Brigade has also moved to the south to an airport near Stendal and it is engaged in a series of mock attacks. This weakens the attack being carried out against this section of the frontline. This causes us to believe that the Soviets may not be planning a serious attack against the Bundeswehrs 1st Corp. But it may be a feint designed for us to move units to the south.

The forces that has been concentrated against the 1st Panzer Division has been moved to the south we have been able to give those forces a good looking over. One tank division the 117th Guards Tank Division and one MRD division the 60th along with command elements we believe this is the 21st Tank Corp. The Corp has moved to a group of forests near village of Bismark to village of Hohenwulsh. While the three Category three division are located near the tip of the salient have been kept in their setup positions. We believe their mission will be to clear the salient from the tip.

 

[Farmer12]

As, for the units located to the north of the Elbe but were supposed to attack the salient. The bulk of the first attack group has remained in position. The force is composed of two tank divisions but we do not have any confirmation which division. But the artillery division which we did identify as the 149th Guards Artillery division and this unit has been moved closer to the front. I will go into greater detail once I come to the area that this unit is involved in. As for the two tank divisions their mission is not clear we do see that river crossing equipment is in the area as to whether the division are going to cross the river and support the attack on the Bundeswehrs 1st Corp or move toward the west and support the attack against the 3rd Corp. The next unit we will talk about is the 5th Independent Guards Corp with the 16th Artillery division which have been moved to the area of the US Armies 3rd Corp Front.

Next, we will look at the section of the line defended by the 3rd Corp US Army as well as all units to the north of the Elbe. With the decision to setup the line of defense behind the Lubeck Elbe Canal does cause some problems for our forces. The southernmost section of the line is located very close to the inner border. We can expect the frontline units to be hit with very heavy artillery. We believe that this would be the best approach. We also expect that the major attack to breach the line will be in this section of the line. Also, there is not enough space to allow the 3rd Cavalry to operate.

The 2nd Armored Division is to defend this section of the line from Elbe River to the village of Grambek. The 3rd brigade which is the mechanized brigade of the 2nd Armored division is given the mission of holding the section of the line closest to the inner border. From the Elbe river to the village of Buchen. The 1st Armored Brigade is defending the section of the line from Buchen to the village of Grambek. All units are setup behind the Elbe Lubeck Canal. The 2nd Armored brigade of the 2nd Armored division is setup in reserve positions. The 1st/41st Inf. Is setup in the trees close to the village of Kollow. The 3rd /66th Armored battalion is setup in the forest to the north west of the village of Schwarzenbek. With the final armored battalion is setup behind the 2nd Armored 2ND Brigade the 3rd /67th Armored battalion is setup in the forest near the village of Fuhlenhagen.

The 5th Infantry division is covering the remaining section of the 3rd Corps Battlefront. From Grambek to the village of St. Jurgen. The 5th Infantry division 2nd Brigade is set up from Grambek to just south of the village of Hollenbek. While the 256th Infantry brigade setups up from the end of the 2nd brigade to the village of St Jurgen. The 3rd/52nd battalion is setup in the tree to the west of village of Walksfelde. The 4th/70th Armored is setup in the trees to the north of the village of Labenz. The 5th /70th Armored is setup in the trees near the village of Trenthorst.


The remaining forces the 6th Calvary brigade will operate all along the line of the 3rd Corps Battle frontage. While the 1st Calvary Division is the 3rd Corp reserve. The 1st Brigade of the 1 Cavalry Division is setup in this large section of Forest to the north of the Village of Dassendorf. While the 155th Armored Brigade is setup around the villages of Tremsbuttel. While the 2nd Brigade of the 1st Cavalry is setup further to the north behind the 6th Panzer Grenadier Division near the village of Rolhstorf. While the 3rd Cavalry regiment is setup even further back near the village of Sulfeld.

The 6th Panzergrenadier Divisions covers the remainder of the line. The 16th Panzer Grenadier Brigade from St Jurgen and then to the northern edge of the city of Lubeck the entire line is either behind a canal or a much broader waterway on the west side of the city. While the 17th Panzer Grenadier Brigade takes over the line is also using the waterway in front of it positions as a defensive moat. The line ends on the Baltic coast at the village of Dorfteich. That ends the north part of the line. The 182nd Panzer Grenadier battalion is located in the trees north of the village of Badendorf. 183rd Panzer Battalion is located by the village of Arfrade. With the 184th Panzer Battalion is locate by the Ratekau the briefing on Denmark will be tomorrow and now we will look at the Soviet frontline force to the north of the Elbe.


The Soviet forces that will attack the 3rd Corp and the Bundeswehrs 6th Panzergrenadier Division are as follows. The units facing the 2nd Armored are three tank divisions we are certain of that and between three and four Category Divisions. While the two Artillery divisions the 149th Guards Artillery division and the 16th Artillery divisions, have been moved behind the initial attack force. Having two Artillery divisions will greatly increase the 2nd Armored problems with holding their current positions. While the 6th Independent Guards Corp is now apparently being used as an Operational Maneuver Group.


The Polish Army is facing the 5th Infantry Division as well as the 6th Panzer Grenadier Division. The sheer number of troops facing the 5th Infantry is rather daunting. Each brigade is facing what appears to be a Corp of troops with in one case two mechanized infantry division backed up with a Tank division. This Corp is facing the 5th ID’s 2nd Brigade. While the 256th Brigade is face by a Corp composed of three mechanized divisions two forward and one behind. Each of the attacking Corps is backed up by a Corp. Each Corp is composed of two Tank divisions and one Mechanized Division. The remaining three to five division being of the lowest quality divisions in the Polish Army are facing the 6th Panzer Grenadier Division. The units are apparently a defensive force since the Satellite evidence points to the complete lack of amphibious equipment of any kind and a definite lack of helicopters assigned to these division. Leads us to believe that there will be major attacks on the 6th Panzer Grenadiers. But it is possible some of the troops from these second line divisions could attack into Lubeck but all the bridges in the city are going to be blown as soon as the war breaks out. The 6th Panzer Grenadiers will only hold the outskirts of the city. But the main battle will be with the 3rd Corp and only if the Poles breakthrough the line will the German 6th Panzer Grenadiers begin see a real fight.

 

[Farmer12]

We will do a brief overview of the Soviet Armies strategic reserve and the forces around Berlin. General Rogers asked a question do you have the information on our expectations on Soviet actions relating to both, the island of Bornholm and Denmark. The briefer responded that he could get the information in just a few minutes and go over what they had. General Rogers nodded his head commenting that despite the arbitrary boundary placing Denmark and its island of Bornholm as part of AFNORTH it is to close the CentCom. The officers in the briefing sat considering what they had heard so far. While General Rogers was considering his options.

Then a light colonel came into the room he was an airborne officer with rows of ribbons showing he had been in Vietnam both in a line unit and as an advisor. Lt. Col. Robert Muller was a black officer from Franklin Tennessee he had a slight southern accent. His last name was frequently the cause of confusion with the Germans he met. He always explained that when his family was freed the family that had owned his family were the Mullers and his family had taken the name. For what reason he did not know but that was his family name.

The primary briefer handed over this section of the briefing to Lt. Col. Muller. Muller went straight in to the briefing. The first location to be attacked will be Bornholm. We cannot believe that the Soviets will want to open up Denmark to attack so taking Bornholm is a must before attacking Denmark. We are just no sure how soon the attack on Bornholm will be made. Part of the problem with predicting the attack is how quickly the attack will happen.

But by the positioning of the WARSAW PACT forces the 7th Landing Division and the 336th Naval Landing brigade with their amphibious vehicles are in the area of Rostock East Germany. We also see indications that MRD division is located close to Stralsund and we believe that this division is set up to be reinforcements for the units invading Denmark. This leaves them closer to Denmark than Bornholm and we believe these units will not take part in the attack on Bornholm. While the 1St Airborne Corp with the 7th Guards and 76th Guards Airborne divisions are still in Lithuania. These units are engaged in Corp sized airborne operations. This leads us to believe that this force is not to be sent against Bornholm, but against Denmark.

This leaves the 7th Air landing Divisions which is essentially a brigade sized Airborne unit and the 38th Airborne Assault Brigades. We do have a large number of informants from many sources especially the Roman Catholic church. Information have told us that the two units will be involved in the attack. The fact that the 7th Air Landing Division since it is still at its Polish bases, makes sense that this division will be part of the attack on Bornholm. The 38th Brigade like all Airborne Assault brigades it has a regiment of Helicopters to transport the troops of that brigade to Bornholm. What further clinches this belief is that the 38th Air landing Assault Brigade is now based in and around the Polish city of Kolobrzeg. From here the island of Bornholm is in easy range of the brigade’s helicopters.

We are not sure which units will garrison the island a regiment the 1392nd Rifle Regiment from the 422nd Rifle Division is located in the same area and we feel that this force will garrison Bornholm. Also, we have received reports that an additional Airborne Regiment is reportedly moving into the area the unit is identified as the 1085th Airborne brigade. The problem is that the only 1085th listed in the Soviet Order of Battle is an independent infantry battalion. The information we have received is somewhat confusing but essentially two battalions of airborne troops with a limited command structure and no support units. The agents in Kolobrzeg refer to the 1085th A and the 1085th B. I believe that the what we are seeing an attempt of disinformation to confuse us. We manage to find out about the unit, we figure we are only facing a battalion when in fact a brigade.

The sudden appearance of the additional troops is due to possible reappraisal of the chances of success of a possible attack on Bornholm. The forces defending Bornholm is a force of three infantry battalions and an artillery battalion plus one tank company made up of M-41dk’s. The original force was originally more of a two to one force level. The additional brigade of troops bringing, the balance more to the advantage of the attacker.

Now looking at Denmark, we believe the previous mentioned forces the 1st Airborne Corp with the 6th, 7th ,79th will be a part of the initial attack. But looking at the number of transport planes in the area no more than two divisions can be transported at one time. Two airborne divisions will be part of the airborne assault. While the 7th Sea landing Division which is essentially an amphibious landing brigade and the 336th Naval landing brigade will carry out the amphibious landing. The surviving amphibious craft then can go back to Rostock and pickup troops from the 2nd MRD to reinforce the landing operation. We believe that one airborne division and both the 7th Air landing division and possibly the 38th Air Assault Brigade would be in reserve we. But believe that there is sufficient gear to rearm the two units and replace their casualties so that these two units could take part in an attack on Denmark.

Facing this force on the island of Zeeland is the 82nd Airborne and the one O worst as well as the 30th Armored brigade, 39th Infantry brigade as well as two brigades of Danish troops with two battalions of reservists. Also, a pair of Guards battalions in Copenhagen which may or may not be released to help with the defense of the island of Zeeland. There are also assorted support units. We believe this force is capable of defending the island of Zeeland. But we also believe that is the situation demands it we could be drained forces to help defend West Germany or the Jutland peninsula. Especially with the number of Polish and Soviet units facing 3rd Corp. Lt. Col. Muller wondered if he would hear about his jab at the 101st but he did not care he was an 82nd Airborne man.

Another officer stood up to take over the briefing on the Jutland Peninsula. We know that the island of Zeeland well protected even if the choking chickens are part of the force defending the island of Zeeland. This comment brought a few snickers it was obvious this man was a 101st man.

The forces involved in the defense of the Jutland Peninsula are as follows the Danish Army Jutland Division with its three brigades has been move south to the Kiel defensive line. While the remaining forces an antitank battalion the Jutland Dragoons and three motorized infantry battalions the 1st ,2nd ,3rd Schleswig Regiment as well as one artillery battalion the North Jutland Artillery these forces have been turned into three quick reaction groups with tanks, motorized infantry and artillery. These three forces will react to any attempts by the WARSAW PACT forces attacking the rear areas there are also local defense battalion one infantry and one artillery battalion in each of the three military regions. One of the quick reaction groups is assigned to each of the military regions.

The additional NATO forces that have been sent to defend Denmark. We have the US Guard units are the 28th Infantry division as well as the 58th and 73rd Infantry brigades note that the two infantry brigades are both leg infantry units like the 28th ID but each brigade has an armored battalion and an artillery battalion attached to each brigade. While the French have sent the 6th light Armored Division as well as a brigade of French Foreign Legion. The British Armies 1st Brigade and the ACE mobile forces are also defending along the Kiel Canal. Given the terrain in this area the canal makes the best defensive line we have.

We have a force of nine brigade equivalent holding the frontline with four reaction forces. This force is barely enough to hold the line and still have a reserve force. Most of the units are primarily infantry units with a limited number of mechanized and armored forces. Each brigade holds a front line of roughly twelve kilometers. The first sixty kilometers are covered by American force the 28th divisions and the two independent brigades. The brigades in the lines go this way the 2nd, 55th, 56th,58th and 73rd infantry brigades. The French Foreign Legion covers the next section of the line, with the 1st brigade British Army and the ACE force also of brigade strength. Finally. the Jutland division holds the remaining section of the line.

The reserve force are as follows the Commander of the 28th ID organized a brigade sized force using the division armored battalion, Calvary squadron and the one mechanized battalion. Respectively the 1/103rd Armor, the 1/104th Calvary and the 1/109th Mechanized infantry. The next reserve force is made up of the French 6th Light Armored division finally the Danish 1 Jutland Mechanized infantry as well as an ad hoc force made up of the Danish the 5th Jutland Dragoons essentially a reconnaissance battalion and a motorized infantry battalion the 1st Funen Life.

Its is admitted that the current number troops and equipment may not be sufficient to hold this line. But this is the first best defensive line we have. Also, we do expect that some of the forces retreating from the WARSAW Pact forces will retreat passed this line. Thus, reinforcing the line. That completes the briefing on the Denmark.