Slow Drift to War Europe 1984

[sloreck]

There is storage and there is storage. If you store stuff properly it remains usable, if not maybe you can fix it and maybe not. The simpler a piece of gear is, the easier it is to store it properly and the faster it is to put it back in service. A pistol or rifle, pretty easy, a truck not quite so easy, an armored vehicle, more work, an aircraft hard to do, and ships take a lot of work no matter how well stored. As an example, just think about what it takes to get an auto that has been sitting in a barn for 20+ years back in to running condition as opposed to one that has been properly garaged even if rarely if ever run. On top of this there is the issue of spare parts. If you have a factory that makes heavy duty transmissions, when you change over from tank model A to tank model B you eventually stop making parts for A's transmission and use your capacity for stuff for B. Just one example, for old cars you have a few specialty companies that make and stock these things, in a system with limited capacity for manufacturing this won't happen.

As I have noted before, one of the problems in the USSR was all sorts of corruption. Sure if you got caught things were bad, but the odds of getting caught were low - who actually did a detailed inspection of leftover 1950 era gear stored in out of the way warehouses, not just the easiest stuff to get to. Lots of parts off military gear could be sold "on the left" as they said, as well as stuff that had scrap value. No doubt there was lots of useful old stuff lying around, but I wonder what percentage of the vehicles, armor etc was actually going to drive away with the proper fittings - sights, working radios etc. I expect a very large percentage would be cannibalized.

Does anyone know if the USSR had an equivalent to the US boneyard? The USA was lucky with that wide open space in a perfect climate for preservation (as well as a good system for it). I would expect any "saved" aircraft in the USSR were not stored in conditions so favorable or so carefully.

 

[duckie]

There is storage and there is storage. If you store stuff properly it remains usable, if not maybe you can fix it and maybe not. The simpler a piece of gear is, the easier it is to store it properly and the faster it is to put it back in service. A pistol or rifle, pretty easy, a truck not quite so easy, an armored vehicle, more work, an aircraft hard to do, and ships take a lot of work no matter how well stored. As an example, just think about what it takes to get an auto that has been sitting in a barn for 20+ years back in to running condition as opposed to one that has been properly garaged even if rarely if ever run. On top of this there is the issue of spare parts. If you have a factory that makes heavy duty transmissions, when you change over from tank model A to tank model B you eventually stop making parts for A's transmission and use your capacity for stuff for B. Just one example, for old cars you have a few specialty companies that make and stock these things, in a system with limited capacity for manufacturing this won't happen.

As I have noted before, one of the problems in the USSR was all sorts of corruption. Sure if you got caught things were bad, but the odds of getting caught were low - who actually did a detailed inspection of leftover 1950 era gear stored in out of the way warehouses, not just the easiest stuff to get to. Lots of parts off military gear could be sold "on the left" as they said, as well as stuff that had scrap value. No doubt there was lots of useful old stuff lying around, but I wonder what percentage of the vehicles, armor etc was actually going to drive away with the proper fittings - sights, working radios etc. I expect a very large percentage would be cannibalized.

Does anyone know if the USSR had an equivalent to the US boneyard? The USA was lucky with that wide open space in a perfect climate for preservation (as well as a good system for it). I would expect any "saved" aircraft in the USSR were not stored in conditions so favorable or so carefully.

Yeah, but but those tanks are build to be Russian Soldier Proof:

take a look at the YouTube clips:

 

[sloreck]

Oh I agree a lot of Russian equipment was designed to used by and maintained by folks with limited skills. Ask yourself how much work did it take to get those working. No matter how soldier proof if the seals and gaskets on the engine/drive train are shot they have to be replaced. If the battery in the stored half track/prime mover for an artillery unit has been removed, it needs to be replaced.

Those videos are cool, but they don't show what was done before they got those things to start...and also what it would take to get them in to condition to be on a battlefield. You can be sure that there would be a lot of stripping down, removing rust etc before you'd dare fire the main gun...

 

[duckie]

Oh I agree a lot of Russian equipment was designed to used by and maintained by folks with limited skills. Ask yourself how much work did it take to get those working. No matter how soldier proof if the seals and gaskets on the engine/drive train are shot they have to be replaced. If the battery in the stored half track/prime mover for an artillery unit has been removed, it needs to be replaced.

Those videos are cool, but they don't show what was done before they got those things to start...and also what it would take to get them in to condition to be on a battlefield. You can be sure that there would be a lot of stripping down, removing rust etc before you'd dare fire the main gun...

I agree, but those two vids are on the extreem side. As the satelite images showed, a lot where stored in sheds etc, and where moving under there own power. Even if only a third of them can move/fire there guns/get to Germany. You still be talken about 8.000 to 10.000 tanks that need to be figured in to the plans of the NATO generals.

 

[Farmer12]

kaymay thankyou I will look into it

 

[Farmer12]

kaymay I checked information actually its a little more interesting than i first realized apparently the Austrians created a line of bunkers using a variety of tanks T-34's. As well as Centurion tanks they bought from the Netherlands for the price of scrap metal, the 105mm guns were still in good condition and then they put the tanks in bunkers along the borders to delay attacking enemy troops both NATO and WARSAW pact. Thank you for that bit of info it could make and interesting addition to the story

 

[Farmer12]

sloreck and Duckie- for some reason the notification system did not tell me you had posted so I only found out when i went to the end and found the posts. Both of you are right, sloreck is correct that members of the military did sell off a lot of gear to make some money on the side.

But Duckie is correct about the Russian equipment being exceptionally durable. He mentioned the long white buildings full of equipment and i have seen video on Youtube showing those building and remember that the Soviet Union had only just stopped build the T-34/85 in 58 and the Czechs were making a variant later than that and it mounted a 100mm cannon similar to the T-55. Also a large amount of spare parts still should be available and produced. If for no other reason than to sell to all the countries still using the T-34/85 at the time. It would a lot easier to bring those tanks on line in 1984 than today. By the way if i am not mistaken that second armored vehicle was an SU-152. i am going by the bore of the cannon.

 

[Farmer12]

1pm NDHQ Winnipeg Yesterday the PM had ordered the bring of several militia units up to full combat readiness. Today they were going to start the process, but with the idea of forming two new brigades around the two new tank regiments. The new 2nd Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group would be formed at Petawawa the 1st and 3rd infantry battalion RCA as well as the 2nd regiment RCHA and the 2nd Combat Engineers Regiment as well as the new Leopard II regiment would form the core of the brigade all that they needed was a recon regiment and to find two infantry companies to fill out the two regular battalions.

It was decided that new Leopard unit would be merged with the 3rd Hussar a militia unit. For reasons of morale the current company of the battalion becoming the recon unit of the battalion Personnel trained in the maintaining and support of Leopard II would be formed into a support company for the new 3rd Hussars and the Bundeswehr had assigned personnel to give the Canadians on the job training work on and support the Leopard II’s. The next unit on the list was the Governor Generals Horse Guards, it would be the main recon unit for the brigade. The reason for its selection was that it already had two almost full-strength companies with almost all of the equipment for the units to be semi combat ready. That meant finding a limited number of personnel as well as equipment for the three reconnaissance companies that were going to be attached to the brigade. As well as a limited amount of equipment for those same companies.

The decision was made, rather than attaching a company to each battalion they would add the two most combat ready of the infantry battalions in the province of Ontario to the brigade. It would make for a slightly reinforced brigade when it came to infantry, but it was felt doing this would mean the two regular battalions fighting strength and the extra two companies would make for the Regulars perceived weakness of the militia units. The Governor General’s Foot Guards and the 1st battalion of the Queens Own Rifles of Canada. The two battalions each had nearly two full companies of troops. It meant taking the two battalions to carry out the mission of one battalion, but the units would at least have a cohesive leadership and unit identity. All they needed to do was fill out the manpower including some track commanders and drivers.


All of whom were former regular army personnel. That would make things even easier. That would ease the units had be conversion to mechanized status. Then the discussion turned to the possibility of mobilizing the Supplementary Ready Reserve. It was decided to approach the Prime Minister to put it to a vote in Parliament. When some of the officers pointed out that he might hesitate to go before the Parliament to mobilize the SRR. The senior officer commented, **We tell him if he wants the additional brigades mobilized than that is one of the requirements. I will talk to him about after this meeting. He wanted a briefing on what we are going to do, and it will ask him to ask the Parliament to mobilize the SRR.**


The request for 350 M-113’s should allow for the total reequipping of all for battalions with tracked APC. It would permit a major improvement a different story and while the ACAV variants were in short supply all other variant were available in quantity especially the M106’s, the M132’s as well as the standard M-113A1’s, M-557’s were also available to but not in the same numbers. The Americans were also offering Sheridan tanks to but so far there had been no takers. But new brigade’s artillery battalion was short thirteen M-109’s. The Canadian Army had place an order for twenty-four new M-109s but had not received them. The plan would be to press for the all new field pieces to be delivered or at least all twenty-four M-109’s in the hand of National Guard unit that were not likely to be sent to Europe hand some over.

The Canadian army had plenty of trained track crews and gun crews in the reserves that could be organized and simply added to the battalions along with the other personnel. The same was for the trained support personal with all the personal who had been in the service filling out the support units would not be a problem finding them equipment was a bit of a different story. But a good officer made do with what he had or at least that was what the people organizing the new brigade told themselves.

Then the discussion turned to the second brigade, this brigade would be a tougher proposition to organize. The tank battalion was not properly organized or trained. But with the 5th brigade head to Europe its base at Valcartier would be used to for the new brigade’s temporary brigade while it was being formed. The 3e group brigade mecanise du Quebec would be the name of the new brigade.

It was decided to fold the newly organized M-60a1 units into the Sherbrooke Hussars and utilize any of the light armored vehicles to form the recon element of the regiment. The Royal Canadian Hussars would become the recon regiment for the new brigade with a company from the Le Regiment Du Hull to make it as two company recon battalion. Some discussion was made about converting M-113’s into Lynx variant or get some of the ACAV variant of the M-113’s.

Then the discussion turned to the organization of the new brigade. They picked three battalions each with two companies. The 1st battalion, The Black Watch of Canada, the 1st Battalion, The Canadian Grenadier Guards and the 1er Bataillon le Regiment de Saguenay were to be three infantry battalions of this brigade. The 1er bataillon, les fusilier de Sherbrooke would be added to the brigade and a company from one of the other regiments would be attached to the battalion to make it a two-company battalion. The 1er bataillion les Voltiguer de Quebecs only full strength company would be given the job. Then the 35th Combat Engineer Regiment would be also attached to the new brigade with levies of equipment and personnel to fill out the battalion. The general poor attitude of the regular Mobile Command to the Militia units made the decision to reinforce the brigades infantry contigent as an absolute necessity.

This that the Armored battalion and the recon battalion as well as the equivalent of two reinforced infantry battalions and the Engineer unit were sort of taken care of. They would still have to scramble a bit to fill out the various units. But the artillery battalion was another story. The problem the Canadian Army had run out of field pieces to fill out the current units much less organize a new artillery battalion. That could be an insurmountable problem. It was decided to approach the US army about receiving an additional eighteen guns.

The discussion then turned to looking over the list of equipment the Canadian army had and the list of M-113 the new brigades would need. It was also agreed that civilian vehicles would have to be purchased to fill in the gaps in the support units.

Late in the afternoon the Prime Minister was briefed he listened to the decisions made by the planning group. He was not enthused about what he was doing but he had made the decision and he had to follow through. The request that he go to parliament and call on it to mobilize the SRR caught him off guard and he commented that the NDP and even some of his own party members would against the plan. But one of his political advisors pointed out that the Conservative party would support him. They also could point out to the dissidents that if they voted against their party the Prime Minister could always organized a government of National Unity with the Conservatives. He believed that the dissidents would be to afraid of a loss of influence to actually bring down their own government.

 

[Farmer12]

1pm Ellsworth AFB
General Talbot looked over the readiness reports from the bomber wing and the Missile wing the reports stated that the readiness for all units were at an all-time. The crisis had his maintenance crews motivated. They could for once see that the demands made by their superiors had good reasons behind them. He had the officers and men of the base watch a training film about how to prep a base for a nuclear strike. The movie was about a fighter base the concepts were the same. Whether the base would survive the initial strike unlikely in the extreme but no one was going to say he had not prepared for every eventuality.

One bit of good news was that someone was thinking about post war situation by stockpiling a large amount of food at the old Black Hills Ordnance Depot. It did have a rather large protective force but he supposed in a post nuclear war America a supply of food should be heavily defended.

4pm BWI airport
A representative from MI-6 arrived at BWI airport from London Heathrow, he was picked up by a fellow agent and taken to a hotel. But the local man did not know what was going on and he knew better than to ask. Need to know was need to know and he did not need to know. What he did know was that he had been ordered to ask for a meeting with the State departments intelligence department the INR. Beyond that he had no idea what was up. As he drove the other agent to his hotel he briefed him on the time of the meeting and who he would be meeting with.


6 PM Bonne Germany
The Secretary of Defense Cap Weinberger, stepped off the plane and he was immediately off to briefing with the Ambassador and he received the assurances that General Roger would be in Bonne by midmorning and the two men would have time to talk over several different matters. Then they would go to a meeting with Chancellor Kohl. Cap also talked to the Secretary of Agriculture, making sure that adequate supplies of food would be shipped over to Europe and West Germany in particular to help make sure that the people of West Germany would one less worry in their lives. He also asked the Secretary of Agriculture to attend one of the meeting he was going to have with General Rogers. The morale of the civilian population was of a critical in war and a full belly would go a long way to keep that morale high.

10am Papeete Tahiti
The destroyer Aconit sailed out of port heading to the Solomons, the location of the legendary Iron Bottom Sound. Now it looked like in another world war the Aconit might find itself in battle in that very sound. The name was grim, the history for American Navy, the Japanese Navy and even to the Royal Australian Navy proved that. But in seven days the Aconit would be patrolling in those very waters.

 

[Farmer12]

11/10 July M+16 Wellington New Zealand
1st battalion RNZIR had completed it move to Australia and the despite the distraction of Bougainville the 2nd/1st was now on its way to Australia while the while the Queens Alexandra’s Mounted Rifle was now on the way to Australia on board two landing ships with a pair of freighters carrying the rest of the equipment of the 1st New Zealand brigade was on board. The convoy by a pair of New Frigates leaving only one frigate still operating in the water around New Zealand.

The companies forming the new battalions for the new 2nd brigade where pretty much all in one spot along with each battalion’s support units. But the brigade command and support units were at this time pretty rudimentary. Both Prime Minister Muldoon and Bob Jones had made it a point to visit the troops 2nd /1st as they departed New Zealand for Australia. Both Muldoon and Jones commented about Lange not showing up for the departing troops. The fact that Lange had not attended the departure of the troops was commented on by members of the press.

Lange reply was that he was to saddened by the thought of the possible waste of young lives in what he believed to be an unjust war. Had made it impossible for him to attend the departure of the battalion. But the failure to show up for the departure of the troops was another blow against him. The fear that Lange’s policies might leave New Zealand all alone in a hostile world. The watching Australia making common cause with France in this crisis because of concerns about the reliability of New Zealand to the ANZUS alliance was also hitting home.

The situation was that while the electorate was not happy with Muldoon, but Lange had not made a good impression the fact that Australia was making it clear that it would make other security ties in case New Zealand did not live up to the ANZUS treaty hit home with a lot of people. At the same time Jones was making it clear that he would support the ANZUS alliance and his comments about Ronald Reagan that while he was not his first choice as the president of the United States. He made it clear that whoever was Prime Minister had to be at least be able to deal with Reagan and the United States in a rational manner. Something he seriously doubted that Lange could do.

Inside the Labor party there was a split, inside the party. While the hard left of the Labor Party was sure that the people agreed with and would vote for the Labor Party because of its unbending stand again American aggression. The larger more moderate wing of the party was equally certain that they would not be. One thing was for sure the 14th of July would tell all.

10am Moscow Sitting in the waiting room just outside the location where the Stavka met the senior officer in charge of the Central Front was considering his options. He was going to give a briefing on the forces available including the tank and troops strength. The frontlines were the borders Czechoslovakia and East Germany as well as the Baltic. The targets were North Austria as well as West Germany and Denmark. With troops coming from Czechoslovakia, Poland as well as the military districts of Belarus, Baltic and Volga with some troops from the Leningrad Military District and even the Moscow Military district if necessary.

He was not looking forward to briefing STAVKA, you never knew who would suddenly decide they were the next Zhukov. For that reason, you had tread carefully when you did these briefings. As also knew that there were members of the Soviet General Staff that were agitating for an immediately offensive against NATO. They argued that if the Soviet Union delayed for too long. It would soon become much harder for the Soviet Army to win the war. He was not happy about the sudden rush to war he still had units to make ready for war and he actually had planned to use some of the new divisions mobilized in early July to be used in the upcoming campaign. He personally felt a more reasonable goal would early August. But he would do what he was ordered to do that is if the General Staff got its way.

But until that order came he would be cautiously optimistic but he would make it clear that he still had some units to be brought up to the proper level of training. He would also show case his coordination of the attack on Austria with the High Command of the Southwestern Direction. Then a senior general came into the waiting room and he told the General that he could in and start his briefing.

For a moment he studied the members of STAVKA, he began his briefing, **I will begin my briefing going over the current fighting strength readiness and location of Warsaw forces in the area of my command. First, I will begin in the south, Czechoslovakia. We now again have five divisions of the Soviet Army. I have returned the 28th Army Corp with the 31st tank division and the 30th MRD, back to Czechoslovakia. The 28th Corp had been a part 1st Combined Arms Army for a very long time and I felt it was best to keep the divisions united under a commander they know.

I have also pulled the Czech divisions that were used in the suppression of the East German Revolt back to Czechoslovakia. The 1st Tank Division and the 19th MRD are two of the best divisions in the Czech Army. I felt that those two divisions are essential to operations against both Austria and Bavaria. Other divisions will be used to replace those four division.

As for the divisions of the 28th Corp have the 31st Tank has almost completed the switch over form T-62’s to T-72’s. Currently it almost has it entire compliment of tanks with one tenth of its fighting strength still using the T-62. The 30th Guard MRD has completed its switch to the T-72 with a full complement of tanks and we also have stored at the divisions main base a reserve of tank a few T-62’s and T-72’s. The other divisions of 1st Combined Arms Army such as the 15th Guards Tank Division is also converting to T-72’s but at this time it too have about ten percent of its fighting strength are still T-62’s and it is slightly under strength. The 18th Guard MRD also trasntioning over to the T-72 while at this time roughly a third of its fighting strength are still in the form of T-62’s. The division also has roughly fifty T-62’s still at its bases and those tank, are as of now being held as replacements for combat losses. The of these divisions all right combat ready at this time.



Now for the Czech Army, I will break up my description of the division in levels of combat readiness - the 1st Tank Division is at full strength and is combat ready with a full complement of T-72 tanks. It is the only division in the Czech Army with a full complement of T-72’s. The 4th and 9th Tank Divisions are both at full combat strength and readiness but is complement of tanks are made up of T54/55’s. As for the Motorized Rifle Divisions the 2nd, 15th 19th and 20th are all at full strength and readiness with full complement of T54/55’s.

We have three category III divisions. Now the 13th Tank Division is at full strength and has a complete compliment of T-54/55’s but is its still undergoing training. The 14th Tank Division is also undergoing training as for its complement of tanks it had mostly T-54/55’s but it does have a battalion of T-34/100 still in its order of battle. As for 3rd MRD is also still undergoing training it almost have a full complement tanks most of the tanks are T-54/55 but it does have a battalion of T-72’s. **



Now the only remaining units left are the three mobilization only units the divisions are the 16th Tank Division, the 18th MRD and the 26th MRD. All of these division are still undergoing training and as of yet are not combat ready. But by the end of the month the divisions should be ready enough for holding and or screening operation. All the divisions have full complements of tanks. The division just need to be properly trained. Also the Czech Army has one hundred and twenty T5-/55’s ready to be used as replacements for any battle losses. Any questions about the readiness of the Forces in Czechoslovakia. **

One member of STAVKA just had to ask, **Any idea why one division has a battalion of T-34’s and why a category III division has a T-72 battalion of tanks. ** The General responded, The T-72 battalion is easy enough to understand. When the T-72 was first assigned to Czech Army they formed a special training battalion with the 3rd MRD and they never got around to disbanding it. While the T-34/100 battalion is that they still work so why not use them. ** There where, no more questions.


Then General then turned his attention to operational plans. We have two operations planned for the forces in Czechoslovakia. Currently given the need to concentrate as many divisions in East Germany to launch the offensive against NATO. At this time given the forces I have in Czechoslovakia we will be able to only launch the drive into Austria. While the 1st Combined Arms Army watches the Germany border. I would have to use the two Category III divisions as well as the three mobilization only division despite the fact that these units are not combat ready at this time to carry out this offensive. Those division will be assigned the mission of hold sections of the border during the offensive. While the Czech Army will thrust to the south to meet up with our forces from Hungary driving north. The plan is to cut Vienna and Northwest Austria off from the rest of Belgium.

Once operations are completed in Austria the Czech Army will shift to the German border to carry the offensive into Bavaria. Once the units have been shifted we can then carry out an attack on the Bavarian. That drive will be directed against Nuremburg with the intent of pull German units from the main battle area.

STAVKA was a little unhappy with the comments by the commander of the Western Direction rather frank assessment of the situation in Czechoslovakia. Chernenko asked him, ** You briefing is a bit disturbing and not what was expected. The General looked at the General Secretary and he replied, ** On most of the fronts we are not facing as tough and dangerous opponents. Where my units will be attacking will be against NATO largest and most competent force it has. We have the Americans, West Germany, the UK, France, Netherlands Belgium and of course Canada. These armies are all professional or have a professional core and are well trained. We cannot afford to take the to lightly. As for Bavaria we have the Bundeswehr and the American Army both forces deserve our respect. That is why at this time we will not attack into Bavaria until Austria is taken care of. Right now, several divisions in both East Germany and Poland are basically doing garrison duty to keep the local population in line. **

Ustinov grudgingly agreed with the Generals comments and while Ogarkov was unhappy about the comments but there was little he could say. Pushing to remove the General before the campaign started was not likely to make the civilian members of STAVKA very happy. Especially since the General’s honesty was appreciated by the civilian leadership.

Chernenko decided he needed to hear more, **So you would prefer the campaign not to happen?** The Generals response was emphatic, **No Comrade General Secretary Chernenko, I believe I can win but it will not be easy and the battle could go either way. That is why I want to have my forces as ready as possible for battle. For the forces currently assigned to Czechoslovakia by the end of the month the two category III divisions the 13th Tank Division and the 3rd will be fully trained and ready for complex battle operations. While the three mobilization only divisions will be capable of defensive operation. But their ability carryout offensive operations is limited.



But I also would want to have eight of the category D divisions to reinforce the forces in Czechoslovakia. I would have two of the divisions to be used protect our lines of supplies and the remaining six divisions to be used as part the attack on Austria. Our best information is that the Austrians will engage in strictly defensive operations. So these divisions should be able to hold their positions against whatever minor probes the Austrian might engage in. Then we can shift Czech divisions to the German border to support the offensive against Nurnberg.


Any questions, no one had any questions and the discussion turned to Poland.

 

[Farmer12]

The General considered his opening comments, he did not want to be considered to be too negative. But he needed to be accurate to make sure that STAVKA understood the situation with Poland. **The Polish Armies most modern tank is the T-54/55 the tank divisions while some of its Category III and Mobilization only divisions still use T-34’s. The Polish Army will be involved in the attack in the north of West Germany as well as attacks against Denmark in the Baltic. Primarily on Zealand, as the assault on Bornholm will be carried out by Soviet military units. **


The Polish Army has five Tank divisions all utilizing the T-54/55, the divisions are all Category I divisions but the tank strength for these divisions is less than that of the Standard Soviet Tank Division. 283 tanks as compared to the 323 of a standard Soviet Tank division. The Czech tank division by comparison has 312 tanks but most of their tanks are T-72’s. As for the MRD divisions, the tanks strength is roughly 200 tank our division have 220 tanks.


As for the MRD, the three category I division are the 4th, 8th and 12th all have T-54/55’s. The rest of the Motorized Rifle Divisions are all category III but 1st, 2nd and 15th have been switch over to the T-54/55. I would also like to note that in each case these divisions have taken some older T-34’s that are still in good condition and organized an additional tank unit per division but none of the units are more than a battalion in strength. The 3rd MRD is currently converting over to T-54/55. About 40% of the division uses the t-54/55 the remaining tanks are T-34’s. The 9th MRD is the only remaining Category III division that still operates just T-34 tank. These division are rapidly becoming combat ready and I have every confidence that by the end of the month they can take their place on the front.



The remaining three divisions are mobilization only divisions, the 28th,30th and the 31st MRD’s as can be expected all three divisions use the T-34 tank. But in all cases the tank strength runs about 160 tanks and these divisions all are short on other equipment. The of course means that the combat efficiency of these divisions will be less than optimum.


As with the Czech army the category III divisions need additional training while the Mobilization only division only just being brought up to some level of battle competency. The difference with these divisions is that they will be expected to engage in offensive operations. A greater emphasis in their training will be on offensive operations.


On the Brightside the Polish Army has two elite fighting units the 6th Airborne Division and the 7TH Sealanding Division but neither division is actually a full division. The 6th Airborne is more like one of our independent Air Assault Brigades. While the 7th Sealanding Division is roughly equivalent of one of our Naval infantry brigades.


To finalize we have a very mixed bag when we talk about our Polish Comrades. What elite units they have are very good but the rest suffer from the use of old to totally obsolete equipment. Now I will go over what is to be expected from our Polish Comrades. At this time all of the Polish Armies first line division all five tank divisions and the three MRD are currently in East Germany holding positions along the northern region of the inner border. Their mission for now is the invasion of Denmark. If the category three division have the time to complete training they will also become involved in that campaign. If we get enough time the three mobilization divisions can be added to that force. But for now, we will not dwell on what may happen.


The other operation, the Polish Army will be involved in will be the invasion of Zeeland Denmark but that will wait until after Bornholm has been taken. That island will be attacked by the Soviet Armies troops. The 336th Naval infantry brigade and one of our Spetsnatz brigade will attack and take Bornholm on the first day. One Bornholm is taken we can then move against the island of Zeeland. Whatever losses suffer by the 336th Naval Infantry brigade will be replaced as well as equipment and the brigade will take part in the offensive against Zeeland which be launch roughly a week into the war. This ends my briefing on the Polish Army.
Now we will talk about one problem involving Poland and that is when we pulled the 90th Guard Tank division and the 20th Tank division out to suppress the revolt in East Germany. We had to replace those two divisions with other divisions. It was decided to send the 1st Tank Division and the 1st MRD to take over the mission of keeping an eye on Poland. But that leaves the 11th Guards Combined Army with two divisions the 40th Guards Tanks division and the 26th MRD. That means that unless we can find two divisions to replace those two division the 11th Guards Combined Army will be unable to carry out its mission. My solution is that we take four divisions from the most recent mobilization and have those divisions take over the mission of keeping an eye on Poland. We will now turn our attention to the Military districts inside of the Soviet Union.

Almost all of the units in Belorussian have been moved to West Germany, I will discuss those units when I go over the placement of the troops. Now the only units still in this Military District the 84th MRD as well as the 70TH and the 80th Artillery Divisions still remain in Belorussian. The latest report is that the 84th will be moving to East Germany by the end of the month. While the 80th Artillery Division will be ready to move in the next week to ten days. While the 70th Artillery is supposed to be ready by the end of the month. We also have at least fifteen of the new mobilization or category D divisions currently training at bases in Belorussian. Those divisions will provide the necessary units that will help fill in the gaps in our forces.

As for the units from the Ural Military district most have been sent to East Germany. The only units are the 65TH MRD and the 260th both are Category III and the 248th MRD and it’s a mobilization only division. The best information I have at this time is that the 65th coming together and will be on the mov by the twentieth while the 260th will be moving out closer to the end of the month. The 248th will be sent at the end of the month. At the same time six more of the Category D divisions are training in that military district.

Finally we have the Baltic Military District we have sent those units that are ready for combat to East Germany. I will tell you that the 3rd Guard Division as being allocated to attack on Zeeland Denmark. this division will be landed once the beachhead has been secured. Also, I will mention that the 7th Guards Airborne. The 74th Guards MRD is currently being shipped to East Germany. This division was in the process of being shifted to the T-62 at this time. One third of the divisions tanks are T-62’s the rest are T-54/55’s. The remaining divisions the 107th and the 144th division are on schedule to be ready by the end of the month.

Finally the 53rd is understrength in tanks so we have had to raid the stockpiles of T-34s to bring the division up to full strength in tanks. ** That caught STAVKA by surprise the idea that the Soviet Union it was resorting to using in T-34s in a category III division. They had not been bothered about using T-34 for the Category D divisions they were supposed to be using obsolete tanks but no a Category III division. It made some of them realize that the Soviet Union was really was scraping the bottom of the barrel. This division will be ready for service in early August. Finally we have several more category D divisions in the process of training. Those divisions should be ready in early to mid- August. That covers the Military districts. Are there any questions about either Poland or the Military districts? **

Then one of the STAVKA members commented why not use one of the Landing Assault Brigades instead of the Spetsnaz Brigade. The Generals response was short and to the point. That the first assault would be heliborne coming in at a low level to cut down on losses. He had decided that the Spetsnaz would be better able to handle an assault landing by helicopter into a hot landing zone than the Paratroops. Then Ogarkov commented that using both the Spetsnaz and one of the Landing Assault Brigades. The General carefully considered his response to Ogarkov’s idea. It might be a trap on the other hand it could be an honest effort to help. Then he responded, **We could look into that idea and consider the possibilities of that plan.** No one else had any comments and the meeting turned to East Germany.

 

[michaelbaneblade]

Farmer 12 I just have to say, you are making me a very happy chappie with the quality and quanity of your work here. Thank you for your time and Effort Sir.
So assuming NATO has scrapped the bottom of the Barrel for Manpower and Equipment. How is the training of the newly called up conscripts in Places like France ad Germany coming along. I am assuming that a lot of the instructors are in the field to bulk up the numbers. Would that be correct. and if that is so who is training the reserves and the new conscripts?

 

[Farmer12]

You call in the retire NCO's and officers to fill in the gaps in training and other areas. They can train recruits and shuffle papers just as well as anyone.

 

[sloreck]

In the US military, at least for officers, if you retire (ie: do at least 20 years) you are never completely off the books. You can always be tapped in a national emergency, and since most officers retire in their mid-40s to early 50s there are a fair number out there who can usefully fill rear area jobs. There is something somewhat similar for retired enlisted...

 

[Farmer12]

sloreck true and most of them would be quite willing and eager to serve. They would know that they would be coming to their countries aid in its hour of need.

 

[Farmer12]

I will breakdown the forces currently in East Germany into two sections precrisis and then the reinforcement sent in and then a brief discussion about our plans at this time should we be forced to engage in a preventive war.

First, we have the 1 Guards Tank Army, the divisions the 9th Tank Division, this division has a complete complement of the T-80 tanks. Next the 11th Guards Tank division is converting over to the T-80 tank all of its tanks in the division except for one Battalion that still uses the T-62 the rest of the tanks in the division are T-80’s. The 20th Motorized Rifle Division it is just starting to convert over to the T-80’s. At this time only one battalion uses the T-80 the rest of the division is still using the T-62.

Then the 2nd Guards Tank Army, the divisions are the 16th Guards Tank division which is fully converted over to the T-80. The 21st Motorized Rifle Division tank complement of tank is made up with T-64’s. 94th Guards Motorized Division is also uses T-64’s and it has an additional battalion of tanks in its complement. Finally, 207th Motorized Rifle Division also uses the T-64 and it also has an additional tank battalion.

After that is the 3rd Combined Arms Army. The 7th Guards Tank Division tanks complement is made up of T-64’s. The 10th Guards Tank Division also a complete complement of T-64 tanks. Then the 12th Guards Tank Division its tank complement is made up of T-64’s. Finally, the 47th Guards Tank Division with is complement made up of T-64’s.

The next group of armies starts with the 8th Guards Combined Army the divisions 79th Guards Tank Division uses the T-80 tank. Next the 27th Motorized Rifle Division is in the process of shifting from the T-62 to the T-80 as of now two fifths of the units, tanks are T-62’s the rest are T-80’s and this division also a reinforced division. the 39th Motorized Rifle Division is also converting from the T-62 to the T-80 with three fifths of the tanks are still T-62’S. The remaining two fifth of the tanks were T-80’s. The last division is the 57th Motorized Rifle Division it has nearly completed its conversion over to the T-80 with only one battalion of T-62’s remaining in the division.

The final army is the 20th Guard Combined Arms Army with these division, the 25th Tank Division has a complete complement of T-64’s. As does the 6th Guards Motorized Rifle Division. It is the same with the 14th Guard Motorized Rifle Division and finally the 35th Motorized Rifle Division it also uses the T-64. The last division on the list is the 35th Artillery division. That ends the list of precrisis divisions assigned to East Germany.


The two division that were assigned to Poland and then moved to East Germany are the 90TH Tank which is armed with the T-62 tank. The 20th Tank division is also armed with the T-62 tank. Now we will talk about the divisions sent in from the Belorussian Military District. Now we will speak of the Polish Army the 5th , 10th , 11th ,16th 20th tank division all of which are armed with T-54/55’s and the 4th 8TH and 12th Motorized Rifle Divisions.

The next army is the first Army to be discussed is the 5th Guards Tank Army, the first division is the 8th Guards Tank Division it tank complement is made up of T-72’s. The 29th Tank division uses the T-72’s. 193rd Tank Division also uses the T-72’s.



The 7th Tank Army and it divisions 3rd Guards Tank Division uses T-72’s and the 37th Guard Tank division also has T-72’s and the final division the 34th Tank Division and it also uses the T-72.



Then the 28th Combined Arms Army and its divisions the 6th Guard Tank Division with T-72’s. The 28th Tank Division also uses T-72’s. While the 50th Motorized Rifle Division uses the T-62 and the 50th Motorized Rifle Division also has T-62’s. The 76th Tank Division utilizes the T-62’s.



The 5th Guards Independent Army Corp this is essentially a reinforced Motorized Rifle Division with additional tanks and infantry. 45th Guards Tank division operates the T-72 and the last division bases in Belorussia the 51st Artillery division. That is the Belorussian Military District.



Now we will look at the forces that arrived from the Baltic Military District. The one Army is the The 11th Guards Combined Arms Army. Its division are the 1st Tank Division, 1st Guards Motorized Rifle Division and the 40th Guards Tank Division and the 26th Guards Motorized Rifle Division all of the divisions use the T-72.



There is the 3rd Motorized Rifle Division tanks are T-54/55. But the division is not headed to East Germany but it has been moved to Szczecin. The divisions mission is to reinforce the forces that are invading Denmark’s Zeeland island. Or if necessary be used for ground combat in West Germany.

Next, we will talk about the Ural Military District, the 34th Motorized Rifle Division, the 78th Motorized Rifle Division and the 44TH Tank Division all of which use the T54/55. All of which will be sent to East Germany by the end of July/

Finally, we have wide variety of elite units available to this command. Three Airborne division the 7th 79TH and 109th Guards Airborne division. Three Independent Landing Assault Brigade the 35th,37th 38th brigades. Also several independent airborne battalions 139th , 899th, 900th , 903rd , 1011th , 1151st , 1085th as well as the Polish 6th Airborne.


We also have two brigades of amphibious troops the 7th Sealanding Division and the 336th Naval Infantry Brigades as well as three Spetsnaz brigades the 3rd, 4th , 5th.

As of today, we have, Seventy division of all types are currently on line as well as three Airborne brigade and two amphibious brigades, 7 airborne battalions and three Spetsnaz brigades. But eight divisions are current on garrison duty. That leaves us with sixty-two division available for combat duty at this time. If fighting does not break out until say early August we can add an additional 19 divisions that are currently mobilizing. If the fighting is delayed until mid-August. That would bring up the total of division to eighty-nine. Between at least thirty to thirty-five category IV divisions. We can use fourteen of those divisions from the last wave of mobilization to free up at the very least free up the eight-frontline division that are currently tied up in garrison duty. At least some of the Category IV divisions are going to be available for frontline duty. Possibly as many as fifteen to twenty divisions being available. That will give up the equivalent of a hundred plus division in the Central Front. Are there any questions? **

The general now waited for the wave of questions, but for a minute STAVKA was silent and then Ustinov the minister of defense spoke up. ** I am impress with the work that you and your stall and in fact the work that the officers and men of the Soviet Army in bringing so many men into service. **



Then another member of STAVKA Heydar Aliyev spoke up, ** I agree but perhaps would should consider moving additional divisions from some other Military Districts. ** Ustinov coolly asked, “What would you suggest? ** The other member was not one bit intimidated replied, ** I believed at least two division could be diverted from Turkestan Military District the 58th and 88th Motorized Rifle Division. Also possibly moving the 29th Combined Army from its current location to the north of western Mongolia and well away from the China. We could move all but say one division of that army and send the other three divisions with support units to Europe. My information states that would could take equipment from the railroads in Asia and use those that equipment to move the division as quickly as possible. We could consider moving even more divisions if necessary. To win this war we must win in Germany and the more troops we send the better. That also give us time to put off a war and to have the largest possible fighting force available in mid-August. That bit of logic was hard to argue with.

Field Marshall Ogarkov decided to make a comment, **Well we could try to do what you suggest but it is not easy to move an entire army that far in that short of time. We might be able to accomplish that in the time allotted but it will be difficult and we will start to reach the limits of our capacity to support our armies in East Germany if we move to many troops in and we will also cut down on the amount of supplies we can ship in especially foodstuffs since that is the stockpile of supplies that has been most reduced. **

Heydar Aliyev KGB roots showing replied, **They grow food in East Germany, Poland and Czechoslovakia am I not right? So, we just confiscate all the food in those areas to feed the army. Anyone that does not like it can be shot. **

After a brief debate STAVKA came to an agreement that the movement of the 29th Combined Army and its three division would be carried out as well as the movement of the 58th and 88th division. It was also decided that once the divisions were moved into place the trains involved in the movement would be added on to the trains already in Europe to move more supplies to the Armies in Eastern Europe and the confiscation order would be put on hold for the time being.

The final section was a brief outline of the planning for a possible preventive war in Germany. The basic outline was a full-scale attack on Austria and West Germany in the first day. The Czech units that were committed to fighting in Austria would be moved to the German front as soon as eastern Austria was captured. The occupation of eastern Austria would be carried out by the Hungarian and the Hungarian army with aid from Soviet units based in Hungary would take over the campaign in Austria.
On day two the attack on the island of Bornholm to open the approaches to Denmark’s Zeeland Island The forces involved will be the 336th Naval infantry brigade the 4th spetsnaz and the 38th Airborne Assault brigade. Then on day seven the attack on Denmark will happen with the Polish 7th Sealanding division and hopefully the 336th brigade as well as the 6th Polish Airborne division and the 7th Guard Airborne division with the 3rd Guard MRD to be shipped to the landing to reinforce the attack. I believe that the series of hammering blows will cause the NATO alliance to collapse in less than two weeks.**


No one had much to say and everyone wanted to go to lunch since after lunch would be another meeting only this time it would be with the full Politburo. The commander of the Western Direction left the meeting a happy man he had in his mind avoided any serious mistake. He would accept the additional force without comment and he would point out that he had never asked for the troops in the first place. But he had not turned them down when offered them. He also felt that he had instilled a bit of caution in the STAVKA member so that they would not go off on any military adventures for at least a month. In his mind war was to messy and to uncertain. For him to want to fight one, he would have to deliver on his comments and that might be easier said than done.

Ogarkov still was going to push for as early of an attack as possible but he was not sure that he would get the support he needed. Right now he was certain of one thing that the longer the crisis dragged on the less chance of victory. He had a feeling that the commander of Western Direction would much rather stand around and posture than actually go out and prove he could do what he said he could.

 

[sloreck]

well, it appears clear that the die is cast - only a matter of when it is thrown. I assume the USSR and WP any factories making war related goods from tanks to canned rations are working 24/7. Has the USA gone to lots of overtime?

 

[Farmer12]

Well the Soviet military expects a war but the Political Leadership has not committed themselves as of yet. They just don't have a face saving option to back down from the crisis. But the longer the crisis goes on the less options the Soviet Leadership has. Also the military is split on when to fight the war. Some want to go with what they have now and others to wait until they have dotted their I's and crossed their T's. So figure the Political Leadership keep on kicking the can down the road with the aid of some of the military leadership. But sooner or later they will have to do something, the cost of the crisis is damaging their economy and it is doing the same thing to most of the west.

The factories on both sides are picking up speed but it takes time to find and gather the needed extra raw materials and train the additional people to work in the factories. In the West factories that have military contracts are expanding production. But like in the east they have to get the raw materials they need and train additional people to work in the factories. Overtime is helping but first the companies that make the parts have to expand production. So that they can send the parts to the factories that build the final piece of equipment. Only then can the people who make the weapons and equipment can increase production.

Its like a flood the water has to rise upstream before the water can rise down stream.

 

[Farmer12]

11am Thessaloniki A convoy of ships carrying the preposition brigade from Diego Garcia had arrived in Thessaloniki. The unloading of the ships would begin the next day. While the additional battalion of tanks were landing in southern Greece and being loaded on to train to move to a location near the border of Bulgaria. The 81ST Mechanized Brigade will be the next unit on its way to Greece. The movement of that brigade would begin in the next day or two and the movement of the brigade would take less than a day to complete. Then the rest of the units attacked to the division would begin their movement to Greece.


Noon Bonne Germany The Secretary of Defense as well as the Secretary of Agriculture, General Rogers and the American ambassador to Germany had lunch together. The discussion was strangely enough about making sure that the civilian population of West Germany was well fed. The Secretary of Agriculture told them that the harvest the look if being very good and that the plan was to ship large quantities of flour in the next few weeks. Some of the ships were already on the way and he was here to make sure that the delivery West Germany would go smoothly. The talks for today was to go over the warehousing of that flour and there were also quantities of government cheese, peanut butter and powdered milk and some canned meat could be shipped over. As of yet no decision about quantities of food to be shipped nor when had been made.

The Secretary of Agriculture a little surprised that the General Rogers was so interested in his mission. But General Rogers assured him that an adequate supply of food for the civilian population was of great concern to his planners. He also assured the Secretary of Agriculture that if he needed any help or assistance to just call his staff and they would do all that they could. Up to an including help in finding ships to move the food supplies for the civilian population in West Germany and Europe in general.

Noon Bonne
The first wave of government employees going out for lunch flowed out of the Federal Ministry of Defense and a bomb that had been planted earlier in the day exploded. While the casualties were not heavy it did draw in police to protect the area. As well as to search the area for additional bombs. It was 1215 when the second bomb went off in a restaurant favored by members of the Bundestag. Several politicians were killed and others were injured that required even more police to be assigned to that bombing.

1pm Bonne-
The security elements for the two groups of people were informed about the two bombing but it actually relaxed them more than alarmed them. After all it the local terrorist were bombing people they would be to busy to go after the Secretary of Defense. Once the two groups gathered, one was headed to a meeting with Chancellor Kohl while the other was headed to the West Germany Equivalent of the department of Agricultural. Secretary of Defense was supposed to leave first but, a diplomat commented, he was in delayed to carryout necessary bodily functions. That comment brought laughter and General Rogers called out to the Secretary of Agriculture telling to go first. With that the Secretary of Agriculture drove off. After a minute or two the Secretary of Defense arrived, but before anyone could comment the sound of weapons fire arrived.

The two vans moved into position just out of sight of the front gate and in each case the driver left the vehicle one had a paper in his hand and he was looking at the street numbers like he was looking for a house. the drive opened the hood and he was taking a look. Inside that van the RPG gunner pulled a couple of HE round, out if the bag and he armed them. He knew the risks of the rounds going off but also knew he just might need to have to use them and he wanted the rounds to be ready when he needed them.
Despite of all the usual security preparations, no one really expected any trouble after all they were escorting the Secretary of the Agriculture. Then the doors of two vans that were located about thirty meters apart opened. The men waiting inside leaped out on to the street. The RPG gunner from the front van fired and hit the lead car in the engine while the one men of the men carrying the AK-47’s raked the car with fire. With ongoing fire on the car and the engine gone the car rolled to stop and the men inside could not easily get out of the car while it was under fire. The other man had a prime RPG round in his hand and he reloaded the RPG.

The second car carrying the Secretary of Agriculture and the American Ambassador to Germany was hit by the RPG was hit in the driver’s side rear door. While the round did not explode, the round penetrated the car killing the Secretary of Agriculture. One of AK-47 men poured fire on the third vehicle but the armor on the car protected the men inside. Then the driver in the second car hit the gas moving forward in an attempt drive past the leading car. The RPG gunner’s assistant loaded the round into the RPG and the gunner brought it up to fire.

The car head down the road and the driver could see that the lane of traffic he was on was blocked by the crippled lead car. Shifting lane he picked up speed. While he picked up speed but now he had a new problem. The RPG gunner was ready for him, he knelt and fired the round right into the engine while to the rear the other RPG gunner he also knelt and fired that round was headed right into the gas tanks. The two hits literally ripped the car apart and then the gas tank started to burn. With everyone in the car was dead the leader of the attack decided it was time to leave.


Seeing what had happened to the second car the driver of the third car did a one eighty and he headed back toward the second van with the terrorist that were now getting back into the van. The distance was not that far but the idea was to prevent the van from leaving. The RPG gunner was still admiring his hit when the squealing tires got his attention and he looked to see a car head right at him. He hit the front end of the car went over the hood and slammed into the front windshield. While his assistant was clipped by the same care and sent flying. When the car hit the van the gunner who had hit the windshield. Rocketed off of the car and he slammed into the van. He was now quite dead. The other gunman decided to run for it but the direction took him back toward the embassy. The Marines and German personnel guarding the entrance were already headed to the sound of shooting.


After the third car finally came to a full stop the guards in the vehicle piled out. Right after that man leaving the front passenger side door could he put two rounds into the driver of the van. The driver was immediately dead while the man who had been clipped by the fender of the car. He had literally landed on his head splitting it wide open and he was dead in seconds. The final member of this attack time ran into the mixture of marines and German police. He made the mistake of bringing up his AK-47. Before he even had a chance to shoot, the Marines and German Police opened fire, riddling his body. He was dead before he hit the ground.

The leader of the other group of terrorists also decided it was time to leave. But as soon as the they stopped firing at what had been the surviving guards that had been the lead car finally could return fire without having to immediately having to drop back into cover to avoid the AK-47 rifleman’s return fire. The RPG gunner and the man who been providing the covering fire on the lead car immediately were hit and kill. The man who had been the loader for the RPG made it into the van. The driver immediately hit the gas and left the area. As the van moved away the guards made several hits on the van. But for the moment no one could pursue the van.

But that situation did not last for long since the van driver ran a stop sign in front of a West German Police car. That caused the car to start its pursuit just as word arrived over the radio that a white van had been involved in an attack on American Embassy personal. The police officer in the car informed the dispatcher that he was in pursuit of a white van fleeing from that area of the city. Right about that time a burst of fire came out of the rear window of the van and several slugs hit the front window of the car but missing the driver of the police car. He announced that he was being fired upon. The already reacting police and Territorial Army units responsible for rear area security began to speed up.

The Van driver suddenly turned off onto another street and he ran straight into the Territorial Army unit and the lead truck had a machine gun mounted on it. The machine gunner gave the Van a quick burst, killing the van driver then the van swerved and flipped over and slid into a park car on the street. That was when an armed RPG HE round went off, that set off the second round blowing the van apart and the second man inside the van was now dead. With no one to talk to know it would take some time to figure out who the people were. That is if they could, one problem was that none of the people involved had police records. That did not mean the fingerprints were not on record but that no name was attacked to a specific set of finger prints. Also, all of them had left anything that might identify them behind them at the safe house.

 

[Unknown]

Oh, shit...