NGP85 "81: Better Dead than Red v1.1"

[JDR Dragoon]

082000ZMay1981

FROM: COMCENTAG

TO: COM US V Corps

SITUATION:

A: Enemy Forces.

1: Enemy composition, strenght and disposition.
WAPA forces, likely comprising at least an Army of some 5 divisions, with a possiblity of 2 armies with a total of some 10 divisions, can be expected to attack within the US V Corps sector within the next 36 hours, likely accompanied by attacks from enemy special forces infiltrators and airmobile units on our rear areas. Even a full scale airborne insertion of divisional scale cannot be ruled out in your sector. The capabilities of the enemy forces will vary: While soviet unts will be equipped with tanks and APC/IFVs that are equal and even better to ours, the E. German and polish forces will likely be sporting older and inferior equipment. Soviet airborne troops are especially dangerous due to their high degree of mechanization. In addition major enemy air activity, including both rotary and fixed wing assets can be expected.

2: Enemy Capabilities and Limitations.
The enemy is capable of rapid ground maneuver along the major roads and in open terrain due to their mechanization, but possesses limited ability to move cross-country, which will seriously limit their ability to extend their combat power to its fullest, something which the use of airmobile infantry might be used to alleviate.

3: Enemys most likely and most dangerous course of action.
The enemys most likely course of action in this sector will be an attack in two prongs, one in the north, on the axis Bad Hersfeld (crossing the river Fulda)-Alsfeld, attacking Frankfurt from the NE. The other prong will be an attack towards the town of Fulda, breaking into the open terrain west of the Vogelsberg. Either of these thrusts might be supported by airmobile and airborne units. The most dangerous enemy course of action is if both of these thrusts succeed, which will split the defence and allow the introduction of a 2nd echelon army, which will push towards Frankfurt.





B: Friendly Forces.

1: Higher HQs mission and intent.
It is the intention of SACEUR that CENTAG will defend as close to the border as feasible in order to preserve the industrial, demographic and territorial integrity of W. Germany.

2: Adjacent Units.
Adjacent unit to the north will be the GE III Korps (2nd PzG. Div.), adjacent unit to the south will be the US VII Corps (12th Panzer Division). Adjacent unit to the west will be forces from Territorialkommando Süd (Wehrbereichskommando IV), who will secure the rear areas and lines of communication from enemy infiltrators and airborne landings.

3 Supporting:
In support will be fixed wing assets from 4. ATAF. A COY/1st BN from the 10th Special Forces Group will be operating in the Corps sector as well. In case of a major enemy breakthrough, adjacent units will provide reinforcements. In case of breakthroughs or airborne landings in an adjacent Corps sector, V Corps might be ordered to counterattack into the sector in order to restore the situation.


C: Attachments/Detachments.

The Corps will receive the 1st BN/75th Ranger Regiment in OPCON, once it arrives in theatre in aprox. 24 hours.



MISSION:
US V Corps consists of the 3rd Armored Division (comprising 3 brigades (1-2-3) with 6 armor and 5 mech. inf. battalions between them (one inf. btn. airmobile though)). Divisional troops consists of Engineer Battalion, Cavalry Squadron, Anti-Aircraft Battalion, Attack Helicopter Battalion and Divisional Artillery plus the 8th Infantry Division (as above, but with 5 armor and 6 mech inf btns.) and the 4th Infantry Division (as above, but with 4 brigades (1-2-3-4) with 5 armor and 7 mech battalions between them). 3 brigades of the 4th Infantry Division (w. 4 armor and 5 mech. inf btns.) plus most of the divisional troops are REFORGER and will arrive near Kaiserslautern in 36-60 hours. Corps Troops consisting of two Artillery Brigades, the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment (3xSquadrons plus Attack Helicopters), Engineer Brigade plus an Attack helicopter Battalion, will also be in attendance.

US V Corps must defend its assigned Corps sector, between Rothenburg an der Fulda and Bad Kissingen, stopping any enemy penetrations across the Fulda river. US V Corps must be prepared to defend its sector no later than 100100ZMay 1981 and hold untill reinforced, relieved or the enemy attack is decisively broken, in order to safeguard the major population and industrial centres lying further to the west.



EXECUTION:

A: Commanders Intent.

It is the intent of the US V Corps to defend its sector with the 3rd Armored Division (to the north of the town of Fulda) and the 8th Infantry Division (in and south of the town of Fulda) forwards. with the 4th Infantry Division as Corps reserve. Each of the forward divisions will defend with 2 brigades (each of 3 battalions) forwards, retaining a five battalion strong brigade as divisional reserve.

B: Concept of Operations.

1: Scheme of Maneuver.
The forward battle area will consist of a Covering Force Area, E of the Fulda river, and a Main Battle Area aimed at defending this riverline, the town of Fulda itself and the Rhön mountains to the south. The Main battle area will primarily be held by the 3rd AD and 8th ID, backed up by the 4th ID. The Covering Force will consist of the 11th ACR, the Cavalry Squadrons and Attack Helicopter btns. of both divisions, plus the Corps Attack Helicopter btn, all backed up by the two reserve brigades from each forward division. Once the Covering Force task has been done, these units will return to general reserve. Any enemy breakthrough will be met by the reserve brigade of the affected division and if necessary, by a multi-brigade counterattack by 4th ID.


2: Fire Support Plan.
Long range artillery and airpower will specifically target located enemy HQs and artillery units in order to disrupt and wear them down. Corps and divisional artillery units will serve to reinforce the fire of organic brigade artillery.

C: Tasks.
Engineer operations in the following priority: minefields, defensive earthworks, bridge construction, bridge demolition. Units occupying defensive positions along expected enemy axis of advance will ge priority on engineer services. Electronic Warfare Units will try to elucidate the position of enemy HQs and jam them if possible. Artillery locating units will try do the same with regard to enemy artillery.

D: Coordinating Instructions.
2nd Brigade/3rd AD will coordinate with the 5. Panzergrenadier Brigade/2 PzG Div. as regards the northern Corps boundary. The 3rd Brigade/8th ID will do likewise with the 35. Panzergrenadier Brigade/12. Panzer Div as regards the southern Corps boundary.



LOGISTICS:

Units will remain in contact with higher HQs, thus facilitating resupply.



Signals:

A: Signals.
HQs will retain signal communications with superior and subordinate units, while at the same time trying to minimize their exposure to enemy jamming and signals reconnaisance.

B: Command.
HQ US V Corps will be near Bad Nauheim. HQ 3rd AD will be E of Alsfeld. HQ 8th ID. will be E of Fulda. HQ 4th ID will be W of Lauterbach, HQ 11 ACR will be south of Lauterbach.