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

[JDR Dragoon]

092200Z May 1981

FROM CENTAG G2
TO COMCENTAG

RE: Recent developments in the intelligence picture in the US VII Corps sector.

The intelligence picture here is quite overt and most alarming. In no other corps sector has there been such a concentration of identified HQs, in this case including both Soviet and East German units.

The first reports from the period 0600-0800Z tells of Soviet units massing on the Meiningen-Bad Kisskingen axis. At 0800Z East German units are spotted massing opposite Hof as well.








During the period 1000-1400Z even more East German units are detected north of Hof, this time coupled with Soviet units massing on the axis Hildburghausen-Coburg. At 1400Z more units are spotted massing on the Meiningen-Bad Kissingen axis as well














Between 1600-1800Z, the well-established pattern of WAPA units demolishing the border fortifications are repeated. In addition, several new HQs are detected and tentatively categorized. Of special importance is the suspected Army HQ detected at 1600Z near Ohrdruf.














At 2000Z more alarming news ticks in, as it appears that Soviet units might attempt a flanking movement towards Coburg, and a new Soviet formation is detected, poised to advance along the axis Kronach-Bamberg.








The final intercepts from 2200Z shows what we believe to be a secon echelon division near Ilmenau, ready to follow up the attack on the Meiningen-Bad Kissingen axis, in addition to a possible Army HQ.






We must thus conclude, that US VII Corps is the most gravely threatened. In the north, a Soviet army, with at least 3 divisions in the initial echelon, and at least one division in reserve, is poised to strike along the axes: Meiningen-Bad Kissingen, Hildburghausen-Coburg, and Kronach-Bamberg, with one division likely being assigned to each axis. In addition, an East German army with at least 3 divisions in its leading echelon stands ready to attack, with one division likely attacking along the axis Kronach-Bamberg, with the remaining two attacking along the axis Hof-Bamberg.