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

[JDR Dragoon]

082000ZMay1981

FROM: COMCENTAG

TO: COM GE III Korps

SITUATION:

A: Enemy Forces.

1: Enemy composition, strenght and disposition.
WAPA forces, likely comprising at least an Army of some five divisions, with a possiblity of 2 armies with a total of some 10 divisions, can be expected to attack within the German III Krops 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 units will be equipped with tanks and APC/IFVs that are equal and even better than ours, the E. German and polish forces will likely be sporting older and inferior equipment. Soviet airborne troops are especially dangerous due to BMD IFVs. 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.

3: Enemys most likely course of action.
The enemys most likely course of action in this sector will be an attack in two prongs, one through the so called "Göttingen Corridor", through Munden (crossing the Fulda/Weser in the process), taking Kassel and breaking into the open terrain beyond. The other prong will be an attack towards Hann. Munden, crossing the Fulda and breaking into the open terrain south of Kassel. Either of these thrusts might be supported by airmobile and airborne units.








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 Belgian I Corps (off map), adjacent unit to the south will be the US V Corps (3rd Armored 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. US Special Forces from the 10th Special Forces Group might be operating in the Korps sector as well.


C: Attachments/Detachments.

As of 082100ZMay1981 GE III Korps immediately relinquishes control of 12. Panzer Division, which US VII Corps will receive in OPCON.



MISSION:

GE III Korps consists of the 2. Panzergrenadierdivision (comprising 2xPanzergrenadier Brigades (4th and 5th) plus 1 Panzer Brigade (6th). Divisional troops consists of Engineer Battalion, Reconnaisance Battalion, Anti-Aircraft Regiment and Artillery Regiment) plus the 5th Panzer Division (as above, but with 1 Panzergrenadier Brigade (13th) and 2 Panzer Brigades (14th, 15th) instead) and Corps Troops (consisting of an Airlanding Brigade (airmobile, using helicopters), a LRRP Company, Artillery Brigade, Engineer Brigade plus an Antitank Helicopter Regiment).

GE III Korps must defend its assigned Corps sector, between Münden and Rothenburg an der Fulda, stopping any enemy penetrations across the Fulda, defending the major city of Kassel in the proces. In addition the Corps must screen parts of the belgian Corps sector along the Weser, in case of enemy attacks cutting in behind the belgian frontline farther to the east and northeast (off map). GE III Korps 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 GE III Korps to defend its sector with the 2. Panzergrenadier forwards, with the 4. Panzergrenadier Brigade to the north, defending Kassel and Münden, and the 5. Panzergrenadier Brigade to the south, defending Hann. Munden and the low mountains along the Fulda to the south. The 6th Panzer Brigade will be in divisionsal reserve in a central position N of Kassel, after initially being a part of the covering force. The entire 5th Panzer Division (minus the brigade that is initially part of the covering forces) will be in Corps reserve, along with the Airlanding Brigade, ready to intervene against any enemy breakthrough.

B: Concept of Operations.

1: Scheme of Maneuver.
The forward battle area will consist of a Covering Force area, E of the Fulda/Weser rivers, and a Main Battle area aimed at defending this riverline. The Main battle area will primarily be held by the 2. Panzergrenadier Division, backed up by the 5. Panzer Division. The Covering Force will consist of the Reconnaisance Battalions of both divisions, reinforced by two Panzer Brigades (the 6th and the 14th) and the Corps Antitank Helicopter Regiment. Once the Covering Force task has been done, these units will return to general reserve. If necessary, 13. Panzergrenadier Brigade will move forward to reinforce either of the two Panzergrenadier Brigades of the 2. PzG. Div. in their defense of the river. In case of an enemy incursion into the belgian Corps sector, the Airlanding Brigade will serve as an initial reaction reserve, untill further units can be deployed north and the incursion shut down before the enemy crosses the Weser river.

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 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.
5. Panzergrenadier Brigade/2 PzG Div. will coordinate with the US 3rd Armored Division/V Corps as regards the Corps southern boundary line.



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 sgnals reconnaisance.

B: Command.
HQ GE III Korps will be near Arolsen. HQ 2. PzG Div will be NW of Kassel. HQ 5. Panzer Div. will be near Fritzlar.