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

[JDR Dragoon]

082000ZMay1981
FROM: COMCENTAG
TO: COM US VII Corps

SITUATION:

A: Enemy Forces.

1: ENY composition, strenght and disposition.
WAPA forces, likely comprising at least an Army of some five divs, with a possiblity of 2 armies with a total of some 10 divs, can be expected to attack in the US VII 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 div. scale cannot be ruled out in this 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 have older and inferior equipment. Soviet airborne troops are especially dangerous due to their high degree of mechanization. In addition major ENY air activity, including both rotary and fixed wing assets can be expected.

2: ENY Capabilities and Limitations.
The ENY 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: ENY most likely and most dangerous course of action.
The ENY most likely course of action in this sector will be an attack in three prongs, one in the north, on the axis Bad Kissingen-Würzburg, attacking towards Mannheim on the Rhine. The other prongs will be attacks towards the town of Bamberg, utilizing either the Coburg or Hof Gap, and then onwards towards the Rhine. The most dangerous ENY course of action is if the attack in the Meiningen Gap succeeds, which will allow the introduction of a 2nd echelon army, which will push across the Spessart mountains and onto the Rhine.







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 US V Korps (8th ID), adjacent unit to the south will be the GE II Korps. Adjacent unit to the west will be forces from Territorialkommando Süd (Wehrbereichskommando V and VI), 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 company (B Coy/1st BN) from the 10th Special Forces Group will be operating in the Corps sector as well. In case of a major ENY breakthrough, adjacent units will provide reinforcements. In case of breakthroughs or airborne landings in an adjacent Corps sector, VII Corps might be ordered to counterattack into the sector in order to restore the situation.


C: Attachments/Detachments.

The Corps will receive the 194th Armored Brigade in COCOM, once it arrives in theatre in aprox. 90 hours. As of 092100ZMay1981 US VII Corps will receive the GE 12. Panzer Div. in OPCON.


MISSION:
US VII Corps consists of the GE 12. Panzer Division (comprising 1xPanzergrenadier Brigades plus 2xPanzer Brigade. Divisional troops consists of Engineer Battalion, Reconnaisance Battalion, Anti-Aircraft Regiment and Artillery Regiment, the US 3rd Infantry Division (comprising 3 brigades (1-2-3) with 6 armor, 4 mech. inf. battalions and 1 airmobile inf. btn.). Divisional troops consists of Engineer Battalion, Cavalry Squadron (with Attack Helicopters), Anti-Aircraft Battalion, Attack Helicopter Battalion and Divisional Artillery, plus the 1st Infantry Division (as above, but with 4 armor, 5 mech inf and 1 airmobile inf btn.) 2 brigades (w. 3 armor and 4 mech. inf btns.) plus most of the divisional troops are REFORGER and will arrive near Landau in 66-82 hours. Corps Troops consisting of Artillery Brigade, the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment (2xSquadrons plus Attack Helicopters), Engineer Brigade(-) will also be in attendance.

US VII Corps must defend its assigned Corps sector, between Bad Neustadt and Bamberg, stopping any enemy penetrations across the Main river. US VII 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 VII Corps to defend its sector with the 12. Panzer Div. (to the north of the town of Schweinfurt) and the 3rd ID (in and south of the town of Schweinfurt) forwards, with the 1st Infantry Division as Corps reserve. Each of the forward divisions will defend with 2 brigades forwards, retaining an armor heavy brigade as divisional reserve. The Corps Screening Force will consist of the 2nd ACR.

B: Concept of Operations.

1: Scheme of Maneuver.
The forward battle area will consist of a Covering Force Area, E of the Main river, and a Main Battle Area aimed at defending this riverline, and the town of Bad Neustadt. The Main battle area will primarily be held by the 12. Panzer Div. and 3rd ID, backed up by the 1st ID. The Covering Force will consist of the 2nd ACR, the Cavalry Squadron/Reconnaisance Battlion of both divisions and an 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 1st 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 get 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.
12. Panzer Div. will coordinate with the 1st Brig/8th ID. as regards the northern Corps boundary. 1st AD (off map, along with the remainder of the Corps Troops) will do likewise with regard to the southern 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 VII Corps will be near Würzburg. HQ 12. Panzer Div. will be near Bad Kissingen. HQ 3rd ID. will be S of Schweinfurt. HQ 1st ID will be E of Würzburg, HQ 2nd ACR will E of Bamberg.