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The Cold War Years. Part 8.

Posted: 10/10/2012 in Cold War
Tags: ACRV, ACRV M1974, Armoured Regiment, Berlin, Berlin Wall, Bovington Tank Museum, Brandenburg Gate, Checkpoint in West Berlin, Cold War, East Berlin, Fiction, GDR, German, German Democratic Republic, Germany, Group of Soviet Forces Germany, GSFG, History, Images, Mikhail Zaitsev, NATO, Photography, Photos, Pictures, Soviet Army, Soviet Union, T-72, T-72M, Video, Warsaw Pact, Western TVD, World War 3, WW3, WWIII

The Cold War Years – Part 8.

I am 30,000 words into the first novel of my new ‘Cold War’ series. There will be three books in total, covering the hypothetical invasion of West Germany, the Federal Republic of Germany, by the Warsaw Pact in the mid 1980′s. Book 1, ‘The Red Effect’, will encompass the intelligence build up leading to the Warsaw Pact strike against the NATO forces lined up against them. Due out in April 2013.

The Cold War era started very soon after the end of the second world war, when the communist east, led by the Soviet Union, and the Western world, led by the United States and its NATO allies, faced each across what became known as the ‘Iron Curtain’.

The capital of Germany, Berlin, was divided into four Sectors. The consequence being, that the three Western Allied powers now controlled territory deep within the Soviet Union Zone of Germany.

Over time, the tensions between the four Allied powers increased, eventually resulting in the Berlin blockade in 1948, when the Soviets attempted to starve West Berlin into submission and force the other three Allied powers out. This failed and the Soviets eventually relented, but an ever-increasing number of East Germans fled to the West; between 150,000 and 300,000 a year during 1951-1953. As a consequence restrictions were placed on movement between the divided country. From 1961, the border was closed and Berlin completely encircled, first by barbed wire, then bricks and finally a concrete wall, along with the infamous ‘death strip’.

Access was now restricted between Berlin and the West. A wall, 124 mile miles in length, was placed around the three sectors of West Berlin, cutting off the city from the rest of the world.

Section of the Berlin Wall – October 2011.

Section of the Berlin Wall – 2011

The Brandenburg Gate separated from West Berlin by the Berlin Wall – 1984

Checkpoint Charlie, between East and West Berlin – American Sector of West Berlin 1981

I shall cover various aspects of the two opposing forces, providing the backdrop and background information in preparation for the release of my three novels. In the meantime, you could always read my WW2, Devils with Wings series.

“Today, West German imperialism is United States’ chief ally in Europe in aggravating world tension. West Germany is increasingly becoming the seat of the war danger, where revenge-seeking passions are running high… The policy pursued by the Federal Republic of Germany is being increasingly determined by the same monopolies that brought Hitler to power.

The Rhineland politicians fancy that once they get the atomic bomb, frontier posts will topple and they will be able to achieve their cherished desire of carving up the map of Europe again and taking revenge for defeat in the second world war.

One of the most ominous factors endangering peace is the bilateral military alliance that is taking shape between the ruling circles of the United States and the Federal Republic of Germany. This factor remains an objective of unflagging attention.”

Leonid Brezhnev

23^rd Party Congress

March 1966

In 1984/85, the Warsaw Pact was already a significant force, the Soviet Union in particular. To counter this NATO, the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, assembled its own force of arms along the Iron Curtain. Not just as a show force against the communist ideals purported by the East, but because the likelihood of Warsaw Pact troops, led by the Soviet Union, crossing the Inner German Border was a real possibility.

The Soviet, European Theatre forces during the early to mid 80′s were growing in size and power daily.

What were the likely forces that NATO would have been up against had the Warsaw Pact, led by the Soviet Union, attacked across the Inner German Border with the intention of defeating NATO and occupying western Europe?

The concentration of forces under Marshal Ogarkov’s High Command showed a huge build up during the period 1980-1984. The High Command of the ‘Western Strategic Direction’, the ‘Western TVD’, was the most important of the Soviet Union’s four commands and contained the largest number of troops, tactical and medium-range surface to surface missiles and aircraft of any ‘Strategic Direction’. He commanded all the Soviet military forces in Poland, East Germany, Czechoslovakia and Belorussia. The other Strategic Direction’s; Northwestern, Southwestern and North Caucasus.

Western TVD:

Northern Group of Soviet Forces (Poland)

20th Tank Division
6th Guards Motor Rifle Division
SSM Brigade (18 x Scud B)
SAM Brigade (27 x SA-4)
Attack Helicopter Regiment (40 x Mi-24 (Hind) and 20 x Mi-8)

Central Group of Soviet Forces (Czechoslovakia)

4 Guards Army and CGSF assets

1st Guards Tank Division
51st Tank Division
18th Guards Motor Rifle Division
30th Guards Motor Rifle Division
48th Motor Rifle Division
Attack Helicopter Regiment
3 x SSM Brigade (54 x Scud B)
Artillery Brigade (96 x 2S5)
Artillery Brigade (24 x 2S7 and 24 x 2S5)
SAM Brigade
Air Assault Battalion (17 x BMD)
Spetsnaz Battalion (250+)
Tank Brigade (150+ x T-80)
Anti-Tank Regiment (36 x Anti-Tank Guns and 27 x BRDM-3)

Southern Group of Soviet Forces (Hungary)

9 Guards Army + SGSF assets

2nd Guards Tank Division
13th Guards Tank Division
93rd Guards Motor Rifle Division
253rd Motor Rifle Division
Attack Helicopter Regiment
Artillery Brigade (96 x 2S5)
3 x SSM Brigade (18 x Scud B)
Rocket Regiment (54 x BM-21)
2 x SAM Brigade
Air Assault Battalion (17 x BMD)
Spetsnaz Battalion
Anti-tank Regiment
Artillery Brigade (24 x 2S7 and s4 x 2S5)

Baltic Military District (HQ in Kaliningrad, Russia.)

Category B Division 30-50% readiness

Category C Division 5-10% readiness.

11th Guards Army (HQ in Kaliningrad, Russia.)

15th Guards Tank Division (Cat B)
40th Guards Tank Division (Cat B)
1st Guards Motor Rifle Division (Cat B)
3rd Guards Motor Rifle Division (Cat C)

14th Combined Arms Army (HQ in Kaunas, Lithuania)

24th Guards Tank Division (Cat B)
26th Guards Motor Rifle Division (Cat C)
88th Motor Rifle Division (Cat C)
107th Guards Motor Rifle Division

Baltic MD Assets

7th Guards Airborne Division
44th Guards Airborne Division (Training Unit)
Baltic Naval Infantry Brigade
129th Artillery Division
344th Artillery Division
Spetsnaz Naval Brigade
32nd Air Assault Brigade

Belorussian Military District (HQ in Minsk, Belarus)

5th Guards Tank Army (HQ in Babrujsk, Belarus)

6th Guards Tank Division (Cat B)
8th Guards Tank Division
22nd Tank Division (Cat B)
29th Tank Division (Cat B)

7th Guards Tank Army (HQ in Barysau, belarus)

3rd Guards Tank Division (Cat B)
34th Guards tank Division (Cat B)
37th Guards Tank Division (Cat B)
47th Tank Division (Cat B)
58th Guards Motor Rifle Division (Cat B)

28th Combined Arms Army HQ in Grodno, Belarus)

8th Tank Division (Cat B)
45th Guards Tank Division (Cat B)
50th Guards Motor Rifle Division Cat B)
120th Guards Motor Rifle Division

BMD Assets

3 x Tank Brigades (150+ x T-64/T-80
Motor Rifle regiment
Artillery Brigade
Air Defence Regiment
Attack Helicopter Regiment
Reconnaissance Battalion
103rd Airborne Division
3rd Guards Artillery Division
5th Artillery Division
31st Air Assault Brigade

Carpathian Military District (HQ in L’vov, Ukraine)

2nd Guards Tank Army (HQ in Zhytomyr)

23rd tank Division
17th Motor Rifle Division (Cat C)
66th Guards Motor Rifle Division (Cat B)
117th Guards Tank Division (Cat C)

13th Combined Arms Army (HQ in Rovno, USSR)

13th Tank Division (Cat B)
15th Tank Division
24th Motor Rifle Division (Cat B)
97th Guards Motor Rifle Division (Cat C)

38th Combined Arms Army (HQ in Ivano-Frankovsk, Ukraine)

30th Guards Tank Division (Cat B)
61st Motor Rifle Division (Cat B)
70th Guards Motor Rifle Division (Cat B)
128th Guards Motor Rifle Division (Cat B)

CMD Assets

3 x Tank Brigades (150+ x T-64/T-80)
Motor Rifle Regiment
Artillery Brigade
Air Defence Regiment
Attack Helicopter Regiment
Reconnaissance Battalion
36th Artillery Division
81st Artillery Division
37th Air Assault Brigade

Group of Soviet Forces Germany (HQ in Magdeburg)

The main striking force was the Group of Soviet Forces Germany, GSFG, commanded by the man below, Army General Mikhail Zaitsev.

Army General Mikhail Zaitsev – Commander of the Group of Soviet Forces Germany - at the Soviet War Memorial Tiergarten – 1982

GSFG was a significant force consisting of:

8 Guards Army (HQ in Weimar – Nohra – German Democratic Republic, GDR.)

79th Guards Tank Division
27th Guards Motor Rifle Division
39th Guards Motor Rifle Division
57th Guards Motor Rifle Division

1 Guards Tank Army (HQ in Dresden, GDR)

9th Tank Division
11th Guards Tank Division
20th Guards Motor Rifle Division

2 Guards Tank Army (HQ in Neubrandenburg, GDR)

16th Guards Tank Division
94th Guards Motor Rifle Division
21st Motor Rifle Division
207th Motor Rifle Division

20 Guards Tank Army (HQ in Eberswalde, GDR)

32nd Tank Division
25th Tank Division
35th Motor Rifle Division
6th Guards Motor Rifle Division

3 Shock Army (HQ in Magdeburg, GDR)

3rd Shock Army was the force that was most likely to have gone up against the Northern Army Group, in particular BAOR/I British Corps.

I shall show a more detailed breakdown of this particular Army.

7th Guards Tank Division
10th Guards Tank Division

A typical Tank Division would consist of: 10GTD

61 Guards Tank Regiment (90+ x T-80, 40+ x BMP-2, 2S6, SA-13 and 18 x 2S1)

62 Guards Tank Regiment (90+ x T-80, 40+ x BMP-2, 2S6, SA-13 and 18 x 2S1)

63 Guards Tank Regiment (90+ x T-80, 40+ x BMP-2, 2S6, SA-13 and 18 x 2S1)

248 Guards Motor Rifle Regiment (40 x T-80, 142 x BMP-2, 2S6, SA-13, BRDM -3 and 18 x 2S1

744 Guards Artillery Regiment (48 x 2S3 and 18 x BM-21

SS-21 battalion (4 x SS-21)

359 Guards Air Defence Regiment (20 x SA-15 and 21 SA-7/14/16

112 Independent Reconnaissance Battalion (6 x T-80, 13 x BRDM 2, 13 x BMP-2 and BRM)

Helicopter Squadron (6 x Mi-24 (Hind), 6 x Mi-8 (Hip) and 6 x Mi-2 (Hoplite))

131 Independent Engineer Battalion (TMM, GSP, PMP, K-61, BTM, MTK and GMZ)

152 Independent Signals Battalion

127 Independent Chemical Protection Battalion

1072 Independent Supply Battalion

60 Independent Repair Battalion

188 Independent Medical and Sanitary Battalion.

12th Guards Tank Division
47th Guards Tank Division

3rd Shock Attack Helicopter Regiment (40 x MI-24 Hind, 20 x MI-8 Hip)
3rd Shock Air Assault Battalion (17 x BMD)
3rd Shock Spetsnaz Battalion (25+ teams of approximately 10 men.)
3o4th Artillery Brigade (3 x Battalions (24 x 2S5 each battalion)
3rd Shock SSM Brigade (18 x ScudB surface to surface missiles.)
3rd Shock Rocket Regiment (54 x BM-21. each capable of launching 40 x 122mm rockets)
3rd Shock Engineer Brigade (TMM, MTU, PMP, GSP, K-61, BTM, GMZ and MTK)
36th Pontoon Bridging Regiment (TMM, PMP, K-61 and BTM)
3rd Shock Reconnaissance Battalion
3rd Shock SAM Brigade (27 x SA-4 Ghecko)

Notes:

All 10 of the Tank Divisions in East Germany were beefed up with an additional Tank Regiment – an addition of over 100 tanks each
All 9 of the Motor Rifle Divisions had been given an additional tank battalion of over 40 tanks each.
2 Guards Tank Army, facing northern Germany and Schleswig-Holstein was given an additional 3 Independent Tank Regiments giving them a further 450 main battle tanks to wield at NATO.
Each Division has 4 x Artillery Battalions (50% 152mm and 50% 122mm)

GSFG Assets

34th Artillery Division (3 x Howitzer Brigades (72 x 2S3 each Brigade), 1 x Heavy Brigade (72 x 2S7 each), 1 x Heavy Brigade (24 x 2S7 + 24 x 2S5) and 1 x Missile Brigade (72 x BM-27).
4 x Motor Rifle Battalions
1 x Tank Battalion (40 x T-80′s)
2 x SSM Brigade (18 x SS-23 each)
35th Air Assault Brigade
Engineer Brigade
2 x SAM (Surface to Air Missiles) Brigades (one with 27 x SA-4 and one with 27 x SA-5)
1 x SAM Regiment (20 x SA-15)
1 x Spetsnaz Brigade (Between 1500 and 2000 men. Split into teams of 50-150 special forces.)

Western TVD Assets:

72 x SS-22 Surface to Surface missiles, range of 600+ miles, capable of carrying a tactical nuclear warhead. (Stationed in the GDR)
36 x SS-22 Surface to Surface missiles, range of 600+ miles, capable of carrying a tactical nuclear warhead. (Stationed in the Czechoslovakia)
90 x SS-23 Surface to Surface missiles, range of 300+ miles, capable of carrying a tactical nuclear warhead. (Stationed in the GDR)

Below, some of the Warsaw Pact Equipment NATO would be up against.

Soviet T-72 Main Battle Tank. 125mm 2A46M smoothbore gun. Snorkel can be seen attached, allowing the tank to ford rivers.

Weighs 41.5 tons.

Steel and composite armour.

It was far too expensive to equip the Soviet Divisions with the T-64, so a cheaper alternative was introduced.

Crew of 3. 25,000 were built.

37mph with a range of 430 miles with fuel drums fitted on the back.

Autoloader replaced one of the crew. Expected to load 8 rounds per minute.

It had a comprehensive nuclear, biological and chemical (NBC) protection ystem.

T-72

T-72.

The T-72 was short on room inside as a consequence of its very low profile.

Torsion bar suspension.

V-12 diesel 780 hp engine.

On parade in East berlin in 1984.

This is the East German, export version, T-72M.

It was called the ‘monkey model’ and had thinner armour and downgraded weapons systems.

T-72M, East Berlin 1984.

Soviet ACRV M 1974(2).

Artillery Command & Reconnaissance Vehicle.

Designed and built to operate with the 2S3 and 2S5 122mm and 152mm self-propelled artillery systems.

The hull is of all-welded steel armour construction, protecting the crew for small arms fire and shell splinters. It has three roof-mounted day periscopes and a roof mounted swivelling periscope.

The commander and driver are seated at the front of the vehicle with to large windows which can be covered by armoured shutters.

Single door in the rear of the hull.

ACRV’s on route to East Berlin – 1984.

ACRV’s on parade in East Berlin – 1984

ACRV on the move

Future posts will cover the Warsaw Pact, the Soviet likely strategy and the Airborne and Spetsnaz force.

My intention is not to portray a particular message, but just share some of my research and experiences with you. This is the first of my new ‘Cold War’ series, supporting the writing of my new ‘Cold War’ series of novels, covering the hypothetical invasion of West Germany by the Warsaw Pact in the 80′s. ‘The Red Effect’. so keep your eyes peeled.

The equipment Photographs and Blog are copyrighted to Harvey Black

Berlin, The Cold War Years Part 4.

Posted: 03/05/2012 in Cold War, WW2
Tags: ACRV, Adolf Hitler, Bat M, Bebelplatz, Berlin, Berlin Cathedral, Berlin Sectors, Berlin Wall, Berliner Dom, Blockade., BMP 1, BMP 2, BMP2, Cold War, Culture, Deutschen Kunst Museum, East Berlin, FROG 7, FROG 7 Resupply, GDR, German, Germany, Graffiti, GRU, GSFG, Heinrich Strack, Herman Goring, Hind D, Hip helicopter, History, Intelligence gathering, International Congress Centre, Joseph Goebbels, Karlshorst, KGB, Luftwaffe, MICV, Military Mission Sign, Missile, motor rifle troops, NATO, Parachuting, Photography, Photos, Pictures, Reich Aviation Ministry, RM-70, Russia, SA-13 Gopher, SA-2 Guideline, SA-4 Ganef, SA-8 Gecko, SA-9 Gaskin, Sagger, Self propelled artillery, Soviet Army, Spandrel, T-62, T-72, Tank mine plough attachment, Tatra 813, Trabant, Treptow Park Soviet Memorial, Ural 375, Volkspolitzei, VOPO, Warsaw Pact, WW2

Berlin, the Cold War Years – Part 4.

At the end of World War 2, what remained of pre-war Germany was divided into four zones of occupation. Each of the Allied powers; the United Kingdom, United States, France and Russia, controlled one of them.

The capital of Germany, Berlin, was also divided into four Sectors. The consequence being, that the three Western Allied powers now controlled territory deep within the Soviet Union Zone of Germany.

Access was now restricted between Berlin and the West. A wall, 124 mile miles in length, was placed around the three sectors of West Berlin, cutting off the city from the rest of the world.

Remnants of the infamous Berlin Wall – February 2012

Having free, unhindered access to East Berlin and Museum Island was a real treat for me. Below is the Der Deutschen Kunst Museum, the House of Art Museum.

Deutschen Kunst Museum – Berlin – February 2012

Deutschen Kunst Museum, Berlin. Joseph Goebbels visiting – 1937

Bundesarchiv_Bild_183-H02648,_München,_Goebbels_im_Haus_der_Deutschen_Kunst.jpg

Also on the Island, the Berliner Dom, or Berlin Cathedral. In the 1940′s, it suffered considerable damage from bomb blast waves and incendiaries. Over the years it has been slowly restored.

Berliner Dom – February 2012

With my passion for military history, I naturally wanted to see this building below, Wilhelmstrasse 81-85. Luftwaffe Historians would know that in 1933, the newly formed Reich Aviation Ministry, headed by Hermann Goering, occupied it. The complex was demolished in 1935 and was re-built. The building you see today, with over 2,000 rooms.

Wilhelmstrasse 81-85, Berlin - February 2012

The Bebelplatz is known as the site of the infamous Nazi book burning ceremony held on the evening of the 10th May, 1933. Today, a memorial by Micha Ullman, consisting of a glass plate set into the cobblestones, shows empty book cases below.

Bebelplatz, Berlin – February 2012

At the end of the day the GDR, and East Berlin, were occupied by the Soviet Union and their military were ever present.

Russian T-62 driving passed a Kindergarten - East Berlin 1983

There were ‘Restricted Areas’ where the Soviets preferred us not to go. We naturally ignored them. I got this one to take home as a souvenir.

Russian helicopter taking an interest in us. Hip (Mi-8) – East Berlin 1983

This one is a deadly Hind-D (Mi-24). The worlds first Attack Helicopter. East Berlin – 1983

Below are some photographs of the Treptow Soviet Memorial. Although the GDR was part of the Warsaw Pact, the Soviets were still very much an occupying power. The memorial below, to the Soviet soldiers killed in WW2, is of a significant size.

Main entrance. The people give you an indication of its size. East Berlin – February 2012

View from the main entrance. Note the vertical slabs either side – East Berlin, February 2012

Each slab was carved with a scene depicting elements of WW2 – February 2012

Treptow Park Memorial – East Berlin, February 2012

The view looking back towards the entrance. East Berlin, February 2012.

For an interlude, I will share a few shots of my very first parachute jump. I did my jumps between my first tour in Northern Ireland and coming to Berlin. I completed my jumps with the Dutch Commandos, my first one landing on my feet, arse and head. Not quite the perfect roll I had anticipated.

Gulp, I’m ready. 1981

Yes that is me. My chute did open.

Yes you do have to carry your own chute back!

One key event that occurred every year, was the military parade to celebrate the formation of the GDR. This was naturally a key concern for the western allies. A country we didn’t officially recognise, holding a military parade on our doorstep. It was also an opportunity to disguise the movement of troops for a potential attack.

Troops start to flood in on the outskirts of East Berlin – 1984

First one is a FROG (Free Rocket Over Ground) 7 resupply, the second a FROG 7 TEL (Transporter, Erector, Launcher). FROG 7′s played a key part in the missile attacks on Israel during the Yom Kippur War.

Ural 375 – East Berlin 1984

Troops also arrived by rail – East Berlin – 1984

BRDM at the front and two ACRV’s, Armoured Command and Reconnaissance Vehicle. East Berlin 1984

Many of the troops were camped out at various parks and car parks on the outskirts. East Berlin 1984

Night time operations were a regular part of our life, often staying out for days at a time. East Berlin 1984

Posing shot… - East Berlin 1984

Then the fun and games begin….

Can you spot him? East Berlin 1983

See him now?

And another.

The VOPO were never far away. East Berlin 1984

The more troops and equipment that arrived, the more reinforcements to make life difficult for us. East Berlin 1984

Underside photographs were a key goal. This one showing a mine plough attachment. Weld thickness would also help in determining the thickness of a tanks armour. East Berlin 1984.

This is of a BMP-2, moving at the time. East Berlin 1984.

The tensions steadily got worse. Don’t forget, we didn’t recognise the GDR government, let a alone the Police. West Berlin police had no authority over us either, as we were also an occupying power in West Berlin. East Berlin 1984.

The glasses were fashionable at the time!

BMP-2, the latest MICV, Mechanised Infantry Combat Vehicle, in the GDR and Soviet arsenal. An AT-5, Spandrel anti-tank missile sits on top of the turret. East Berlin 1984.