41 - Defending the Fulda Gap

[@oldreliable3506]

i was with 2/11th a.c.r. mid 80 's at bad kissengen! went to graf the day i got there! was like the marines !!! " allons"!

[@kenhaight7774]

Had two tours of Germany. This brought back many memories. I was a scout on my first tour and a tanker on my second . The citizens were great at the border and the kids were always great no matter where you were . 11th ACR and 34th Armor .

[@ColdWarConversations]

Thanks for sharing this. I’m glad the episode brought back the memories.

[@SgtBones]

Allons!

[@aubreycampbell7202]

I was an Army Engineer in Germany from 1/77-1/80. I spent many months in the Fulda Gap digging artillery placements and tank traps. The infantry told us that we had 30 seconds to live if the Russians came across falsely or not. Never forget that experience.

[@marshalltravis3217]

My buddy and I got lost as Hogans goat near Wiesbaden in 1987. We stopped at a farm to ask directions to the road junction we were supposed to meet up with the other guys. Well Comrade said that he would help us but only after we got dinner. We hid the vehicle in his barn ( not an easy task ) and were invited to the house…. We showed up 2 hours later, full and with a big bag of food for later! I do miss the Cold War…

[@ColdWarConversations]

Great story. Thanks for sharing.

[@jimayala7766]

Stationed at Baumholder in the 8th Infantry. 1977-80. Most of us respected the Warsaw Pact nations. We were constantly called out on ALERTS, draw weapons ,head to the motor pool, haul ass in the direction of Meissau(ammo dump), then speed to Fulda. The job was to hold it for 72 hrs till reinforced. Many of us were more scared of a nuclear attack by NATO than by the Russians. Those ALERTS were far too frequent in between. It was definitely serious business back then. Edit: We rode all the way "shotgun" with 2/68th Armor. Also stationed at Baumholder.

[@ColdWarConversations]

Thanks very much for sharing that detail.

[@jeffmurphy3412]

2/13th Inf, 8th ID Mannheim/Sandhofen 1981-83. Those were the days...

[@jag5798]

In 85-86, I was stationed at a tactical site in Fulda (zero life expectancy). 1st of 3 female tank mechs at the time, caring for missile tank carriers. Never knew in April 1986 that Chernobyl had happened. I just knew upon leaving there, that I was told I could never give blood.

[@fromthefire4176]

JA G I hope you’re in good health today, and thank you for your service. I know saying that these days doesn’t have the same impact it used to, ppl often say it like a habit without real meaning or knowing anything about what they’re thanking the vet for, disrespectful really. But all of you in Europe at that time, doesn’t matter if it never went hot, you stood guard against a tidal wave, ready to fight the most unimaginably destructive conflict mankind never saw. And that’s in no small part thanks to all of you being there to deter it.

[@maplemanz]

I Can't either.

[@oporim]

Great interview. What I would like to listen to also is someone who served on the other side, East German or Soviet. To hear what they were told, what they were expecting ... probably a low NCO or officer would not know much except "we protect out motherland" ... and I suspect the higher-ups would not talk about their orders, exercises ... Once I read that Warsaw pact had planned for a pretty liberal use of tactical nuclear weapons (and chemical) in Germany to keep their momentum going. But probably their platoon commanders would know nothing about that.

[@ColdWarConversations]

You might find this one interesting. The East German Tank Commander (326) kzbin.info/www/bejne/hnTRqWOVibCJhKc

[@billr2375]

8th Infantry Division Baumholder. Largest concentration of combat ready troops outside of CONUS. We always headed to Fulda Gap on Alerts. 74-76'.

[@SuperSushidog]

I was stationed at Kaiserslautern Army Depot at the time. We fixed the tanks you guys broke. Brings back memories for sure.

[@ColdWarConversations]

I'm glad to hear it brought back some hopefully good memories!😄

[@Raceless1ELWynn]

I was in Howitzer Battery stationed in Fulda from 1979-1981. Border duty was like being imprisoned for two weeks. Once the gate shut you did not leave the compound. Additionally, as a young private the question was, “is this alert the real thing or what?” We never knew. But like the gentleman said after a while it became routine. However, it did get very tense with the Russian invasion of Afghanistan and having to deal with the terrorists attacking soldiers/Americans. We had an attack on our motor pool one night that I was on guard duty. I couldn’t wait to leave Germany. Funny, now I’d to visit Fulda as a civilian.

[@ColdWarConversations]

Thanks for sharing those details.

[@NiklasKing87]

my dad was stationed in Germany in 85-88 in Hanau. (where he also met my mom) I was stationed there from 2019-2021. this is very interesting stuff thanks for sharing.

[@ColdWarConversations]

My pleasure!

[@BaKeDTrOoPeR]

Love these Cold War tales from the people who where there at the time, subscribed keep up the great interviews

[@ColdWarConversations]

Thanks, there's plenty more to come!

[@JeepWrangler1957]

Still kills me we were not awarded the Cold War Victory Medal. Just given lip service by politicians

[@hckyplyr9285]

Yeah folks who served during the Cold War deserve that kind of recognition. I was in SAC in its last days (was around when SAC and TAC became ACC on Sept 30 1992) ......Not sure I would count as I never left CONUS and I didn't get in until '89.

[@gordonlandreth9550]

They do have a Cold War Medal , but I never got one .

[@Cameron-lg6vk]

Out of my none ribbons/medals over a ten year period of service in the US Army during the 80-90's period only one medal resonates with me. The Cold War commeritive medal which is only authorized for wear as a veteran, not by active duty personnel. My first two years of service I was assigned to B. Co 1-509th Airborne Combat Team and spent 13 out of 24 months in the field.. In my ten years of service, being in Europe during that time it never felt more real that than. 😎 l.

[@bloodhounddaddy9008]

My Dad served in the 3rd Armored at Ayers Kaserne from 61(the year the wall went up) to 64. He told me that their orders were to protect the Fulda Gap. If the Soviets Invaded it was their duty to slow the Red Army down long enough to enable civilians to evacuate American Occupied West Germany.

[@ColdWarConversations]

Thanks for sharing your father's service.

[@hckyplyr9285]

This is priceless history thank you. Some may seem mundane but God I was there and it was as serious as a heart attack. The Cold War werent no joke.

[@ColdWarConversations]

Thanks for your kind words. We’ve plenty more Cold War Conversations to come!

[@friendofcoal]

I was at Bad Kissingen just on the south side of the Fulda Gap, West Germany (84-85) with C-Btry 2nd/41st FA 3rd ID. The 2nd/11th Cav was there too.

[@ColdWarConversations]

Thank you for your service.

[@bobybarra3096]

Assigned to Regiment Border Operations, aero scout and RS2 as Intel analyst 96B. Reported in from 2/75 Ranger Battalion in 77. Sfc Bob McCord was aero scout flying the TRACE. Blackhorse best assignment under General John Sherman Crow. Shout out to Cpt Belton, ADA, product of Fort Lewis. "Two BTs MGF checking SM70 mines". REFORGER

[@05Hogsrule]

to this day, i don't smoke, but I stock up on cigarettes just for the simple option of profit after the normal rations would empty out...then you make your sales very tasty for a pack at a time. it's fun watching people suffer without cigarettes or chewing tobacco. :)))) Berlin Brigade!! the forgotten bastards! We Always had our firing pins installed...not like this guy talking. From Berlin Brigade to Fulda w/11ACR and then Augsburg & Schweinfurt...long days of readiness. Flash cards were for the recruits, but all you had to realize was, if it shoots at you...shoot back. TEAM-YANKEE is an Epic book.

[@jamiehancock6296]

Ha! The old turn the undies/socks inside out trick on Ex…love the content!!

[@blackhorse11thACR]

Iron Curtain border patrol in Fulda Gap. 3/11th ACR. Its incredible we never were awarded the Cold War Victory Medal. Absolutely no recognition to have kept the free world safe. Terrorism also was a big problem. 75~77.

[@schlirf]

I remember Bob McCord talking about an incident on the Grenz circa 1978 where a Soviet Tank Battalion got lost in the fog and ended up parked two klicks away from the fence, but never saw or heard any soviet armor along the trace between 1983-89; Hinds and BTs yes, but no armor.

[@SgtBones]

Same here, 1/11ACR 86-90, a smlm, hinds, hips, btr but never a tank

[@schlirf]

@@SgtBones 83-86 C troop. This happened before my time, around 1980 or so.

[@schlirf]

Back when CC Brown was still an E-5.

[@SgtBones]

@@schlirf CC Brown is a legend! Blackhorse Badass #1

[@janosbalogh7584]

Very good interview, I enjoyed both parts.

[@ColdWarConversations]

That's very kind thanks. You might also enjoy this Fulda episode too. coldwarconversations.com/episode146/

[@janosbalogh7584]

@@ColdWarConversations Thanks already did that as well. Was a good bonus. Just finished reading the book Team Yankee. :)

[@ColdWarConversations]

@@janosbalogh7584 That's on my tbr list. Have you tried the Chieftains book? amzn.to/3V6r0hI I've got a two-part interview with a Chieftain commander and fellow crew member coming up in Dec.

[@janosbalogh7584]

@@ColdWarConversations I have the book on my Kindle, thanks for the advice. Great news! I will combine the interview and the book again.

[@Toe_M]

I Still have a couple of 11AC regt field jackets with the horse on the shoulder I swapped with US soldiers in Fallingbostel (Bergen Hohne tank ranges) in 1986. Us Brits were up on the North German Plain playing the same game with the Russian 3rd Shock Army on the other side of the IGB.

[@tazjammer]

'75-'79. A co, 2/64 Armor, Schweinfurt. M60a1 gunner/Co Armorer. We were a buffer, or pad on a shotgun, like speed bump. 20 minute combat life expectancy.

[@ColdWarConversations]

Scary times. Thanks for sharing that.

[@marshalltravis3217]

I do miss the Cold War,,,

[@dreimler]

I remember being on a Reforger exercise seeing German farmers would try to waive you through their fields so they could collect damages. 😀

[@brendanukveteran2360]

Berlin - 1978, Berlin Field Force....46 armoured divisions of the GSFG as our neighbours....best to just ignore them and play at defending the Grunwalld forrest - even though the first thing that would have happened would have been over 1,000 Warsaw Pact troops coming through the wall to overwhelm my battalion at 3 am.....same thing at RAF Gatow

[@ColdWarConversations]

Thanks for sharing this. Have you listened to our Gatow episode here? kzbin.info/www/bejne/raSkqaN8p6yWj8U

[@sceptre1922]

I remember and miss those days: Air Troop - 1978 - 1980; R Troop 4/11th (Tank Busters) (1SG), T Troop 4/11th (Titan) (Production Control), HHT 4/11th (Houdini) (S-2, Squadron Reenlistment) - 1988 - 1992.

[@ColdWarConversations]

Thank you for your service.

[@majtom5421]

I was in a Cobra AH1S unit in Fliegerhorst near Hanau. Our mission was to fly to Fulda and kill tanks & armor vehicles. The joke was 11th ACR would slow the Russians down by them tripping over their bodies. Standing in line at the Arms room waiting for key from BN to get weapons & NVG's, it would be over an hour and a half before the first Cobra got of the ground on a good day.

[@ColdWarConversations]

Thank you for your service. Would you be interested in coming on the podcast and telling your story?

[@thetreblerebel]

Good good stuff

[@ColdWarConversations]

Appreciate it

[@RailGunZ-wf1df]

Cavalry Scout Sergeant B Troop 1st Squadron 11th Armored Cavalry March 1982 through May 1984.

[@gosloppyonmymeat]

I was there the same time you were. I was with the MI unit on the airfield at first, then transferred to HHT 11ACR. Worked in RS-4

[@milmex317th]

We were blackhorse Engineer support. Ftx with 1/11 ACR Wildflicken Bumholder And Reforgers 3times

[@sj8218]

You should interview my friend John Dellinger. Cold war trooper with more to share than u would know.

[@azthundercloud]

I remember the ZULU birds at Ramstein. We had alert duty 24/7 for a week then turned things over to the next team.

[@ColdWarConversations]

Thank you for your service.

[@JeepWrangler1957]

On another note, I remember hearing from a friend who served as a tanker in WG talking about a farmer complaining about American tanks tearing up his fields. The German Polzei asked him, "would you rather they were Russian tanks?" The farmer stopped complaining.

[@ColdWarConversations]

Great story! Did you serve in WG?

[@frankwaugh1894]

The German farmers were compensated quite well for "maneuver damage" and our units even had those amounts baked into our budgets. That is why on maneuver we always moved around the perimeters of fields and gardens and didn't just go charging across them with gleeful abandon. Anyone who was that reckless would have some serious explaining to do and would probably lose a stripe in the process...

[@JeepWrangler1957]

As a Cold Warrior I enjoy your podcasts. But it would be pretty impossible for the Soviets to launch an attack from a barracks. It would require units being formed up in attack formations with accompanying supply and HQ units. This would be picked up by US Spy satellites. These formations would make excellent targets for tactical Nukes. Knowing how bad Soviet maintenance was it is doubtful that their "7 days to the Rhine" plan would see enough of a force reach it that wouldn't be rolled over in a NATO counterattack. There was also plans in NATO to take out bridges over the Vistula in Poland to prevent the moving up of Category II and III reserves from the USSR. And having no professional SNCO Corps, leaves a lot to the lack of leadership when officers are killed or injured.

[@ColdWarConversations]

Indeed. The impression I get is that by the the mid 1980s there was a belief in NATO that they could defeat the WP conventionally or at least do some serious damage. Where did you serve?

[@studentaviator3756]

So I was reading fireteam yankee and im a little confused what the armoured cavalry would do. Recon? First tripwire? What where they generally equipped with? M3 Bradleys and a few mbts? How much dismounted infantry? If any at all?

[@jordankoehling9975]

So that's an interesting question particularly if you're looking at more modern Cavalry Squadrons/Regiments. So back in the 70s and 80s independent Armoured Cavalry Regiments, ex. 11th ACR, we're essentially independent tank units/armor heavy regimental combat teams. In today's world the Army is all screwed up in what it calls Cavalry. For example every brigade combat team today has a RSTA(Reconnaissance, Surveillance, and Target Aquistion) Cavalry Squadron with 2 mounted troops, cav scouts, and 1 dismounted troop(infantrymen). Then you have some stryker brigades that are called Cavalry Regiments but are just Stryker Brigade Combat teams that use Cavalry names for unit tradition, same goes for certain armored brigade combat teams(or heavy brigade combat teams). And lastly you have you have aviation units that also use Cavalry monikers for tradition. Apologies for the tangent but essentially US Cold War Armored Cavalry Regiments were tank heavy Regimental/Brigade Combat Teams

[@studentaviator3756]

@@jordankoehling9975 Thank you very much for your answer I am extremely interested in these topics so I am very appreciative , I am British so in the UK the cavalry regiments where either a standard tank regiment. Or a light armoured recon. MBT tanks where never used in the recon role, (as far as I am aware) the army always used light wheeled vehicles or light armoured tracked vehicles, and a few AGTMs for some opportunistic sniping. To me and correct me if I am wrong, The American Armoured Cavalry seems to be a mobile armoured force designed for screening whilst other units withdraw and aggressive pushing to exploit gaps in the enemy lines. As well as fulfilling its role of RTSA. My understanding of the Stryker Brigades are they are a mix between motorised infantry and mechanised infantry and are supposed to have a high amount of mobility utilising a single type vehicle.

[@OuterHeaven210]

Subscribed. Cool podcast

[@ColdWarConversations]

Thanks, welcome aboard!

[@Fehu1964]

1984-1985 Germany Bundeswehr, 1989-1992 708th MSB, V Corps.

[@matthew1882]

Any plans to look at the Cold War in Southern Africa?

[@RailGunZ-wf1df]

The 80s at Fulda Gap was much the same as stated here but different. We were stationed at Fulda so it was routine to have all the tanks and APCs in the OP or occasionally on PVPs (primary vantage points). We practiced uploading our ammo but I don't recall ever leaving the ammo dump uploaded. I believe they were timing us. I never saw any Soviet tanks on the border. Mostly it was those little east German trabants. I did see quite a few enemy helicopters including that big big big Hind D. As far as I know all the tanks had their firing pins in or with the tank and they did have one full combat load of main gun rounds. I was in a M113 and we had a box of 50 caliber rounds with a wire seal in the vehicle no matter where we went. Lots of time on that OP. Strange days indeed.

[@ColdWarConversations]

Thanks for sharing that. Really interesting.

[@RailGunZ-wf1df]

I just re-read my post and feel that I should say that I'm not trying to disagree with the soldier you interviewed. Firing pins or no firing pins in the tanks was entirely possible. On duty we would have to sign a use of deadly force form. On duty consisted of Tower duty, operations center, front gate guard, roving guard and patrols. There were some that were just uncentered enough to not pull any of those duties and spent their time on buffing and sweeping the O.P. Back to signing the use of deadly force form.... We got a magazine for either the M1911 or M16 with five (5) rounds. Apparently we were trusted enough to not start an international incident but if we did it wasn't going to be bigger than a five round incident. Tons of odd things went on during my two year tour there. This channel has drummed up so many memories.

[@ColdWarConversations]

@@RailGunZ-wf1df Would you be interested in talking about your experiences on the podcast?

[@RailGunZ-wf1df]

Wow! Immediate stage fright. I have to say yes but I'm already jumpy about it.

[@ColdWarConversations]

@@RailGunZ-wf1df hey, as you've heard it's a very relaxed chat - like having a beer or a coffee together. Can email me via the email here and I'll talk you through the process? coldwarconversations.com/contact/

[@Shogun459]

Our entire purpose was to hold Air and Sea ports for 3 days. After that it was common knowledge that all units would have taken 50% or greater casualties and would not be cohesive fighting units. In this time NATO and the United States would transport soldiers to pomkis(sp) sites where Weapons, Ammo and Gear was stockpiled. They would be the counter strike. Neutron warheads were designed to be used on Soviet Armored Columns, turning them into microwave ovens for their crews. It was never designed for use in Cites, that was Soviet Propo. The Soviets had about 9 Divisions of Armor poised on the other side of this "Only Way" to Get Armored Columns into central Europe in a short period of time. Fulda is a Natural bottleneck.

[@buddyspecialops]

Wow, I didn't know Neutron bombs were real. Crazy shit.

[@mictreful]

2/13th Inf Co B at the old Coleman Barracks always would send theFNG to the orderly room for the alert key

[@jerrsher]

3rd Armored Division 1 Bn 33rd Armor Combat Support Company Redeye Platoon 1977-1979 Gelnhauisen FRG I was a 19 year old Speed Bump Trained in Fulda Gap with our Scouts Often Accurate Description

[@ColdWarConversations]

Thankyou for your service and thanks for listening to the podcast.

[@Cameron-lg6vk]

Early one morning, I was moving in single file thrrough a wet field, my camouflage pants soaked, my jungle boots wet, my feet blistered, when I saw in the distance to my right, a man of 40 on his porch. He saw our patrol and then made a grsture throygh the screen door of his to farmhouse.. Quickly thereafter a young girl of 11-12 years of age emergee with a basket and in great haste made her way to the creek before me thst we were slowly crossing over. Upon my reaching the creek junction I saw that her basket was filled with large, rilpe, (and I immediately discovered extremely tasty) red apples.. She thrust one into my hands, and ger face broke out into a genuine smile. "Danke, fraulein," was my response to her offering. I waved to her father, and he returned it as he see toid there watching us move through his property. It was June 1982, my first field exercise as a member of B. Co 1-509th Airborne Combat Team. Out if 13 months in the field over a two year oisting to Italy, it was my only personal encounter with rhe local.populace in the field and it was definitely memorable! Looking back, I am ever so grateful that the Cold War never went hot. The horrors thst would have been unleashed upon Europe by conventional warfare, and the subsequent nuclear exchange wiuld have decimated us all. Fondly remembered, my time on exercise with the 509th in Germany, when I was 18-20 years old. 😎

[@ColdWarConversations]

That is such a lovely story. Thanks so much for sharing.

[@18dmedic]

I was with the 1st Armored Division at Warner Barracks and also with the Berlin Brigade at Andrews Barracks at various times from 85-88. Also patrolled the West German/Czechoslovakian border out of Camp Pittman. I've lost track of how many times we rolled for the border to our battle position in and around the City of Marktredwitz West Germany. Great times back then. I still remember the very first time the Air Raid Siren for the installation sounded and I had just gotten to my unit as a fresh 19 year old out of basic and AIT and how the men that had been stationed there for some time where just saying how the balloon had gone up and the CAV across the street was now rolling for the border. Boy they had me going and I was scared shitless. I still remember my battle position building that I would pull my track into. I still remember seeing a Soviet Hind-D launching out of Cheb and headed for the border where we were observing our assigned sector dur the border trace for the day.

[@dreimler]

I was stationed at Bamberg 82-84. I had a great time there.

[@markbriddick6863]

Alpha troop 1/11 acr 1978-1979 hard core ! Blackhorse !

[@milmex317th]

F co 4th engineer Bn wiesbaden airbase 83-85 317th engineer Frankfurt 87-90. Sat on same targets Who remembers cheese charges To stop the soviet army to "nuc em" "In place". Was there to see the Berlin wall come down.

[@Ironmikeblood]

Nix Frankfurt, "Eschborn" 😉

[@Ironmikeblood]

3rd Bde, 3rd AD was at the Border before Bde 76, 🤣👍

[@maplemanz]

C company 237 ENG Battalion 7th ENG Brigade Heilbronn Germany 85-87.

[@ColdWarConversations]

Thank you for your service.

[@milmex317th]

Fco 4th engineer Wiesbaden 83-85 317th engineer Frankfurt 87-90. Good times.