[center][h2][b]A Meeting Engagement[/b][/h2]
[i]Assault: Tactical Combat in the 1980s[/i]

[img]https://i.imgur.com/ByxEWFQ.jpg[/img][/center]

[right][b][i]05 April 1985[/i][/b][/right]
NATO forces have fared quite well against the East German and Czechoslovakian onslaught. But that cannot be true for every area along the 1K Zone dividing the East and West. In one region near the Fulda Gap, East German forces were successfully able to breach the NATO lines. The US 1st Battalion 33rd Armor held the line against an East German Panzer Regiment. Unfortunately, the 2nd Battalion 32nd Armor did not hold. The Soviet 91st Motorized Rifle Regiment of the Soviet 35th Motorized Rifle Division is serving as the Advanced Guard to develop this penetration.

A detachment from the 1st Battalion, 33rd Armor, supported by elements of the 1st Battalion, 48th Infantry (Mechanized) has established a Defensive position in the path of the 35th MRD’s Advance Guard element. The Battalion’s Executive Officer is in command of this detachment and preparing to meet the pride of the Soviet Army in open conflict.

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[right][b][i]0630 hours 05 April 1985[/i][/b][/right]

Beginning Morning Nautical Twilight started at about ten minutes after six in the morning. The temperature was a balmy 49 degrees (F) or 9 degrees (C). The high temperature for the day would reach only about 55 degrees (F) or 12 degrees (C). The wind was sharp at 8 MPH from the Northwest blowing towards the advancing soviet regiments.

A light misting rain blew in the early morning twilight. By 0630 hours, the ground was completely covered in water, but the sky was clear. As the sun came out, the skies would be filled with NATO and WARSAW Pact aircraft performing their dance of death above. Both sides taking losses.

Condensation trails (contrails) streaked across the pale blue of the morning sky with the scattered sounds of damaged aircraft impacting the terrain. An occasional parachute could be seen blooming depositing its combat-experienced pilot into either friendly or enemy hands depending on which side they happened to land.

The ground where the American and Soviet soldiers prepared to meet each other was wet and sloppy. Many of the farmer’s fields could soon be turned into a muddy quagmire if excessive numbers of vehicles were to pass through them. Most of the season’s snow had melted. Only a few small patches remained in shadowy areas.