Battle for the Fulda Gap

One of the possible directions of the Soviet invasion into Western Europe was considered a wide lowland area between the mountains of the federal state of Hesse, Germany. This area was designated by NATO military ‘The Fulda Gap”. The lowland was well suited for the operation of a large scale armored group, the main gambit of the Soviet military doctrine in a possible war.

The strategists were right. July 25th, 1985, the USSR initiates a large-scale border breakthrough in the Fulda Gap region, heading towards Frankfurt am Main to capture the financial centre of Germany and establish a foothold for the invasion into Western Europe.

Participating vehicles

USSR		Germany
Ground vehicles	Aviation	Ground vehicles	Aviation
Main battle tank: T-55A ★ T-55AM-1 T-62 T-62M-1 T-64A (1971) T-64B T-72A T-80B AFV: BMP-1 ★ BMP-2 Shturm-S SPAA: ZSU-23-4 ★ 2S6	Helicopter: Mi-24A ★ Mi-24P ▂Mi-24D Mi-24V Fighter: MiG-17 ★ MiG-19PT MiG-21F-13 MiG-21SMT Su-7B	Main battle tank: M48A2 G A2 ★ KPz-70 Leopard A1A1 Leopard 2K Leopard 2A4 Leopard A1A1 (L/44) AFV: JPz 4-5 ★ RakJPz 2 RakJPz 2 (HOT) SPAA: Gepard ★ FlaRakPz 1	Helicopter: ◄UH-1D ★ BO 105 PAH-1 BO 105 PAH-1A1 BO 105 CB-2 Fighter: ◄G.91 R/3 ★ G.91 R/4 ◄CL-13A Mk 5 ◄CL-13B Mk.6 ◄F-86K ◄F-104G

★ — default group vehicle which you can always put into the vehicle slot.

Scenario tasks

These conditions are important for squadrons that enter the operation according to the described scenario.

USSR	Germany
Capture 2 sectors C6, D6 (Frankfurt am Main) within 2 hours. Capture at least 78% of the sectors within 2 hours. Prevent enemy superiority in number over vehicles 2.5 times.	Hold at least 1 sector from C6, D6 (Frankfurt am Main) for 2 hours. Hold at least 23% of the sectors for 2 hours. Gain superiority in numbers over vehicles 2.5 times.

Initial balance of power

Media

The Shooting Range #206 - Pages of Alternative History section at 03:57 discusses the Battle for the Fulda Gap.