Military Exercise Shchit-88 Operational Summary No. 1 for the period 0800 25 May to 0800 2 June 1988

[letterhead] General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces

Deliver at 0800 2 June        Secret

Copy Nº 4

Exercise

[Original Polish receipt and

declassification stamps]

OPERATIONAL SUMMARY

Nº 1

(for the period 0800 25 May to 0800 2 June 1988)

Warsaw

1988

OPERATIONAL SUMMARY Nº 1

for the period 0800 25 May to 0800 2 June 1988

1. In accordance with the growing threat of the "BLUES", the "REDS" performed a covert operational deployment of selected formations and units in [their] armed forces.

The following measures were performed within the framework of general preparations:

- the dispatch of servicemen and reserves to military schools, courses, retraining, and command-staff training has been stopped; servicemen in courses are being recalled to their units;

- troops in temporary locations are being recalled to their garrisons with the exception of formations at wartime strength and undergoing training (exercises) at training areas;

- at the instruction of the Chief of the General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces the formation of detachments for engineer preparation of the terrain began on 1 June and which will be made ready to carry out work on behalf of the 3^rd Front beginning [inserted by hand: 2] June.

- [the following] have been deployed at field control posts: by 1 June, the staff of the 3^rd Front, by 0800 2 June, the staffs of the 2^nd, 3^rd, 6^th, and 8^th Armies;

- by 26 May formations and units have been inspected for the deployment of elements of the mobilization base;

- the discharge of reservists being trained has been halted. Equipment received from the economy has been left in the units;

- since 1 June aircraft and helicopters received from the economy are being accepted and reequipped;

- beginning 26 May a 24-hour watch has been established in all the armed forces and also in military commissariats; [there are] full shifts in national air defense troops and at the remaining HQs - reduced [shifts];

- the border forces and selected units of the Ministry of Internal Affairs have increased security at the border, airfields, and seaports.

2. According to a 25 May directive of the GK OVS in the Western TVD he has planned a frontal defensive operation for 1 June. In response to the actions of the "BLUES" the forces allocated from the 2^nd, 3^rd, and 6^th Armies and also the engineer troops are preparing defensive positions in the main defensive zone.

At the instruction of the Chief of the General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces the allocated combined-arms units, air forces, navy, missile troops and artillery, and REhB, intelligence, and communications have been brought up to wartime strength under the guise of an exercise and work on behalf of the economy and into full combat readiness in permanently deployed locations or contingency [neplanovye] areas.

A. The 2^nd Army (GDR Peoples Army)

- by 25 May the 11^th msd had been brought up to wartime strength and beginning on 31 May together with a battalion of engineer vehicles it began engineer preparations of the 2^nd and 3^rd positions of the main defensive zone in the sector south of SZCZECIN and BARLINEK;

- on 25 May the Druzhba-88 exercise began at the DRAWSKI training area in which the 18^th msd, 25^th td (of the 8^th Army), and missile troops and artillery of the Army are participating;

- [the following] have been brought up to wartime strength under the guise of preparations for an exercise: by 28 May, the 19^th td; by 30 May, the 30^th msd. The formations are being brought into readiness in permanently deployed locations and are undergoing training in combat teamwork [slazhivanie] in garrison training centers.

- the 29^th msd was brought up to wartime strength by 2 June; after regrouping it is beginning to prepare the defense of the coastline in the sector DZIWNÓW, KoLobrzeg.

B. The 6^th Army (USSR Armed Forces)

- under the guise of preparations to carry out work on behalf of the economy the 2^nd msd was brought up to strength by 25 May; together with the allocated engineer forces it is making engineering preparations of the second and third positions in the main defensive zone in the sector ZagaN, PieNsk;

- the 1^st td was brought up to wartime strength starting 23 May and is training at the ZagaN Training Area;

- on 26 May the 3^rd msd and on 30 May the 4^th msd were brought up to wartime strength and brought into readiness at permanently deployed areas.

C. The 3^rd Army (Czechoslovak National Army)

- the 31^st td was brought up to wartime strength on 25 May and beginning 30 May it is making engineering preparations of positions in the main defensive zone together with a battalion of engineer vehicles of the 3^rd isbr in the sector SLubice, GUBIN;

- beginning 24 May the 33^rd msd is conducting planned training at the WEdrzyn Training Area;

- on 28 May the 32^nd msd and on 31 May the 34^th msd were brought up to wartime strength and began training in garrison areas to be brought into readiness for operations.

D. The 8^th Army (Polish Armed Forces)

- at the instruction of the Chief of the General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces by 26 May the system of mobilization expansion of Army formations and units was inspected and mobilization documentation amplified;

- under the guise of a planned exercise formations and units of the missile troops, air defense, REhB, and intelligence have been brought up to wartime strength and control posts have been provided; beginning 25 May they have been brought into readiness in reserve assembly areas or in training areas;

- the 25^th td has been brought up to wartime strength and is taking part in the Druzhba-88 exercise at the Drawski Training Area;

- the training of the 21^st td is underway at the Orzysz Training Area.

E. The 11^th vdbr

- after the brigade was brought up to wartime strength it was brought into readiness at the reserve assembly area.

F. The 12^th Coastal Defense Brigade

- it was brought up to wartime strength by 25 May under the guise of joint exercises with the Navy and is being brought into readiness in permanently deployed locations.

G. The 41^st rmd [expansion unknown, but presumably a division, possibly a reserve mechanized division]

- the formation of two mechanized regiments, communications, and air defense subunits began on 2 June.

In reconnaissance forces

Electronic intelligence units are reconnoitering the armed forces of the "BLUES" at the indicated lines [rubezhakh].

Special reconnaissance units and subunits are conducting training in combat teamwork and are being brought into readiness for action.

Reconnaissance aircraft are conducting intensified reconnaissance along the coastline and the western border of Poland.

In  REhB forces

The 24^th op-N [expansion unknown] and 8^th op-N have been conducting training in combat teamwork at the MUSZAKI Training Area since 26 May.

The remaining REhB units are conducting intensified training in garrison. Ten percent of REhB resources are on a round-the-clock watch.

In Missile Troops and Artillery

The formations of operational tactical missiles, field missile technical bases, the 8^th apabr [Army Field Gun Artillery Brigade], the 21^st ap BM  [Heavy Artillery Regiment], and the 15^th aiptap [Army Anti-Tank Artillery Regiment] in permanently deployed locations were brought up to wartime strength by 28 May.

[The following] were brought up to wartime strength and deployed by 29 May:

- the 15^th apabr and the 15^th Artillery Reconnaissance Regiment (oapr) in border regions in the zone of the 2nd Army;

- the 6^th apabr and the 6^th apar in border regions in the zone of the 6^th Army;

- the 3^rd apar in firing positions west of Rzepin.

[The following] are undergoing training in training areas:

- the 3^rd apabr and 3^rd adnar [possibly "Artillery Reconnaissance Battalion"] since 27 May at the Wedrzyn Training Area;

- the 6^th orap [Independent Aerial Reconnaissance Regiment] has been at the Zagan Training Area since 26 May;

- the 15^th orap is taking part in the Druzhba-88 exercise.

The remaining missile and artillery frontal and Army formations and units are being brought into readiness by 2 June for operations in permanently deployed locations and assembly areas.

9K714 [Oka tactical] missile battalions have been on alert since 25 May in garrison training areas.

Tactical missile battalions and reconnaissance/strike and fire groups of first echelon formations are being brought into readiness in assembly areas.

Conventionally-armed missiles will be delivered to rendezvous points (PV) by 0400 4 June in order to train the allocated forces of the missile troop and artillery for a air defense operation:

- to PV-1 - WEgorzewo - four operational-tactical [missiles] and 16 tactical (4 [of them] "T");

- to PV-2 - WRONKI - eight operational-tactical;

- to PV-3 - Swiebodzin - 12 tactical (4 [of them] "T");

- to PV-4 - RUDNA - 27, including 11 operational-tactical and 16 tactical (4 [of them] "T").

In the air forces

Training in the combat teamwork of the operations of tactical groups is being conducted in formations and units. Airborne command posts were rebased from army aviation units to the landing fields of the respective HQs by 2 June where they are being kept in combat readiness Nº 2.

The preparation of AUD [airfield sections of roads] for the dispersion of aircraft has been completed. The forward ground support echelons at all airfields have been brought into readiness for regrouping at the indicated airfields or at intermediate assembly areas. The second echelons are providing support to the air regiments' missions.

Aviation ammunition has been stored up to full scale in aircraft parking areas in readiness for immediate mounting.

In the air defense troops

By 2 June the air forces and air defense forces SKP [possibly "launch command post"] of the front and the SKP of Army aviation and air defense had been regrouped to the designated areas and maintained in readiness.

First echelon SAM and radiotechnical units of the Front and armies have been regrouped from permanently deployed locations to designated areas and brought into readiness in accordance with decisions made in the Front, armies, and formations.

The 8^th zrp and air defense units of the 8^th Army have been brought up to wartime strength and brought into readiness at permanently deployed locations.

The radiotechnical troops of the air defense of the ground forces began to work on wartime radio frequencies beginning at 0800 2 June.

[The following] are on combat alert in the air defense system:

- in SAM regiments (zenap) - one battery each in readiness Nº 2 and one battery each in readiness Nº 3;

- in SAM brigades [and] the Krug zrp - one battalion each (less two batteries) in readiness Nº 2 and one battalion (less two batteries) in readiness Nº 3.

In engineer troops

By 26 May engineer units which were performing work on behalf of the economy had returned to their garrisons.

[The following] were brought up to wartime strength and into readiness at permanently deployed locations under the guise of preparations for an exercise:

- by 30 May, the 6^th and 15^th isbr's, the 6^th and 15^th pomp's, the 6^th itp [Engineering and Technical Regiment], the 29^th ib PU [Engineer Battalion for Equipping Control Posts], and the 220^th Fortification Regiment;

- by 2 June, the 3^rd and 21^st isbr's and the 3^rd itp.

Minelaying equipment and mines are being issued and distributed from centrally-subordinate depots.

Subunits of engineer vehicles of first echelon armies together with combined-arms formations began the fortification of lines in the main defense zone beginning 31 May. The 220^th Fortification Regiment together with detachments for engineer preparation of the terrain began the engineering preparation of blocking positions and front line positions.

The 283^rd maskb [Camouflage Battalion] was brought into readiness by 26 May and began the construction of dummy areas in accordance with the Front plan.

In the chemical troops

[The following] have been brought into readiness under the guise of preparations for exercises:

- the RAST [computation and analysis station] and rear RAST of the Front and armies in areas where Front and army control posts are deployed, by 26 May;

- radiation and chemical reconnaissance subunits were brought up to wartime strength and into readiness for operations in assembly areas by 29 May.

The peacetime system of radiation and chemical reconnaissance began operating in the country beginning 1 June.

In signal troops

Under the guise of preparations for exercises signals troops regrouped in areas where Front, army, and formation control posts are deployed by 28 May. Communications centers were ready for operation by 31 May.

Radio, radiorelay, and cable communications have been organized. Satellite and troposphere communications have been readied for operation. Communications on wartime frequencies have been organized in all troop arms.

In the services of the rear

Planned measures are being carried out for the timely and complete deployment of the men and equipment of the operational rear and the organization of a field system of supply on behalf of the troops of the 3^rd Front.

The rear control posts of the 3^rd Front, 2^nd, 3^rd, 6^th, and 8^th Armies, and the rear formations and units of the 3^rd Army (3^rd omo [Independent Medical Detachment], and 6^th Army (6^th mbu [Medical Reinforcement Brigade] were deployed by 0800 2 June.

Full-scale mobile and operational reserves have been stockpiled in line units [v voyskakh]. Current supply of the troops is done from working stocks at garrison depots.

Materiel resources are loaded onto combat vehicles and the transport vehicles of first echelon formations.

Preparatory measures are being taken at military depots and the bases of the economy for a mass issue, loading, and distribution of material resources.

Readiness to carry out missions to ensure the survivability of the transportation system (transshipment points, ports, approaches to crossings] has been verified.

The preparedness of transportation resources (vehicles, trailers, rolling stock, ships) has been inspected and the priority of their movement (transfer by the armed forces) when making massive military shipments has been verified. The technical documentation of the construction of parallel bridges and crossings has been checked as well as the technical condition of bridges.

Organizational measures for a continuous supply of nurses for the military medical service have been completed. Evacuation hospital equipment has been supplemented.

Restrictions on the use of fuel have been introduced in the economy.

Blood bank supplies at civilian donor stations intended for immediate delivery to the armed forces have been inspected.

In the technical services

The 23^rd FRB was brought up to strength within the framework of planned exercises by 24 May and sent to the TORUN Training Area where it is undergoing training in combat teamwork and special training.

The organizational nucleus [orgyadro] for the 22^nd FRB and 21^st GFRB [expansion unknown] was called up by 28 May.

Equipment received from the economy is being inspected.

The 225^th and 228^th orpdn [Independent Missile Transportation Battalion] have been brought into readiness to receive missiles and to leave for the designated areas. Beginning 2 June under the guise of preparations for exercises, it began to be brought up to wartime strength at the location of permanent deployment of the 6^th ARB.

THE COMBINED BALTIC FLEET

In accordance with a directive of the Commander of the OBF, the headquarters of the USSR BF [Baltic Fleet], Polish Navy, and GDR Peoples Navy have updated [utochnili] plans to defend the coastline.

The allocated strike, anti-mine, and other support forces returned to their bases by 2000 1 June after completing exercises and training launches of missiles. It is intended to complete the training of a combined ship squadron by 5 June. The plans for the coordination between the HQs of fleets and concerned formations have been updated.  

Naval reconnaissance forces (ship, aircraft, and radioelectronic) have been conducting continuous tracking of the operations of groups of ships of the Western Baltic fleet. Twenty-five percent of the water crossing equipment [plavsredstva] has been received from the economy. Sixty percent of the preparatory work on them has been done. Work is being done to rapidly deploy ships undergoing repair. Fifty percent of the ships have been demothballed by the crews. Work is continuing on the rest.

Crews are being urgently trained for ships coming on line. The forces that perform verification trawling of coastal channels and the PLO forces to search and track submarines of the Western Baltic fleet have been augmented. Rear and technical support formations and units are being brought into readiness and are distributing reserves of material resources. They are deploying a system of temporary basing, supply, repair, and support to the forces in the areas in which they are serving.

Internal troops, territorial defense troops, and forces of the Ministry of Internal Affairs

1. At the instruction of the Chairman of the Defense Committee of the Country, the internal troops, territorial defense troops, and forces of the Ministry of Internal Affairs achieved readiness for operation by 30 May.

Beginning 1 June the defense of seaports and airports was strengthened, as well as [these] borders:

- northern - by the forces of the Baltic Border Troops Brigade (Baltic br PV);

- western - by the forces of the Maritime, [Liubuski], and [Lurzicki] br PV.

- southern - by the forces of the Sudety and [Gornoslenski] br PV.

The border troops were subordinated to the Commanding General of the 3^rd Front by 2 June.

Units of the internal troops and territorial defense troops had returned to MPD [their permanently deployed locations] by 26 May and are undergoing training in combat teamwork exercises in barracks-like [prikazarmennye] training grounds.

2. Locations of permanent deployment

3. Authorized organizational structure

A. PV brigades (brPV)

- HQ and staff;

- two border guards battalions of 400 men each;

- a maneuver battalion (of four companies);

Total: 1260 men.

Border troops battalion

- HQ and staff;

- six PV companies (rPV) of 60 men each;

Total: 400 men.

B. Brigade of internal troops (brVnV)

- HQ and staff;

- four infantry battalions;

- a signals battalion;

- a reconnaissance battalion;

- an engineer battalion;

Total: 1800 men.

C Territorial defense brigade (brTO)

- HQ and staff;

- six TO battalions of 400 men each;

Total: 2,500 men

D. Territorial defense regiment

- HQ and staff;

- seven TO companies of 100 men each;

Total: 760 men.

EXERCISE CONTROL STAFF