Military Exercise Soyuz-75 Combat Order No. 1 of the 4th Army

[Original Polish receipt and

declassification stamps]

COMBAT ORDER Nº 1 OF THE 4^TH ARMY

PKP - in a forest 4 km west of VASTORF [FASTORF?]. 1200 19 March 1975

Map 1: 200,000 1965 edition

1. In the zone of advance of the 4^th Army combat operations are being waged by formations of the 1^st AK (of the k) consisting of the 3^rd td, 11^th mpd, two brigades of the 1^st mpd, and the 100^th otp.

The means of nuclear attack are:

- 150^th "S" [Sergeant] ordn in an area north of WALSRODE;

- "OD" [Honest John] batteries in the areas 15 km southeast of BUCHHOLZ, [JEMKE], and southeast of WINSEN.

Enemy reserves [are] in [the] areas:

- 3^rd td - 5 km northeast of BUCHHOLZ consisting of a reinforced tb [tank battalion],

- 1^st mpd - 10 km southeast of WALSRODE (approximately an mpbr),

- 1^st AK - 7 km northwest of SOLTAU - the 100^th otp.

The forming-up area of new formations:

- the 14^th mpd, north of BREMEN;

- the 15^th mpd, west the BRAMSCHE.

In addition, the advance of the 1^st AK [of the] (o) from the area of APELDOORN in the direction of EMMEN-BREMEN has been established.

The enemy intends to halt the offensive of the troops of the 4^th Army with defensive containment operations using the forces of the 1^st AK [of the] (k) and then launch a counterblow during the second half of 20 March with the forces of the 1^st AK [of the] (o) in the direction of ZEVEN-MAGDEBURG.

Strong enemy air action, the next [ocherednye] nuclear strikes, and the use of means of radioelectronic warfare are possible in the course of combat operations.

2. RV [missile troops] and PF [Maritime Front] aircraft have destroyed the 150^th "S" Battalion in the area south of VISSELHÖVEDE (2x100 kt); the tactical aviation control post in the area of DELMENHORST (1x100 kt) and the reserve of the 3^rd td (k) in the area of ZEVEN. They are launching a mass nuclear missile strike on the approaching operational reserve of the enemy (14^th and 15^th msd's [motorized rifle divisions] [of the] (k) and the 4^th mpd (o).

On the right, the 9^th Army is attacking in the direction of RATZEBURG, REDENSBURG [SIC, possibly RENDSBURG], and FLENSBURG and is threatening the opposing troops of the YuAK and will reach the line VEJLE, ESBJERG on day 7-8 of the operation and with part of the forces will seize the island of FYN in coordination with assault groups.

The border with it is NEUSTADT-GLEWE, BOIZENBURG and further onto the river ELBE.

On the left, the 7^th Army is attacking in the direction of HANNOVER, OSNABRÜCK, WESEL, is destroying the opposing enemy, forcing the river Rhine, and on day 7-8 of the operation occupies the line VREDEN-COLOGNE.

The border with it is RINOW, (excluding) WITTINGEN, NIENBURG, VREDEN.

3. After restoring the combat effectiveness of formations and units the 4^th Army with the 31^st pabr and the 1/36 isbr continues the offensive operation with the mission of destroying the CP of the 1^st AK [of the] (k) with a nuclear weapon and defeating the enemy grouping in the direction of the main thrust; the battleworthy troops of the Army wage an offensive, striking the main blow in the direction of UELZEN, WALSRODE, BECHTA, COEVORDEN in coordination with the 7^th Army, defeats the main forces of the 1^st AK [of the] "k" in the area of ROTENBURG,ACHIM, SULINGEN, NIENBURG, and without allowing a counterblow by the forces of the 1^st AK [of the] "o", forces the river Weser from the march in the sector south of BREMEN, NIENBURG, and by the end of 20 March occupy the line STADE, SULINGEN.

Then, using a nuclear weapon, it completes the defeat of the main forces of the counterblow grouping of the 1^st AK [of the] "o" and the approaching reserves with a strike on the main forces in the direction of VERDEN, ASSEN in coordination with the 7^th Army [of the] GDR NNA, cuts off the enemy grouping from North Sea ports and bases, and supports the commitment of the front second echelon (the 3^rd Army) from line Nº 1 [NEUHAUS] (excluding) OCHTRUP, Nº 2 QUAKENBRÜCK, EMMEN, (excluding) HENGELO.

Organize a defense as [you] reach the coast of the North Sea.

I HAVE DECIDED:

To destroy three "OD" batteries of the 1^st and 2^nd mpd's and the 3^rd td at 0900 19 March with three 50-kt nuclear strikes and by 2000 restore the combat effectiveness in units subjected to nuclear strikes, and with the battleworthy units of flanking formations strike in the directions of the 10^th md - LÜNEBURG, VIS[S]ELHÖVEDE and the 18^th td - BERGEN, AHLDEN, and by the end of 19 March occupy the line HORST, [WESENLECH] and [NEUKIRCHEN], [WITEENDORF], [OTENHOLZ]. [Form] a strong defense line with the forces of the surviving units of the 14^th md, the APTR [artillery antitank reserve] of the Army, and the front: WRIEDEL, EBSTORF 4 km west of UELZEN to not allow an enemy breakthrough in the direction of MÜNSTER-[BAD] BEVENSEN. Then, beginning on the morning of 20 March, destroy the 14^th md [of the] (k) in the next mass nuclear strike of the front with missile troops of the A[rmy] and the launch of 13 nuclear strikes with a total yield of 420 kt, and with the commitment of the 22^nd td from line Nº 1: 4 km southeast of SCHNEVERDINGEN, 4 km east of SOLTAU or Nº 2: [SÜDERGELERSEN], [FELGEN] in a direction south of LÜNEBURG SYKE, using the results of the nuclear strikes and forces of the 22^nd and 18^th td's, strike the main blow in the direction UELZEN, VERDEN, EMMEN, and in coordination with the 7^th Army complete the defeat of the 1^st AK [of the] (k) in the area of ROTENBURG, [FELGEN], BERGEN, force the rivers ALLER and WESER from the march in the sector south of BREMEN, NIENBURG, and by the end of 20 March accomplish the immediate objective, occupying the line STADE, SULINGEN.

Attack in the direction LINEBURG-SCHEESSEL with the troops of the 10^th md, defeat the surviving troops of the 3^rd td [of the] (k) and seize the naval bases at BREMERHAVEN and CUXHAVEN.

Then, using the results of the nuclear strikes, strike the main blow with the forces of the 18^th and 22^nd td's in the direction of VERDEN, ASSEN; from the march defeat the approaching forces of the 1^st AK [of the] (o); and by the end of 24 March accomplish the immediate objective of the 4^th Army and reach the line WINSCHOTEN, EMMEN, (excluding) HENGELO.

The commitment of the 3^rd Army is to be supported by the troops of the 18^th td from the line: [NEUHAUS], OCHTRUP or QUAKENBRÜCK, HOL[T]ORF.

Create salvage and rescue groups in the troops of the Army to eliminate the consequences of enemy nuclear strikes, one for each affected area.

Have three missile warheads (OTR-1 and TR-2) with a total yield of 140 kt in reserve.

The tactical order of battle of the Army is side-by-side.

The general reserve is the composite detachment of the 14^th md.

4. I ORDER:

a) The 10^th md with the 2/4 aisbr [Army Combat Engineer Brigade], the 108^th bmu, the 18^th tp, and 14^th md to restore the combat effectiveness of subunits subjected to enemy strikes by 1800 19 March. The forces of the 11^th and 12^th tp's and the subordinate 18^th tp (of the 14^th md) are to launch a strike in the direction SEEHAUSEN, ROTENBURG to defeat the 7^th mpbr of the 3^rd td [of the] (k) and by the end of 19 March occupy the line BUCHHOLZ, OTTER, [HINTEL], from which the Army flank is to be secured and the 22^nd td committed from the line SCHNEVERDINGEN, north of SOLTAU, or SEEHAUSEN, [FELGEN].

Next, be ready for an offensive in the direction of WESELOH, QUELKHORN.  

The division is being allocated four nuclear warheads (2 x 10, 2 x 20 kt).

The border with the 22^nd td is [WINTERMOR], ROTENBURG, south of BREMEN. The CP is in a forest 8 km west of LÜNEBURG.

b) the 14^th md (less the 18^th tp) with the 40^th, 41^st, and 42^nd gadn [Howitzer Artillery Battalion], the 1/1 brazgr [?Battalion Reconnaissance Group?], the 4^th aisbr, the 102^nd bmu of the 35^th rg [?Reconnaissance Group?], the 85^th pehb [?Electronic Warfare Regiment?], are to create a composite detachment from the surviving men and equipment and in coordination with the APTR and the Army POZ defend the occupied area so as not to permit a breakthrough of the 11^th mpd [of the] (k) in the direction of MÜNSTER, BEVENSEN.  

Concentrate in the area HANSTEDT, [DÖHLE], SEEHAUSEN as the general reserve of the 4^th Army by the morning of 21 March.

The division is being allocated two nuclear warheads (1x10, 1x20 kt).

The commander of the 17^th td is to take command of the composite detachment of the 14^th td from the CP 3 km south of MELBECK.

c) The 18^th td with the 4^th apbr [possibly Anti-tank Artillery Brigade], the 1/4 aisbr, the 10^th bmu are to restore combat effectiveness in units subjected to enemy nuclear strikes by 1800 19 March. Launch a blow in the direction of BERGEN, ANDEN [possibly AHLDEN] with the forces of three tp's and in coordination with the 84^th td of the 7^th Army complete the defeat of the 1^st mpbr of the 1^st mpd [of the] ("k") and by the end of 19 March occupy the line FALKENBURG, [OSENHOLZ], [MOOR].

The PO and tactical air assault group consisting of a pr is to occupy the crossings across the river ALLER in the area of southwest of [ALZEN].  Beginning on the morning of 20 March be ready to develop the offensive in the direction of BERGEN, south of HOYA. Hold the line SUDERBERG, [UNTERFLÜS  [possibly UNTERLÜSS] with the forces of the 23^rd mp in coordination with the composite detachment of the 14^th md and the APTR of the PF.

The division is being allocated three nuclear warheads (1x10 kt and 2x20 kt).

The border with the 14^th td is [TROSSE], [PRETZE], excluding WIETZENDORF; with the 22^nd td, the road junction (6 km northeast of SOLTAU), excluding the STIMEN railroad station 8 km east of RETHEN.

The CP is in a forest 2 km west of [HOHRT].

d) The 22^nd td with the 1/36 isbr and with the commitment to battle with [SIC] the 40^th, 41^st, and 42^nd gd [SIC, not gadn, but probably "Howitzer Battalions"], us and the 107^th bmu, the second echelon of the 4^th Army, is to restore combat effectiveness in the area of LÜBTHEEN, [GORLESEN], west of LUDWIGSLUST by 2000 19 March.

The PO of the division, the 30^th tp, in coordination with the 18^th tp of the 10^th td is to seize a line 4 km north of NEUENKIRCHEN, west of SOLTAU by the end of 19 March.

Engage in battle using the main forces from line Nº 1 - INSEL, north of SOLTAU or Nº 2 [SAUHASEN], west of [TELMER] - by 0700 20 March with the objective of using the results of a nuclear weapon strike in the direction of LÜNEBURG, SYKE [and] in coordination with the 18^th td complete the defeat of the 11^th mpd [of the] (k), force the river WESER from the march in the sector ACHIM-VERDEN, and by the end of the day occupy a line ACHIM, east of SYKE, UENZEN.

A tactical air assault group consisting of a pb is to land in the area of INTSCHEDE 4 km north of VERDEN.

The routes of advance are: Nº 1 - LÜBTHEEN, [NEU] DARCHAU, DAHLENBURG, south of LÜNEBURG, INSEL, Nº 2 - NEU KALISS, DANNENBURG, [BERENBURGL], HEBER.

The division is being allocated four nuclear warheads (1x10 kt, 1x20 kt [SIC]).

From the moment battle is joined the CP is:

- from line Nº 1, west of [BENRINGEN].

- from line Nº 2, the elevation north of [JENSEN].

e) Enemy nuclear attack equipment in the areas of UNDELOH, DREILINGEN, and [WALLE] is to be destroyed with three strikes by the missile troops of the 4^th Army at 0900 19 March.

Beginning on the morning of 20 March be ready in accordance with the PF plan to launch 13 nuclear strikes with a total yield of 420 kt on the approaching enemy reserves ((the 14^th and 15^th td's [of the[ (k), and the 4^th mpd [of the ] (o)).

Beginning on the morning of 20 March the 4^th rbr with a launch company is to be ready to launch four nuclear strikes (2x40, 2x100 kt) on the approaching 14^th mpd [of the] (k).

The brigade is to have one battery in readiness Nº 2 with a 100 kt [yield] missile [warhead] to destroy newly detected enemy means of nuclear attack.

The areas of the launch positions are: DOMMATZEN, [BOSKOLL], BERGEN; the reserve area for launch positions are DANNENBERG, [LICHOF], GARTOW.

f) The artillery of the 4^th Army is to suppress enemy tactical means of nuclear attack, artillery batteries, and mortars. Hold back the main artillery grouping in the direction of the main thrust to support the commitment of the 22^nd td and the support of the 16^th td, and also to support the repulsion of a counterattack by the 11^th mpd [of the] (k) in the direction [LINDEN]-BEVENSEN.

During the operation AAG-4 of the 31^st fpabr [probably Front Gun Artillery Brigade] is to suppress the means of nuclear attack, artillery batteries, and command posts in the direction of the main thrust of the 4^th Army. The commitment and forcing of the river Weser by the troops of the 22^nd td are to be supported by the fire of no less than three battalions. The launching position is HOLDENSTEDT, BOLLENSEN, GROSS LIEDERN. The expenditure of ammunition is 1.0 units of fire for 19 March and 1.2 for 20 March.

g) the air defense troops of the 4^th Army (the 4^th zrp, the 4^th zenap , the 4^th rtb) in coordination with IA [fighter aviation] (the 33^rd iap [Fighter Regiment]) are to concentrate [their] main efforts on protecting the main forces of the Army in the direction UELZEN, WALSRODE, ASSEN, especially during the advance and commitment to battle of the 22^nd td and the forcing of the rivers ALLER and WESER by the forces of the 18^th and 22^nd td's, and also the 4^th rbr and the Army CP.

- the 4^th zrp - is to protect the 22^nd td beginning at 1800 19 March during its advance and commitment to battle from line Nº 1 WESSELECH [probably WESELOH], north of SOLTAU or Nº 2 (SALZHAUSEN, [DERSBITTEL]), and also during the forcing of the river WESER by the forces of the 18^th and 22^nd td's.

- the 4^th zenap, is to protect the troops of the 22^nd td at the crossing of the river ELBE in the area of DEMITZ [presumably [DÖMITZ] beginning at 1300 19 March, and also the 4^th rbr in the launch positions in the areas of DOMMATZEN, [BOSKOLL], BERGEN, or DANNENBERG, [LICHOF], GARTOW.

- the 4^th rtb of air defense is to create continuous radioelectronic coverage beginning at 1500 19 March to reconnoiter the air enemy from 300-500 m [and above] and to warn the troops of the Army of a threat from the air.

IA [the 33^rd iap] is to protect the main forces of the Army with 54 s/v [sorties] a day from a combat alert posture in the air and at airfields, according to the front's plan.

h) radioelectronic warfare units (the 4^th oardb [probably expands to "Independent Army Radio ? Battalion"], 4^th ortb, and the 4^th ovreh):

-  while the enemy is restoring the combat effectiveness of [his] troops [due] to nuclear strikes and during the Army's advance, jam the radio and radiorelay communications of the 150^th battalion [of the] ("S"), the 1^st AK [of the] (k), the 3^rd td, and the 1^st and 2^nd mpd's and their coordination and support communications with supporting aircraft, and also protect the Army CP, the launch positions of the 4^th rbr, and the crossings over the river ELBE in the sector DEMITZ, DARCHAU from aerial radar reconnaissance and airstrikes by the 2^nd OTAK.

- while repulsing a counterblow from the 1^st AK [of the] (o) suppress the command and control radio communications of the counterblow grouping and its coordination and support communications with tactical aircraft, and also protect the Army CP and 4^th rbr from air strikes.

i) when carrying out the next mission of the 4^th Army the support aircraft resources [are]: 4 regimental sorties of ground attack, one regimental sortie of fighter-bomber, 2 regimental sorties of reconnaissance aircraft, and two regimental sorties of helicopters:

- conduct aerial reconnaissance against the enemy to the line JUIST, VEENDAM, VERDEN;

- destroy newly detected enemy means of nuclear attack;

- drop tactical assault parties consisting of a pr in the area of HODENHASEN [possibly HODENHAGEN] and a pb in the area 5 km northwest of VERDEN.

- support the commitment of the 22^nd td and support the combat operations of the 18^th and 22^nd td's while they force the river ELBE in the sector (excluding) BREMEN, NIENBURG.

- when carrying out the subsequent mission with 2 regimental sorties of ground attack, one regimental sortie of reconnaissance aircraft, and one regimental sortie of helicopters be ready to destroy newly detected enemy means of nuclear attack and support the combat operations of the 4^th Army in the direction of the main thrust.

j) Army reserves:

- APTR - the 4^th iptap and POZ (bmin [?minelaying battalion?] of the 4^th aisbr) are to deploy at a line 1 km north of [NELGEN]-[MEDIGEN] with the mission of not permitting a breakthrough by enemy tanks in the direction of SOLTAU-HITZACKER. Then relocate in the direction of HITZACKER-ROTENBURG VERDEN-CLOPPENBURG ready to repel counterattacks by enemy tanks from lines:

Nº 1 - [SHIEMOM]-[WELCHLEN]

Nº 2 - [LUBBERSTEDT]-[HORPEL]

Nº 3 - [LANKENBRUK] - WOCHLSDORF [possibly WOHLTORF]

Nº 4 - UNTERSTEDT - VOLKERSEN

Nº 5 - VERDER - [BACHLUM]

Nº 6 - [VILSEN] - GRAUE

Intermediate assembly areas:

Nº 1 - 1 km south of AMELINGHAUSEN

Nº 2 - 4 km west of HEMSLINGEN

Nº 3 - 4 km south of KIRCHWALDESE

Nº 4 - 5 km west of VERDEN

- the engineer reserve of the 4^th Army is the 4^th isbr (less the 1^st and 2^nd isb [Engineer Battalion], the idorb [engineer road maintenance battalion], the ibrag [unknown type of engineer battalion], the ipozb [engineer fortification construction battalion], and the imosr [engineer bridge company]) is in the area ALT GARGE, THOMASBURG, [HARMOTORF]; the 4^th pdesb [River Crossing Regiment] is in the area [LANGEDORF], GUSBORN,  [LASE]; and the 4^th pomp (less the 2^nd pomb [Pontoon Bridge Battalion) is in the assembly area 10 km southwest of LÜBTHEEN, ready to perform engineer support missions arising from the situation which develops during the operation.

- chemical reserves:

Nº 1 - by 0600 20 March the 1/4 brkhz is to concentrate in the area northeast of BEVENSEN ready to conduct decontamination for the 18^th td, the 4^th isbr, and Army rear facilities;

Nº 2 - the 4^th brkhz (less the 1^st bso [probably Decontamination Battalion] and rrkhr [radiation and chemical reconnaissance company) from the area they occupy are to carry out decontamination of the units of the 22^nd td with one bso and support the combat operations of the 10^th and 14^th td's, the 4^th rbr, and the CP of the 4^th Army.

When the 4^th Army's troops accomplish the immediate objective the reserves are to be moved to [the following] areas:

Nº 1 - 4 km southwest of VALSRODE ready to support the combat operations of the 14^th md and 18^th td;

Nº 2 - south of HEIDENAU ready to support the combat operations of the 10^th md, 22^nd td, 4^th rbr, the CP of the 4^th Army, and Army rear facilities.

5. The CP of the 4^th Army is in a forest southeast of LÜNEBURG.

The direction of relocation is LÜNEBURG, ROTENBURG, WILDESHAUSEN, HOOGEVEEN.

The rear control post of the 4^th Army is in forest 8 km west of ELDENAU.

Submit reports daily by 1800 as of 1600 [and] operational summaries by 0600 as of 0400.

6. Deputies: the assigned ones and the commander of the 22^nd td.

CHIEF OF STAFF OF THE 4^TH ARMY COMMANDING GENERAL

OF THE 4^TH ARMY

/signature/ /signature/

Brigadier General Apoloniusz GOLIK  Wojciech BARANSKI

19.03.75 19.03.75