FALL OF LUBECK

/011230ZFEB86

/FROM: COM72PZGRN

/TO: COM3PZDIV

/INFO:

COMNORTHAG

SACEUR

/SIC: AAB

/SUBJECT: /SITREP/

A/ IGB COMPROMISE TOTAL/ SOVIET FORWARD ELEMENTS DESTROYED/ LIGHT PROBING BY SOVIET RECCE TROOPS/ BELIEVE MAIN SOVIET LINE OF ADVANCE SHIFTED FROM WEST TO SOUTH AROUND RATZENBERGER ZEE//

B/ CENTRAL LUBECK NOW UNDER CONSTANT ARTILLERY BOMBARDMENT BY 3SA/ HIGH LEVEL OF CIVILIAN CASUALTIES//

C/ UNABLE TO CONDUCT PROACTIVE DEFENSIVE OPERATIONS STRENGTH LESS THAN 20% OC/40% CASUALTIES / ARMOUR SITUATION 60% OF IFV OOA/ SUPPLY LEVEL GOOD//

D/ A COY OIC TOOK INITIATIVE DESTROYING ALL BRIDGES IN LUBECK/ LIGHT PACK ICE ON RIVER HAMPERING SOVIET BRIDGING OPS//

E/ A COY 20% STRENGTH/ B COY DESTROYED/ C COY 40 % STRENGTH/ D COY UNKNOWN/ E COY HOLDING TRAVEMUNDE/ F COY DESTROYED / G COY UNKNOWN//

F/ UNDER CONSTANT EN AIR AND ART ATK//

G/ UNABLE TO FULFIL MISSION/ INTENTION TO TAKE DEFENSIVE POSITIONS TO DENY EN FORCES LUBECK//

H/ WILL HOLD POSITIONS UNTIL OVERRUN OR DESTROYED GOD SAVE GERMANY//

BT

RRRR

Recon Ordered by COMNORTHAG after 72 Pz Gren SITREP was not received at 011330Z FEB86. The 72nd Panzer Grenadiers was the 1st NATO unit to make contact with the enemy. They were annihilated to a man, at approximately 1330z, 1 hour after the signal above was sent.