Allied Forces Baltic Approaches (BALTAP) was a Principal Subordinate Command (PSC) of the NATO Military Command Structure, with responsibility for the Baltic Sea area. It was in existence from 1962 to 2002 and consisted of the Danish Armed Forces, units of the West German Bundeswehr and allied wartime reinforcements.
The NATO command Baltic Approaches was created on 8 January 1962, with headquarters in Karup, Denmark. It was created at Germany's urging, in order to end the previous separation of the German naval forces between the NATO commands Northern Europe and Central Europe. After the changes in the international security situation in 1990, the command was restructured in 1993 and deactivated in 2002.
The area of responsibility of BALTAP comprised the territory of Denmark (without Greenland and the Faroe Islands), the German states Hamburg and Schleswig-Holstein and the eastern North Sea, the Baltic approaches with Skagerrak, Kattegat, the Danish straits, and the Baltic Sea. One peculiarity was the responsibility for air defence over the German part of the BALTAP area. Until 1990, the western Allies were responsible for air defence over the whole Federal Republic of Germany on the basis of the occupation statute. After France had withdrawn from the integrated military structure of the alliance, this task was undertaken by the United States and the United Kingdom. The Second Allied Tactical Air Force (2 ATAF) was responsible for the area of Schleswig-Holstein and Hamburg, and was led by a British officer from RAF Germany, with headquarters in Mönchengladbach.
BALTAP was led by a Danish officer with the rank of a Lieutenant General or a Vice Admiral, who had the designation Commander Allied Forces Baltic Approaches (COMBALTAP). His deputy was a German officer of the same rank. From 1962 to 1993, COMBALTAP was under the NATO command Allied Forces Northern Europe (AFNORTH) in Kolsås outside Oslo in Norway. After a change in the NATO structure, it was placed under Allied Forces Central Europe (AFCENT) on 1 October 1993. For the operational command of the air and sea forces, a partial assignment of these forces to Allied Forces Northwestern Europe (AFNORTHWEST) with its component commands AIRNORTHWEST and NAVNORTHWEST was made.
In case of war, COMBALTAP would have had to lead the NATO forces assigned to it. According to plans, all Danish forces with the exception of some units in the outer regions were to be placed under COMBALTAP. Germany had provided for its land and air forces stationed in the BALTAP area, and its entire naval and naval air forces, to be subordinated to COMBALTAP. In addition, external reinforcements from the United States and Britain (UK Mobile Force, primarily 1st Infantry Brigade) were planned.
The structure that was brought into being with the creation of BALTAP remained with few changes from 1962 to 1994. During this time, BALTAP comprised 4 subordinate commands:
Commander, Allied Land Forces Schleswig-Holstein and Jutland (COMLANDJUT) in Rendsburg
Commander, Allied Land Forces in Zealand (COMLANDZEALAND) in Ringsted
Commander, Allied Air Forces Baltic Approaches (COMAIRBALTAP) in Karup
Commander, Allied Naval Forces Baltic Approaches (COMNAVBALTAP) in Karup
Commander, Allied Land Forces Schleswig-Holstein and Jutland
LANDJUT was tasked with defending the Jutland peninsula. Holding Jutland was crucial for the mission of NAVBALTAP to keep the Danish Straits blocked and thus prevent the Soviet Baltic Fleet from breaking out into the North Sea. In case the Jutland peninsula would fall into Soviet hands, the LANDZEALAND units defending the Danish Isles would have been dangerously flanked. Therefore LANDJUT was to be reinforced at the earliest with British and American troops to ensure that advancing Soviet forces would be prevented from crossing the Kiel Canal and Eider river.
British and American formations earmarked to reinforce LANDJUT included the British 1st Infantry Brigade and the American 9th Infantry Division. British infantry battalions and armoured regiments rotated every two years or so; thus locations are shown, but no unit identities.
Commander, Allied Land Forces Schleswig-Holstein and Jutland, Rendsburg, commanded by a Danish or German lieutenant general:
610th Signal Battalion, Rendsburg
2nd Signal Battalion, Tønder
Jaegerkorpset at Aalborg Air Base, long range reconnaissance and special operations
Corps Artillery
HQ-Staff Battery, Flensburg
4th Artillery Battalion (Reserve), Skive, Nørrejyske Artilleriregiment (24x M101 105mm howitzer)
10th Artillery Battalion (Reserve), Varde, Sønderjyske Artilleriregiment (24x M101 105mm howitzer)
11th Artillery Battalion (Reserve), Varde, Sønderjyske Artilleriregiment (24x M101 105mm howitzer)
33rd Artillery Battalion, Skive, Nørrejyske Artilleriregiment (18x M59 155 mm gun)
650th Rocket Artillery Battalion, Flensburg, (4x Lance missile launcher)
610th Security Battalion (Reserve), Flensburg
611th Nuclear Weapons Supply Company, Flensburg
600th Air Defence Regiment, Rendsburg
Staff Company, 600th Air Defence Regiment, Rendsburg
610th Air Defence Battalion, Rendsburg, (18x Roland missile systems mounted Marder 1, 108 FIM-43 Redeye launchers))
620th Air Defence Battalion (Reserve), Rendsburg, (18x Gepard, 108 FIM-43 Redeye launchers)
630th Air Defence Battalion (Reserve), Rendsburg, (24x Bofors 40L70)
Jutland Battle Group (Reserve), Holstebro
7th Staff Company
4th Btn, Jydske Dragonregiment, (Infantry)
4th Btn, Prinsens Livregiment,(Infantry)
3rd Battalion, Kongens Jyske Fodregiment, (Infantry)
7th Engineer Company
8th Artillery Btn, Nørrejyske Artilleriregiment, (6x M114/39 155 mm howitzer, 12x M101 105 mm howitzer)
5th Logistic Battalion
7th Military Police Detachment
1st (UK) Infantry Brigade, Tidworth, United Kingdom Mobile Force
Royal Hussars, Tidworth, (13x Chieftain)
13th/18th Royal Hussars, Tidworth, (48x FV107 Scimitar)
1st Btn, Queen's Regiment, Tidworth, (45x Saxon)
1st Btn, Devonshire and Dorset Regiment, Bulford, (45x Saxon)
2nd Btn, The Light Infantry, Tidworth, (45x Saxon)
1st Btn, The Wessex Regiment (TA), Devizes
47th Field Regiment, Royal Artillery, Thorney Island, (24x FH-70)
22nd Engineer Regiment, Perham Down
656th Squadron, Army Air Corps (7th Rgt, AAC), (6x Lynx AH.7, 6x Gazelle AH.1)
Jutland Division
Jutland Division, Fredericia
3rd Signal Battalion
1st Jutland Brigade, Fredericia
1st Brigade Staff Company (including 5x M113, 8x TOW on Land Rover)
1st Battalion, Jydske Dragonregiment, (20x Leopard 1A3, 21x M113 (including 4 with TOW), 4x M125 mortar carriers, 2x TOW on Land Rover)
2nd Battalion, Prinsens Livregiment, (10x Leopard 1A3, 32x M113 (including 4 with TOW), 4x M125, 4x TOW on Land Rover)
1st Battalion, Fynske Livregiment, (10x Leopard 1A3, 32x M113 (including 4 with TOW), 4x M125, 4x TOW on Land Rover)
2nd Battalion, Kongens Jyske Fodregiment, (Infantry)
6th Artillery Battalion, Nørrejyske Artilleriregiment, (12x M109A3 howitzer, 8x M114/39 155mm howitzer, 15x M113)
1st Armoured Engineer Company (6 x M113)
1st Logistic Battalion
1st Military Police Detachment
2nd Jutland Brigade, Skive
2nd Brigade Staff Company (including 5x M113, 8x TOW on Land Rover)
2nd Battalion, Jydske Dragonregiment, (20x Leopard 1A3, 21x M113 (including 4 with TOW), 2x M125)
1st Battalion, Dronningens Livregiment, (10x Leopard 1A3, 32x M113 (including 4 with TOW), 4x M125, 4x TOW on Land Rover)
2nd Battalion, Dronningens Livregiment, (10x Leopard 1A3, 32x M113 (including 4 with TOW), 4x M125, 4x TOW on Land Rover)
3rd Battalion, Dronningens Livregiment, (Infantry)
3rd Artillery Battalion, Nørrejyske Artilleriregiment, (12x M109A3 howitzer, 8x M114/39 155mm howitzer)
2nd Armoured Engineer Company
3rd Logistic Battalion
2nd Military Police Detachment
3rd Jutland Brigade, Haderslev
3rd Brigade Staff Company (including 5x M113, 8x TOW on Land Rover)
3rd Battalion, Jydske Dragonregiment, (20x Leopard 1A3, 21x M113 (including 4 with TOW), 2x M125)
1st Battalion, Prinsens Livregiment, (10x Leopard 1A3, 32x M113 (including 4 with TOW), 4x M125, 4x TOW on Land Rover)
1st Battalion, Kongens Jyske Fodregiment, (10x Leopard 1A3, 32x M113 (including 4 with TOW), 4x M125, 4x TOW on Land Rover)
3rd Battalion, Prinsens Livregiment, (Infantry)
7th Artillery Battalion, Sønderjyske Artilleriregiment, (12x M109A3 howitzer, 8x M114/39 howitzer)
3rd Armoured Engineer Company
7th Logistic Battalion
3rd Military Police Detachment
Divisional Artillery Regiment Skive
Staff and Target Acquisition Battery
23rd Artillery Battalion, (18x M114/39 155mm howitzer)
24th Artillery Battalion, (18x M114/39 155mm howitzer)
18th Heavy Battery, (4x M115 203mm howitzer)
19th Heavy Battery, (4x M115 203mm howitzer)
14th Air Defence Battalion, (Stinger, Bofors 40 mm L/70)
3rd Engineer Battalion
4th Battalion, Fynske Livregiment, (Infantry)
5th Battalion, Jydske Dragonregiment, (Reconnaissance: 18x M41 DK-1, 9x M113, 9x M125)
6th Battalion, Jydske Dragonregiment, (Tank destroyer Battalion: 50x Centurion Mk V (84mm gun))
8th Logistic Battalion
Long Range Reconnaissance Company, Dronningens Livregiment
Electronic Warfare Company
Heavy Transport Company
1st Military Police Company
6th Panzergrenadier Division, Neumünster
Staff Company, 6th Panzergrenadier Division, Neumünster
16th Panzergrenadier Brigade, Wentorf
Staff Company, 16th Panzergrenadier Brigade, Wentorf, (8x M577, 8x Luchs)
161st Panzergrenadier Battalion, Wentorf, (13x Leopard 1A1A1, 24x Marder, 12x M113)
162nd Panzergrenadier Battalion, Wentorf, (24x Marder, 6x Panzermörser, 23x M113)
163rd Panzergrenadier Battalion, Wentorf, (24x Marder, 6x Panzermörser, 23x M113)
164th Panzer Battalion, Schwarzenbek, (41x Leopard 1A1A1, 12x M113)
165th Panzer Artillery Battalion, Wentorf, (18x M109A3G)
160th Anti-Tank Company, Schwarzenbek, (12x Jaguar 2)
160th Armored Engineer Company, Schwarzenbek
160th Supply Company, Wentorf
160th Maintenance Company, Schwarzenbek
17th Panzergrenadier Brigade, Hamburg
Staff Company, 17th Panzergrenadier Brigade, Hamburg, (8x M577, 8x Luchs)
171st Panzergrenadier Battalion, Hamburg, (13x Leopard 1A1A2, 24x Marder, 12x M113)
172nd Panzergrenadier Battalion, Lübeck, (24x Marder, 6x Panzermörser, 23x M113)
173rd Panzergrenadier Battalion, Hamburg, (24x Marder, 6x Panzermörser, 23x M113)
174th Panzer Battalion, Hamburg, (41x Leopard 1A1A2, 12x M113)
175th Panzer Artillery Battalion, Hamburg, (18x M109A3G)
170th Anti-Tank Company, Lübeck, (12x Jaguar 1)
170th Armored Engineer Company, Lübeck
170th Supply Company, Hamburg
170th Maintenance Company, Hamburg
18th Panzer Brigade, Neumünster
Staff Company, 18th Panzer Brigade, Neumünster, (8x M577, 8x Luchs)
181st Panzer Battalion, Neumünster, (28x Leopard 1A2, 6x Marder, 12x M113)
182nd Panzergrenadier Battalion, Bad Segeberg, (35x Marder, 6x Panzermörser, 12x M113)
183rd Panzer Battalion, Boostedt, (41x Leopard 1A2, 12x M113)
184th Panzer Battalion, Boostedt, (41x Leopard 1A2, 12x M113)
185th Panzer Artillery Battalion, Boostedt, (18x M109A3G)
180th Anti-Tank Company, Bad Segeberg, (12x Jaguar 1)
180th Armored Engineer Company, Lübeck
180th Supply Company, Boostedt
180th Maintenance Company, Boostedt
51st Home Defence Brigade, Eutin (originally a brigade of the Territorial Army; it was partially activated and staffed in 1982 and subordinated to the 6th Division as reinforcement in 1985)
Staff Company, 51st Home Defence Brigade, Eutin, (8x M577, 8x Luchs)
511th Jäger Battalion, Flensburg, (7x Leopard 1A1A2, 6x Panzermörser)
512th Jäger Battalion, Putlos, (7x Leopard 11A1A2, 30x M113, 6x Panzermörser)
513th Panzer Battalion, Flensburg, (41x Leopard 1A1A2, 12x M113)
514th Panzer Battalion (Reserve), Putlos, (41x Leopard 1A1A2, 12x M113)
515th Field Artillery Battalion, Kellinghusen, (18x M101)
517th Field Replacement Battalion, Süderbrarup
510th Armored Engineer Company, Plön
510th Medical Company, Idstedt
510th Supply Company, Schleswig
510th Maintenance Company, Schleswig
6th Artillery Regiment, Kellinghusen
Staff Battery, 6th Artillery Regiment, Kellinghusen
61st Field Artillery Battalion, Albersdorf, (18x M110A2, 18x FH-70)
62nd Rocket Artillery Battalion, Kellinghusen, (16x LARS, 16x MLRS)
63rd Surveillance Battalion, Itzehoe, (12x CL-89 drones)
6th Infantry Battery, Kellinghusen
6th Army Aviation Regiment, Hohenlockstedt, (15x BO-105M, 24x UH-1D, 21x PAH-1)
6th Air Defence Regiment, Lütjenburg, (36x Gepard, 216x FIM-43 Redeye launchers)
6th Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, Eutin, (34x Leopard 1A1A1, 10x Luchs, 18x Fuchs - 9 of which carry a RASIT radar)
6th Engineer Battalion, Plön, (8x Biber AVLB, 8x Pionierpanzer 1, 4x Skorpion Mine Layers, 12x Floating Bridge Modules)
61st Engineer Battalion, Lübeck, (8x Biber AVLB, 8x Pionierpanzer 1, 4x Skorpion Mine Layers, 12x Floating Bridge Modules)
6th Signal Battalion, Neumünster
6th Medical Battalion, Itzehoe
6th Supply Battalion, Neumünster
6th Maintenance Battalion, Hamburg
5x Field Replacement Battalions: 61st and 65th in Neumünster, 62nd in Itzehoe, 63rd and 64th in Hamburg
66th Jäger Battalion (aktiv), Wentorf, (30x M113, 6x Panzermörser)
67th Jäger Battalion (aktiv), Breitenburg, (30x M113, 6x Panzermörser)
68th Security Battalion (Reserve), Breitenburg
Territorial Command Schleswig-Holstein
Territorial Command Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel
Staff Company, Territorial Command Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel
600th Front News Company (Reserve), Neumünster
61st Home Defence Brigade, Idstedt
Staff Company (Reserve), 61st Home Defence Brigade, Idstedt
611th Infantry Battalion (Reserve), Klein Wittensee, (7x Leopard 1A1A1)
612th Infantry Battalion (Reserve), Flensburg, (7x Leopard 1A1A1)
613th Panzer Battalion (Reserve), Hamburg, (41x Leopard 1A1A1, 12x M113)
615th Artillery Battalion (Reserve), Hamburg, (18x M101)
610th Engineer Company (Reserve), Idstedt
71st Home Defence Regiment, Neumünster
Staff Company (Reserve), 71st Home Defence Regiment, Neumünster
711th Infantry Battalion (Reserve), Neumünster
712th Infantry Battalion (Reserve), Seeth
713th Infantry Battalion (Reserve), Albersdorf
710th Mortar Company (Reserve), Neumünster, (18x 120mm mortars)
710th Supply Company (Reserve), Neumünster
81st Home Defence Regiment, Süderlügum
Staff Company (Reserve), 81st Home Defence Regiment, Süderlügum
811th Infantry Battalion (Reserve), Süderbrarup
812th Infantry Battalion (Reserve), Idstedt
813th Infantry Battalion (Reserve), Eutin
810th Mortar Company (Reserve), Süderlügum, (18x 120mm mortars)
810th Supply Company (Reserve), Süderlügum
60th Engineer Regiment, Klein Wittensee
Staff Company (Reserve), 60th Engineer Regiment, Klein Wittensee
620th Engineer Battalion, Schleswig
630th Engineer Battalion (Reserve), Albersdorf
640th Engineer Battalion (Reserve), Idstedt
650th Engineer Battalion, Rendsburg, (8x Biber AVLB, 8x Pionierpanzer 1, 4x Skorpion Mine Layers, 12x Floating Bridge Modules)
660th Floating Bridging Battalion, Schleswig
670th Floating Bridging Battalion (Reserve), Albersdorf
600th Pipeline Engineer Battalion (Reserve), Idstedt
600th Amphibious Engineer Company, Plön
600th Signal Company (Reserve), Klein Wittensee
600th Signal Command, Kiel
Staff Company, 600th Signal Command, Kiel
620th Signal Battalion, Flensburg
600th Medical Command, Neumünster
Staff Company, 600th Medical Command, Neumünster
610th Medical Battalion, Itzehoe
6x Medical Transport Companies, 6x Field Clinics, 55x Field Hospitals
600th Supply Command, Flensburg
Staff Company, 600th Supply Command, Flensburg
610th Transport Battalion, Heide
610th Supply Battalion, Seeth
620th Supply Battalion (Reserve), Süderlügum
610th Maintenance Battalion, Flensburg
60th Field Replacement Regiment, Rendsburg
Staff Company (Reserve), 60th Field Replacement Regiment, Rendsburg
602nd Field Replacement Battalion (Reserve), Rendsburg
603rd Field Replacement Battalion (Reserve), Rendsburg
604th Field Replacement Battalion (Reserve), Rendsburg
610th Military Police Battalion, Heide
600th Army Aviation Squadron (Reserve), Hohenlockstedt
610th NBC Defence Battalion, Albersdorf
610th Field Replacement Battalion (Reserve), Husum
620th Field Replacement Battalion (Reserve), Idelstedt
6x Training Battalions
10x Home Defence Companies
Territorial Command Jutland and Funen
All territorial army units were part of the reserve.
Territorial Command Jutland and Funen (VLK) in Fredericia
5th(?) Signal Battalion
5th Engineer Battalion
LRRP Company (SEP/VLK (Homeguard))
Host and Support Battalion (Supporting arrival of NATO reinforcements in Jutland and northern Germany)
Rear and Sustainment Battalion
Logistics Support Group West (LSG-W)
Supply Battalion
Transport Battalion
Medical Battalion (incl. Medical Train)
Maintenance Battalion
Field Replacement Commando
1st Territorial Region (Northern Jutland) in Aalborg
4th Btn, Dronningens Livregiment, (Infantry)
Tank destroyer Squadron (reserve), Dronningens Livregiment,(8x Centurion Mk V (84 mm gun))
15th Light Battery, (8x M101 105mm howitzer)
Engineer Company
6x Homeguard Districts
6x Homeguard Staff Companies
31x Area Companies
6x Homeguard Military Police Companies
2nd Territorial Region (Middle Jutland) in Viborg
4th Btn, Prinsens Livregiment, (Infantry) (detached to Jutland Battle Group)
Tank destroyer Squadron, Prinsens Livregiment, (8x Centurion Mk V (84 mm gun))
9th Light Battery, (8x M101 105mm howitzer)
Engineer Company
10x Homeguard Districts
10x Homeguard Staff Companies
56x Area Companies
10x Homeguard Military Police Companies
3rd Territorial Region (Southern Jutland) in Haderslev
4th Btn, Slesvigske Fodregiment, (Infantry)
3rd Btn, Kongens Jyske Fodregiment, (Infantry) (detached to Jutland Battle Group)
Tank destroyer Squadron, Kongens Jyske Fodregiment, (8x Centurion Mk V (84 mm gun))
15th Artillery Btn, (16x M101 105mm howitzer)
Engineer Company
11x Homeguard Districts
11x Homeguard Staff companies
53x Area Companies
11x Homeguard Military Police Companies
4th Territorial Region (Funen) in Odense
2nd Btn, Fynske Livregiment, (Infantry)
3rd Btn, Fynske Livregiment, (Infantry)
Tank destroyer Squadron x 2, Fynske Livregiment, (16x Centurion Mk V (84 mm gun))
Artillery Btn, (16x M101 105mm howitzer)
Engineer Company
5x Homeguard Districts
5x Homeguard staff companies
32x Area Companies
5x Homeguard Military Police Companies
Commander, Allied Land Forces Zealand
LANDZEALAND was tasked with defending the Danish Isles incl. Bornholm and preventing Warsaw Pact troops from amphibious landings. Order of battle in 1988.
Commander, Allied Land Forces in Zealand (ELK), Ringsted, commanded by a Danish lieutenant general:
1st Signal Battalion
3rd Btn, Gardehusarregimentet, (Reconnaissance: 18x M41 DK-1, 12x M113, 9x M125)
4th Btn, Danske Livregiment, (Infantry)
13th Air Defence Battalion, (Stinger)
1st Engineer Battalion
6th Logistic Battalion
Electronic Warfare Company
LRRP Company (SEP/ELK (Homeguard))
6th Military Police Company
1st Zealand Brigade
4th Brigade Staff Company (5x M113, 8x TOW on Land Rover)
1st Btn, Gardehusarregimentet, (30x Centurion (105mm L7 gun), 21 x M113 (including 4 with TOW), 2x M125)
2nd Btn, Danske Livregiment, (10x Centurion (105mm L7 gun), 32x M113 (including 4 with TOW), 4x M125, 4 TOW on Land Rover)
1st Btn, Den Kongelige Livgarde, (10x Centurion (105mm L7 gun), 32x M113 (including 4 with TOW), 4xM125, 4 TOW on Land Rover)
4th Btn, Den Kongelige Livgarde, (Infantry)
1st Btn, Kongens Artilleriregiment, (12x M109A3, 8x M114/39)
4th Armoured Engineer Company
2nd Logistic Battalion
4th Military Police Detachment
2nd Zealand Brigade
5th Brigade Staff Company (5x M113, 8x TOW on Land Rover)
2nd Btn, Sjællandske Livregiment, (30x Centurion (105mm L7 gun), 21 x M113 (including 4 with TOW), 2x M125),
1st Btn, Danske Livregiment, (10x Centurion (105mm L7 gun), 32x M113 (including 4 with TOW), 4xM125, 4 TOW on Land Rover)
1st Btn, Sjællandske Livregiment, (10x Centurion (105mm L7 gun), 32x M113 (including 4 with TOW), 4xM125, 4x TOW on Land Rover)
5th Btn, Sjællandske Livregiment, (Infantry)
5th Btn, Kongens Artilleriregiment, (12x M109A3, 8x M114/39)
5th Armoured Engineer Company
4th Logistic Battalion
5th Military Police Detachment
1st Zealand Battle Group (Reserve)
1st Antitank Squadron Gardehusarregimentet, (8x Centurion (84 mm gun))
2nd Btn, Den Kongelige Livgarde, (Infantry)
3rd Btn, Den Kongelige Livgarde, (Infantry)
16th Artillery Battalion, (24x M101)
2nd Zealand Battle Group (Reserve)
2nd Antitank Squadron, Gardehusarregimentet, (8x Centurion(84 mm gun))
2nd Btn, Gardehusarregimentet, (Infantry)
4th Btn, Gardehusarregimentet, (Infantry)
22nd Artillery Battalion, (24x M101)
3rd Zealand Battle Group (Reserve)
3rd Antitank Squadron Gardehusarregimentet, (8x Centurion(84 mm gun))
3rd Btn, Danske Livregiment, (Infantry)
5th Btn, Danske Livregiment, (Infantry)
21st Artillery Battalion, (24x M101)
4th Zealand Battle Group (Reserve)
4th Antitank Squadron, Gardehusarregimentet, (8x Centurion(84 mm gun))
3rd Btn, Sjællandske Livregiment, (Infantry)
4th Btn, Sjællandske Livregiment, (Infantry)
14th Artillery Battalion, (24x M101)
Corps Artillery
Staff and Target Acquisition Battery
2nd Artillery Battalion, (18x M114/39 155 mm howitzer)
32nd Artillery Battalion, (18x M59 155 mm gun)
17th Heavy Battery, (4x M115 203mm howitzer)
The island of Bornholm was in wartime independent, due to the long distance from Zealand and agreements after World War II said that no foreign units could reinforce Bornholm. Therefore Bornholm had only the Battlegroup and homeguard units of the 7th Territorial Region.
Bornholms Værn's Battle Group
Staff and Signal Company
1st Battalion, Bornholms Værn (infantry) (4x TOW on Land Rover)
2nd Battalion, Bornholms Værn (infantry) (reserve) (4x TOW on Land Rover)
3rd Battalion, Bornholms Værn (infantry) (reserve) (12 x 106 mm RR on Jeep M38)
Light Tank Squadron,"Bornholm Dragoons" (10x M41 DK-1)
Tank destroyer Squadron(reserve),(10x Centurion Mk V (84mm gun))(Disbanded in 1987)
Light Reconnaissance Squadron (x M41 DK-1)
12th Artillery Battalion (18x M101)
Air Defence Battery (Stinger)
Bornholm Engineer Company
Logistic Company
Territorial Commander, Allied Land Forces in Zealand
Except for the Royal Guard Company and the Mounted Hussar Squadron, which were made up of conscripts, all territorial units were part of the reserve:
Territorial Command, Allied Land Forces in Zealand (ELK) in Ringsted
Host and Support Battalion (Supporting arrival of NATO reinforcements on Zealand)
Logistics Support Group East (LSG-E)
Supply Battalion
Transport Company
Medical Battalion
Maintenance Battalion
Field Replacement Commando
5th Territorial Region (Zealand) in Ringsted
4th Btn Den Kongelige Livgarde, (Infantry)
5th Region Engineer Company
9x Homeguard Districts
9x Homeguard Staff Companies
50x Area Companies
9x Homeguard Military Police Companies
6th Territorial Region (Northern Zealand/Copenhagen) in Copenhagen
Den Kongelige Livgarde (Infantry, in case of wartime upgrade to double battalion size and had 2x Heavy Mortar platoons (4x120 mm MT)) (Northern Zealand/Copenhagen)
Mounted Hussar Squadron, Gardehusarregimentet, (Infantry, in case of wartime upgrade to battalion size) (Copenhagen)
6th Region Engineer Company
4x Homeguard Districts (Northern Zealand)
4x Homeguard Staff Companies
29x Area Companies
4x Homeguard Military Police Companies
? x Homeguard Districts (Copenhagen)
? x Homeguard Staff Company
? x Area Company
? x Homeguard Military Police Company
7th Territorial Region (Bornholm)
1x Homeguard District
Homeguard Staff Company
5x Homeguard Area Companies
Homeguard Military Police Company
Commander, Air Forces, Baltic Approaches
Allied Air Forces Baltic Approaches (AIRBALTAP) was a NATO military formation under Allied Forces Baltic Approaches tasked with providing air support in the BALTAP area of operations. AIRBALTAP commanded all flying units based within its sector and all reinforcements flying into its sector, as well as ground based radar systems and stations, air defence units and the airfields in its sector. The commander of AIRBALTAP was the commander in chief of the Royal Danish Air Force. AIRBALTAP was formed in 1962 with its area of responsibility covering Germany north of the river Elbe and Denmark with the surrounding seas; however air defence for the German state of Schleswig-Holstein was the responsibility of Second Allied Tactical Air Force
The peacetime headquarters of AIRBALTAP were at Karup in Denmark. AIRBALTAP commanded the Royal Danish Air Force and flying units of the German Luftwaffe and Marine, as well as extensive air defence and radar installations manned by German and Danish personnel.
If needed AIRBALTAP would have been reinforced with units from the US Third (UK based), Eighth (reconnaissance and bombing), Ninth (immediate reinforcements) and Twelfth Air Force (follow on reinforcements), and with Royal Air Force units. At the start of hostilities AIRBALTAP would have had immediately almost 300 combat planes at its disposal. The following units would have come under AIRBALTAP in wartime in 1989:
AIRBALTAP was disbanded in 1993.
AIRBALTAP in Karup, commanded by a Danish lieutenant general:
Royal Danish Air ForceAalborg Air Base
Eskadrille 723, 16× F-16A
Eskadrille 726, 16× F-16A
Karup Air Base
Eskadrille 725, 20× F-35 Draken strike fighter, 5× TF-35 Draken
Eskadrille 729, 20× RF-35 Draken reconnaissance fighter, 5× TF-35 Draken
Tirstrup Air Base
Co-located Operating Base to be reinforced by USAF/RAF squadrons
Vandel Air Base
Co-located Operating Base to be reinforced by USAF/RAF squadrons
Army Air Corps (only in peacetime)
Skrydstrup Air Base
Eskadrille 727, 16× F-16A
Eskadrille 730, 16× F-16A
Værløse Air Base
Eskadrille 721, transport aircraft (3× C-130H Hercules)
Eskadrille 722, search and rescue helicopters (8× S-61A)
Air Defence Command East, Skalstrup Air Station
Eskadrille 541, Stevns Fort, with 1× I-Hawk battery (6× launchers)
Eskadrille 542, Kongelund Fort near Aflangshagen Air Station, with 1× I-Hawk battery (6× launchers)
Eskadrille 543, Sigerslev Air Station, with 1× I-Hawk battery (6× launchers)
Eskadrille 544, Tune near Skalstrup Air Station, with 1× I-Hawk battery (6× launchers)
Air Defence Command West, Karup
Eskadrille 531, Odense, with 1× I-Hawk battery (6× launchers)
Eskadrille 532, Odense, with 1× I-Hawk battery (6× launchers)
Eskadrille 533, Skrydstrup Air Base, with 1× I-Hawk battery (6× launchers)
Eskadrille 534, Karup Air Base, with 1× I-Hawk battery (6× launchers)
Luftwaffe
Husum Air Base
Jagdbombergeschwader 41, 2x squadrons with 18x Alpha Jets each, and 8x Alpha Jets in reserve
Leck Air Base
Aufklärungsgeschwader 52, 2x squadrons with 15x RF-4E (Reconnaissance)
144th Air Defence Missile Squadron (Reserve), Alt Duvenstedt, with 4x Roland systems
Marine
Marinefliegerdivision, Kiel Air Base
Schleswig Air Base
Marinefliegergeschwader 1, 2x squadrons with 24x Tornado IDS each
Air Defence Squadron 1, Kropp, with 6x Roland systems
Eggebek Air Base
Marinefliegergeschwader 2, 2x squadrons with 24x Tornado IDS each
Air Defence Squadron 2, Tarp, with 6x Roland systems
Nordholz Airbase, tasked with submarine hunting in the North Sea
Marinefliegergeschwader 3, 2x squadrons with a total of 20x Breguet Atlantic (15x maritime patrol and 5x BR 1150M signals intelligence variant), 1x squadron with 19x Sea Lynx Mk88 helicopters for Navy's destroyers and frigates
Air Defence Squadron 3, Nordholz, with 6x Roland systems
Commander, Allied Naval Forces Baltic Approaches
Allied Naval Forces Baltic Approaches (NAVBALTAP) was located until 1976 in Kiel-Holtenau, and thereafter at Karup. Its commander was a Danish or German vice admiral and had the following deputy commanders:
Flag Officer Denmark (FOD) in Aarhus, simultaneously the national commander of the Danish fleet. Seemingly had Task Force designation CTF 500.
Flag Officer Germany (FOG) in Glücksburg, simultaneously the national commander of the German fleet.
Commander German North Sea Subarea (COMGERNORSEA) in Wilhelmshaven-Sengwarden, simultaneously the German national Commander Naval Forces North Sea (Befehlshaber der Seestreitkräfte der Nordsee (BSN)).
The task of NAVBALTAP was to keep the Warsaw Pact's United Baltic Sea Fleets, consisting of the Soviet Baltic Fleet, Polish Navy and East German Volksmarine bottled up in the Baltic Sea by blocking the Danish straits and thus ensuring NATOs unchallenged control of the North Sea. To fulfill its mission NAVBALTAP commanded the entire German as well as the ships of the Danish Navy based in Denmark. The ships based in Greenland and the Faroe islands were under the command of Supreme Allied Commander Atlantic.
The Flag Officer Denmark (FOD) commanded the entire Danish home fleet. As the fleet's main tasks were to prevent Warsaw Pact naval forces from passing through the Danish straits and to prevent amphibious landings on the Danish coast. To fulfill its mission the Danish navy fielded a large number of minelayers and fast attack crafts. The first would have been used to mine all sealanes and potential landings beaches, while the latter would have harassed the enemy fleet with continuous hit and run attacks. Additionally the Danish Navy fielded AGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship missiles mounted on Scania trucks as mobile coastal artillery.
The Navy's main bases were
Holmen naval base
Naval Station Frederikshavn
Naval Station Korsor.
Minor naval bases were
Torpedo Station Kongsøre (base of the Frogman Corps and mine divers)
Marine Station Aarhus (base of the Danish Fleet Admiral)
Lyngsbæk Pier (navelmine depot and part of NEPS)
Marine Station Esbjerg (NATO Reinforce Port and part of NEPS)
Marine Station Grønnedal in Greenland.
Marine Station Thorshavn at Faroe Islands
The coastal fortification
Stevnsfortet should control the southern entrance to Øresund
Langelandsfortet should control the southern entrance to the Great Belt.
Minor naval stations, as part of sea survaliians
Marine Station Møn
Marine Station Gedser
Marine Station Bornholm
Aerial support was provided by the Danish Naval Air Squadron (Søværnets Flyvetjeneste) based at Værløse Air Base with 8x Lynx Mk.80 helicopters.
The torpedo boats had a mobile base (MOBA) with approximately 40 trucks. MOBA LOG supplied fuel, ordnance, freshwater and provided repair facilities outside the naval bases. MOBA OPS had mobile radars for tactical surveillance and target acquisition.
At the beginning of 1989 the Danish Navy consisted of the following ships.
Fregateskadren FGE (Danish Frigate Squadron) 2nd Squadron from April 1992
Peder Skram-class frigate
F352 Peder Skram
F353 Herluf Trolle
Niels Juel-class corvette
F354 Niels Juel
F355 Olfert Fischer
F356 Peter Tordenskiold
Daphne-class (based on the British Ford-class seaward defence craft)
P530 Daphne
P531 Dryaden
P533 Havfruen
P534 Najaden
P535 Nymfen
P536 Neptun decommissioned October 30, 1989
P537 Ran
P538 Rota decommissioned October 31, 1989
Torpedobådseskadren TBE (Danish Torpedo Boat Squadron) 4th Squadron from April 1992
Søløven-class fast torpedo boat
P510 Søløven
P511 Søridderen
P512 Søbjørnen
P513 Søhesten
P514 Søhunden
P515 Søulven
Willemoes-class fast missile boats
P540 Bille
P541 Bredal
P542 Hammer
P543 Huitfeldt
P544 Krieger
P545 Norby
P546 Rodsteen
P547 Sehested
P548 Suenson
P549 Willemoes
A568 Rimfaxe, oiler
A569 Skinfaxe, oiler
Ubådseskadren UBE (Danish Submarine Squadron) 5th Squadron from April 1992
Narwhal-class submarine
S320 Narhvalen
S321 Nordkaperen
Kobben-class submarine
S322 Tumleren, bought from Norway, commissioned on October 20, 1989
Dolphin-class submarine
S327 Spækhuggeren, decommissioned July 31, 1989
S329 Springeren
Mineskibseskadren MSE (Danish Mine Ship Squadron) 3rd Squadron from April 1992
Lindormen-class cable minelayer
N43 Lindormen
N44 Lossen
Falster-class minelayer
N80 Falster
N81 Fyen
N82 Møen
N83 Sjælland
Sund-class minesweepers
M572 Alssund decommissioned November 30, 1989
M573 Egernsund decommissioned December 31, 1989
M574 Grønsund
M575 Guldborgsund
M577 Ulvsund refitted as a minehunter, decommissioned December 31, 1989
M578 Vilsund
Inspektionsskibseskadren ISE (Danish Fishery Protection Squadron) 1st Squadron from April 1992
Hvidbjørnen-class offshore patrol frigate
F348 Hvidbjørnen
F349 Vædderen
F350 Ingolf
F351 Fylla
Beskytteren-class (an improved Hvidbjørnen-class) offshore patrol frigate
F340 Beskytteren
Agdlek-class arctic patrol cutter
Y386 Agdlek
Y387 Agpa
Y388 Tulugaq
Others
Flyvefisken-class patrol vessel - 2 more fitting out, replacing the Søløven, Daphne and Sund classes
P550 Flyvefisken
Barsø-class naval patrol cutter
Y300 Barsø
Y301 Drejø
Y302 Romsø
Y303 Samsø
Y304 Thurø
Y305 Vejrø
Y306 Farø
Y307 Læsø
Y308 Rømø
Support ships:
A559 Sleipner, transport ship
MH-90-class home guard cutters
MHV 90 Bopa
MHV 91 Brigaden
MHV 92 Holger Danske
MHV 93 Hvidsten
MHV 94 Ringen
MHV 95 Speditøren
The Flag Officer Germany (FOG) was the commanding vice admiral of the West-German Navy's Fleet Command. In peacetime he commanded all German naval units in the North and Baltic Sea. In case of war the command of German units in the North Sea would pass to the Commander German North Sea Subarea. Fleet Command was based during peacetime in Glücksburg, but would have moved to an underground command center in Glücksburg-Meierwik in case of war.
The German naval forces in the Baltic Sea had the task to prevent Warsaw Pact naval forces from passing through the Danish straits and to prevent amphibious landings on the German coast. To fulfill its mission the German navy fielded like the Danish Navy a large number of minelayers and fast attack crafts. All German submarines were based in the Baltic Sea and tasked with mining enemy harbor exists and sinking enemy supply ships far from German waters. The main bases in the Baltic Sea were Naval Base Kiel, Naval Base Kiel-Holtenau, Naval Base Flensburg, Naval Base Flensburg-Mürwik, Naval Base Olpenitz, Neustadt Naval Base and Naval Base Eckernförde. At the beginning of 1989 the Flag Officer Germany would have commanded the following ships. The peacetime administrative flotilla commands in Wilhelmshaven and Cuxhaven would have been removed from the chain of command in times of war.
Fleet Command in GlücksburgDestroyer Flotilla in Wilhelmshaven
1st Destroyer Squadron in Kiel with Lütjens-class destroyers
D185 Lütjens
D186 Mölders
D187 Rommel
Fleet Service Squadron in Flensburg-Mürwik with Thetis-class submarine chasers and Oste-class SIGINT/ELINT ships
A1449 Hans Bürkner, command and control ship for the Thetis-class submarine chasers
P6052 Thetis
P6053 Hermes
P6054 Najade
P6055 Triton
P6056 Theseus
A50 Alster, commissioned October 1989
A52 Oste
A53 Oker
Fast attack craft Flotilla in Flensburg-Mürwik
2nd Fast Attack Craft Squadron in Olpenitz with Albatros-class fast attack craft
P6111 Albatros
P6112 Falke
P6113 Geier
P6114 Bussard
P6115 Sperber
P6116 Greif
P6117 Kondor
P6118 Seeadler
P6119 Habicht
P6120 Kormoran
A69 Donau, 401C-class supply and support tender
3rd Fast Attack Craft Squadron in Flensburg-Mürwik with Tiger-class fast attack craft
P6141 Tiger
P6142 Iltis
P6143 Luchs
P6144 Marder
P6145 Leopard
P6146 Fuchs
P6147 Jaguar
P6148 Löwe
P6149 Wolf
P6150 Panther
A58 Rhein, 401C-class supply and support tender
5th Fast Attack Craft Squadron in Olpenitz with Tiger-class fast attack craft
P6151 Häher
P6152 Storch
P6153 Pelikan
P6154 Elster
P6155 Alk
P6156 Dommel
P6157 Weihe
P6158 Pinguin
P6159 Reiher
P6160 Kranich
A63 Main, 401C-class supply and support tender
7th Fast Attack Craft Squadron in Kiel with Gepard-class fast attack craft
P6121 Gepard
P6122 Puma
P6123 Hermelin
P6124 Nerz
P6125 Zobel
P6126 Frettchen
P6127 Dachs
P6128 Ozelot
P6129 Wiesel
P6130 Hyäne
A61 Elbe, 401D-class supply and support tender
A66 Neckar, 401B-class supply and support tender, decommissioned November 1989
Mine Countermeasures Flotilla in Wilhelmshaven
Mine Diver Company in Eckernförde
1st Minesweeping Squadron in Flensburg with Schütze-class fast minesweepers
M1051 Castor
M1054 Pollux
M1055 Sirius
M1056 Rigel
M1057 Regulus
M1058 Mars
M1059 Spica
M1060 Skorpion
M1062 Schütze
M1063 Waage
A1437 Sachsenwald, 762-class naval mine transport ship
A1438 Steigerwald, 762-class naval mine transport ship
3rd Minesweeping Squadron in Kiel with Ariadne-class coastal minesweepers
M2650 Ariadne
M2651 Freya
M2652 Vineta
M2653 Hertha
M2654 Nymphe
M2655 Nixe
M2656 Amazone
M2657 Gazelle
5th Minesweeping Squadron in Olpenitz, between 1988 and 1991 the squadron's Schütze-class fast minesweepers were replaced with Hameln-class fast minesweepers
M1064 Deneb, decommissioned September 1989
M1065 Jupiter, decommissioned September 1989
M1093 Neptun
M1094 Widder, decommissioned July 1989
M1096 Fische, decommissioned April 1989
M1092 Hameln, commissioned June 1989
M1095 Überherrn, commissioned September 1989
M1097 Laboe, commissioned December 1989
A67 Mosel, 402A-class supply and support tender
7th Minesweeping Squadron in Neustadt with Frauenlob-class minesweepers
M2658 Frauenlob
M2659 Nautilus
M2660 Gefion
M2661 Medusa
M2662 Undine
M2663 Minerva
M2664 Diana
M2665 Loreley
M2666 Atlantis
M2667 Acheron
Submarine Flotilla in Kiel
1st Submarine Squadron in Kiel with Type 205 and Type 206 submarines
S170 / U21
S176 / U27
S180 / U1 (Type 205)
S181 / U2 (Type 205)
S188 / U9 (Type 205)
S189 / U10 (Type 205)
S190 / U11 (Type 205A)
S191 / U12 (Type 205B)
S192 / U13
S193 / U14
S198 / U19
S199 / U20
A55 Lahn, 403B-class supply and support tender
3rd Submarine Squadron in Eckernförde with Type 206 submarines
S171 / U22
S172 / U23
S173 / U24
S174 / U25
S175 / U26
S177 / U28
S178 / U29
S179 / U30
S194 / U15
S195 / U16
S196 / U17
S197 / U18
A56 Lech, 403B-class supply and support tender, decommissioned June 1989
Supply Flotilla in Cuxhaven
1st Supply Squadron in Kiel, in wartime six additional transport ships and a fuel ship would be activated from the Navy's reserve.
Naval Base Kiel
A1407 Wittensee, 763-class fuel transport ship
A1412 Coburg, 701-class supply ship
A1417 Offenburg, 701A-class supply ship
A1442 Spessart, 704A-class fuel transport ship
A1452 Spiekeroog, 722B-class ocean going tug
Naval Base Flensburg-Mürwik
A1424 Walchensee, 703-class fuel transport ship
A1428 Harz, 766-class fuel transport ship
A1435 Westerwald, 760-class ammunition transport ship
Naval Base Olpenitz
A1411 Lüneburg, 701A-class supply ship
A1415 Saarburg, 701C-class supply ship
A1418 Meersburg, 701C-class supply ship
A1425 Ammersee, 703-class fuel transport ship
A1455 Norderney, 722B-class ocean going tug
Y847 Odin, maintenance ship
Neustadt Naval Base
A1458 Fehmarn, 720B-class salvage tug
Amphibious Group in Kiel
Combat Swimmers Company in Eckernförde
Beachmaster Company in Eckernförde with 521-class LCMs
L780 Hummer
L782 Krabbe
L783 Auster
L784 Muschel
L785 Koralle
L788 Butt (Barbe-class utility landing craft)
L789 Brasse (Barbe-class utility landing craft)
Landing Craft Group in Kiel with Barbe-class utility landing crafts
L760 Flunder
L761 Karpfen
L762 Lachs
L763 Plötze
L764 Rochen
L765 Schlei
L766 Stör
L767 Tümmler
L768 Wels
L769 Zander
L790 Barbe
L791 Delphin
L792 Dorsch
L793 Felchen
L794 Forelle
L796 Makrele
L797 Muräne
Commander German North Sea Subarea
The Commander German North Sea Subarea (GERNORSEA) was the commanding Flottillenadmiral (equivalent to a US Navy Rear admiral (Lower Half)) of the West-German Navy's fleet in the North Sea. In peacetime he was subordinate to the vice admiral commanding West-German Navy's Fleet Command, but in case of war he command a parallel command under NAVBALTAP. In peacetime the command was based in Wilhelmshaven, but would have moved to an underground command center in Wilhelmshaven-Sengwarden in case of war.
While German naval forces in Baltic Sea were tasked with preventing Warsaw Pact naval forces from passing through the Danish straits, the North Sea fleet was to patrol the German Bight and protect allied reinforcements and shipping heading for German ports. To GERNORSEA's East Allied Command Channel's BENECHAN command was tasked with patrolling the Western half of the Southern North Sea, while to North Allied Forces Northern Europe's SONOR command was patrolling the Southern Norwegian coast. Unlike in the Baltic Sea most vessels of GERNORSEA were destroyers and frigates. The main bases in the North Sea were Naval Base Wilhelmshaven and Naval Base Cuxhaven.
At the beginning of 1989 the Commander German North Sea Subarea would have commanded the following ships in wartime:
Commander German North Sea Subarea in Sengwarden
Destroyer Flotilla in Wilhelmshaven
2nd Destroyer Squadron in Wilhelmshaven with Hamburg-class destroyers
D181 Hamburg
D182 Schleswig-Holstein
D183 Bayern
D184 Hessen
2nd Frigate Squadron in Wilhelmshaven, between 1988 and 1990 the squadron replaced its Köln-class frigates with Bremen-class frigates
F211 Köln
F212 Karlsruhe
F213 Augsburg, commissioned October 1989
F214 Lübeck, fitting out, commissioned March 1990
F225 Braunschweig, last Köln-class frigate in service, decommissioned July 1989
4th Frigate Squadron in Wilhelmshaven with Bremen-class frigates
F207 Bremen
F208 Niedersachsen
F209 Rheinland-Pfalz
F210 Emden
Mine Countermeasures Flotilla in Wilhelmshaven
4th Minesweeping Squadron in Wilhelmshaven with Lindau-class minehunters
M1070 Göttingen
M1071 Koblenz
M1072 Lindau
M1074 Tübingen
M1075 Wetzlar
M1077 Weilheim
M1078 Cuxhaven
M1080 Marburg
M1084 Flensburg
M1085 Minden
M1086 Fulda
M1087 Völklingen
6th Minesweeping Squadron in Wilhelmshaven with 351-class minesweepers (improved Lindau-class minesweepers)
M1073 Schleswig
M1076 Paderborn
M1079 Düren
M1081 Konstanz
M1082 Wolfsburg
M1083 Ulm
A68 Werra, 401A-class supply and support tender
A1410 Walther Von Ledebur, mine diver support vessel
Supply Flotilla in Cuxhaven
2nd Supply Squadron in Wilhelmshaven, in wartime two additional two fuel transport ships and nine hospital ships would be activated from the Navy's reserve.
A1413 Freiburg, 701E-class supply ship
A1414 Glücksburg, 701C-class supply ship
A1416 Nienburg, 701A-class supply ship
A1426 Tegernsee, 703-class fuel transport ship
A1427 Westensee, 703-class fuel transport ship
A1429 Eifel, 766-class fuel transport ship
A1436 Odenwald, 760-class ammunition transport ship
A1443 Rhön, 704A-class fuel transport ship
A1451 Wangerooge, 722C-class ocean going tug
A1457 Helgoland, 720A-class salvage tug
Y848 Wotan, maintenance ship
On 1 October 1993, a restructuring took effect, which took into account the changed military situation in the Baltic Sea. Whilst the two land forces commands remained in place, the two headquarters of the naval and air forces were deactivated. The Interim Combined Air Operations Centre 1 (ICAOC 1) in Karup took the place of COMAIRBALTAP. The two national naval commanders were placed directly under COMBALTAP as Admiral Danish Fleet (AdmDanFleet) and Commander German Fleet (COMGERFLEET).
Thomas-Durell Young, Command in NATO After the Cold War: Alliance, National and Multinational Considerations
