The Fulda Gap is a section of territory between the former East German border and Frankfurt, (West) Germany.
Named after the unfortunately placed town of Fulda, strategically the Fulda Gap was of immense importance during the Cold War. It was one of two obvious routes for any invader attacking West Germany. (The other was the North German Plain.)
Frankfurt, relatively close to the Gap, was at the heart of West German industrial and financial power, and its loss would have been a serious blow for West Germany and NATO. It was also an important civil and military air hub that was important to the defense of West Germany.
Perhaps more importantly, the terrain between the Gap and the river Rhine was less rugged than adjacent districts, offering the best pathway for an invading force from Warsaw Pact territory to reach and cross the formidable Rhine before NATO was in a position to prevent it.
Strategic planners on both sides of the Iron Curtain understood its importance and forces were allocated accordingly. Defense of the Fulda Gap was tasked primarily to the US V Corps. More specifically, the actual East/West border in the Fulda Gap was protected by the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment from 1972-1994. Its principal adversary was the Soviet 8th Guards Army. Both formations were lavishly equipped and generally received a high priority on new equipment.
^One of CDWC's tanks...^
The Warsaw Pact will be the aggressor and will prompt the attack on the West. The main objective is to seize all possible territory directly West of Fulda Gap to the Rhine River, cutting NATO forces in half to the North and to the South. Next, destroy all remaining NATO forces and capture the West German city of Frankfurt. Post advance options include nuclear exchange with the West, an agreed upon cease fire, or the unconditional surrender of Western Forces.
NATO does not wish to start WWIII in the European Theater because it is outnumbered 1.5 to 1 in almost all areas along the West / East German boarder and in many places, especially in regards to tanks, 3 to 1. If a Soviet led offensive should take place, NATO will hold off the advance to the Rhine River at all costs. If the Soviets push past the Rhine River, Western influence and its ideals will be lost to Communism in the whole of Europe. Because NATO is so outnumbered, they have relied heavily on the threat of the use of tactical nuclear weapons.
In case of an attack, NATO would advance across the Fulda Plain to stall the Soviet advance using conventional forces, do not allow the Soviets to cross the Rhine River, try to push the Soviets back into East Germany and sue for a cease fire before a nuclear exchange occurs. The worst-case victory will come through the use of nuclear weapons, but the use of tactical nuclear weapons could lead to a full-scale, world-wide nuclear exchange between NATO and WARSAW PACT nations.
MAPS
http://fuldagap.com/tacticalmaps.shtml
More info at www.fuldagap.com
This IS primarily for the paintball event a few weeks afterwards using the same scenario, but all tank and applicable rules for airsoft are the same.
Field and Store Address
Command Decisions Paintball
84 Reganswood Drive
Taylorsville, NC 28681
Field and Store Phone
828-495-4155
Field Manager - ferg@cdpaintball.com
For team planning go to www.ncairsoft.org then register on the forums. Just PM a administrator for access. We have changed forum software, so if you had an account last year it WILL NOT be there now.
This game had almost 300 people last year, and this year it might almost double. You do not want to miss this.
