Allied Forces Baltic Approaches
| Allied Forces Baltic Approaches | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1962-2002 |
| Allegiance |  North Atlantic Treaty Organization |
| Location | Karup, Denmark |
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.
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 defense 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 After France had withdrawn from the integrated military structure of the alliance, this task was undertaken by the United States and the United Kingdom.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.[1]
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.
Contents
Organization
Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. 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.
1962 to 1993
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[citation needed] and the American 9th Infantry Division.[2] 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
- 610th Signal Battalion, Rendsburg
- 2nd Signal Battalion, Tønder
- 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 (24x 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 Defense Regiment, Rendsburg
- Staff Company, 600th Air Defense Regiment, Rendsburg
- 610th Air Defense Battalion, Rendsburg, (18x Roland missile systems mounted Marder 1)
- 620th Air Defense Battalion (Reserve), Rendsburg, (18x Gepard)
- 630th Air Defense Battalion (Reserve), Rendsburg, (24x Bofors 40L70)
- Jutland Battle Group (Reserve), Holstebro
- 7th Staff Company
- 4th Btn, Jydske Dragonregiment, (20x Centurion (105 mm L7 gun), 4x TOW on Land Rover)
- 1st Btn, Slesvigske Fodregiment, (Infantry)
- 2nd Btn, Slesvigske Fodregiment, (Infantry)
- 3rd Btn, Slesvigske 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 Infantry Brigade, Tidworth Camp (United Kingdom Mobile Force)
- armoured squadron, Tidworth, (13x Chieftain)
- armoured reconnaissance regiment, Tidworth, (48x FV107 Scimitar)
- infantry battalion, Tidworth, (45x Saxon)
- infantry battalion, Bulford, (45x Saxon)
- infantry battalion, Tidworth, (45x Saxon)
- 1st Btn, The Wessex Regiment (Territorial Army), Devizes
- 47th Regiment Royal Artillery, RAF Thorney Island, (24x FH-70)
- 22nd Engineer Regiment RE, Perham Down
- No. 656 Squadron AAC (7th Regt, Army Air Corps), (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 Btn, Jydske Dragonregiment, (20x Leopard 1A3, 21x M113 (including 4 with TOW), 2x M125)
- 1st Btn, Kongens Jyske Fodregiment, (10x Leopard 1A3, 32x M113 (including 4 with TOW), 4x M125, 4x TOW on Land Rover)
- 1st Btn, Fynske Livregiment, (10x Leopard 1A3, 32x M113 (including 4 with TOW), 4x M125, 4x TOW on Land Rover)
- 2nd Btn, Kongens Jyske Fodregiment, (Infantry)
- 6th Artillery Btn, 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, Denmark1
- 2nd Brigade Staff Com pany (including 5x M113, 8x TOW on Land Rover)
- 2nd Btn, Jydske Dragonregiment, (20x Leopard 1A3, 21x M113 (including 4 with TOW), 2x M125)
- 1st Btn, Dronningens Livregiment, (10x Leopard 1A3, 32x M113 (including 4 with TOW), 4x M125, 4x TOW on Land Rover)
- 2nd Btn, Dronningens Livregiment, (10x Leopard 1A3, 32x M113 (including 4 with TOW), 4x M125, 4x TOW on Land Rover)
- 3rd Btn, Dronningens Livregiment, (Infantry)
- 3rd Artillery Btn, 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 Btn, Jydske Dragonregiment, (20x Leopard 1A3, 21x M113 (including 4 with TOW), 2x M125)
- 1st Btn, Prinsens Livregiment, (10x Leopard 1A3, 32x M113 (including 4 with TOW), 4x M125, 4x TOW on Land Rover)
- 2nd Btn, Prinsens Livregiment, (10x Leopard 1A3, 32x M113 (including 4 with TOW), 4x M125, 4x TOW on Land Rover)
- 3rd Btn, Prinsens Livregiment, (Infantry)
- 7th Artillery Btn, 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,Target&Acquistion 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 Defense Battalion, (Stinger, Bofors 40 mm L/70)
- 3rd Engineer Battalion
- 4th Btn, Fynske Livregiment, (Infantry)
- 5th Btn, Jydske Dragonregiment, (Reconnaissance: 18x M41 DK-1, 9x M113, 9x M125)
- Long Range Reconnaissance Company, Dronningens Livregiment
- Elektronic Warfare Company
- 8th logistik Btn
- Heavy transport Company
- 1 Military Police Company
6th Panzergrenadier Division
- 6th Panzergrenadier Division, Neumünster
- Staff Company, 6th Panzergrenadier Division, Neumünster
- 16th Panzergrenadier Brigade, Wentorf
- Staff Company, 31st Panzergrenadier Brigade, Wentorf, (8x M577, 8x Luchs)
- 161st Panzergrenadier Battalion, Wentorf, (13x Leopard 1, 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 1, 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 Defense 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 Defense Brigade, Eutin, (8x M577, 8x Luchs)
- 511th Jäger Battalion, Flensburg, (7x Leopard 1, 6x Panzermörser)
- 512th Jäger Battalion, Putlos, (7x Leopard 1, 30x M113, 6x Panzermörser)
- 513th Panzer Battalion, Flensburg, (41x Leopard 1, 12x M113)
- 514th Panzer Battalion (Reserve), Putlos, (41x Leopard 1, 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
- 6th Army Aviation Regiment, Hohenlockstedt, (15x BO-105M, 24x UH-1D, 21x PAH-1)
- 6th Air Defense Regiment, Lütjenburg, (36x Gepard)
- 6th Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, Eutin, (34x Leopard 1, 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 Defense Brigade, Idstedt
- Staff Company (Reserve), 61st Home Defense 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 Defense Regiment, Neumünster
- Staff Company (Reserve), 71st Home Defense 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 Defense Regiment, Süderlügum
- Staff Company (Reserve), 81st Home Defense 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 Defense Battalion, Albersdorf
- 610th Field Replacement Battalion (Reserve), Husum
- 620th Field Replacement Battalion (Reserve), Idelstedt
- 6x Training Battalions
- 10x Home Defense Companies
Territorial Command Jutland and Funen
All territorial army units was in reserve.
- Territorial Command Jutland and Funen (VLK)
- 5th(?) Signal Battalion
- 5th. Engineer Battalion
- LRRP Company (SEP/VLK (Homeguard))
- Host&Support Battalion (Supporting arrivel of NATO reinforce troops in Denmark and northern Germany)
- Rear&Sustain Battalion
- Logistics Support Group West (LSG-W)
- Supply Battalion
- Transport Battalion
- Medical Battalion (incl Medicaltrain)
- Maintenance Battalion
- Field Replacement Commando
- 1st Territorial Region (Northern Jutland)
- 4th Btn Dronningens Livregiment, (Infantery)
- Tank Squadron, Dronningens Livregiment, (8x Centurion (84 mm gun))
- Light Battery, (8x M101 105mm howitzer)
- Engineer Company
- 6 x Homeguard Districts
- 6 x Homeguard Staff Company
- 31 x Area Company
- 6 x Homeguard Military Police Company
- 2nd Territorial Region (Middle Jutland)
- 4th Btn Prinsens Livregiment, (Infantery)
- Tank Sqaudron, Prinsens Livregiment, (8x Centurion (84 mm gun))
- Light Battery, (8x M101 105mm howitzer)
- Engineer Company
- 10 x Homeguard Districts
- 10 x Homeguard Staff Company
- 56 x Area Company
- 10 x Homeguard Military Police Company
- 3rd Territorial Region (Southern Jutland)
- 4th Btn Slesvigske Fodregiment, (Infantery)
- 3th[clarification needed] Btn Kongens Jyske Fodregiment, (Infantery)
- Tank Sqaudron, Kongens Jyske Fodregiment, (8x Centurion (84 mm gun))
- Artillery Btn, (16x M101 105mm howitzer)
- Engineer Company
- 11 x Homeguard Districts
- 11 x Homeguard Staff company
- 53 x Area Company
- 11 x Homeguard Military Police Company
- 4th Territorial Region (Funen)
- 2nd Btn Fynske Livregiment, (Infantery)
- 3th[clarification needed] Btn Fynske Livregiment, (Infantery)
- Tank Sqaudron, Fynske Livregiment, (8x Centurion (84 mm gun))
- Artillery Btn, (16x M101 105mm howitzer)
- Engineer Company
- 5 x Homeguard Districts
- 5 x Homeguard staff company
- 32 x Area Company
- 5 x Homeguard Military Police Company
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
- 1st Signal Battalion
- 3rd Btn, Gardehusarregimentet, (Reconnaissance: 18x M41 DK-1, 12x M113, 9x M125)
- 4th Btn, Danske Livregiment, (Infantry)
- Electronic Warfare Company
- LRRP Company (SEP/ELK (Homeguard))
- 1st Engineer Battalion
- 6th Logistic Battalion
- 6th Military Police Company
- 1st Zealand Brigade
- 4th Brigade Staff Company (5x M113, 8x TOW on Land Rover)
- 1st Btn, Gardehusarregimentet, (20x 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, (20x 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 Squadron, 5th Btn, 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 Squadron, 5th Btn, 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 Squadron, 5th Btn, 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 Squadron, 5th Btn, Gardehusarregimentet, (8x Centurion(84 mm gun))
- 3rd Btn, Sjællandske Livregiment, (Infantry)
- 4th Btn, Sjællandske Livregiment, (Infantry)
- 14th Artillery Battalion, (24x M101)
- Corps Artillery
- Staff,Target&Acquistion Battery
- 2nd Artillery Battalion, (18x M114/39 155 mm howitzer)
- 32nd Artillery Battalion, (24x M59 155 mm gun)
- 17th Heavy Battery, (4x M115 203mm howitzer)
- 13th Air Defense Battalion, (Stinger)
Bornholm Værn
Bornholm was in wartime independent, do to the long distance from Zealand and agreements after world war II said what no foreign units could reinforce Bornholm. so Bornholm had only the Battlegroup and homeguards unit's of the 7th Territorial Region.
- Bornholm Værn's Battle Group
- Staff&Signals 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)
- Tank Squadron 10x Centurion(84 mm gunL
- Light Tank Squadron (10x M41 DK-1)
- Light Reconnaissance Squadron (6x M41 DK-1)
- 12th Artillery Battalion (18x M101)
- Air Defense Battery (Stinger)
- BR Engineer Company
- Logistic Company
Territorial Commander, Allied Land Forces in Zealand
Except Royal Guard Company and Mounted Hussar Squadron both with conscripts, all army unit's was in reserve
- Territorial Command, Allied Land Forces in Zealand (ELK)
- Host&Support Battalion (Supporting arrivel of NATO reinforce troops on Zealand)
- Logistics Support Group East (LSG-E)
- Supply Battalion
- Transport Company
- Medical Battalion
- Maintenance Battalion
- Field Replacement Commando
- 5th Territorial Region (Zealand)
- 4th Btn Den Kongelige Livgarde, (Infantery)
- 5th. Region Engineer Company
- 9 x Homeguard Districts
- 9 x Homeguard Staff Company
- 50 x Area Company
- 9 x Homeguard Military Police Company
- 6th Territorial Region (Northern Zealand/Copenhagen)
- 6th. Btn. Den Kongelige Livgarde (Infantery, in case of wartime upgrade to double battalion size and had 2x Heavy Mortar platoon (4x120 mm MT)) (Northern Zealand/Copenhagen)
- Mounted Hussar Squadron, Gardehusarregimentet, (Infantery, in case of wartime upgrade to battalion size)(Copenhagen)
- 6th. Region Engineer Company
- 4 x Homeguard Districts (Northern Zealand)
- 4 x Homeguard Staff Company
- 29 x Area Company
- 4 x Homeguard Military Police Company
- ? x Homeguard Districts (Copenhagen)
- ? x Homeguard Staff Company
- ? x Area Company
- ? x Homeguard Military Police Company
- 7th Territorial Region (Bornholm)
- 1 x Homeguard District
- Homeguard Staff Company
- 5 x Homeguard Area Company
- Homeguard Military Police Company
- 1 x Homeguard District
Commander, Air Forces, Baltic Approaches
Commander, Allied Air Forces Baltic Approaches (COMAIRBALTAP) was a NATO military formation under Allied Forces Baltic Approaches tasked with providing air support to the three other BALTAP commands.
COMAIRBALTAP 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 defense units and the airfields in its sector. The commander of COMAIRBALTAP was the commander in chief of the Royal Danish Air Forc. COMAIRBALTAP was formed in 1962 with its area of responsibility covering Germany north of the river Elbe and Denmark with the surrounding seas; however air defense for the German state of Schleswig-Holstein was the responsibility of Second Allied Tactical Air Force
The peacetime headquarters of COMAIRBALTAP were at Karup in Denmark. COMAIRBALTAP commanded the Royal Danish Air Force and flying units of the German Luftwaffe and Marine, as well as extensive air defense and radar installations manned by German and Danish personnel.
If needed COMAIRBALTAP 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 COMAIRBALTAP would have had immediately almost 300 combat planes at its disposal. The following units would have come under COMAIRBALTAP in wartime:
COMAIRBALTAP was disbanded in 1993.
War Time Structure c.1989
- COMAIRBALTAP, Karup
- Royal Danish Air Force[3][4]
- Aalborg Air Base
- Eskadrille 723, 16x F-16A
- Eskadrille 726, 16x F-16A
- Karup Air Base
- Eskadrille 725, 20x F-35 Draken Strike Fighter, 5x TF-35 Draken
- Eskadrille 729, 20x RF-35 Draken Reconnaissance Fighter, 5x TF-35 Draken
- Skrydstrup Air Base
- Eskadrille 727, 16x F-16A
- Eskadrille 730, 16x F-16A
- Tirstrup Air Base
- Vandel Air Base
- Army Air Corps (Artileryobserver helicopters)(only in peacetime)
- Værløse Air Base
- Eskadrille 721, Transport(3x Hercules C-130)
- Eskadrille 722, Helicopter(8x S-61 SAR)
- Air Defense Command East, Tune
- Eskadrille 541, Stevns Fort, with 1x I-Hawk battery (6x launch stations)
- Eskadrille 542, Kongelund Fort, with 1x I-Hawk battery (6x launch stations)
- Eskadrille 543, Sigerslev Air Station, with 1x I-Hawk battery (6x launch stations)
- Eskadrille 544, Tune, with 1x I-Hawk battery (6x launch stations)
- Air Defense Command West, Karup
- Eskadrille 531, Odense, with 1x I-Hawk battery (6x launch stations)
- Eskadrille 532, Odense, with 1x I-Hawk battery (6x launch stations)
- Eskadrille 533, Skrydstrup Air Base, with 1x I-Hawk battery (6x launch stations)
- Eskadrille 534, Karup Air Base, with 1x I-Hawk battery (6x launch stations)
- Aalborg Air Base
- 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 Defense Missile Squadron (Reserve), Alt Duvenstedt, with 4x Roland systems
- Husum Air Base
- Marine
- Marinefliegerdivision, Kiel Air Base
- Schleswig Air Base
- Marinefliegergeschwader 1, 2x squadrons with 24x Tornado IDS each
- Air Defense Squadron 1, Kropp, with 6x Roland systems
- Eggebek Air Base
- Marinefliegergeschwader 2, 2x squadrons with 24x Tornado IDS each
- Air Defense Squadron 2, Tarp, with 6x Roland systems
- Nordholz Naval Airbase
- Marinefliegergeschwader 3, 2x squadrons with a total of 20x Breguet Atlantic
- Air Defense Squadron 3, Nordholz, with 6x Roland systems
- Schleswig Air Base
- Marinefliegerdivision, Kiel Air Base
- Royal Danish Air Force[3][4]
The command was located until 1976 in Kiel-Holtenau, and thereafter at Karup, with the subordinate commanders:
- Flag Officer Denmark (FOD) in Århus, simultaneously the national commander of the Danish fleet
- Flag Officer Germany (FOG) in Glücksburg, simultaneously the national commander of the German fleet
- Commander German Northsea Subarea (COMGERNORSEA)) in Sengwarden, simultaneously the German national Commander Naval Forces North Sea (Befehlshaber der Seestreitkräfte der Nordsee (BSN)).
The task of NAVBALTAP was to keep the Soviet Baltic Fleet bottled up in the Baltic Sea by blocking the Danish straits and thus ensuring NATOs unchallenged control of the North Sea. NAVBALTAP commanded the entire German as well as the entire Danish Navy.
1993 to 2002
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).
References
- ↑ Brian Wanstall; Luftverteidigung im Ostseeraum - Dänemark bewacht die Meerengen; in: Interavia 12-1982, S. 1297ff
- ↑ Gen. Lyng: "If the 9th Infantry Division is reduced or disbanded we will need other reinforcements," said Gen Lyng. "The Soviets would be able to concentrate a substantial number of divisions against the 6th Panzergrenadier Division and the Jutland Division and we would have no division behind them. The UKMF is very good but it only has 14 tanks, it is only a brigade and we need a division.” 1990 Complete Edition of Jane's Defence Weekly page 850.
- ↑ http://www.stall.dk/RDAF.html
- ↑ http://www.luftvet.dk/
Sources
- Peter Monte, Die Rolle der Marine der Bundesrepublik Deutschland in der Verteidigungsplanung für Mittel- und Nordeuropa von den 50er Jahren bis zur Wende 1989/90; in: Werner Rahn (Hrsg.), Deutsche Marinen im Wandel, S. 565 ff.. München 2005. ISBN 3-486-57674-7
- Norbert Rath; Headquarter Allied Forces Baltic Approaches (HQ BALTAP); in Marineforum 4-1997, S. 3ff.
Literature
- Thomas-Durell Young, Command in NATO After the Cold War: Alliance, National and Multinational Considerations
External links
- Pages with broken file links
- Articles with unsourced statements from May 2012
- Wikipedia articles needing clarification from July 2015
- Denmark articles missing geocoordinate data
- Formations of the NATO Military Command Structure 1952-1994
- Formations of the NATO Military Command Structure 1994-present
- Military units and formations established in 1962
