ARMORED CAV - GUARDIANS OF THE IRON CURTAIN 1948-1994

DISPONIBILE FINE GENNAIO 2025

The reconnaissance screen and border surveillance mission of the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment assigned to VII (US) Corps, and 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment assigned to V (US) Corps, along the Iron Curtain, the intra-German border, consisted of the following tasks: To monitor the movements and activities of East German border troops and Warsaw Pact forces in the area close to the border / reconnaissance and early detection of approaching or deploying Warsaw Pact forces, and initiation of appropriate alarm measures / showing the flag against possible enemy coup d’état actions using one’s own firepower / delaying, wearing down and, if possible, destroying the enemy’s attacking forces.

This publication shows the vehicles of the two “Armored Cav” regiments in impressive and hitherto mostly unpublished photos taken during their mission and on exercises, 1948-94.