Revisiting the Russian 20th Guards Motor Rifle Division
How old Soviet friends from the Fulda Gap ended in Ukraine
Ukraine Military Observer
Absent friends
I think I used to know the 20th Guards Motor Rifle Division. During the Cold War, I was stationed in the Fulda Gap and that division was on the other side of the border. The Soviets had a lot of other divisions there too but this one I remember. It feels a little as if we served together.
We didn’t, I never spoke to any Soviet soldier. It was merely a feeling of connection. Feelings not being the Russian superpower, I doubt that they felt the same.
The unit I actually served alongside (not in) was the Black Horse. Or 11th US Armoured Cavalry Regiment. This was an American unit that — just like me — was destined to die at Fulda. We were to delay the Soviet advance long enough for the Corps to assemble behind us. And it would then fight to the death long enough for the US Armed forces to arrive in strength. And win the war. That was the plan. Back in the day we were kept at an extreme readiness, conditioned to respond to any sign of any threat. To the point of expecting Soviet paratroopers to drop from the sky every minute of every day.
