Extract from 8th Infantry Division Arrow War Hawk Edition December 21, 1956
Goppingen, Germany
8th Infantry
Division Ends First Large European FTX “Goppingen - The 8th Inf Div - a key link in NATO”s strong right arm in Western
Europe - finished up its part in Seventh Army’s second large-scale Fall
Field Training Exercise last week in the chill of descending December
Temperatures.
FTX “War Hawk” pitted Seventh Army’s rugged VII Corps and attached units against realistic aggressor forces, mud mired supply routes, mechanical limitations and the biting cold of early winter over 4,000 square miles of German territory. For the 8th Div and other participating units, it was a tenacious struggle against nature, against the tools of man - and against man himself. “The purpose of the training is to maintain the combat readiness of Seventh Army troops for their part in the protection of Western Europe from armed enemy aggression,” stated Seventh Army Commander Lt. Gen Bruce C. Clarke, director of the extensive training activities.
The huge maneuver was staged in an area bordered roughly by Stuttgart, Eberbach, Nurenberg and Ingolstadt. There more than 50,000 soldiers proved themselves and their machines capable of carrying the weight of world freedom. Actually involved in the FTX with th 8th Div were the 11th Abn Div, the 4th Armd Gp and the 3rd Armd Cav Regt.
Elements of the 2nd Armd Div formed the aggressor enemy. Simulated aggressors- whose invasion touched off the sham battle - included seven enemy divisions and 3,000 aircraft. An additional 18 divisions and 3,000 aircraft were available for reinforcement.
The week-long battle play saw Seventh Army freedom forces reel back from the initial onslaught, regroup and carry the fight back into the enemies teeth. The realistic operation was designed to gauge the men of the 8th Div through many of the pitfalls of actual combat. The basic element of an effective Army - individual action - was stressed in the week-long maneuver. Throughout the maneuver, modern concepts of the 20th century warfare were tested and employed. Atomic capabilities, aerial reconnaissance techniques, field maintenance and surface mobility were among the military factors examined and perfected.”
