At the request of West Berlin Mayor Willy Brandt, President John F. Kennedy ordered the U.S. Berlin garrison reinforced in response to construction of the Berlin Wall beginning 13 August 1961. Shortly thereafter, 8th Infantry Division's 1st Battle Group, 18th Infantry motor marched from its bases in West Germany, 110 miles through communist East Germany, to surrounded West Berlin. (At that time, "Pentomic" Infantry Divisions were organized around 5 "battle groups," smaller than regiments & larger than battalions, designed to fight on an atomic battlefield.) This movement increased Berlin Brigade's combat power by about 30% but caused 8th Infantry Division's potential combat effectiveness to be reduced by a fifth. Three months later, 1/18th was relieved in place by 1st Battle Group, 19th Infantry of 24th Infantry Division, also a part of USAREUR's 7th Army in West Germany. While it was clear that America's Berlin garrison needed augmentation, for reasons of "real world" Cold War reality, reinforcments from West Germany weakened Free World forces along it's central West German front. The answer was Operation Long Thrust which augmented West Berlin with troops from CONUS. After approximately 90 days in West Berlin, 1/19th Infantry returned to its 24th ID in West Germany, being replaced by 2nd Battle Group, 47th Infantry from 4th Infantry Division at Ft. Lewis Washington. Three months earlier, 2/47th had flown, non-stop, from Ft. Lewis to West Germany where it maneuvered at Wildflecken Training Area prior to convoying into West Berlin. Three months after arriving in Berlin, 2/47th Inf. was relieved in place by 1st Battle Group, 8th Infantry, another 4th ID outfit. Then, the famous Big Red One at Ft. Riley took its turn defending West Berlin. 1st Infantry Division's 2nd Battle Group, 12th Infantry replaced 1/8th. 2/12th was on full alert in West Berlin during the Cuban Missile Crisis in October, 1962. Three more Big Red One battle groups, 1/13th, 1/28th & 2/26th rotated into West Berlin at three month intervals. President Kennedy was greeted by "Black Lions" of 1st ID's 1/28th Infantry during his memorable Ich Bin Ein Berliner visit 26 June 1963. Each Operation Long Thrust Infantry battle group was reinforced by a battery of 105mm howitzers, a light truck (2.5 ton) company & other support elements. U.S. military personnel serving in West Berlin from 14 August 1961 - 1 June 1963 were awarded U.S. Armed Forces Expeditionary Medals along with WW II Army of Occupation Medals (Berlin remained under military occupation until 1990). In summer 1963, the Army reorganized from battle groups configuration to battalions and until 1966 Berlin Brigade augmented by Infantry battalions from 24th ID in West Germany. Operation Long Thrust was evidence of the Free World's committment to maintain West Berlin as an island of freedom in the cess pool of communist eastern Europe. Operation Long Thrust demonstrated the U.S. Army's ability to quickly move significant units of combat-ready troops, and necessary support, from CONUS to the Cold War's front line, BERLIN.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: 13433578,

26June63-D-Co..jpg (66 KB, 5 downloads) Big Red One's 1/28th Inf presenting arms for President Kennedy, 26 June 1963

During the Berlin Crisis of the early 1960s, in addition to augmenting Infantry & Artillery units, Berlin Brigade was reinforced with additional Military Police personnel from 385th MP Bn., 7th Army in West Germany.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Long_Thrust_VI,

Steve_Monsees_CPC.jpg (22 KB, 5 downloads) Lt. Monsees, 1st BG, 28th Inf. 1st ID & 7th Army MP at Check Point Charlie.