[chico20854]

March 22, 1998

The remnants of the U.S. 2nd Armored Division, which suffered heavy casaulties from Soviet tactical nuclear strikes during the retreat from Warsaw, complete regrouping. The division is re-formed as a single brigade (the 2nd) and excess command and support troops are used as replacements for other units in Germany.

Unofficially,

The 97th Guards Motor-Rifle Division launches its major effort to relieve the surrounded garrison of the Romanian city of Bistrița, which has been under attack by the resurgent Romanian army since the 15th. The massive column of over 250 vehicles makes disconcertingly rapid progress in the early part of the day - the nervous Soviet troops notice that there are no Romanian civilians out and about as the column passes under clear spring skies. Soviet engineers are brought to the front of the column twice to replace destroyed bridges, delaying progress while assault bridging is emplaced. The delays result in the column entering the most mountainous portion of the route after nightfall; the division commander decides to press on rather than bivouac for the night, minimizing the chance of the massed formation being attacked while immobile (as well as preventing wavering draftees from deserting their guard posts, presenting a double threat).

After a night of unceasing harassment fire, the troops of B and C Companies, 4th Battalion, 325th Infantry attack the surrounded bandits along the Kazerun-Shiraz road in central Iran, accompanied by a detachment of Iranian National Security Force paramilitary police. Resistance soon crumbles as the Soviet deserters try to slip away, abandoning their Iranian compatriots. The decision is a poor one, since the Soviets are fired upon from behind by the abandoned Iranians as they rush towards the guns of A Company, 4-325 AIR. The cleanup of the operation is completed by lunchtime.