European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - September 26, 1978, Darmstadt, Hesse Tuesday september 26, 1978 the stars and stripes Page 9 German War gear grabs limelight in "danube7 exercise Story and photos by Ann Keays staff writer Gross Mehring Germany is the bund Estehr s latest War gear seized Center stage during part of Blue Danube the German army s contribution to the autumn forge series of nato exercises. German and american f-4 phantoms roared overhead in mock air strikes while helicopter gunships hovered along the Danube s tree lined Edge during a display for about 300 military observers and inter National Media representatives. Dozens of snorkel equipped Leopard 2 tanks from Panzer brigade 28 swam the River while Allied troops and equipment crossed on three types of German Bridges. The Parade of equipment included the ape an amphibious armoured reconnaissance vehicle which should be in the German inventory in about a year. A Small four wheeled open cart the Kraka designed to carry the Tow anti tank missile rolled Down the ramp of a cargo helicopter similar to the . Chi Nook. The collapsible and highly Mobile Kraka gives airborne troops firepower shortly after Landing. A German experimental attack helicopter similar in size to the . Oh-58 Kiowa Light observation Craft shared the spot Light with a whisper quiet reconnaissance tank the Luchs. The four Man amphibious tank carries a 20mm gun a machine gun and has eight wheels instead of tracks. U s air Force f-4s and Falls flew from Raf Lakenheath and Raf Alconbury England in support of Blue forces. Two French Mirage jets received permission to Fly Over from German air traffic control lers stationed atop an armoured command Post. Even a motorcycle crossing the heavy weight Bridge brought applause from a German officer. Though we have All the electronic and very modern equipment we still need something like that to carry Mes sages he from 8, wearing the knee length pants and Long Grey Woolen socks of Germany s 1st Moun Tain div entertained the top brass Audi ence. As turbaned Indian officers mingled with a soviet general and a sprinkling of chinese and americans one . Officer remarked that to stand out in the crowd one would have to be a Danube which ended officially sat urday involved ii German corps . 3rd inf div soldiers and Canadian mechanized infantry Over an area from Munich North to Schweinfurt and East to Regensburg. A German Soldier watches from atop a Leopard 2 snorkel As it Heads for the Danube. Camouflaged German troops support a bridging boat with logs As a tracked vehicle carries it to the Danube River s Edge. Ujj Fjell � a group of soldiers crosses the Danube River on a German foot Bridge hastily constructed of floating hollow plates bolted together an anchored to Shore by ropes
