WEST GERMANY: "BLACK LION" NATO MILITARY EXERCISE IN SOUTHERN GERMANY.

Record ID: 525766

  • Title: WEST GERMANY: "BLACK LION" NATO MILITARY EXERCISE IN SOUTHERN GERMANY.
  • Date: 16th September 1968
  • Summary: TANKS ON MANOEVRE. Initials DHC/VS/JH/PF Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
  • Embargoed: 1st October 1968 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: SOUTHERN GERMANY
  • Country: Germany
  • Reuters ID: LVACDE1BP88SPVFL96QN13VK3X4U
  • Story Text: SOME 42,000 WEST GERMAN TROOPS HAVE MOVED INTO POSITION IN SOUTHERN GERMANY FOR THE CONTROVERSIAL "BLACK LION" MILITARY EXERCISE WHICH WAS ORIGINALLY TO HAVE BEEN STAGED ALONG THE CZECHOSLOVAK BORDER. THE FIVE-DAY EXERCISE WHICH BEGINS TODAY (MONDAY) IS DESIGNED TO TEST THE MOBILITY OF WEST GERMAN LAND AND AIR FORCES IN THE FACE OF A HYPOTHETICAL INVADER.

    AMERICAN AND FRENCH REGIMENTS WILL ALSO TAKE PART IN THE NATO EXERCISE.

    IN JULY THE WEST GERMAN GOVERNMENT DECIDED TO MOVE THE SITE OF MANOEUVRES 90 MILES (150 KMS.) WESTWARDS FROM THE BORDER. BUT MANY POLITICIANS FELT "BLACK LION" SHOULD HAVE BEEN CANCELLED ALTOGETHER, TO AVOID AGGRAVATING TENSIONS IN CENTRAL EUROPE.

    FINAL PREPARATIONS FOR THE EXERCISE COINCIDED WITH A CALL YESTERDAY FOR MORE EFFECTIVE WEST GERMAN CONVENTIONAL ARMAMENTS BY HANS-DIETRICH GENSCHER, DEPUTY LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION FREE DEMOCRATIC PARTY.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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