At midnight, the streets of a residential neighborhood in Hamburg became the scene of an unusual military operation. The sound of helicopters was accompanied by the movement of columns of military vehicles, as Bundeswehr soldiers, equipped with armored vehicles and armed with machine guns, drove through the city.
It was about the “Red Storm Charlie” exercise, a joint operation in which the Bundeswehr, police and civilian organizations tested their readiness for an emergency situation. The scenario predicted an escalation of the threat on NATO’s eastern flank.
In the port of Hamburg, Germany's largest port, a simulated landing of NATO troops, represented in this case by German soldiers, was held. After the landing, the troops began moving eastward through the city, while the scenario also included sabotage attempts and protests that hindered their progress.
The exercise took place from September 24 to 26 and involved around 1,700 people, including around 500 soldiers. According to Deutsche Welle, it was the largest exercise of its kind ever held in Germany.
The operation is part of the “Operationsplan Deutschland,” the operational plan with which Germany prepares for a severe security situation and for the role the country would play in the event of a major conflict in Europe. The document is confidential and includes how Germany would facilitate the movement of NATO troops, equipment and supplies.
In a war or crisis scenario, Germany would serve as one of the alliance's main logistical hubs. Allied troops could arrive through German ports and then be transported eastward, towards NATO's eastern flank.
According to estimates cited by Deutsche Welle, around 800,000 soldiers and 200,000 vehicles could pass through German territory in a six-month period. In the opposite direction, the transport of the wounded, displaced civilians and people evacuated from conflict zones could also be organized.
One of the main concerns of the German authorities is the risk of sabotage and hybrid attacks. The operational plan was drawn up after the complete Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and has been updated based on the experience gained from various military exercises.
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has repeatedly warned of increasing threats to Germany, including cyberattacks and sabotage of critical infrastructure.
For this reason, preparations are not limited to the military alone. In the event of a crisis, the cooperation of the police, local authorities, municipalities, civil institutions and humanitarian organizations would be required.
Another identified problem is infrastructure. Some bridges, roads, and transport corridors in Germany are outdated and not designed for the movement of large amounts of heavy military equipment.
However, German authorities present the planning and exercises as part of preventive measures. The aim is for Germany and NATO to be able to react quickly in the event of a crisis and reinforce the alliance's eastern flank if a threat arises.
