The Fulda Gap is a section of territory between the former East German border and Frankfurt, Germany.

Strategically, the Fulda Gap was of immense importance during the Cold War. It was one of two obvious routes for any invader attacking West Germany. (The other is the North German Plain.)

Frankfurt was at the heart of West German industrial and financial power and its loss would have been a serious blow for West Germany and NATO. Perhaps more importantly, as the nearest crossing point over the Rhine River from Warsaw Pact territory, Frankfurt would offer the invaders an opportunity to cross the formidable Rhine River before NATO was in a position to prevent it.

Strategic planners on both sides of the Iron Curtain understood its importance and forces were allocated accordingly. Defence of the Fulda Gap was tasked primarily to the US VII Corps. Its principal adversary was the Soviet 8th Guards Army. Both formations were lavishly equipped and generally received a high priority on new equipment.

The Soviet 8th Guards Army was to be followed by a number of additional armies and has been positively identified as the key Soviet axis of advance in any (hypothetical) major military confrontation in Cold War Europe.