West German games test NATO's rapid deterrent

Troops from the United States, Canada, Belgium, Britain, West Germany, and Italy began a six-nation field exercise designed to test NATO's European Rapid Deterrent Force, a NATO spokesman said. The maneuver, ''Ardent Ground 82,'' involves 1,200 men from artillery, mortar, and helicopter units of the allied command Europe Mobile Force, and will last until May 31.