A Russian invasion of Europe is at its most likely since 1945 and Germany needs to prepare itself for war or face being wiped off the map, stated a leaked report by the country's top military brass.
The Ukraine crisis continues to simmer with Poland saying that a Russian-made missile fell in the east of the country killing two people - although US President Joe Biden said it was "unlikely" to have been fired from Vladimir Putin's army.
But if Russia did attack a NATO country then it would lead to a united response from the treaty members to repel it.
And German military leaders have said that the country needs to be better prepared as they believe this possibility of a European invasion is at its highest since World War Two.
This is according to confidential documents that have been leaked to the German publication Der Spiegel.
The 68-page policy paper was produced in September but has only now been seen by Der Spiegel.
In it are the views of top general Eberhard Zorn, who has put the army on high alert.
The report, called "Operational Guidelines for the Armed Forces," claims that the country is facing "existential threats" from the ongoing violence in Ukraine.
It also calls for the army to prepare for war.
He said: "Attacks on Germany can potentially occur without warning and with great, possibly even existential, damage".
Germany has an army of almost one million troops in reserve and another 180,000 active personnel.
Zorn reportedly wants the army, the 'Bundeswehr', to get ready for fighting in its own territory, in what he called "an enforced war".
He believes the chances of a NATO ally getting attacked by Russia are high and as such wants large-scale military units to be readied for what's coming.
He reportedly said: "Alliance defence, including the ability to provide visible and credible deterrence, will dominate Germany's military action."
Germany has generally had a small military force alongside foreign military bases on its land since the end of World War Two.
This would now be a significant end to that situation.
Chancellor Olaf Sholz, has promised to invest £87billion to make the nation's armed forces one to be reckoned with.
But Zorn reportedly said that it would be a mistake "to start planning and generating forces only after the attack has taken place."
He added: "If we don't jump fast, no army will move in Europe."
