Another way to look at it - were there NATO ground plans to be the aggressor in this scenario?
Yes, there was significant power concentration in the area to stop a NATO assault. In East Germany, the area was not called Fulda Gap, but instead "Thüringer Balkon" (Thuringian Balcony), emphasizing the role of Thuringia as the most western region of the Eastern Bloc.
The Thuringian Balcony was important for NATO because taking it could significantly shorten the front line in a conflict as well as provide elevated positions against soviet counter attacks.
Up until 1990, strong soviet contingents were stationed in the region. HQs in Nohra and Weimar commanded four divisions and six brigades of the 08th Soviet Guards Army.
As an example, the 39th Guards Motorized Rifles had seven regiments in Ohrdruf, Gotha and Meiningen. They were under arms at all times and ready for combat in a very short time to defend themselves against the (as suspected) American divisions.
They had support from strong rocket and artillery brigades from Arnstadt as well as Gotha and Ohrdruf.
This was the Southern NATO route, the Northern Route was less protected by soviet troops, but instead focused on heavy NVA (Nationale Volksarmee, Army of the GDR) presence.
Soviets probably knew about the NATO plans, as evidenced by a German examination of soviet maneuver "October storm" from 1965, where German officers concluded that it showed similarity to NATO plans Bercon Charlie.
Source: Agency of Military History Research (Militärgeschichtlichen Forschungsamt), Potsdam, Germany.
Very much interested in this too. Also, where there any feasible NATO first strike options against the Warzaw Pact?