Carthago Delenda Est!

As part of the research for Book II of the Strategikon series, the Thin Red Line Games R&D team visited today the ruins of Carthage. Ok, it's actually a holiday with the secondary objective of gathering some additional, first-hand information :)

As you maybe know, there's not much left of the original, Punic Carthage, and the vast majority of the archeological sites are centered on the Roman Carthage, refounded by Julius Caesar in 49 BC. A relevant exception is the military port with its distinctive circular shape, that remained practically the same in Roman era too.

As we know, the African province was an important grain supplier during the late Republic and the Roman Empire, but during this visit I've discovered that the area in a 80 km radius around Tunis has still today an agricultural activity bigger than I've imagined: vineyards, olive groves, and more. By applying the 2000 years climate change, this area was probably much more fertile (and able to sustain armies) than I've initially considered...Time to change a few things on the map :)

Oh well! Enough mumbo-jumbo, here's some photos!

The amphiteathre (subterranean part, where the gladiators waited)

Gladiators' Waiting Area

Map of the Punic Carthage

The so-called "Punic District" 

Carthago Delenda Est.

The Military Port (1)

The Military Port (2)

The Antoninian Thermes, 2nd biggest in the Empire

A Typical Punic Citizen.

Jupiter Optimus Maximus, Protect Us!

Well, Jupiter appeared me in dream tonight, and ordered me to reveal where our path is leading. 

This is the concept art for the box. More to come after the hard-earned holidays!

1985: Under an Iron Sky 4th Echelon - Tuning the NATO Reaction

Comrades, 
the development of the 1985: Under an Iron Sky continues! 

As you probably know, this new version will fully cover the tension period before the beginning of the conflict, using the same gripping, difficult to predict escalation system introduced by 1985: Sacred Oil.

Warsaw Pact will of course lead the dance, executing a strategic plan that could be anything from an out-of-the-barracks surprise attack to a full mobilisation taking weeks. NATO will mostly react to the Communist moves within the uncomfortable limits dictated by the political priorities and by the decisional process within the alliance.

In the end, the outcome of the Tension Period will determine how well both sides are prepared for the showdown. Air combat, airfields capabilities, ground combat, movement, logistic infrastructure, strategic transport capability, and reinforcements schedule will all be affected by the result of the Tension Phase.

Enough talking, here's a preview of some NATO Cards. We are now running some test to fine tune the cards value and several details, so please keep in mind that the values and the text could be provisional.

I think I don't have to stress that every true Socialist should immediately volunteer for this 4th Echelon by writing to info@TRLGames.com! Strength through discipline and solidarity!

1985: Under an Iron Sky 4th Echelon - Progress!

Comrades,
the development of 1985: Under an Iron Sky is proceeding very well, I'd dare to say that we are half way to completion.

This 4th Echelon will bring the module up to the standard used by Deadly Northern Lights and Sacred Oil. This means updated components, more strategic choices, more detailed control on what is going to happen before the conflict starts, and generally speaking more stuff. 

First things first, the almost definitive components list:

• 5x Operational Maps
• 1x Lines of Communication Map
• 8x Countersheets
• 45x Event Cards
• 2x Tables Booklets
• 1x Rules Booklet
• 1x Scenarios Booklet
• 1x Field Manual Booklet
• 1x Warsaw Pact Geolocated Air Bases Chart
• 1x Warsaw Pact Turn & Reinforcement Track
• 1x Warsaw Pact Air Combat Chart
• 1x NATO Turn & Reinforcement Track
• 1x NATO Air Combat Chart
• 1x NATO Geolocated Air Bases Chart
• 1x 1985:Under an Iron Sky Poster Art
• The usual 2x 20-sided dice and zip bags

Now, let's have a preview of the components near completion.

And remember! As a true children of the Rodina and committed Socialist, immediately volunteer for this 4th Echelon by writing to info@TRLGames.com! Strength through discipline and solidarity!

The Operational Maps

Several areas of the operational maps have been reviewed and modified: some examples are the Northeast map covering a part of Poland, the Vosges area in France, parts of the Netherlands coast, and the naval bases already defined in Deadly Northern Lights.

The graphic has also been updated using the style introduced by Sacred Oil.

The Lines of Communication Map

As in the other 1985 modules, the Lines of Communication Map is used for strategic decisions and movements, like the airlifting of REFORGER personnel to Europe, the mobilisation of the Soviet Military Districts, and the NATO sea supply line in the Atlantic. As the Sacred Oil veterans know, it is used both in the Tension build-up period and after the conflict has started.

The Event Cards

The 45 Event Cards, far from being random events, are used by both sides to mobilise the armed forces, take political and strategic decisions, and execute special operations.

The Tension Rules determine which cards can be played by each side and their effect, re-creating the dynamics of a typical Cold War crisis - with the notable difference that this one is not going to end well.

Each Event Card has a minimum Tension Level required for using it (red circle), a Tension Cost determining its approximate effect on the tension between the two Blocs (orange circle), and a Victory Cost if its use reassigns important assets from another strategic front (green circle).

Here's some Eastern Bloc Event Cards. Note that the required Tension Level is always zero for the Eastern Bloc, as the Kremlin has no constraints on the actions deemed as necessary to ensure the world's peace. Also, values and text are still provisional.

The Geolocated Air Bases Charts

The Air Bases Charts now have the airfields positioned at their geographical location. This should make the organisation of the air missions a lot easier. Yes, they will be quite big :)

The Rules

Rules have been updated with latest changes from Deadly Northern Lights and errata. Also, the rules and scenarios booklets will be printed in full colour, and updated to the now standard two-columns layout.

The War Room Propaganda Poster

An A3 (297x420 mm) propaganda poster is included, to help convincing reluctant people of the righteousness of the Socialist Cause.

In a Dark Wood - Warsaw Pact Order of Battle

Comrades! In this special edition of the Pravda we will meticulously examine the glorious Socialist forces assigned to liberating the proletariat in southern Germany, oppressed by the illegal government of Bonn and their capitalist collaborators from the American VII Corps and other NATO lackeys, already described in a previous issue of the Pravda.

This sector of the Western Theatre will be covered by the fourth module of the Marxist - Leninist doctrinally correct C3 series, designated as object C3-1985-4 "In a Dark Wood".

And remember, the Motherland needs you! Report to the Western Military Commissariat at info@TRLGames.com to volunteer immediately for OPERATION LADOGA, also known as OPERATION APEX PREDATOR in the decadent capitalist countries.

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Finding any coherent historical Warsaw Pact plans for a war against NATO is nearly impossible. Most available plans are heavily influenced by political agendas, starting with a NATO attack followed by a Warsaw Pact counteroffensive, often involving indiscriminate use of tactical nuclear weapons from the outset. Additionally, the expected rate of advance for Warsaw Pact forces is utterly unrealistic, likely the result of either excessive vodka consumption or the need to appease the Politburo.

An improbable Czechoslovakian war plan, reaching Nurnberg by D+2.

The Warsaw Pact's strategic plan used for the C3 series, codenamed Operation Ladoga, focuses its main effort on northern Germany, specifically in the BAOR and West German / Dutch I Corps sectors (see The Dogs of War and Die Festung Hamburg modules).

Therefore, the Warsaw Pact's objective in southern Germany is not a grand breakthrough to the Rhine, but a deliberate, energetic offensive to pin down and inflict as much damage as possible to the NATO forces and the incoming reinforcements in the sector.

To this end, some formations from the Belorussian and Carpathian Military Districts began mobilizing early to be ready by D0, providing the offensive in the Southern sector with sufficient punching power. The full Czechoslovak People's Army is also present, bringing four first-line divisions, and an additional four second-line divisions within a few days.

Let's go down to the details of the Warsaw Pact forces that will engage US VII Corps in the Wurzburg - Nurnberg sector.

The Soviet Forces

The main Soviet formation is the 28th Combined Arms Army from the Belorussian Military District, including the following units:

• 6th Guards Tank Division (CAT II)
• 28th Tank Division (CAT III)
• 50th Motorised Rifle Division (CAT III)
• 111th Artillery Regiment (2S5 Hyacint-S, 2A36 Hyacint-B)
• 1199th Artillery Regiment (9P140 Uragan MLRS)
• 330th Helicopter Regiment (Mi-24)
• 233rd Missile Brigade (9K714 Oka)

Soviet 6th Guards Tank Division

The following additional formations are also available:

• 24th Motorised Rifle Division (CAT II, Carpathian MD)
• 39th Independent Landing-Assault Brigade (Carpathian MD)

While the Soviets are missing their usual huge numbers of ground troops, they can count on a heavy fire support from four missile brigades, mostly from the Group of Soviet Forces in Germany. 

• 119th Missile Brigade (TR-1 Temp-S, GSFG)
• 164th Missile Brigade (9K72 Elbrus, GSFG)
• 175th Guards Missile Brigade (9K72 Elbrus, GSFG)
• 185th Guards Missile Brigade (9K72 Elbrus, Central Group of Forces)

Mass firepower and bombardment of strategic objectives could make a difference in a sector where the difficult terrain limits the space of manoeuvre to a few, well identified roads.

Soviet 164th Missile Brigade

The Czechoslovak People's Army

On short and medium term, Czechoslovakia can contribute to the liberation of Europe with two armies from Western Military District: The 1st Army including four first-line division, and the 4th Army with four second-line divisions.

The equipment of these two armies is on average below the standard of the Soviet units in eastern Europe. The most used MBT is still the T-54/T-55, and the self-propelled / towed artillery ratio is far from optimal as at least half of the division-level artillery still uses old M-30 / D-30 towed guns.

Moreover, it must be noted that the Czech tank regiments include only one motorised rifle company each, making them practically "pure" tank units.

Czech 1st Army

• 1st Tank Division (1st Line)
• 2nd Motorised Rifle Division (1st Line)
• 19th Motorised Rifle Division (1st Line)
• 20th Motorised Rifle Division (1st Line)
• 321st Heavy Artillery Brigade (9K72 Elbrus)
• 322nd Cannon Artillery Brigade (SpGH DANA, M-46 towed)

Czech 4th Army

• 3rd Motorised Rifle Division (2nd Line)
• 4th Tank Division (2nd Line)
• 9th Tank Division (2nd Line)
• 15th Motorised Rifle Division (2nd Line)
• 331st Heavy Artillery Brigade (9K72 Elbrus)
• 332nd Cannon Artillery Brigade (M-46 towed, wz. 18/46 towed, SpGH DANA)

Czech 1st Tank Division

On the other hand, the artillery support from Western Military District is above average, as it includes a good number of  locally produced SpGH DANA self-propelled artillery and RM-70 Multiple Launch Rocket System.

Western Military District

• 17th High Power Artillery Battalion (2s7 Pion)
• 71st Cannon Artillery Brigade (M-46 towed)
• 74th Rocket Launcher Brigade (RM-70 MLRS)
• 75th Heavy Howitzer Brigade (SpGH DANA)
• 311th Heavy Artillery Brigade (9K72 Elbrus, OTR-23 Oka)

Czech SpGH DANA, and its C3 unit equivalent

Czech RM-70 Rocket Artillery, and its C3 unit equivalent

Last but not least, the Czech can also add some attack helicopter and a small airmobile unit to the fray:

• 11th Helicopter Regiment (Mi-24D)
• 22nd Special Purpose Airborne Regiment

Conclusions

To my surprise, some playtest results seems to indicate that the overall situation in this sector of the front is initially more favourable to Warsaw Pact than expected. The reasons for this are:

1. The extensive length of the front to be defended, including the potential for an attack from the north if the Soviet 8th Guards Army succeeds in breaking through.
2. The insufficient number of NATO covering forces: the US 2ACR and one or two battalions spread across a 200 km front.
3. The peacetime deployment of NATO forces, positioned too far from the FEBA, as seen in other sectors.
4. The limited number of roads available for NATO to reach the front line, making them easy targets for Warsaw Pact interdiction and bombardment.

Of course, this could change quickly once French and Canadian forces arrive... We shall see!

A possible Warsaw Pact plan for the sector

In a Dark Wood - NATO Order of Battle

We have almost completed the Order of Battle for the upcoming In a Dark Wood.

NATO OOB for this sector had several unique features and assignments, requiring additional research and, guess what, more discussions than usual.

In this post, I will describe some of the NATO formations committed to the defense of US VII Corps sector and adjoining areas. 

You will also find a snapshot of some documents we used to define the details, they should help to give an idea of how deep the rabbit's hole goes.

And remember the drill! Volunteer now for OPERATION APEX PREDATOR by writing to info@TRLGames.com, or have Gunnery Sergeant Hartman unhappy and stomping your guts out. 

WG 12. Panzer Division Structure and Fire Support - Please note the US units in it.

A General Defense Plan for US VII Corps Sector

A plan for WG 36.Pz Brigade

A local counterattack plan for WG 36.Pz Brigade

In the end, the most probable NATO General Defense Plan for the area covered by the map had the following formations assigned, from North to South:

• 2x brigades from WG 12.Pz Division (US VII Corps, more on this later)
• 1x brigade from US 1st Infantry Division (WG 12.Pz Division, more on this later)
• US 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment (US VII Corps)
• US 1st Armored Division (US VII Corps)
• 2x brigades from WG 4.PG Division (WG II Corps)

NATO also had consistent reserves, already in West Germany or arriving as reinforcement:

• CA 4th Mechanised Brigade Group
• US 3rd Infantry Division 
• FR II Corps, with two armored "divisions" (actually, large brigades)
• FR Force d'Action Rapide, with one airmobile "division", one airborne division, one light armored "division"
• 2x brigades from US 1st Infantry Division (REFORGER)

In 1985 US 3ID was the first and probably only division having completed the conversion to the  heavier and mostly aborted "Division 86" structure. Therefore, it fielded three brigades fully equipped with M1 Abrams and M2 Bradley, plus a fourth Combat Aviation Brigade with a cavalry battalion and attack helicopters, activated in March, 1985.

All considering, a dangerous beast.

An anomaly in NATO deployment, WG 12.Pz was in theory subordinated to WG III Corps, but actually deployed far from it. As a consequence, its 34.Panzer Brigade was assigned as WG III Corps operational reserve, while its remaining two brigades (35.PG and 36.Pz) were under US VII Corps command. 

To compensate for the loss of 34.Pz Brigade, the US 1ID (Fwd) Brigade was attached to WG 12.Pz until the arrival of the rest of the division via REFORGER.

Well trained and heavily equipped, the Canadian brigade could hold its ground in a more than satisfactory manner, and could be assigned to US VII Corps or WG II Corps. We opted for the former.
EDIT: the two mech Bn here have the wrong icon, it should be M113.

Stationed in West Germany, the French II Corps consisted of two Divisions Blindée (armoured divisions, actually the size of a large brigade) of good quality, equipped with AMX-30 tanks and AMX-10 AFVs. Corps-level fire support included attack helicopters and Pluton nuclear missiles.

French Force d'Action Rapide (FAR)

The French FAR (Rapid Deployment Force) consisted of several divisions, covering all possible types of force projection. Some of them would have probably been used in West Germany in case of a full-scale conflict against the Warsaw Pact.

The 4e Division Aeromobile was conceptually similar to the experimental US 9th Infantry Division: lightly equipped infantry, with a strong support of attack helicopters. The French Army pushed this concept to its limit, as the division had only one infantry battalion supported by three AH squadrons.
EDIT: The Attack Helicopter squadrons were actually able to support the whole FAR, and should have FAR as Parent HQ, 

The 11e Division Parachutiste was a classical airborne division. No matter how badass, its battalions were composed of four infantry companies and one heavy weapons company, making them only slightly better than a WG Jagerbattalion.
EDIT: The 11e Division Parachutiste TO&E is still under review.

The 6e Division Légère Blindée was a light armoured division, in this case too more the size a large brigade.
EDIT: The 68e Regiment Artillerie had older 155mm Bf-50 tubes, the icon and range will change.

In a Dark Wood - Box Art Draft

First serious draft for the box art of the C3 Module #4, In a Dark Wood. Forests are never particularly reassuring, particularly when you are in enemy territory.

I think you know the drill....Report for Duty by writing to the Quartermaster at info@TRLGames.com, and reserve your combat equipment!

Also, we'll probably have a big announcement in a couple of weeks...No, it's not what you expect :)