The Next War - Operation Attila D+3 (NATO Land Move Finished)

With NATO command chain back to normality, the fighting in Central Europe continues....

NORTHAG Movements

North Army Group decided to focus on two strongpoints. 

The first is Hamburg, where 11th German Division and two Landwehr mech Brigades are entrenched. Mixed Bunderswehr brigades and elements from Danish Army hold the line North of the city.

Hamburg area, D+3 23:00 Zulu Time

The second strongpoint is of the course the Ruhr area, where French I Corps moved in defense with an impressive support in artillery, German reserve Regiments and the whole British 4th Division.

Moreover, NATO helicopters using NOE flying attacked every single crossroad and bridge East of their front line, making movement a nightmare for 1st Guards Tank Army.

The Ruhr area, D+3 23:00 Zulu Time
(the two Soviet airborne divisions landed in the Ruhr are in the only 2 hexes not occupied by NATO units)

Finally, a German airborne brigade was moved by helicopters at Kassel, taking back the undefended city.

CENTAG Movements

Not much happened in the Central Army Group area, except for US F4 and French Mirage making an heavy raid at Papa airport, Hungary. Despite taking several losses, the raid was able to destroy the SAM-2 battery covering the area and damage the airport staging several Soviet Mig-23 and the whole Hungarian air force. 

Frankfurt area, D+3 23:00 Zulu Time

SOUTHAG Movements

In South Army Group area, German II Corps retreated further West, while French II Corps formed a second line of defense behind them. German 1st alpine Division was unable to disengage and remained at Munich.

Munich area, D+3 23:00 Zulu Time

At nightfall of D+3, NATO situation does not look very good, but German reservists arrival gave NORTHAG some additional troops to hold the line.

Overall situation at D+3, 23:00 Zulu Time

***** FLASH ****** WP Raid over SHAPE

Due to an heavy SU 19 incursion over the Supreme Headquarters of Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) at Mons, Belgium, NATO command chain has been temporarily disabled and no orders are being issued to AFCENT.

General Bernard William Rogers, NATO's Supreme Allied Commander in Europe, has been wounded during the attack but is expected back on the command chair in a few days.

The Next War - Operation Attila - D+3 18:00 ZT

General Staff of the Armed Forces of Soviet Union Wartime Headquarters
Chekhov, D+3, 18:00 Zulu Time

"Have you read the last report from Korochkin?"  said Nikolai Ogarkov, throwing the 50-pages report at his subordinate. As Chief of the General Staff, he had lots of enemies, most of them people with enough power to destroy a man's life in a matter of seconds. But Comrade Marshal Viktor Kulikov was not one of them. They knew each other since the Great Patriotic War and he was one of the few high rank officers who shared his vision about the deep structural reforms needed in Soviet Union, both in the military and civilian apparatus.

Kulikov took the report with a sardonic grin. "It will be bigger than 'War and Peace' in a few days! I presume truth hides better inside a couple volumes of lies."

	D+0			D+1		D+3
	Steps		Variation	Steps	Variation	Steps	Variation
MIG 23	42	100%		37	88%	35	83%
MIG 21	180	100%		162	90%	142	79%
MIG 19	8	100%		7	88%	7	88%
SU 20	6	100%		6	100%	6	100%
SU 19	12	100%		12	100%	12	100%
SU 17	18	100%		18	100%	18	100%
SU 7	24	100%		21	88%	19	79%
MIG 17	48	100%		47	98%	46	96%
MIG 15	6	100%		6	100%	6	100%
MIG 21 R	32	100%		32	100%	30	94%
YAK 28 R	2	100%		2	100%	2	100%
L 29 R	6	100%		6	100%	5	83%
IL 14 R	6	100%		6	100%	6	100%
Transport	22	100%		22	100%	22	100%

16 Vozdushnaya Armiya situation assessment, D+3, 12:00 Zulu Time

"Yes, and it's a very harsh truth." Ogarkov replied. "TWENTY FIVE percent losses in our fighter squadrons! twenty percent of lost combat power, taking into account the reinforcements. And almost not a single word about damaged aircraft, that obviously 'will be almost totally repaired before D+4 dawn'. Repaired before dawn MY ASS. We perfectly know most of those aircraft will never fly again."
"Moreover, according to GRU, NATO has just received sixteen new F-4 squadrons from United States. SIXTEEN! Viktor, they are going to fuck us very, VERY hard."

"True, Nikolai. On the positive side, our land offensive is making good progress. NORTHAG is on the verge of collapse. The British are yet not able to establish a solid defence line, and we inflicted them heavy losses."

"Not good enough. " Ogarkov stood up from his chair. "Viktor, I want you to push West faster than ever. I want to see your T-72 FLY. I want them moving around strongpoints, slipping in defence gaps, JUMPING OVER OBSTACLES." 

"Just move WEST, Viktor. If we are fast and able enough, the second strategic echelon will close the deal."