tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-64173220960323179602024-01-26T17:00:59.943+01:00WarWithoutKIAA blog about WargamingFabrizio Vianellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04566056256115509256noreply@blogger.comBlogger111125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6417322096032317960.post-65260917096494222102023-09-02T18:26:00.002+02:002023-09-02T18:28:06.319+02:00The Fate of All - Tentative Box Art, v3<p>The ancient Boeotian Muse Melete finally appeared me in dream, and today I was able to produce a first version of the box for <i>The Fate of All.</i></p><p>I went to the Battle of Issus mosaic, and used a lead white pigment to write the words Melete suggested.<br />I also had to use some ochre pigment, that I bought from a shady Phoenician merchant and costed me a fortune. Oh, the sacrifices the Gods require from a poor wargame designer!</p><p>I would have liked to use the Greek notation for the years, but "111th Olympiad, Year 3" is probably a bit cryptic today.</p><p>The box will be 31.5 x 23.5 cm, the same size used for the C3 series. I've made some test and it should be able to accommodate the 5 maps (4 operational and 1 tactical), the 4 - 5 countersheets and everything else without any problem.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim6LyyRWGCIVz4_zmWcRfFr-GywTKY08BX2KeE8L4C5I_oB16I_Ya71pVlU4h2D73awxAGJhGxiRuVvd8tj9SRSeS5c6OV9EfHJhsQnXOLYaQFH-_Hl01IXPx-5Xtv375Ar6aODDPU2TYSU2SCAmheYaMjzxNG2S9FvPpE3OpDVlbk2oZR4rdw4hddRjkW/s2000/TFOA%20Box%20v3%20Front.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1489" data-original-width="2000" height="475" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim6LyyRWGCIVz4_zmWcRfFr-GywTKY08BX2KeE8L4C5I_oB16I_Ya71pVlU4h2D73awxAGJhGxiRuVvd8tj9SRSeS5c6OV9EfHJhsQnXOLYaQFH-_Hl01IXPx-5Xtv375Ar6aODDPU2TYSU2SCAmheYaMjzxNG2S9FvPpE3OpDVlbk2oZR4rdw4hddRjkW/w640-h475/TFOA%20Box%20v3%20Front.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Fabrizio Vianellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04566056256115509256noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6417322096032317960.post-4573184823666015992023-05-23T12:21:00.000+02:002023-05-23T12:21:05.930+02:00It's Time to Lift the Curtain, and Reveal The Fate of All<p>For several months now, we've kept Thin Red Line Games next project hidden. The only details shared publicly were the operation codename (HADES EMBRACE) and the secrecy level (NATO COSMIC SECRET, an official NATO term no matter how ridiculous it sounds). </p><p>I must confess this was part of a plan to deliberately mislead and confound enemy spies, apparently with good results. Now, the Auguries have determined that it is time to reveal the Will of the Gods.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx7oRJMclhl55SX4c7HQftQYmCByI4FH4sliK5obojvHB7XsKR4hirEnpWxwAZsMlAm4OUYVH01YkapA8bsAobbqMlMI_oAx8omFGW8wCwgTLlpW_lqt4QFxa_C0kwpETqcU0kSkZRaQuRn6Kz01JgJ2yhD_wM-owjOZgS7iEPpdoTAOVOa3UkWqUZaw/s1000/Banner%201%20v1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="622" data-original-width="1000" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx7oRJMclhl55SX4c7HQftQYmCByI4FH4sliK5obojvHB7XsKR4hirEnpWxwAZsMlAm4OUYVH01YkapA8bsAobbqMlMI_oAx8omFGW8wCwgTLlpW_lqt4QFxa_C0kwpETqcU0kSkZRaQuRn6Kz01JgJ2yhD_wM-owjOZgS7iEPpdoTAOVOa3UkWqUZaw/w640-h398/Banner%201%20v1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: justify;">Loosely inspired on SPI's "The Conquerors"<b>, The Fate of All</b> is an operational / tactical simulation covering the first four years of the campaign led by Alexander the Great against the Achaemenid Empire ruled by Darius III.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Rules are centred on the problems of army organisation, supply and morale. Armies must be organised in a balanced way or they will move slowly, cavalry must be assigned to foraging, raid, or reconnaissance, morale must be kept under control using glory or donations.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Political aspects are also a key element. Both sides will have to use money or threats to gain support and will face treason, revolts and dubious allies.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">All the classical sources and several modern military-focused studies are being used during development. In particular, <i>The Anabasis of Alexander </i>by Arrian<i> </i>has been chosen as the main and most reliable classical source for two reasons: Arrian based most of his writing on the now lost Ptolemy's account of the campaign, and he was himself a military commander, thus having a better understanding of the problems and key facts of a military campaign.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">The final goal is to give a <b>realistic </b>representation of ancient warfare, without strange salads of godly interventions, auguries and Homeric duels. In the end, players will find that the problems faced were similar to those encountered during the Napoleonic era or the American Civil War.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">The four maps will cover Greece, part of the Balkans, Anatolia, Egypt and the Middle East up to Babylon. The scale is 30 km per hex with monthly turns.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiA-TlURUB7HTudrr7yJZr01qDf9gAYAJx39aLPCNGa0tGiD3fDUPo1SyL867UeKzqVNCkdrDv8VvTY42S2NEMhz3Bl1JQxWOMA3yeE9SxKSiZYMzikl1fNcGNf_1hZbaD6Hh5qAdsPgccYkYNIQk1TMGjVTT2si4zawscktUqAUz4UP4-ynBUaEGanA/s3000/Map%20v28%20Overview.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1859" data-original-width="3000" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiA-TlURUB7HTudrr7yJZr01qDf9gAYAJx39aLPCNGa0tGiD3fDUPo1SyL867UeKzqVNCkdrDv8VvTY42S2NEMhz3Bl1JQxWOMA3yeE9SxKSiZYMzikl1fNcGNf_1hZbaD6Hh5qAdsPgccYkYNIQk1TMGjVTT2si4zawscktUqAUz4UP4-ynBUaEGanA/w640-h396/Map%20v28%20Overview.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maps Overview (still in development)</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: justify;">The maps are designed using the latest archaeological studies and findings, but despite centuries of research several things are still only vaguely known: Some examples are the extension and path of the Persian Royal Roads, the location of several important cities and the exact route of Alexander's Army. In these cases, the "most accepted theory" rule has been used.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQUA1QgwOpz0T-cqlqlqpzyGoGIBZpDiqYsRHdUHzzf_aMnhXUgJj1adQLT79oJmi9Pp0_9Aer8fojMg2ckqAvCY4nPktp4T-1FX1EvTIjB3ujq19C7v83gta9L-x8JVtKiFeyTzJStEatt5DOzl6pEOBkqhbhVVkQMoMZn8rRmkfJJENJZD__IAA0bA/s3000/Map%20v28%20Detail%203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1780" data-original-width="3000" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQUA1QgwOpz0T-cqlqlqpzyGoGIBZpDiqYsRHdUHzzf_aMnhXUgJj1adQLT79oJmi9Pp0_9Aer8fojMg2ckqAvCY4nPktp4T-1FX1EvTIjB3ujq19C7v83gta9L-x8JVtKiFeyTzJStEatt5DOzl6pEOBkqhbhVVkQMoMZn8rRmkfJJENJZD__IAA0bA/w640-h380/Map%20v28%20Detail%203.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Map detail of Kypros and Syrian coast</td></tr></tbody></table><div><div><br /></div></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMItxR97bP7JJggFZOqdGM7kzrgwI8igGARDXjH2kzPAqfZrml3TpcP8h0uUtRHmrPh8JXat9UqyDIouo1hATndKUFIIxdk7C0V9bZPEppM963JwTIZ3uOkmbV4Alc597GIcll12uBs62GHJ_Bu0zx4mUtWSFq8OT_N2GOUwvupLPJNiP83FRlZKTCtw/s2576/Map%20v28%20Detail%202.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1776" data-original-width="2576" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMItxR97bP7JJggFZOqdGM7kzrgwI8igGARDXjH2kzPAqfZrml3TpcP8h0uUtRHmrPh8JXat9UqyDIouo1hATndKUFIIxdk7C0V9bZPEppM963JwTIZ3uOkmbV4Alc597GIcll12uBs62GHJ_Bu0zx4mUtWSFq8OT_N2GOUwvupLPJNiP83FRlZKTCtw/w640-h442/Map%20v28%20Detail%202.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Map detail of Lower Macedonia and Thessaly</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: justify;">Counters will be 5/8" (same as in the C3 series). Each counter represents a formation, from a Macedonian Phalanx <i>Taxis </i>(approx. 1500 soldiers) to a Cavalry <i>Ile </i>(200 - 300 mounted soldiers). Commanders and naval forces are also represented and will be key elements for the final victory.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN-17LOehG2mpxvsdiEKe9vZSFtdMbOWUtdFVOIOHalyzCdAYBPSE4KzLQXmVw5epqPq1DolfZHBreVOnSKeuBN2kaCXimobCy9eiZcMQTYFHwndQwsY481HTCvTktJSaYf8vz_fJcnPxOuLKh_Sz8am7RQcycNz2x2TMfeedX4k7e5IEDpraXp8iB3Q/s1700/Counters%20Sample%20v1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1700" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN-17LOehG2mpxvsdiEKe9vZSFtdMbOWUtdFVOIOHalyzCdAYBPSE4KzLQXmVw5epqPq1DolfZHBreVOnSKeuBN2kaCXimobCy9eiZcMQTYFHwndQwsY481HTCvTktJSaYf8vz_fJcnPxOuLKh_Sz8am7RQcycNz2x2TMfeedX4k7e5IEDpraXp8iB3Q/w640-h452/Counters%20Sample%20v1.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Counters Sample (provisional values & art)</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: justify;">Battles can be fought using Strategic Combat, still realistic but quicker, or to their full extent using the Tactical Rules and Map - probably the best choice for a decisive battle.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgk90IFFE1Ro1OWGg1D2tvj5thfvWvnpIDLGWsuO5jstSumhiebXrwSJo-Cuvnc7TiB7wG_CgtJIcNAzLtzgRtHdm1V5onl7Y-HCFhBuWL7pNaexumHhquzTDxMeg_-b-Sh89Hes6xrC4GV9vdJMLfaX6CXk0K7iRRO71iUJgqu9Dj07dKqP6JvarpSw/s3000/TacMap%20v2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2002" data-original-width="3000" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgk90IFFE1Ro1OWGg1D2tvj5thfvWvnpIDLGWsuO5jstSumhiebXrwSJo-Cuvnc7TiB7wG_CgtJIcNAzLtzgRtHdm1V5onl7Y-HCFhBuWL7pNaexumHhquzTDxMeg_-b-Sh89Hes6xrC4GV9vdJMLfaX6CXk0K7iRRO71iUJgqu9Dj07dKqP6JvarpSw/w640-h428/TacMap%20v2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tactical Map with part of the Macedonian army deployed (still in development)</td></tr></tbody></table></p><p style="text-align: left;">Last but not least, rules for solo playing of the full campaign as Macedonian player will be included!<br /><br />Cost? No idea yet. When? Somewhere in 2023 hopefully. More details to come, but as usual you may reserve a copy immediately by writing a Votive Tablet to <b>info@TRLGames.com</b> !</p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><div><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div>Fabrizio Vianellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04566056256115509256noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6417322096032317960.post-49041734704320314762022-09-28T08:42:00.001+02:002022-10-02T19:57:31.200+02:00Die Festung Hamburg - Scenarios Details<p style="text-align: left;"><i>Here's the list of the scenarios you will find in the C3 Module 3 -<b> Die Festung Hamburg</b>, each one with a brief introduction and a situation map.</i></p><p style="text-align: left;"><i>The basic premise used in the whole series is that Warsaw Pact was able to obtain a certain level of operational surprise. </i></p><p style="text-align: left;"><i>This makes the situation in the North German Plain sector particularly difficult for NATO, as most of its forces come from the Dutch and Danish armies, both heavily relying on reservists and needing several days to be fully operational. </i><i>To make things even worse, the Dutch I Corps is stationed in the Netherlands. </i><i>In the end, during the first critical hours the whole sector must be defended by two West German divisions, supported by one Dutch and one US brigade.</i></p><p style="text-align: left;"><i>On the opposite side, Warsaw Pact can commit between 9 and 12 divisions, depending by the STAVKA strategic decisions. Luckily for NATO, several of them have a below-average quality and equipment but despite that, they are there.</i></p><p style="text-align: left;"><i>Also, remember! Enlist today at the nearest recruitment office by writing to info@TRLGames.com, and help Defending Freedom / Liberating the Oppressed Proletariat!</i></p><h2 style="text-align: center;">Scenario 1 - Our Dearest Brothers</h2><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirMaknaIMz0WmXthhelcTT_MlqeduXRDGrlB-UaBvweGVP8T63gPpPzwNdGoEzDIBH2uT-UzNSw5Odeg8XCgZAqsZZovKQx6ZBaASs_ddLsfLB43LizylCmtGjkh1KcNj9edWWdALomLhKRZskkf9aMLY_SPbMXdskV78VBSEFltQV0dsLnoKjTeAmxg/s2000/S1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1468" data-original-width="2000" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirMaknaIMz0WmXthhelcTT_MlqeduXRDGrlB-UaBvweGVP8T63gPpPzwNdGoEzDIBH2uT-UzNSw5Odeg8XCgZAqsZZovKQx6ZBaASs_ddLsfLB43LizylCmtGjkh1KcNj9edWWdALomLhKRZskkf9aMLY_SPbMXdskV78VBSEFltQV0dsLnoKjTeAmxg/w640-h470/S1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: left;">Despite the unfavourable terrain, the estuary of the Elbe - Lübeck canal is a primary objective in the first hours of the Warsaw Pact offensive in Europe, as once it has been crossed NATO has little or no chance to establish a robust defense line before Kiel, 60 km to the North. The task is assigned to East German 8th Motorized Rifle Division, reinforced by heavy artillery support and having an amphibious regiment as an ace in the sleeve.</p><p style="text-align: left;">West German 18 Panzer Brigade, reinforced by 6 Division Recon Battalion, is charged with the defense of the sector. The brigade had just a few hours to assemble and organize and as a result only two battalions are in the Forward Edge of Battle Area when the hostilities begin. The Brigade Commander must immediately take a hard decision: Defend the canal with the few troops available and risk being destroyed on the border, or adopt an in-depth defense and allow the enemy to easily cross the difficult water obstacle.</p><p style="text-align: left;">Whatever the choice, the Eastern and Western brothers are going to meet very soon, in the worst possible terms.</p><div><b>Start Date and Time</b>: July 24, 1985 0600ZT</div><div><b>Length</b>: From D0 H06 to D0 H21</div></div><div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: center;">Scenario 2 - The Sickle's Long Shadow</h2><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnog29JK6SUh5PABxoI7EJcXMY--gnreUsqOyJFntKK3A0cmwHAlp8ASBygFStNXJ-rB7L3z_S9rK140FJTNq5K80LJs8RMdmy6Zv_JXb3kTDtNSYwRWAyy1YxTtB_PvKBh3mvrhEw-Ww_G0h8sKBvVQhHgsIdotguD74YVwvxWCl-0xF2uNOV7tp0ng/s2000/S2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1468" data-original-width="2000" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnog29JK6SUh5PABxoI7EJcXMY--gnreUsqOyJFntKK3A0cmwHAlp8ASBygFStNXJ-rB7L3z_S9rK140FJTNq5K80LJs8RMdmy6Zv_JXb3kTDtNSYwRWAyy1YxTtB_PvKBh3mvrhEw-Ww_G0h8sKBvVQhHgsIdotguD74YVwvxWCl-0xF2uNOV7tp0ng/w640-h470/S2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><p style="text-align: left;">Warsaw Pact’s main effort in the Hamburg sector is Operation Latvia, bearing some resemblance with the German Fall Gelb operation against France and having the final objective to cut out Hamburg and continental Denmark from the rest of Western Europe. </p><p style="text-align: left;">Unsurprisingly, the task is assigned to Soviet 2nd Guards Tank Army, the most powerful formation in the sector, with a first echelon composed by two divisions, additional front-level artillery, and 38th Guards Air Assault Brigade. The orders are to break through the NATO lines at the junction between NORTHAG and BALTAP areas of responsibility, advance along the West bank of river Elbe, and reach the North Sea near Stade.</p><p style="text-align: left;">The attacked sector is theoretically defended by the combined West German / Dutch I Corps, with a total strength of three divisions, but the Kremlin’s maskirovka partially worked out and NATO has lost precious hours. As a result, most of the two Dutch divisions are still en route or mobilising and only a couple of West German brigades are actually ready to face the Soviets.</p><div><b>Start Date and Time</b>: July 24, 1985 0600ZT<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Length</b>: From D0 H06 to D1 H06</div></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: center;">Scenario 3 - A Pact of Blood</h2><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGHwn0JV7ycGGtBtYCHR_2LlS1L-NrMfOMazPEFaqf-26AAM--YKt63Lu9Ooz3p3Zg4F7ZdtP2SkJM7KBn4Ac4AdjiY4bmSd69c0gpnh4iiQ71ZK-cPfGMm1j-jNz2ndFsflvaFPfZDQXhDnRSXGflTsF1eL7mOp0zkIr--PqqjLf5woIfnNVngpg0Xw/s2000/S3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1468" data-original-width="2000" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGHwn0JV7ycGGtBtYCHR_2LlS1L-NrMfOMazPEFaqf-26AAM--YKt63Lu9Ooz3p3Zg4F7ZdtP2SkJM7KBn4Ac4AdjiY4bmSd69c0gpnh4iiQ71ZK-cPfGMm1j-jNz2ndFsflvaFPfZDQXhDnRSXGflTsF1eL7mOp0zkIr--PqqjLf5woIfnNVngpg0Xw/w640-h470/S3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><p style="text-align: left;">Cutting the NATO’s access to the Baltic is one of the primary objectives for Warsaw Pact Northern Front.</p><p style="text-align: left;">STAVKA has assigned considerable forces to the task, with three East German and two Polish divisions ready to cross the Inner German Border at July 24, 0600 Zulu Time. What these divisions lack in quality is compensated by artillery, air support and of course sheer numbers.</p><p style="text-align: left;">On the opposite side, the combined Danish / West German LANDJUT Corps is far from being ready to receive the blow: The Danes are still mobilising and cannot be expected before D+1, while the UK Mobile Force needs at least two days to reach its expected disembarking port at Brunsbüttel. </p><p style="text-align: left;">Only West German 6 PanzerGrenadier division and a Territorial brigade are available to slow down the assault in the first crucial hours, with two additional Danish brigades arriving from midnight. War has just started, and the LANDJUT Commander already has some life-or-death decisions to take.</p><div><b>Start Date and Time</b>: July 24, 1985 0600ZT</div><div><b>Length</b>: From D0 H06 to D2 H09</div></div><div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: center;">Scenario 4 - The Roaring Sound of Doom</h2><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg9VVoHyPSAtTnv9tNbCAWbUY4LW4i_Pp9q0dCeB9DikFZTTbe9ADfoAOhYQsue_cBnzXd_GBh8TSnbHDwUL2XlkynBqKkIRliDk7Sbtggf9OJnz0_nhTz05z0Er1XGXZHkXptLCtV6X3TX-NBd-StEN-U1NRC1_bL-XfMqBVPPKvVIX3yVE6pVG5mXA/s2000/S4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1468" data-original-width="2000" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg9VVoHyPSAtTnv9tNbCAWbUY4LW4i_Pp9q0dCeB9DikFZTTbe9ADfoAOhYQsue_cBnzXd_GBh8TSnbHDwUL2XlkynBqKkIRliDk7Sbtggf9OJnz0_nhTz05z0Er1XGXZHkXptLCtV6X3TX-NBd-StEN-U1NRC1_bL-XfMqBVPPKvVIX3yVE6pVG5mXA/w640-h470/S4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: left;">Phase One of Operation Latvia went well for Warsaw Pact: Two days after the start of the offensive the first echelon divisions from Soviet 2nd Guards Tank Army control the West bank of river Elbe, cutting out Hamburg and the BALTAP sector from the rest of the NATO forces. Phase Two is planned to follow immediately, and the army’s two fresh divisions are ordered to spearhead the attack and reach the river Weser.</p><p style="text-align: left;">On NATO side, West German 3 PanzerDivision had to defend most of the sector alone for the first 48 hours, paying a heavy tribute in blood for that. The Dutch brigades and artillery are now finally getting into position, and the NORTHAG Commander can hope to stabilise the front, reorganise the most battered units, and stop the Soviets before they achieve a breakthrough.</p><p style="text-align: left;">At the dawn of D+2, Soviet 21st and 94th Guards Motorized Rifle Divisions conduct a Forward Passage of Lines and start assaulting the exhausted NATO defensive positions, under heavy artillery support. All hell breaks loose again.</p><div><b>Start Date and Time</b>: July 26, 1985 0300ZT</div><div><b>Length</b>: From D2 H03 to D4 H21</div></div><div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: center;">Campaign 1 - The North Stygian Plain</h2><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin-Ku7SFw_XWgK-Es-RJGAAMvY7RBjeeiB1VkQ85iNUPmnfaW7GXQuuGztQX2Xe4iAxCcesUBMZs3uyAraAjKDKZCAzXy2wACEZd4XjuWTebK1tomiLNsRPopu3cw-HCUL1_x85wtno6SUIKLQxsDkWNYsd-RLzceBf7fyQ82YFJVsx4qQluPxY5E2lg/s2000/C1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1468" data-original-width="2000" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin-Ku7SFw_XWgK-Es-RJGAAMvY7RBjeeiB1VkQ85iNUPmnfaW7GXQuuGztQX2Xe4iAxCcesUBMZs3uyAraAjKDKZCAzXy2wACEZd4XjuWTebK1tomiLNsRPopu3cw-HCUL1_x85wtno6SUIKLQxsDkWNYsd-RLzceBf7fyQ82YFJVsx4qQluPxY5E2lg/w640-h470/C1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBeu6R_tjlC1yj5_RHPAX91r5Tp2IrJ_tvrKkW2NyjYwSi3tgO5Hz7TdcKhd1wDaT5JsDtdWLAIT2fTSDUlq2JIxvjws0hYBX1yLQRAEwK26wOlxF0TPpu_RAJeVX2pP2H3iGdUchUe47RE6pA7MxRYTuW_2SrmF7V5Nv6H-t5UPZ5-K0O6EC9gI1P2w/s2000/C1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><div>On June 8th, 1985 General Secretary of the Soviet Communist Party Mikhail Gorbachev is deposed by a military coup. A State of Emergency Committee, formed by Kremlin hardliners and presided by Andrei Gromyko, takes power in Soviet Union. </div><div><p style="text-align: left;">Tension between the two Blocs increases sharply, reaching alarming levels after mass protests in several Warsaw Pact countries are suppressed by local Soviet forces. Interpreting these events as a covert attempt by capitalist forces to bring the Socialist System to its knees, the new Soviet Politburo decides to play all its remaining cards and starts mobilising Class II and III Divisions. </p><p style="text-align: left;">NATO diplomatic attempts to defuse the conflict receive reassuring answers about Soviet Union’s desire for peace, not supported by any change in Warsaw Pact’s troop movements. </p><p style="text-align: left;">In the end, the last supporters of the diplomatic approach surrender to the harsh reality when faced dozens of satellite photos irrefutably showing Warsaw Pact Armies moving in attack formation toward the German Inner Border. </p><p style="text-align: left;">On July 23rd, 1985 Transfer of Authority to NATO finally takes place, and SACEUR immediately issues a GENERAL ALERT order. A few hours later, Warsaw Pact divisions smash into NORTHAG covering forces.</p><div><b>Start Date and Time</b>: July 24, 1985 0600ZT </div><div><b>Length (Short Campaign)</b>: from D0 H06 to D2 H21</div><div><b>Length (Long Campaign)</b>: from D0 H06 to D4 H21</div></div><div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: center;">Campaign 2 - One Minute to Midnight</h2><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk0xPE2g3sMMh-87pvWsMbQ5KM2e_mj_O8KOg4yn8n--_XZeK9ODcQdrXEgBahzc27vgTChoneZVeasiY8bbI1PWgn_WnfFkN8rA_eA-Wa7mGuvTiaJJVJpz83kHPbQ3XglEkJZE0apPhUITorn-Kk3RrYWedEBLnIscvYA5Hzn2TyZASJ69Y4-T0v4g/s2000/C2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1468" data-original-width="2000" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk0xPE2g3sMMh-87pvWsMbQ5KM2e_mj_O8KOg4yn8n--_XZeK9ODcQdrXEgBahzc27vgTChoneZVeasiY8bbI1PWgn_WnfFkN8rA_eA-Wa7mGuvTiaJJVJpz83kHPbQ3XglEkJZE0apPhUITorn-Kk3RrYWedEBLnIscvYA5Hzn2TyZASJ69Y4-T0v4g/w640-h470/C2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><p style="text-align: left;">Following June 1985 military coup in Soviet Union, tension between the two blocs keeps on increasing despite several attempts by both sides to defuse the situation. </p><p style="text-align: left;">In July, Soviet Union’s State Emergency Committee decides to reaffirm the Brezhnev’s Doctrine by brutally crushing a Polish national strike and leaving hundreds of dead civilians in Danzig and Stettin. </p><p style="text-align: left;">Media and popular pressure force Western countries to declare an embargo on Soviet Union. The Kremlin reacts by denouncing “a perfidious attempt by capitalist powers to strangle the Socialist Countries” and by mobilising Category II and III Divisions. </p><p style="text-align: left;">In a matter of days, DEFCON is raised to level 2 and several NATO countries begin the mobilisation process. </p><p style="text-align: left;">To show NATO determination, a Task Force centered on British Carrier HMS Invincible is dispatched to Norwegian Sea. On July 23rd, NATO and Soviet forces in the area are involved in increasingly dangerous confrontations. At 2014 ZT, a Soviet P-270 Moskit missile armed with a 200Kt nuclear warhead sinks the HMS Manchester, killing more than 300 seamen. The Britons react on similar terms, with a Buccaneer nuclear strike on Soviet destroyer Kulakov. </p><p style="text-align: left;">From that moment on, the situation goes out of control. On July 24th, 1985 Warsaw Pact forces launch a major offensive against West Germany, with unrestricted chemical and nuclear warfare. A fully mobilised NATO reacts on similar terms, and the worst nightmare of 20th Century becomes a reality. </p><div><b>Start Date and Time</b>: July 24, 1985 0600ZT </div><div><b>Length (Short Campaign)</b>: from D0 H06 to D2 H21</div><div><b>Length (Long Campaign)</b>: from D0 H06 to D4 H21</div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Fabrizio Vianellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04566056256115509256noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6417322096032317960.post-27928371249624796962022-08-27T13:51:00.002+02:002022-08-27T13:51:38.422+02:00Die Festung Hamburg - NORTHAG Sector 1 / BALTAP OOB<p style="text-align: center;"><b> </b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>HEADQUARTERS NORTHERN ARMY GROUP</b></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: right;">23 July 1985</p><p><b>TO</b>: <span>See Distribution</span></p><p><b>SUBJECT</b>: <span>NORTHAG SECTOR 1 / BALTAP DEFENSE FORCES</span></p><p><span><span>1. Attached is the new edition of the units assigned to the defense of NORTHAG Sector 1 and BALTAP Sector LANDJUT, as per OPLAN 4102 revised July 15th, 1985.</span></span></p><p>2. Hostilities with Warsaw Pact are expected to start within the next 72 hours.</p><p><span><span>3. Any change to the previously standing orders and SoP must be planned and executed within the next 24 hours, reducing time-consuming standard procedures to a minimum whenever needed.</span></span></p><p><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>Sir Nigel Bagnall <br /><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>NORTHAG Commander in Chief</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiobyvjdhMNlcqRJZI7rtViz60vlkNmJ3rfJz_rn6JcK9BDVyI0M2EUh80VOI1eBYvZDnXaPwJxYY8x2BhgEfVEflQMevJeABR5_uqUHNTeT88Y82Atpw19f32CnsPpaeQLWnCMoOdjBhrJ7Y_yO8PY3i2TwaOCvmhs2sJuwT-kKtYh-TCbLxDvkZ23aw/s2000/NATO%20OOB%20v4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1422" data-original-width="2000" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiobyvjdhMNlcqRJZI7rtViz60vlkNmJ3rfJz_rn6JcK9BDVyI0M2EUh80VOI1eBYvZDnXaPwJxYY8x2BhgEfVEflQMevJeABR5_uqUHNTeT88Y82Atpw19f32CnsPpaeQLWnCMoOdjBhrJ7Y_yO8PY3i2TwaOCvmhs2sJuwT-kKtYh-TCbLxDvkZ23aw/w640-h456/NATO%20OOB%20v4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span><br /></span><p></p><p><br /></p>Fabrizio Vianellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04566056256115509256noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6417322096032317960.post-67248063205068981762022-08-26T11:43:00.002+02:002022-08-26T16:12:44.750+02:00Die Festung Hamburg - Northern Front OOB<p>Comrades, <br />the latest Order of Battle for Operation Ladoga, Northern Front Sector 1 is here below. Hamburg, Bremen, Wilhelmshaven and Kiel are some of the key objectives in the Sector.</p><p>As you can see, there is an important contribution by our Brothers of the German Democratic Republic and Polish People's Republic. They will be soon informed about their commitment to the Socialist Cause.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAqf5ERjplTzDhkRym03RNcjS2XLR4Kzs49_z6clHYtKfd-4nvQHd-g06Y2cKnBw_D4iqsggz_8vOCdYQgaq4ohyaLlLM_-Ez1wJOdSq1xekFfqInsNifz3mGTvEbLfNkcFm0CbuChvkOQGKh98279g0K6DGGQExXAde1SE4aOJfmwemQDm36WtMvgVA/s2000/WP%20OOB%20v4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1422" data-original-width="2000" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAqf5ERjplTzDhkRym03RNcjS2XLR4Kzs49_z6clHYtKfd-4nvQHd-g06Y2cKnBw_D4iqsggz_8vOCdYQgaq4ohyaLlLM_-Ez1wJOdSq1xekFfqInsNifz3mGTvEbLfNkcFm0CbuChvkOQGKh98279g0K6DGGQExXAde1SE4aOJfmwemQDm36WtMvgVA/w640-h456/WP%20OOB%20v4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p><br /></p>Fabrizio Vianellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04566056256115509256noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6417322096032317960.post-7691655825217711522022-08-05T11:13:00.006+02:002022-08-05T11:21:33.163+02:00Die Festung Hamburg - Area of Operations Extended<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX-debkoVgghZrIEa5mCOpPMPrgFr8T0Cyh-NxYS0e1WZ4MCh3teLOaZFPxTAn3tkWqMVaojFxdRtAVNHHMfAGnp8PqWHe_9cbVQwUYdxBhjd2dU0dtnnYBGL3bcIfkjS_Ee4nCXISfdpytnjYx8tTf_uQ0psO81kdx2Njrfiqk6EKvGXCCF5wscCwoQ/s566/AFCENT_BALTAP.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="566" data-original-width="448" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX-debkoVgghZrIEa5mCOpPMPrgFr8T0Cyh-NxYS0e1WZ4MCh3teLOaZFPxTAn3tkWqMVaojFxdRtAVNHHMfAGnp8PqWHe_9cbVQwUYdxBhjd2dU0dtnnYBGL3bcIfkjS_Ee4nCXISfdpytnjYx8tTf_uQ0psO81kdx2Njrfiqk6EKvGXCCF5wscCwoQ/w213-h269/AFCENT_BALTAP.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>As you maybe know, the command / organizational structure of NATO had one of its most important boundaries right along the Elbe river, separating <b>AFCENT </b>(Allied Forces Central Europe, including CENTAG and NORTHAG) from <b>BALTAP </b>(Allied Forces Baltic Approaches, including the LANDJUT Corps and the Danish Army).<p></p><p></p><p></p><p>Like NORTHAG and CENTAG, BALTAP had its own air command and assets (AIRBALTAP) and its own strategic objectives: namely, the defense of Schleswig-Holstein, the territory of Denmark and the whole Baltic Sea.</p><p>During development, several good discussions concerned the rules needed for simulating the capabilities, limitations and strategic needs of BALTAP. </p><p>Most of the development team suggested to extend the map further North to the Kiel Kanal in order to give JUTLAND Corps enough room for retreating, and to include what would have probably been the last serious obstacle to a Warsaw Pact advance into continental Denmark.</p><p>For a series of reasons, I stubbornly resisted the idea to expand the map until all the special rules for handling BALTAP were almost ready....And at that point, I realised I was wrong. Uh, almost time.</p><p>So here's the latest, extended Operational Map for <b>Die Festung Hamburg</b>! Bigger, Longer and Uncut.<br />The operational area is much better represented and includes what could be considered the last plausible defense for the LANDJUT corps. As a consequence, several special rules for BALTAP will be probably not needed anymore.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguQ5qf1O66jGV91Qc7vGwpyAucTAg6DzxWzNA-_uH-pwmukYpYw6C_bQfdprxnOOgL5SfdX0iCWCrNzEj37CP-yBFnEChSCDsQOQ0c7am4D2nLwXLuQX6gk83tXVGpiHzjmljZJsmf5p6w-8catwOCbiLweEXjLUoBj7UrsM1yMw2CGESXXG7BGMy4eg/s3400/C3_DFH_Map_v15_LowRes.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="2496" data-original-width="3400" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguQ5qf1O66jGV91Qc7vGwpyAucTAg6DzxWzNA-_uH-pwmukYpYw6C_bQfdprxnOOgL5SfdX0iCWCrNzEj37CP-yBFnEChSCDsQOQ0c7am4D2nLwXLuQX6gk83tXVGpiHzjmljZJsmf5p6w-8catwOCbiLweEXjLUoBj7UrsM1yMw2CGESXXG7BGMy4eg/w640-h470/C3_DFH_Map_v15_LowRes.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>For comparison, here's the previous, smaller map draft:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiSbZgEyiccUQZI7qWVxKpaVKZM-GeO25ZKD2_ShmO6WI5SGe087OQHNGhAVSXmFJG4nMbRMt8_eevFt4Zu_UHPU8ej2aWDZS1Uj6XOO40byHIyv2Pbj4-hHNDVPoc38waXHTG85fLeScqKAwtsfngUPCw8_5g486ax7UlNi-Bgwm8fLgOrIt5un10Zg/s3318/C3_DFH_Map_v8_LowRes.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1904" data-original-width="3318" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiSbZgEyiccUQZI7qWVxKpaVKZM-GeO25ZKD2_ShmO6WI5SGe087OQHNGhAVSXmFJG4nMbRMt8_eevFt4Zu_UHPU8ej2aWDZS1Uj6XOO40byHIyv2Pbj4-hHNDVPoc38waXHTG85fLeScqKAwtsfngUPCw8_5g486ax7UlNi-Bgwm8fLgOrIt5un10Zg/w640-h368/C3_DFH_Map_v8_LowRes.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Fabrizio Vianellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04566056256115509256noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6417322096032317960.post-23594291804673483672022-07-23T20:59:00.001+02:002022-07-23T21:05:18.322+02:00Die Festung Hamburg - Concept Box Art<p>As the 1985: Deadly Northern Lights shipments are by now almost completed, I'm re-focusing on the next C3 module - Die Festung Hamburg.</p><p>Here's a first box art concept. It's still being discussed by the development team, but I'm quite in love with this scary, apocalyptic picture!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEialwAt5ig_470WPqD4nE71nmGIhiVwpNtDHLJns6CuC_S5deS8u1TlzRS2VMRQg3CQ_hogUZKYZN2d3xKstjmV4MvTEeqlKSJxT3hgFs0Nr7DnID2-OqqR0aAxO0r-V7gueu2bowOLAeGeO0PaAUI015lbzws4pN2kZiQ09il0FRfzk05juM00VmnAEg/s2121/C3%20DFH%20Rules%20page%201%20sample%20v3%20small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2121" data-original-width="1500" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEialwAt5ig_470WPqD4nE71nmGIhiVwpNtDHLJns6CuC_S5deS8u1TlzRS2VMRQg3CQ_hogUZKYZN2d3xKstjmV4MvTEeqlKSJxT3hgFs0Nr7DnID2-OqqR0aAxO0r-V7gueu2bowOLAeGeO0PaAUI015lbzws4pN2kZiQ09il0FRfzk05juM00VmnAEg/w453-h640/C3%20DFH%20Rules%20page%201%20sample%20v3%20small.jpg" width="453" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><br /><p><br /></p>Fabrizio Vianellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04566056256115509256noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6417322096032317960.post-48406725100848708252022-05-27T16:28:00.006+02:002022-08-27T18:39:56.307+02:00Die Festung Hamburg - NATO OOB, Samples and Notes<p>The NATO OOB for the next C3 Module <b>Die Festung Hamburg</b> is almost complete. The area covered is the Northern Sector of NORTHAG, defended by a true multinational force including Denmark, The Netherlands, West Germany, United Kingdom and United States.</p><p>Here's some notes on the various nationalities, each one with sample units.</p><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Denmark</span></h4><p style="text-align: left;">The main Danish contribution to the defense of the Schleswig-Holstein sector is the Jutland Division. Unfortunately, as written by David Isby in <i>Armies of NATO's Central Front, </i>"Jutland Division certainly lies at the lower end of the spectrum among NATO's mechanized divisions."</p><p style="text-align: left;">The wartime tactical organization was the well-known Combined Arms battalions equipped with Leopard 1A3, M113 and some (few) anti-tank and combat support equipment.</p><p style="text-align: left;">The division was manned only at 20% during peacetime, and shared the same problems plaguing the rest of the Danish Army: low funding, insufficient training and low ammunition stockpiles. Moreover, the time needed to mobilise the missing 80% personnel could have been significantly long.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-yw-InxW9zswtkfYaCqGRx4ShWCFgw6KUgFjTaqC5PZxEI2bsH8qPzF93BHWBlSey-g6T69bL3hJH6hOphudlOKdnZgF3H0aVsV5rYvAX5A0xbUxGS4tgPcJUqZ-SrjgDjZTfRtQNOfKLyIu9CcUhercX2Zf4YMsLWFno27o6PqxkS5NDmQgsYl9EUA/s1088/Sample%20Counters%201%20DK.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="923" data-original-width="1088" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-yw-InxW9zswtkfYaCqGRx4ShWCFgw6KUgFjTaqC5PZxEI2bsH8qPzF93BHWBlSey-g6T69bL3hJH6hOphudlOKdnZgF3H0aVsV5rYvAX5A0xbUxGS4tgPcJUqZ-SrjgDjZTfRtQNOfKLyIu9CcUhercX2Zf4YMsLWFno27o6PqxkS5NDmQgsYl9EUA/w508-h430/Sample%20Counters%201%20DK.jpg" width="508" /></a></div><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br />West Germany</span></h4><p style="text-align: left;">The Bundeswehr has the Northern slice of WG I Corps, the combined WG/NL I Corps and the LANDJUT Corps represented. The total forces were approximately two PanzerGrenadier and one Panzer divisions, reinforced by some Heimatschutzbrigade and Heimatschutzregiment from the territorial army. </p><p style="text-align: left;">An additional Panzer division - the NORTHAG strategic reserve - was also available, but of course committing it would have been a quite drastic decision.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtDXs9z1oRL7uUH-rUMQsTYQonZxjZKLIM_wRIgpBDTi4XFyP2zc65vC1Zey3gI_HVRiMNz0ElyFFxcdfD4fWhAbBeFyDzp0uE8U5nq7Lwi5JrKABua5QpxNwY5lz2v_EEpWvveUy2WxsLiOH9V-gt6a7ric2tcOcBO8t6k2KfxMpKXFGFn8yYr9PKyg/s1300/Sample%20Counters%201%20WG.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="284" data-original-width="1300" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtDXs9z1oRL7uUH-rUMQsTYQonZxjZKLIM_wRIgpBDTi4XFyP2zc65vC1Zey3gI_HVRiMNz0ElyFFxcdfD4fWhAbBeFyDzp0uE8U5nq7Lwi5JrKABua5QpxNwY5lz2v_EEpWvveUy2WxsLiOH9V-gt6a7ric2tcOcBO8t6k2KfxMpKXFGFn8yYr9PKyg/w640-h140/Sample%20Counters%201%20WG.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br />The Netherlands</span></h4><p style="text-align: left;">Dutch Army added a whole Corps to NORTHAG defense...In theory. In reality, only a single brigade plus some combat support were near the FEBA, with everything else stationed in the Netherlands 300 km to the west. Moreover, the very complicated Dutch mobilisation system needed time to bring the manoeuvre units to operational status.</p><p style="text-align: left;">On the positive side, the Dutch units were among the heaviest in the NATO arsenal, with up to 20 MBTs, 40 APCs and 12 combat support AFVs for each mechanized battalion.</p><p style="text-align: left;">The tactical organisation and combat values of the Dutch units gave life to one of the most heated discussions in the development team thus far. A detailed explanation of the different points of view will be probably available in the Designers' Notes :)</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5kgyEM2xgbPw01wKYPet5V9D3-ryzw7Mgt8SVIlmVXZW87TzvGwKdq5eVk-HpkO_hkStJxa7Bm6Axow9IspaL_lYbiZ87N0iSMhGqtFUxmOnVcj1cY-wW8aM5tWu41HQrUmpKzTywhdDZ0Z4rlCuULN-0KR383r7YL3dK6dQOv8JGsRCkbfyLHzZVmg/s1088/Sample%20Counters%201%20NL.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="545" data-original-width="1088" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5kgyEM2xgbPw01wKYPet5V9D3-ryzw7Mgt8SVIlmVXZW87TzvGwKdq5eVk-HpkO_hkStJxa7Bm6Axow9IspaL_lYbiZ87N0iSMhGqtFUxmOnVcj1cY-wW8aM5tWu41HQrUmpKzTywhdDZ0Z4rlCuULN-0KR383r7YL3dK6dQOv8JGsRCkbfyLHzZVmg/w537-h269/Sample%20Counters%201%20NL.jpg" width="537" /></a></div><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br />United Kingdom</span></h4><p style="text-align: left;">In a war against Warsaw Pact, the UK Mobile Force Brigade would have moved by sealift to one of the following areas of deployment:</p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><ol style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; white-space: nowrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Schleswig-Holstein, to reinforce LANDJUT Corps</span></span></li><li><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; white-space: nowrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Northern or Insular Denmark, to reinforce COMBALTAP</span></span></li></ol><p></p><p style="text-align: left;">UK Mobile Force is also Tony Morphet's Secret Love, as he was heavily involved with this formation during his years of active service :)</p><p style="text-align: left;">In the end, it will be up to NATO Commander to decide where to commit the brigade, with each choice having its pros and cons.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlaHzcjkv2C_SHKNDH2joQdxmJsehXtmzNq9CJlI01JmbIF-7u6x7oWNOYmF33npkDtwrolhDwGUel_qcYBuyDigOtNXK17uYSywblqMI51jsk0yUO5RI_mT9qUj2IGkAQhLuC2UCzeKxvgKbs1-u7MidltOY4NRijkzfiuv0rnpfQfh0bnxULKTQ8IQ/s1088/Sample%20Counters%201%20UK.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="498" data-original-width="1088" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlaHzcjkv2C_SHKNDH2joQdxmJsehXtmzNq9CJlI01JmbIF-7u6x7oWNOYmF33npkDtwrolhDwGUel_qcYBuyDigOtNXK17uYSywblqMI51jsk0yUO5RI_mT9qUj2IGkAQhLuC2UCzeKxvgKbs1-u7MidltOY4NRijkzfiuv0rnpfQfh0bnxULKTQ8IQ/w504-h230/Sample%20Counters%201%20UK.jpg" width="504" /></a></div><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br />United States</span></h4><p style="text-align: left;">In 1985, the 3rd Brigade of 2nd Armoured Division was stationed near Bremen, acting as the forward element of US III Corps.</p><p style="text-align: left;">The brigade would have probably remained under strict US control and was missing most of its support assets (Trucks, fuel tankers, maintenance, medical services). Consequently, the combat value for its battalions is lower than other similar US units.</p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">EDIT 20220827: After considerable additional research and help from several veterans who served in the brigade, we determined our first evaluation was vastly wrong! 2AD (Fwd) could actually act as NL I Corps covering force in case of need, and also had additional logistic support allowing independent operations for a limited time. The latest OOB version reflects these changes.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEignKdfRnBg6HI7hYPNNslxCqhrFJCGEwtEAMpDjtpxFi7WYnZ-RDTR64JSzIh_dTf4O6FhcjWPhUCOxviBtNnyR1YKg0r0rFkYG_vwHw-6wAjKgn0Z1BVg9EJaFNyuigGq_ulZRb6WcgLVbh9MWteu_wYhvD-9n58zAP0oJvCw7t93f3nC9f-Q_HMUFw/s1088/Sample%20Counters%201%20US.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="285" data-original-width="1088" height="129" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEignKdfRnBg6HI7hYPNNslxCqhrFJCGEwtEAMpDjtpxFi7WYnZ-RDTR64JSzIh_dTf4O6FhcjWPhUCOxviBtNnyR1YKg0r0rFkYG_vwHw-6wAjKgn0Z1BVg9EJaFNyuigGq_ulZRb6WcgLVbh9MWteu_wYhvD-9n58zAP0oJvCw7t93f3nC9f-Q_HMUFw/w490-h129/Sample%20Counters%201%20US.jpg" width="490" /></a></div><br /><p><i>Want to defend the free world from the <b>Russian hordes</b>?<br />Want to free the German Workers enslaved by the <b>American plutocrats</b>?</i></p><p><i>Enlist by writing to <b>info@TRLGames.com</b>! Your Country, Bloc, Motherland, whatever needs <b>YOU</b>! </i><i>See the link below to know how you can help:</i></p><p><i><a href="https://trlgames.com/mobilization-plan-aka-new-products-and-reprints/">Thin Red Line Games Mobilisation Plan</a></i></p><p><i><br /></i></p><p><i><br /></i></p><div><br /></div><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><h2 style="text-align: left;"><br /></h2>Fabrizio Vianellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04566056256115509256noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6417322096032317960.post-82126675370885061082022-05-04T13:11:00.000+02:002022-05-04T13:11:34.362+02:00Die Festung Hamburg - Map Draft <p>Here's the latest map draft for the upcoming <b>Die Festung Hamburg</b>, covering the 1985 Warsaw Pact offensive in the North German Plain sector. Some details are still missing (airfields, bridges, map labels, etc) but we're getting near. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD_QSMQMMkSpqMfNqCVnt2orbAtp4BX5Eh1FqwaaEQeK5KaKa8zNgaMH5rKu-sx9bocoadySkvQAgKgZN_iANnIHMquQnWOjsKL9-jy-KmXOrkiBmNvCH9LrWFcsQ3hfiouUSLpxdEGX8eja8mbbzxFOne-sbXwFeo7HxLo0cisvI_PHl6Fs5PfhovoA/s3318/C3_DFH_Map_v8_LowRes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1904" data-original-width="3318" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD_QSMQMMkSpqMfNqCVnt2orbAtp4BX5Eh1FqwaaEQeK5KaKa8zNgaMH5rKu-sx9bocoadySkvQAgKgZN_iANnIHMquQnWOjsKL9-jy-KmXOrkiBmNvCH9LrWFcsQ3hfiouUSLpxdEGX8eja8mbbzxFOne-sbXwFeo7HxLo0cisvI_PHl6Fs5PfhovoA/w640-h368/C3_DFH_Map_v8_LowRes.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>The absence of significant elevations and the vast road network should help Warsaw Pact's mechanized offensive, but things are made harder by the extended urban areas and by several formidable water obstacles.</p><p>On this latter point, I think some additional details could be interesting:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>The final stretch of the Elbe river is one to four kilometres wide, and even before reaching Hamburg it could be very difficult to cross. We're still evaluating which ones among the several available crossing methods could be used in specific areas.<br /><br /></li><li>The Elbe-Lübeckkanal had features built specifically to slow down a Warsaw Pact offensive and make any crossing attempt problematic. Consequently, it is represented as a major river despite being relatively narrow. See this footage of 6. <span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #030303; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Panzergrenadierdivision </span></span>experimenting the Kanal:</li></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/sihOpUsLFqw" width="320" youtube-src-id="sihOpUsLFqw"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Want to defend the free world from the <b>Russian hordes</b>?<br />Want to help the German Workers enslaved by the <b>American plutocrats</b>? <br />Enlist by writing to info@TRLGames.com! Your Country, Bloc, Motherland, whatever needs <b>YOU</b>!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br />Fabrizio Vianellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04566056256115509256noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6417322096032317960.post-41390180172789447302022-04-26T19:45:00.000+02:002022-05-27T19:46:25.533+02:00C3: Die Festung Hamburg<p> So it begins.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFRC_zWITvZOzlsmf1E5ruT95o3kp5HHbkBbbsw_Vy-iYCPp4Tu8IOLxOlDvP-jfsfl8tCgLISO1k0uCzYgJcl7Wxv6oKXqZ-75thuGOxDYR5-Y6FYLVOkza65E2VHJJCZTRODy0DN8_hL2NO99ojA_UoBiqxOE5yQMAVwY6oJdvpj7u6kSxrX9D6NaA/s3000/CombinedMaps_Small_v1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2756" data-original-width="3000" height="588" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFRC_zWITvZOzlsmf1E5ruT95o3kp5HHbkBbbsw_Vy-iYCPp4Tu8IOLxOlDvP-jfsfl8tCgLISO1k0uCzYgJcl7Wxv6oKXqZ-75thuGOxDYR5-Y6FYLVOkza65E2VHJJCZTRODy0DN8_hL2NO99ojA_UoBiqxOE5yQMAVwY6oJdvpj7u6kSxrX9D6NaA/w640-h588/CombinedMaps_Small_v1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBFM6aTNC_dHHbHQErdrUalXH5gOKp9a_r7exAFOlw_CPqEzVX_npyQDOOyow2IO8NdydqKwlu3mMrWY64GpR92N8cKgf0W2fPmpsS9h7Le5_-tZ3033VfItEWoSDrXUhfuwafmhvz1PGDdxkY399s4WbG2B4vqDT2xMkZ70EbpvWeoPALpbr0zadD4A/s2999/Map%20Layout%20v2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2999" data-original-width="2122" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBFM6aTNC_dHHbHQErdrUalXH5gOKp9a_r7exAFOlw_CPqEzVX_npyQDOOyow2IO8NdydqKwlu3mMrWY64GpR92N8cKgf0W2fPmpsS9h7Le5_-tZ3033VfItEWoSDrXUhfuwafmhvz1PGDdxkY399s4WbG2B4vqDT2xMkZ70EbpvWeoPALpbr0zadD4A/w453-h640/Map%20Layout%20v2.jpg" width="453" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Fabrizio Vianellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04566056256115509256noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6417322096032317960.post-67210988351083245852022-04-14T01:12:00.008+02:002022-04-14T01:20:21.145+02:001985: Deadly Northern Lights Second Echelon - Units<p style="text-align: left;">As you probably know, <b>1985: Deadly Northern Lights </b>is now at DEFCON 3. Here's a short description of the new and updated forces available to NATO with this Second Echelon mobilisation.</p><p style="text-align: left;">On a side note, the number of volunteers enlisting for the Northern Europe campaign has been impressive, up to the point that all the transport assets are full and we are evaluating to stop the recruitment. </p><p style="text-align: left;">Last but not least, please note that after the declaration of DEFCON 1 all the new / updated counters will be available for download from the TRLGames official site.</p><h2 style="text-align: left;">USN Carrier Battlegroups</h2><p style="text-align: left;">The three available USN Carrier Battlegroups (CV-59 Forrestal, CV-66 America, CVN-69 Eisenhower), previously represented by a single naval counter, are now detailed at single ship level.</p><p style="text-align: left;">This allows using the standard naval rules for all their possible tasks, and of course for possible Soviet attacks too.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZdhIEQb9iClWdYNb7dXtRqCZDk_lgiQwuVZGekRLgpODv2V7rq4cQl_aVZD03zDxWnvoK6MtRBTCBQrcCsZ0r_8hkLJIbuMaSkeZoq657Lfknz1hhGJquTAi80XnfIhgrjOeGlW0ryVYzwJ4I-jDHXbRtJMNWqH01-FOJ864_InxyMZ9n4HIO9z5DbQ/s1560/CVN-69%20Eisenhower%20BG.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="1560" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZdhIEQb9iClWdYNb7dXtRqCZDk_lgiQwuVZGekRLgpODv2V7rq4cQl_aVZD03zDxWnvoK6MtRBTCBQrcCsZ0r_8hkLJIbuMaSkeZoq657Lfknz1hhGJquTAi80XnfIhgrjOeGlW0ryVYzwJ4I-jDHXbRtJMNWqH01-FOJ864_InxyMZ9n4HIO9z5DbQ/w640-h222/CVN-69%20Eisenhower%20BG.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">UK 1st Infantry Brigade</h2><p style="text-align: left;">The British 1st Infantry Brigade, earmarked as a possible reinforcement for AFNORTH and in particular Denmark, was previously represented in its three battalions configuration with an alternate "maxed out" configuration of five battalions.</p><p style="text-align: left;">My co-designer Anthony Morphet served in the unit and strongly protested against this, bringing more and more convincing arguments toward the five battalions configuration. This "maxed-out" OOB is now the official composition of the Brigade.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIW8ypWnJna2r8FXD9fYYvlKUMAiqYlRMl4ZFN8HN0jAyYQubtu7QUHxuDX7pDixebcpU8XIvU8KAORVyz4pPYuZzbiTY-SCTbv6i4RZglYgKZp_llWJpFtTkE3ter91fzrfqDZ7_Us18iutOuLOqmRTxG6VBP0CoJ9fNVzTHzFH9GcOjHuuRAjJlzAA/s1340/UK%201st%20Infantry%20Brigade.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="1340" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIW8ypWnJna2r8FXD9fYYvlKUMAiqYlRMl4ZFN8HN0jAyYQubtu7QUHxuDX7pDixebcpU8XIvU8KAORVyz4pPYuZzbiTY-SCTbv6i4RZglYgKZp_llWJpFtTkE3ter91fzrfqDZ7_Us18iutOuLOqmRTxG6VBP0CoJ9fNVzTHzFH9GcOjHuuRAjJlzAA/w640-h238/UK%201st%20Infantry%20Brigade.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><h2 style="text-align: left;">USN Fast Sealift Ships</h2><p style="text-align: left;">Starting in 1981, USN began acquiring specific high-speed container ships and converting them into the Algol Class Vehicle Cargo Ships, or SL-7. </p><p style="text-align: left;">These vessels, combining high speed and decent protection, were assigned to AFCENT and eight of them could have transported a heavy US division to Europe. In June 1985, only four vessels were already operational. </p><p style="text-align: left;">in 1985: Under an Iron Sky, the effect of the FSS ships on the US reinforcements to the Central Front is abstracted. The specific counters below are intended to be used only in 1985: Mutual Assured Destruction combined campaign, allowing a more realistic and detailed use of the Military Sealift Command capabilities.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz4J-QwdzO5vp1HAAuG2vIoTWgGUkA2FDReT3vb-1YCBHdMCuzgVMjhaFffAPFEmKNJPr1Ph-BgPDph4W8gX9Z1EBxxQ4lBbhS6kDNSzS-I11jdGEnqdFc3XJEsshQ1P6WljTwkowCeo6rvBQA8MxDJLvertrJQmMv4BXtwp-YpDC09ZZIK6P7ZzlpFg/s1760/USN%20FSS.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="1760" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz4J-QwdzO5vp1HAAuG2vIoTWgGUkA2FDReT3vb-1YCBHdMCuzgVMjhaFffAPFEmKNJPr1Ph-BgPDph4W8gX9Z1EBxxQ4lBbhS6kDNSzS-I11jdGEnqdFc3XJEsshQ1P6WljTwkowCeo6rvBQA8MxDJLvertrJQmMv4BXtwp-YpDC09ZZIK6P7ZzlpFg/w640-h230/USN%20FSS.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">US 9th Light Infantry Division</h2><p style="text-align: left;">In 1981, US Army started experimenting with the "High Technology Light Division" concept. The basic idea was to create a division that could deploy using approximately 1,000 C-141 sorties and still have sufficient combat power to be used in high intensity conflicts.</p><p style="text-align: left;">As could be expected, the project encountered several problems and went thru different revisions: The 1985 version had a mix of light (HMMW equipped) and heavy (M901 TOW equipped) combined arms battalions, and was still considered not definitive.</p><p style="text-align: left;">All of the above brought me to introduce a new type of combat unit, the Motorized Infantry, that can be deployed using Strategic Air Transport only. A worthy addition to the NATO arsenal, if you can find enough airlift for it.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC6lSdHfRKIhDsADz45M7if9pFYJlKG-nMmFU-HSwwzIlNbYfnWIpIJosc8AxuoHhWNgsGmU1jYj6X8WMjsgXPcC4oSJQPkO7S9pC_jMEdREfxKOWnJkD3YjKFg4GeeKmlXzZDPPO259ggJBfSNV8WcSC7kSmecG6Tk02tsOgXGsSsDunzKBP0xFkoAg/s2000/US%209ID.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1220" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC6lSdHfRKIhDsADz45M7if9pFYJlKG-nMmFU-HSwwzIlNbYfnWIpIJosc8AxuoHhWNgsGmU1jYj6X8WMjsgXPcC4oSJQPkO7S9pC_jMEdREfxKOWnJkD3YjKFg4GeeKmlXzZDPPO259ggJBfSNV8WcSC7kSmecG6Tk02tsOgXGsSsDunzKBP0xFkoAg/w390-h640/US%209ID.jpg" width="390" /></a></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">NATO Convoys</h2><p style="text-align: left;">After a few days of an all-out conflict against the Warsaw Pact, NATO would have probably needed a steady flow of ammunition and supply from the US in order to keep fighting at its maximum combat potential. </p><p style="text-align: left;">Convoys, each one representing several transport ships and their escort, are already present in the 1985: Mutual Assured Destruction combined campaign and in 1985: Sacred Oil, and are now used in 1985: Deadly Northern Lights too.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuvxbJj90UMx-P1qrfk6MoMseDaxD3mX1I70HvB0HsIcXpMb6lF8wipDYs4iSo2PVjr4ZbnN9B-wgfoFtvKwLoxxBy3Bg8wfNvNkm0VIxBa9Bu4zBdKSMRTT5xsJpnOaA8iSxYYw0tRDKLT482jJ1-m2e0a2Tg_I8rUCEW-tqEL4RFP95dv-Bf8Dnxlw/s900/NATO%20Convoys.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="520" data-original-width="900" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuvxbJj90UMx-P1qrfk6MoMseDaxD3mX1I70HvB0HsIcXpMb6lF8wipDYs4iSo2PVjr4ZbnN9B-wgfoFtvKwLoxxBy3Bg8wfNvNkm0VIxBa9Bu4zBdKSMRTT5xsJpnOaA8iSxYYw0tRDKLT482jJ1-m2e0a2Tg_I8rUCEW-tqEL4RFP95dv-Bf8Dnxlw/w640-h370/NATO%20Convoys.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p>Fabrizio Vianellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04566056256115509256noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6417322096032317960.post-2266140953114657382022-04-05T10:45:00.005+02:002022-04-05T10:45:51.885+02:001985: Deadly Northern Lights Second Echelon - Operational Maps<p> A quick preview of the new operational maps for <b>1985: Deadly Northern Lights - Second Echelon.</b></p><p>COs using the previous edition should notice: </p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>The lighter colour used for Arctic Rough 2 terrain.</li><li>The lighter colour used for Arctic Plain terrain.</li><li>The absence of Air Interception Modifiers, not used anymore with the latest rules.</li><li>The absence of the CVBG Holding Boxes, not used anymore with the introduction of the single ships composing each CV Battlegroup.</li><li>Some minor changes / corrections here and there.</li></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNm3TO6fKyRaSv0Pmg-yCIZOzjd7t9KSIbRQJjzcwSIbeKpMUBsqnfarvvjlT_ujgkSeH6GPtiobeyi3zjMxVLqK3kpMY04ZvbcaxhHtLqrjilcuYo5N438rxMiiuWDUJMfH0ovJxUpEmq8bBMicE2yJGBJcJ7b3svToLhbbcGhEzkRYogXxSysGi3VQ/s6418/1985_DNL_SE_CombinedMap_v1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6418" data-original-width="3919" height="987" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNm3TO6fKyRaSv0Pmg-yCIZOzjd7t9KSIbRQJjzcwSIbeKpMUBsqnfarvvjlT_ujgkSeH6GPtiobeyi3zjMxVLqK3kpMY04ZvbcaxhHtLqrjilcuYo5N438rxMiiuWDUJMfH0ovJxUpEmq8bBMicE2yJGBJcJ7b3svToLhbbcGhEzkRYogXxSysGi3VQ/w603-h987/1985_DNL_SE_CombinedMap_v1.jpg" width="603" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><p></p>Fabrizio Vianellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04566056256115509256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6417322096032317960.post-75172279450191797022021-03-08T16:58:00.002+01:002021-03-08T16:59:49.177+01:001985: Sacred Oil - Maps Details<p>The maps for 1985: Sacred Oil are almost finished....Here's a preview of each map, with some minor details still missing.</p><p>Defining the terrain types has been interesting, as there's almost nothing comparable to a "European" terrain. As strange as it sounds, mountains are not mountains, lakes are not lakes, and plains are, well, not plains :)</p><p>I hope I'll be able to post a complete map overview soon and start some serious work on the OOBs...Meanwhile, if you'd like to reserve a copy, report for duty by writing at <span style="color: #2b00fe;">info@TRLGames.com</span>!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjh_jWCjQdMghyphenhyphensEzX3G_IXBVIrvQoG2WQLDJ56Ko4NGiz393LdrQlAuLbFHEz8IkbOs9aHi1_0A_rg9O3Q_CCDKsuaVnmYbFj62Adrk2jR5u6AiNnHk6rLtBZpU1-H1PwTaHciA2V_-yF/s2048/MapF_v22_detail.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1495" data-original-width="2048" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjh_jWCjQdMghyphenhyphensEzX3G_IXBVIrvQoG2WQLDJ56Ko4NGiz393LdrQlAuLbFHEz8IkbOs9aHi1_0A_rg9O3Q_CCDKsuaVnmYbFj62Adrk2jR5u6AiNnHk6rLtBZpU1-H1PwTaHciA2V_-yF/w640-h468/MapF_v22_detail.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Map F, Tehran and Caspian Sea Area</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMjhkHgBj-auKwKLfhSZxGB_ISOQXP768PLGnjpOryitILEk-WBGfu94NkTc_1tJB9-wyRWaXpnxaWkk33myuuf8_arKreazWNp8c97tXXjJeV2Yf7gNAAAUHwTSZzCLINqJCqjdbU-G5D/s2048/MapG_v5_detail.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1173" data-original-width="2048" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMjhkHgBj-auKwKLfhSZxGB_ISOQXP768PLGnjpOryitILEk-WBGfu94NkTc_1tJB9-wyRWaXpnxaWkk33myuuf8_arKreazWNp8c97tXXjJeV2Yf7gNAAAUHwTSZzCLINqJCqjdbU-G5D/w640-h366/MapG_v5_detail.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Map G, Baghdad and Iran - Iraq Border Area</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJqGltf_8T6cr7RqnVtLwT9E69W0AYgAmBOkt72FVHLqpoLcwsD8dw-Js3dVI0WwOC6Jqw-ppPFRKyhCnnc-CdFBeJBm5qMo1MR0HDjxhk8DuhDhvW_e1TFrcQXGBhYgF1SP7dHuW7kgb4/s2048/MapH_v12_Detail.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1301" data-original-width="2048" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJqGltf_8T6cr7RqnVtLwT9E69W0AYgAmBOkt72FVHLqpoLcwsD8dw-Js3dVI0WwOC6Jqw-ppPFRKyhCnnc-CdFBeJBm5qMo1MR0HDjxhk8DuhDhvW_e1TFrcQXGBhYgF1SP7dHuW7kgb4/w640-h406/MapH_v12_Detail.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Map H, Iran Ahvaz Area</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrrUzefqFU8Huh75fNkoYwFxBp-Tn8Dfb1ydsbRqnRPrIWBcL_LwQmkja9W2jdAYT7mZ9GO8hDJT5qVt3Zk1vfFLs6Hr-HLLlqHvQrZ-IvuV9R41OHT-yQr2JJEoYevVCaA6Y1CNpizy6o/s2048/MapJ_v12_detail.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1206" data-original-width="2048" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrrUzefqFU8Huh75fNkoYwFxBp-Tn8Dfb1ydsbRqnRPrIWBcL_LwQmkja9W2jdAYT7mZ9GO8hDJT5qVt3Zk1vfFLs6Hr-HLLlqHvQrZ-IvuV9R41OHT-yQr2JJEoYevVCaA6Y1CNpizy6o/w640-h376/MapJ_v12_detail.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Map J, Qatar and Saudi Arabia</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf-LZwqgqkdrYF50Py-oWD1DEJVI9UdBcs6YXsThTsTKV0ELvvnCtlNC3xBBY4aKydLLw-0DiR4hMYXEsk0BP38rQ3EaD0LCBQaOJZu3GVEZk6-lmgKTBTaj4LquXaWJ29zt2_eDqvPLcn/s2048/MapK_v12_detail.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1480" data-original-width="2048" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf-LZwqgqkdrYF50Py-oWD1DEJVI9UdBcs6YXsThTsTKV0ELvvnCtlNC3xBBY4aKydLLw-0DiR4hMYXEsk0BP38rQ3EaD0LCBQaOJZu3GVEZk6-lmgKTBTaj4LquXaWJ29zt2_eDqvPLcn/w640-h462/MapK_v12_detail.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Map K, The Strait and Bandar Abbas</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Fabrizio Vianellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04566056256115509256noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6417322096032317960.post-83380858012865560052021-02-12T14:12:00.007+01:002021-02-12T14:41:49.986+01:001985: Sacred Oil - More Maps<p>With <i><b>The Dogs of War</b></i> offensive now ending, work on <i><b>1985: Sacred Oil</b></i> is restarting!</p><p>Three of the six maps are almost finished, even though several details are still provisional (exact colours, map junctions and more). I must say I'm very happy with the result.</p><p>The Persian Gulf area has several distinctive geographical features, so new terrain types have been added:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Iranian Highlands: Broken terrain, with little or no roads and a 2000+ meters altitude</li><li>Desert: this covers sandy desert, rocky desert and the salt desert found in several Iranian areas.</li></ul><div>Mountain roads are another interesting aspect: Alexis Seydoux, who visited Iran more than 20 times and knows it better than a Guard of the Revolution, pointed out that several major roads are actually only slightly better than mule trails when crossing the highest mountain passes. Consequently, some roads will abruptly end exactly when they are more needed :)</div><p></p><p>Here's the three completed maps together, and a more detailed view of the Shiraz area on Map J (with some development labels still on it).</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaHNQNIjtp1DzgzKK6WkMC2axl9rMCV-rpaO-2v3sLozkQx0c0eDrmG8Pyv72PDzy5B0b4We7K-uI3mgzb2HIR-ErIoKieaYIXEDtvrtTzkeyVCL_8ZXUwNoI-2ZqqOLc_XfgQyOl0M9hb/s2048/1985SO_MapsFHJ.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1086" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaHNQNIjtp1DzgzKK6WkMC2axl9rMCV-rpaO-2v3sLozkQx0c0eDrmG8Pyv72PDzy5B0b4We7K-uI3mgzb2HIR-ErIoKieaYIXEDtvrtTzkeyVCL_8ZXUwNoI-2ZqqOLc_XfgQyOl0M9hb/w213-h400/1985SO_MapsFHJ.png" width="213" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Maps F, H and J (Open Link in a new Tab for full resolution)</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw0YqVTgLQ4jDLnqj0TsGmn01Qi-YhDJl0YjRwUePP1aCtjktqGTeGqFY_H8GH3S6tSpMk8usSRLB8pqDbhg1uxZe9Y80sNYIOkAV5RbqLth5dD-DXVRvolD4xJL5yJI8v0PNUaFfm0cBe/s2048/MapJ_Detail.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1259" data-original-width="2048" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw0YqVTgLQ4jDLnqj0TsGmn01Qi-YhDJl0YjRwUePP1aCtjktqGTeGqFY_H8GH3S6tSpMk8usSRLB8pqDbhg1uxZe9Y80sNYIOkAV5RbqLth5dD-DXVRvolD4xJL5yJI8v0PNUaFfm0cBe/w640-h394/MapJ_Detail.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Bushehr - Shiraz Area Detail</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><br />Fabrizio Vianellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04566056256115509256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6417322096032317960.post-3004245422318443722020-12-12T19:32:00.001+01:002020-12-12T19:32:21.632+01:001985: Sacred Oil - First Map<p><br /></p><p>The maps for the last chapter of the 1985 saga are taking form....Some details are still missing and exact colors are still to be defined, but you should get the idea :)</p><p>The operational maps will cover from USSR - Iran Border to Hormuz Strait, and from Baghdad to Eastern Iran. The strategic map will include every other strategic area, from Afghanistan to Turkey NATO bases and Diego Garcia.</p><p>Here's a first preview of the USSR - Iran border sector, including Tehran:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP32eTJeljwUZO0UeG5N_IwISIg3OT-8RBHb0gzW1PzGDM21NjjVvRHgaqqitmLRYUF15UosS5fdjVBIZPL1xIaMaThSE3nlVdCLj1YJzMZsFuNZR0TwPS6-J6ANjfYNxtS4ZcSz2eWEAc/s2048/MapF_v16_4internet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1283" data-original-width="2048" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP32eTJeljwUZO0UeG5N_IwISIg3OT-8RBHb0gzW1PzGDM21NjjVvRHgaqqitmLRYUF15UosS5fdjVBIZPL1xIaMaThSE3nlVdCLj1YJzMZsFuNZR0TwPS6-J6ANjfYNxtS4ZcSz2eWEAc/w640-h400/MapF_v16_4internet.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>A detail of the USSR - Iran border area:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKlF3_8_iry8Wnt9bKQ415a7W77n4GMea8e_b_-08PQf6oBoFyIZdDfx5Cp4N6DqX1p8C_wlM0V32vUl7YLhXVfVvX2vbEyRZWhg3hstS0C8stCbZu-Gsg65ZKTYBqPjF9eiqLRB7Zf2Bn/s2048/MapF_v16_4internet_Detail1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1622" data-original-width="2048" height="506" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKlF3_8_iry8Wnt9bKQ415a7W77n4GMea8e_b_-08PQf6oBoFyIZdDfx5Cp4N6DqX1p8C_wlM0V32vUl7YLhXVfVvX2vbEyRZWhg3hstS0C8stCbZu-Gsg65ZKTYBqPjF9eiqLRB7Zf2Bn/w640-h506/MapF_v16_4internet_Detail1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>And in case you've missed it, here's the box art!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Pn2ucvw3cL8kKI8P2umVfmI1vJHwlxZme2kLWN2E_qGWOgN9hdQXY7MNN-hwOtjsDzGFKwWYhZgw5eIK_tiFjd0SOCO5UNrIJ6Ohs347w0wtXds8dOTMZtOHySXKTgOVn6nwxVEaXiJX/s2000/Box+Art+v2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1474" data-original-width="2000" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Pn2ucvw3cL8kKI8P2umVfmI1vJHwlxZme2kLWN2E_qGWOgN9hdQXY7MNN-hwOtjsDzGFKwWYhZgw5eIK_tiFjd0SOCO5UNrIJ6Ohs347w0wtXds8dOTMZtOHySXKTgOVn6nwxVEaXiJX/w640-h472/Box+Art+v2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Fabrizio Vianellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04566056256115509256noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6417322096032317960.post-43463177433572178302020-09-08T18:21:00.002+02:002020-10-12T15:35:22.027+02:00The Dogs Of War - "The River Weser Deep and Wide" AAR<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9aNFUl2lQOy7ZKZ84AbqIBCWvualOLvYtbnRn14MqNhN3YHMY_Tnt4JUc5u6XrBYV-4ptAQdoQ0o82GC-FlURCtQ6YfxYpuTjAElIKzKZqE6t99pLQjV2HfHvh2BlEWfM5M0bk-GLWRAi/s1204/Header.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="691" data-original-width="1204" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9aNFUl2lQOy7ZKZ84AbqIBCWvualOLvYtbnRn14MqNhN3YHMY_Tnt4JUc5u6XrBYV-4ptAQdoQ0o82GC-FlURCtQ6YfxYpuTjAElIKzKZqE6t99pLQjV2HfHvh2BlEWfM5M0bk-GLWRAi/w625-h360/Header.jpg" width="625" /></a></div><p><i>As you probably know, <b>The Dogs Of War </b>will be the second module of the C3 Series, covering the British Army Of the Rhine sector during the 1985 NATO - Warsaw Pact conflict. </i></p><p><i><b>The Dogs Of War </b>heavily focuses on the problems of Command, Control and Communication and uses an updated version of the <b>Less Than 60 Miles </b>rules. The main changes are:</i></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><i>West German Auftragstaktik (Mission-Type Orders), giving Bundeswehr a flexibility hardly obtained by other armies.</i></li><li><i>British Engineers, allowing BAOR to use Defensive Works to their maximum effect.</i></li><li><i>Soviet Sappers, first-line assault units used to crack the toughest nuts.</i></li><li><i>A different method to mark the Posture of each unit, removing the need to use separate Posture markers.</i></li></ul><p style="text-align: left;"><i>The following AAR covers the first 24 hours of "The River Weser Deep and Wide" Campaign. At 0600ZT July 24, 1985 the Soviet 3rd Shock and 20th Guards Tank Armies cross the Inner German Border. NATO did not react quickly enough to the increasing signals of an imminent attack and is caught partially unprepared.</i></p><p style="text-align: left;"><i>Remember to reserve a copy by writing to <b>info@TRLGames.com</b> ;)</i></p><h2 style="text-align: left;">D+0, H06</h2><p style="text-align: left;">The First Echelon of two Soviet Armies, composed by four divisions, attacks along a wide front. NATO covering forces and refugees slow down the Pact's advance.</p><p style="text-align: left;">76th Guards Airborne division is inserted North of Hameln, blocking some key bridges needed by BAOR to cross the Weser. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifLKWcaZ_vqvmu_6TCPkpHW5ccocvKUWR1VWpOVcRWLU36dXqUazOa_MrRprTa_xUcMESQkBgA048ifrkupzreKOtMOXnAncGgOad4QUM1br4d8RLszfyuXLmyupje2m-CEV2EGxfWrQvS/s2048/02+-+C1+P3+D0+H06+WP+1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1176" data-original-width="2048" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifLKWcaZ_vqvmu_6TCPkpHW5ccocvKUWR1VWpOVcRWLU36dXqUazOa_MrRprTa_xUcMESQkBgA048ifrkupzreKOtMOXnAncGgOad4QUM1br4d8RLszfyuXLmyupje2m-CEV2EGxfWrQvS/w781-h450/02+-+C1+P3+D0+H06+WP+1.jpg" width="781" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><p style="text-align: left;">NATO starting situation is far from optimal. The main problem is the absence of Belgian I Corps, for the most part still moving from Belgium and Rhine area. Most of BAOR forces are also far from their assigned positions, and the insertion of Soviet 76th Guards Airborne Division doesn't make things better.</p><p style="text-align: left;">West German 1 Panzer in the North and 2 PanzerGrenadier in the South are forced to adjust their Area of Responsibility, in order to cover the front left open respectively by British I Corps and Belgian I Corps.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNs3Bbmt2GUhEQMXQJHvDnGrsywOMg35nQgZABJZS0NtvS3eZ3xrW6zHfNPofDwOV5GQtYzSo-31Aiw09Z1Zkavfkfzz_dRmVvi4y3ZXc45roVWp3RkOBkhea51V6Ma-1CUlvlEnQipsiZ/s2048/03+-+C1+P3+D0+H06+NATO+2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1176" data-original-width="2048" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNs3Bbmt2GUhEQMXQJHvDnGrsywOMg35nQgZABJZS0NtvS3eZ3xrW6zHfNPofDwOV5GQtYzSo-31Aiw09Z1Zkavfkfzz_dRmVvi4y3ZXc45roVWp3RkOBkhea51V6Ma-1CUlvlEnQipsiZ/w781-h450/03+-+C1+P3+D0+H06+NATO+2.jpg" width="781" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">D+0, H09</h2><p style="text-align: left;">Warsaw Pact launches several air strikes against the Belgian units advancing in Road Posture, causing delays and moderate losses.</p><p style="text-align: left;">In the South, Soviet 3rd Shock Army pushes hard against NATO covering forces, with its two Second Echelon divisions approaching. In the North, 20th Guards Army advances toward Braunschweig and reaches the Eastern bank of Elbe-Seitenkanal.</p><p style="text-align: left;">Ever since the first hours of war NATO artillery is particularly effective bombarding WP formations in March Assault Posture in open terrain, slowing down their assault and inflicting some losses too.</p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1BK9G0ZaviAGQMcKCCD6mCLZp3Dl5Awo6w5i4j1g7fYEGdM0VulQwht4DpRTbll1HEpmdJ2DO7alW_IMjwhzho1cDhfo48BV0CjuQq_x_ikhyAi9c6TZ53Idv9hOlrGteTCAh8sOVAAFv/s2048/04+-+C1+P3+D0+H09+WP+2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1176" data-original-width="2048" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1BK9G0ZaviAGQMcKCCD6mCLZp3Dl5Awo6w5i4j1g7fYEGdM0VulQwht4DpRTbll1HEpmdJ2DO7alW_IMjwhzho1cDhfo48BV0CjuQq_x_ikhyAi9c6TZ53Idv9hOlrGteTCAh8sOVAAFv/w781-h450/04+-+C1+P3+D0+H09+WP+2.jpg" width="781" /></a><br /><div><p style="text-align: left;">BAOR Commander decides that Soviet 76th Guards must be eliminated, no matter the situation on the FEBA. British 4th Armoured division is assigned to the task and proceeds to attack the Southernmost Soviet positions, inflicting heavy losses to 234th Guards regiment.</p><p style="text-align: left;">Despite having its Southern flank exposed, West German 1 Panzer division decides to apply the "Forward Defense" doctrine to the letter and to defend Braunschweig vigorously. To this end, 24/2/1 Panzer battalion starts deploying in Active Defense Posture in order to counterattack should an opportunity arise.</p><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLDfy4rZGQoHZ9k131aesfEN-nbKqrY5dbY-DPTR7wHvgjN1qXH5sBwSQ0IHTPkYJSIHBaTIJ_YBGxrKKHkJulMfmvhgoRtFEA56Gr0Bfzp3yUYV6K40oZW5wz3f4m6EjFPwuticc2uDVX/s2048/05+-+C1+P3+D0+H09+NATO+2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1176" data-original-width="2048" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLDfy4rZGQoHZ9k131aesfEN-nbKqrY5dbY-DPTR7wHvgjN1qXH5sBwSQ0IHTPkYJSIHBaTIJ_YBGxrKKHkJulMfmvhgoRtFEA56Gr0Bfzp3yUYV6K40oZW5wz3f4m6EjFPwuticc2uDVX/w781-h450/05+-+C1+P3+D0+H09+NATO+2.jpg" width="781" /></a></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">D+0 H12</h2><p style="text-align: left;">WP ground crews are overloaded and unable to keep the pace in refitting / reloading the fighter-bombers, forcing the Soviet Front Commander to stop the air strikes against the advancing Belgian columns.</p><p style="text-align: left;">Despite the extensive usage of engineers and ribbon bridges, Soviet 25th Tank division struggles to cross the Elbe-Seitenkanal in front of WG 33/11PG brigade's resistance. Pact's divisions make good gains in the other sectors of the front, putting several NATO battalions in a dangerous position.</p><p style="text-align: left;">32nd Guards Tank division also arrives in the area, forming the Second Echelon for 20th Guards Army.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMJvTGDouJ5I4cOvtJJpUsckTzH6Ikl6MwIQ8Al0nj4FPE4RvinsG-SesnohIUGFXomXutMFnjKM8-8MEAJOlOsAH4n0nmwdlvkR7fckZUtcjWXxIrxAOiP7tfhTWk6vUAIvuGVlz-CNYW/s2048/06+-+C1+P3+D0+H12+WP+End.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1176" data-original-width="2048" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMJvTGDouJ5I4cOvtJJpUsckTzH6Ikl6MwIQ8Al0nj4FPE4RvinsG-SesnohIUGFXomXutMFnjKM8-8MEAJOlOsAH4n0nmwdlvkR7fckZUtcjWXxIrxAOiP7tfhTWk6vUAIvuGVlz-CNYW/w781-h450/06+-+C1+P3+D0+H12+WP+End.jpg" width="781" /></a></div><p style="text-align: left;">SIGINT allows Warsaw Pact to pinpoint the location of West German 2 Panzer brigade's HQ. A strike using 27th SCUD-2 regiment is launched, inflicting heavy losses on the HQ. Heavy artillery bombardments also hit several battalions of WG 1 Panzer Division. </p><p style="text-align: left;">While the rest of NATO forces rushes to the front, British 20/4A brigade renews its attacks against the Soviet paratroopers, finally forcing the few survivors of 234th Guards regiment to surrender. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJRYSdE38SDDEXxUrXgnLtCQ8igAonlAlnLPzvXbpA5-d81ckaHXcEtUL_jujoEzaoQbD2nONLaJmkJEtf7ZxCaPIdqnfoZHvN6iGN2vRC2S69RqHo9N8tlR8g9x_ucy2jryEj7vP_t71u/s2048/07+-+C1+P3+D0+H12+NATO+End.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1176" data-original-width="2048" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJRYSdE38SDDEXxUrXgnLtCQ8igAonlAlnLPzvXbpA5-d81ckaHXcEtUL_jujoEzaoQbD2nONLaJmkJEtf7ZxCaPIdqnfoZHvN6iGN2vRC2S69RqHo9N8tlR8g9x_ucy2jryEj7vP_t71u/w781-h450/07+-+C1+P3+D0+H12+NATO+End.jpg" width="781" /></a></div><div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">D+0 H15</h2><p style="text-align: left;">Soviet 90th Guards Tank arrives East of Celle, putting additional pressure on West German's 33/11PG brigade. </p><p style="text-align: left;">25th Tank division begins fording the Elbe-Seitenkanal using Prepared Crossing, but its regiments are forced to stop on the opposite bank to reorganize. </p><p style="text-align: left;">35th Motorized Rifle division assault the defensive positions of WG 2/1Pz in Eastern Braunschweig, and is repulsed with moderate losses.</p><div><p style="text-align: left;">Soviet 10th Guards Tank and 7th Guards Tank divisions continue their advance North, with the latter slowed down by several NATO air strikes along Autobahn 243 (hexes 3520, 3521).</p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRdhi5z866B3iP_tWrlqouyV1dnEm4Y-j0k6ah5inxBh5IxJCyn-ZdsVVD-uGF3PDcM6zz3mXi_f0-Zf-8exJry9vVY_pgcGxDESasVNvF4Qr94ipVS7K7oet1Ht9hitTs1esBOrgkbk1z/s2048/08+-+C1+P3+D0+H15+WP+End.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1176" data-original-width="2048" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRdhi5z866B3iP_tWrlqouyV1dnEm4Y-j0k6ah5inxBh5IxJCyn-ZdsVVD-uGF3PDcM6zz3mXi_f0-Zf-8exJry9vVY_pgcGxDESasVNvF4Qr94ipVS7K7oet1Ht9hitTs1esBOrgkbk1z/w781-h450/08+-+C1+P3+D0+H15+WP+End.jpg" width="781" /></a></div><p style="text-align: left;">With British forces still organizing, a heavy Soviet artillery bombardment kills the survivors of 2nd Royal Green Jackets regiment, already worn out by 10 hours of continuous disengagements under enemy pressure.</p><p style="text-align: left;">West German 2/1Pz brigade takes the opportunity for a local counterattack: 24th Panzer regiment quickly changes from Active Defense to Assault and attacks the rear elements of 219th Mot. Rifle regiment, still recovering from the failed assault on Braunschweig. The surprise is complete and the Soviet regiment ceases to exist as an organized military formation (hex 4715).</p><p style="text-align: left;">British 4th Armoured division continues its attacks against the Soviet paratroops. After heavy fighting, 104th Guards regiment and its accompanying artillery are destroyed.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXtRlmhaiYivF9Wswrvu7mDPjFFQoU1-hYGok4u-TfPcIowNNonB9h8Uig2Q41n5GCTxcVgts43tQPypUKY1Mh6ngWFcUYqtV2jtxJhFLmQCXA7RlvmUb7Jm1Xju5deBjeQqZWNtqpKqeP/s2048/09+-+C1+P3+D0+H15+NATO+2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1176" data-original-width="2048" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXtRlmhaiYivF9Wswrvu7mDPjFFQoU1-hYGok4u-TfPcIowNNonB9h8Uig2Q41n5GCTxcVgts43tQPypUKY1Mh6ngWFcUYqtV2jtxJhFLmQCXA7RlvmUb7Jm1Xju5deBjeQqZWNtqpKqeP/w781-h450/09+-+C1+P3+D0+H15+NATO+2.jpg" width="781" /></a></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">D+0 H18</h2><p style="text-align: left;">NATO deep air strikes in East Germany temporarily interrupts the supply flow to Warsaw Pact's Northern Front. This is particularly bad news as several Soviet artillery regiments are short of ammunition.</p><p style="text-align: left;">With both banks of Elbe-Seitenkanal secured, a Ribbon Bridge is finally built over the water obstacle, allowing the bulk of 25th Tank division to cross it safely.</p><p style="text-align: left;">Pact's air reconnaissance successfully pinpoints the location of WG 2-161 Attack Helicopters squadron FARP (Forward Arming and Refueling Point). A combined SSM + Air strike follows, inflicting heavy damage to the squadron (hex 4003).</p><p style="text-align: left;">Despite the NATO counterattack, part of 35th Motorized Rifle division continues its assault on Braunschweig. The southern suburbs are conquered, but the attack on the city center is repelled by 21 Panzer battalion.</p><p style="text-align: left;">In the South, 10 Guards Tank and 7th Guards Tank division continue their advance. As the flanks of 7th Guards Tank are now dangerously exposed. Soviet 3rd Shock Army Commander decides to commit 47th Guards Tank division to protect them. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0N7DlUaUlxlpmU5-P_NNxgj3gt4T7VVhjvbu3vWoJi5ooeyKA5uIamhtAhKzlJmOkSSkzDnDh0na30c3EqT3puDA4SJavDtmCzIo_ZqYQVz3_eX-goj2RsbLz7EcPKME2CKRc-WvmbYN5/s2048/10+-+C1+P3+D0+H18+WP+2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1176" data-original-width="2048" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0N7DlUaUlxlpmU5-P_NNxgj3gt4T7VVhjvbu3vWoJi5ooeyKA5uIamhtAhKzlJmOkSSkzDnDh0na30c3EqT3puDA4SJavDtmCzIo_ZqYQVz3_eX-goj2RsbLz7EcPKME2CKRc-WvmbYN5/w781-h450/10+-+C1+P3+D0+H18+WP+2.jpg" width="781" /></a></div><p style="text-align: left;">The arrival of Soviet 90th Guards Tank division in the Celle area forces 3/1Pz brigade to take position South of the town, in order to allow 33/11PG brigade to concentrate on the endangered sector.</p><p style="text-align: left;">After its successful counterattack, 24th Panzer battalion is heavily attacked by Mi-24 helicopters. With no cover from ground units, Soviet helicopters take serious damage, but they are nonetheless able to inflict moderate losses to the West German unit and force it to retreat back into Braunschweig. </p><p style="text-align: left;">British 4th Armoured division repeatedly assault the last survivors of 76th Guards Airborne division. The Soviet paratroopers finally surrender: Only 450 of them are taken as prisoners, the rest being killed in action. </p><p style="text-align: left;">British I Corps is finally able to establish a solid defense line around Hildesheim.</p><p style="text-align: left;">In the South, the still unengaged West German 2 Panzergrenadier division prepares for a night counterattack against the now exposed Soviet 7th Guards Tank.</p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizQnD0vSGA_vy-5kByBdUR92nSxzA6GefxTKmwA97nvyuifXJg76ljHpa8ZkG3Fs6lMWcqSXeeI5U4cAq9p3-gk_4NZnHRGA19vHbRgd6aoNPhqC2BbZgAoRR71jbTbThUuxg-0JLkjygv/s2048/11+-+C1+P3+D0+H18+NATO+2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1176" data-original-width="2048" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizQnD0vSGA_vy-5kByBdUR92nSxzA6GefxTKmwA97nvyuifXJg76ljHpa8ZkG3Fs6lMWcqSXeeI5U4cAq9p3-gk_4NZnHRGA19vHbRgd6aoNPhqC2BbZgAoRR71jbTbThUuxg-0JLkjygv/w781-h450/11+-+C1+P3+D0+H18+NATO+2.jpg" width="781" /></a></div><br /><h2 style="text-align: left;">D+0 H21</h2><p></p><p style="text-align: left;">The nightfall slows down the Warsaw Pact advance, as despite the bombastic plans about a 24-hours continuous offensive it has quickly became obvious that in poor visibility conditions NATO has a decisive edge on Pact's forces.</p><p style="text-align: left;">Soviet 35th Motorized Rifle division changes the Posture of a couple regiments in order to renew the assault on Braunschweig at dawn.</p><p style="text-align: left;">Soviet 7th Guards Tank starts crossing the river Leine unopposed, with apparently nothing ahead to block its advance. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguprtDZE8u3Im3dBBx-DLGMtGUN1b5mwc9aSyOaIkdeCsz0zGGwTD6sepBTGiWyIIEeNyll-jRvsCknkVh91-2z6fubpKM1Ll7SLCxv6jzSE710oIPEcLm_0SPTbS4gVJa6u4o6s7PkrP-/s2048/12+-+C1+P3+D0+H21+WP+End.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1176" data-original-width="2048" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguprtDZE8u3Im3dBBx-DLGMtGUN1b5mwc9aSyOaIkdeCsz0zGGwTD6sepBTGiWyIIEeNyll-jRvsCknkVh91-2z6fubpKM1Ll7SLCxv6jzSE710oIPEcLm_0SPTbS4gVJa6u4o6s7PkrP-/w781-h450/12+-+C1+P3+D0+H21+WP+End.jpg" width="781" /></a></div><p style="text-align: left;">NATO continues to organize and stabilize the front. British 7/1A brigade starts entrenching around Hildesheim, while West German 6/2PG brigade receive additional Electronic Warfare assets to support the upcoming counterattack.</p><p style="text-align: left;">The first elements of Belgian I Corps are finally approaching their combat positions.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5XY9Fq8HB0fytAex90OiDjle_p9Y3ax_ywOHDBaj0qQB7f-PfxEQRpmA8M1-OE9gOVxkqKmEUn5iDQIK5ohIKnyv2vWI3J6UozuMoDUOnTSP5npqupe7vI24KBZIW7nLAMYSDgbL4Vdwh/s2048/13+-+C1+P3+D0+H21+NATO+2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1176" data-original-width="2048" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5XY9Fq8HB0fytAex90OiDjle_p9Y3ax_ywOHDBaj0qQB7f-PfxEQRpmA8M1-OE9gOVxkqKmEUn5iDQIK5ohIKnyv2vWI3J6UozuMoDUOnTSP5npqupe7vI24KBZIW7nLAMYSDgbL4Vdwh/w781-h450/13+-+C1+P3+D0+H21+NATO+2.jpg" width="781" /></a></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">D+1 H00</h2><p style="text-align: left;">Warsaw Pact's SIGINT detects the location of British 7/1A brigade HQ. A combined SSM + Air strike follows minutes later, almost destroying the Britons' command post (hex 3610).</p><p style="text-align: left;">NATO Prepared Demolition of bridge in hex 4608 fails, giving Soviet 25th Tank division a golden opportunity to cross the Aller river quickly. Luckily for NATO, the Soviet artillery fails to give adequate support and the crossing attempt is blocked.</p><p style="text-align: left;">Pressed by the High Command, Soviet 35th MRD assaults once again the center of Braunschweig, supported by Sappers and heavy artillery barrage. West German 2/1Pz brigade repels the attacks, with moderate losses for Warsaw Pact. Despite the success, the defenders are worn out and in a dangerous position, so the city center is left to the Soviet.</p><p style="text-align: left;">10th Guards Tank division with Sappers support attacks Hildesheim, defended by British 7/1A brigade. NATO Electronic Warfare completely disorganizes the assault, stopping it cold since the start.</p><p style="text-align: left;">In the South, 7th Guards Tank makes contact with the Belgian covering forces, forcing them to retreat.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLKUhroHjbNFgE1TwC7brfEmSxUN2jJZ3sZfv6P6cxlAv7lfdmbCh_bJE3JrJuNSfYCJJvhR4QdYQl3x2j2ivCh5xkS4Ei2QQ7q8tIFO4TPmYRkLL10ehl0Y3ktMwNe1oIwc3dPHPl6o_c/s2048/14+-+C1+P3+D1+H00+WP+2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1176" data-original-width="2048" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLKUhroHjbNFgE1TwC7brfEmSxUN2jJZ3sZfv6P6cxlAv7lfdmbCh_bJE3JrJuNSfYCJJvhR4QdYQl3x2j2ivCh5xkS4Ei2QQ7q8tIFO4TPmYRkLL10ehl0Y3ktMwNe1oIwc3dPHPl6o_c/w781-h450/14+-+C1+P3+D1+H00+WP+2.jpg" width="781" /></a></div><p style="text-align: left;">West German 2/1Pz brigade slowly retreats from Braunschweig, preparing a new defense line behind the Stichkanal Salzgitter. During the retreat, two separate attempts to destroy the central bridges fail, leaving an easy crossing route to the enemy. </p><p style="text-align: left;">Britons continue to strengthen the defenses around Hildesheim, with 4th Armoured division now covering their Southern flank.</p><p style="text-align: left;">Belgian 4/16Pz brigade leaves Road Posture and prepare defending its assigned positions.</p><p style="text-align: left;">In the South, West German 2PG division springs the trap. The bridge in hex 3218 is destroyed by an artillery bombardment, effectively isolating part of Soviet 7th Guards Tank on the West bank of river Leine, while 6/2PG and 4/2PG brigades advance North on both sides of the river. The attack takes the Soviets by complete surprise, forcing several combat and support battalions to a disordered retreat.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk1qg68_X7frD45cuJOKd4Q7mIbbpc44zXs4FsX2RRiwPhzU3HfoQ9l1P6KwRomkTtyBaSTS9cvFjAY9EnCkUgUP6dZM2aBEarF-RF2ske4HJmE7Kgk4zQIuELCID5qNYyP7-G2u6aZPX5/s2048/15+-+C1+P3+D1+H00+NATO+3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1176" data-original-width="2048" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk1qg68_X7frD45cuJOKd4Q7mIbbpc44zXs4FsX2RRiwPhzU3HfoQ9l1P6KwRomkTtyBaSTS9cvFjAY9EnCkUgUP6dZM2aBEarF-RF2ske4HJmE7Kgk4zQIuELCID5qNYyP7-G2u6aZPX5/w781-h450/15+-+C1+P3+D1+H00+NATO+3.jpg" width="781" /></a></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">D+1 H03</h2><div>To slow down the NATO counterattack in the South, a whole Soviet 9K76 Temp-S SSM regiment is assigned to a strike against West German's 6/2PG brigade HQ presumed location. Unfortunately for Warsaw Pact, the intelligence was far from accurate and the strike has no effect.</div><p style="text-align: left;">7th Guards Tank advance has stopped. Soviet engineers frantically start building a Panel Bridge to replace the destroyed one and restore the contact between 7th Guards Tank and the rest of 3rd Shock Army. Emergency Rafts are also deployed. </p><p style="text-align: left;">A combined assault from 7th Guards Tank and 47th Guards Tank forces NATO to abandon the terrain gained a few hours before, but the losses for Warsaw Pact are heavy and several artillery battalions are near the breaking point.</p><p style="text-align: left;">Things are going better in the Celle area, with 90th Guards Tank hardly pressing on WG 33/11PG brigade.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKk7_NDlNvu96W9_dnr8zZZxyIzhDPk0YIITUaN7S3UiGgC9Puy_-1rL9VCZylopoO5YoFnseUpYAlRmuVkf0E46qS6-0iwbZ81RwvuSF0LXFpAb34wRodhByTIZT2K1EQqE63kcCthJZg/s2048/16+-+C1+P3+D1+H03+WP+End.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1176" data-original-width="2048" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKk7_NDlNvu96W9_dnr8zZZxyIzhDPk0YIITUaN7S3UiGgC9Puy_-1rL9VCZylopoO5YoFnseUpYAlRmuVkf0E46qS6-0iwbZ81RwvuSF0LXFpAb34wRodhByTIZT2K1EQqE63kcCthJZg/w781-h450/16+-+C1+P3+D1+H03+WP+End.jpg" width="781" /></a></div><p style="text-align: left;">NATO bombards 3/670G artillery battalion, already fatigued and in disarray, destroying it completely (hex 3118).</p><p style="text-align: left;">West German 6/2PG brigade renews the counterattack with a fresh Panzer battalion switching from Active Defense to Assault Posture. The attack routs 55th Guards Tank regiment, inflicting heavy losses and putting once again the whole Soviet division in a dangerous position. To make things worse, British 33/4 Armoured brigade is also approaching from the North.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXUbanKxHFbww5rAcWppVIiVRBjxk-S1VboOetz39TFbC6BD1PMLHMqCDGRdeV0jHOcc79sljPtbQ6eSdPh8Z9w0bCZxEOkIadHIvDK8AMATb6PXApe9QhYwJpM-Lv7DOsVk2sKq-cS94W/s2048/17+-+C1+P3+D1+H03+NATO+End.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1176" data-original-width="2048" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXUbanKxHFbww5rAcWppVIiVRBjxk-S1VboOetz39TFbC6BD1PMLHMqCDGRdeV0jHOcc79sljPtbQ6eSdPh8Z9w0bCZxEOkIadHIvDK8AMATb6PXApe9QhYwJpM-Lv7DOsVk2sKq-cS94W/w781-h450/17+-+C1+P3+D1+H03+NATO+End.jpg" width="781" /></a></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">Debriefing</h2><p style="text-align: left;">At D+1, H03 the situation for Warsaw Pact looks quite bad. The only really promising advance axis turned into a chaotic mess due to the NATO counterattack, and losses are rapidly mounting. It's true that only a fraction of the available forces have been committed and a powerful reserve of four divisions is ready to enter the fray, but they're not in the best position due to a ill-conceived initial plan.</p><p style="text-align: left;">Admittedly, Warsaw Pact's 3rd Shock Army fell into the trap quite foolhardy, but on the other hand what should a Soviet Army Commander, trained and indoctrinated to the all-out advance dogma, do? Stopping and being prudent sounds out of question in most of cases.</p><p style="text-align: left;">Another decisive mistake was probably the insertion of 76th Guards Airborne right in the middle of BAOR. A drop further South along the Weser, at the crossing points needed by Belgian I Corps, would have forced NATO to take dangerous countermeasures as the Belgian arrival would have been delayed by at least 12 hours.</p><p style="text-align: left;">Finally, the battle for Braunschweig kept half of 20th Guards Tank Army busy for one full day. A better choice would have been to bypass it South, thus giving real support to the 3rd Shock Army Northern flank, and leave the mop-up to a Second Echelon division.</p><p style="text-align: left;">Oh well, I've failed the Rodina. The only remaining option is my Makarov pistol.</p><br /></div></div></div>Fabrizio Vianellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04566056256115509256noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6417322096032317960.post-44300740836153258322020-09-01T19:35:00.002+02:002020-09-01T19:43:04.014+02:00The Dogs of War - The River Weser Deep and Wide<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPBATG5uyfckyELW3Rw7x2U8BxmK0wc-T2U93ZbKvaFsv4R9SoYCigqEH7P31nGVQ4MilPlWaxMYC33ftb8CGG2bY_9AM5fKPWcZe6bZUp_CHbH1C69JMNJ_R2H9jBrVeN9HUKQ7HIGGCq/s2048/Head+Title+v2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1176" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPBATG5uyfckyELW3Rw7x2U8BxmK0wc-T2U93ZbKvaFsv4R9SoYCigqEH7P31nGVQ4MilPlWaxMYC33ftb8CGG2bY_9AM5fKPWcZe6bZUp_CHbH1C69JMNJ_R2H9jBrVeN9HUKQ7HIGGCq/s640/Head+Title+v2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Playtest for "The River Weser Deep and Wide" campaign is going well, with the changes and addition to the rules working as planned. I'm not entering in details right now, but you'll find everything in the complete AAR we're going to publish soon :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In the meantime, here's a video coverage of the first day of combat, from the initial attack at H0600 to the sunset of the first day, around H2100. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As a bonus, If you think you've discovered what the NATO overall plan is for D+1, send an email to info@TRLGames.com! The first to guess it correctly gets a 50% discount on his <b>The Dogs of War </b>copy :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dy4xed8EOQukOTh3UWmb9pU8MIGpvFh4N8chjuixRoKUuURL84lCY8JziE40BSWKkt5EiJEAue5_MEWa1kq5g' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Fabrizio Vianellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04566056256115509256noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6417322096032317960.post-40574897942111403022020-08-15T15:42:00.002+02:002020-08-15T15:42:47.825+02:00Simulating an approaching conflict? <p>This post is not directly on wargames, but I'd like it share it anyway as it's related for sure. </p><p>Ulf Krahn, Man-in-Stockholm, Co-Designer for <b>1985: Deadly Northern Lights</b> and <b>The Dogs of War</b>, founder of Terranis Systems Ltd., Ring-Bearer and Barrel-Rider, is now in the (hopefully) final phases for delivering a tactical module software connecting with the Leopard 1 and 2 MBT simulators used by the Hellenic Army. </p><p>Way to go, Ulf!!!</p><p><a href="http://www.terranis.se/en/news-5609627">http://www.terranis.se/en/news-5609627</a></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Ulf in a Leopard 1A5" src="https://dst15js82dk7j.cloudfront.net/56399/93534260-lUcYW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Ulf in a Leopard 1A5" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Leopard 1A5 - Lot of space compared to a T-72, but Ulf takes most of it.</i></td></tr></tbody></table>Fabrizio Vianellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04566056256115509256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6417322096032317960.post-86571597714047632482020-08-09T01:30:00.000+02:002020-08-09T01:30:49.513+02:00The Dogs of War - NATO barracks deployment<p><b>The Dogs of War </b>development continues.....here's some key points:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>OOB for both NATO and Warsaw Pact is complete, with some points still to verify</li><li>Discussion on equipment / units values is finally over, probably by exhaustion</li><li>A VASSAL module for playtest is more or less 50% ready</li></ul><div>Setting up units on VASSAL also allowed me to better evaluate the strong and weak points of NATO deployment in BAOR sector. The result wasn't a complete surprise, but I must say it looks worse than I imagined.</div><div><br /></div><div>In short, the area covered by <b>The Dogs of War </b>will include four different NATO Corps, as represented in the excellent Area Of Responsibility map prepared by Tony (and including his exact assignment in 1989!):</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>West German I Corps (NORTHAG)</li><li>British Army Of the Rhine (NORTHAG)</li><li>Belgian I Corps (NORTHAG)</li><li>West German III Corps (CENTAG)</li></ul></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGJrc195LwrDwW-DB7HheDuJIxk5xcKcWPgkXhKd3Fh-layIk5cLXsrcesa689B1wrvtN_hJlGc_-wOcE4wNiTTg-_DCSvRnrjmhh0MGmGsjxLSyXR6TALxLrTLwrVvLxbIR3sFYTRn0jI/s2048/NATO+AoR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1176" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGJrc195LwrDwW-DB7HheDuJIxk5xcKcWPgkXhKd3Fh-layIk5cLXsrcesa689B1wrvtN_hJlGc_-wOcE4wNiTTg-_DCSvRnrjmhh0MGmGsjxLSyXR6TALxLrTLwrVvLxbIR3sFYTRn0jI/s640/NATO+AoR.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div>This is all safe and sound, except that Belgian I Corps is not there. Most of Belgian units were relocated in Belgium or along the Rhine river during the early '80s, leaving in place only a single brigade and a battalion of covering forces. This leaves a gap 40 km wide between BAOR and WG III Corps, with practically no units stationed there during peacetime. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQJeLG1VQ-vwMVY9SuYF6x80U5-HBw6INieCmR2VEZzmvJgYOh1QK18NgmiREZidMWuy4Fhi6ZWsMyU2PfmULaLRuQVQyFv66pMxBDax2qQmJiJ-kJyQzb8CfdSpCxzb9ZHaafvoA4t1FO/s2048/NATO+AoR+and+Units.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1176" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQJeLG1VQ-vwMVY9SuYF6x80U5-HBw6INieCmR2VEZzmvJgYOh1QK18NgmiREZidMWuy4Fhi6ZWsMyU2PfmULaLRuQVQyFv66pMxBDax2qQmJiJ-kJyQzb8CfdSpCxzb9ZHaafvoA4t1FO/s640/NATO+AoR+and+Units.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div>The distance that must be covered by the Belgian forces <b>could </b>be handled if NATO had sufficient advanced warning, but it would be a critical problem in a surprise attack scenario. In that case, NATO should quickly adopt emergency countermeasures, like moving the WG III Corps boundary further North and use part of 2nd PanzerGrenadier Division as a covering force in order to gain time.</div><div><br /></div><div>Well, I presume we'll discover soon how dire the situation is :)</div><p></p>Fabrizio Vianellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04566056256115509256noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6417322096032317960.post-33814632710238371532020-07-28T12:14:00.003+02:002020-08-09T13:07:24.134+02:00The Dogs of War - Some BAOR countersOrder of Battle for <b>The Dogs of War</b> is almost completed....we're still working on some battalions' values and on the exact composition of Bundeswehr's divisional artillery, but most of work is done.<br />
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As an eye candy, here's BAOR 1st Armoured Division, in all its royal majesty!<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF1U_N1l4TP1_03FUQT1IA3L7gMr6EhNhGZuqqnKVJDZeKe6mYt0E6wKBB9BogDnl0LiaaNPNiuZrn79gX1c3xkcaGDTVcattfJ4kFT8mJO6bGvmK3kMiAc8ajg7fj8oIc-XwcxHbPEfIU/s1810/BAOR+1st+Arm+Div+shadow.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="420" data-original-width="1810" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF1U_N1l4TP1_03FUQT1IA3L7gMr6EhNhGZuqqnKVJDZeKe6mYt0E6wKBB9BogDnl0LiaaNPNiuZrn79gX1c3xkcaGDTVcattfJ4kFT8mJO6bGvmK3kMiAc8ajg7fj8oIc-XwcxHbPEfIU/w640-h149/BAOR+1st+Arm+Div+shadow.png" width="640" /></a></div><div>
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<br /><div><b>Legend</b></div><div>RHA: Royal Horse Artillery</div><div>FD: Field Artillery</div><div>RH: Royal Hussars</div><div>RTR: Royal Tank Regiment</div><div>QN: Queen's Regiment</div><div>GH: Green Howards</div><div>RIR: Royal Irish Rangers</div><div>QOH: Queen's Own Hussars</div><div>WG: Welsh Guards</div></div>Fabrizio Vianellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04566056256115509256noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6417322096032317960.post-73950096643234669282020-07-04T01:58:00.007+02:002020-08-09T13:07:10.322+02:00The Dogs Of War - Strategic Overview<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYE64a_7M_XXYpPYNM-ML-YjL5en7jRD3jDKBXtxo_PmI_63Vi7inB6-9v5o6cCaKB7ZMQC7e-X0gVfEs_IuopoAfNnAW0BHhTgYAGyV5rYgg0uvJ6JDUcAIXt8_AkVyyb046l9SZr8gCu/s1200/Boxart+v4+-+internet+small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1172" data-original-width="1200" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYE64a_7M_XXYpPYNM-ML-YjL5en7jRD3jDKBXtxo_PmI_63Vi7inB6-9v5o6cCaKB7ZMQC7e-X0gVfEs_IuopoAfNnAW0BHhTgYAGyV5rYgg0uvJ6JDUcAIXt8_AkVyyb046l9SZr8gCu/w256-h250/Boxart+v4+-+internet+small.jpg" width="256" /></a></div><div>Development of <b>The Dogs of War </b>continues.....today, three hours on Skype with Anthony Morphet and Ulf Krahn.</div>
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As usual in the first phases, most of the discussion covered the details about NATO response time to a possible Warsaw Pact attack. My personal opinion on NATO's capabilities to react quickly are quite pessimistic, particularly for some countries, while Anthony and Ulf have a more "neutral" point of view.<br />
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The global scenario postulates that NATO political branch (i.e., the single governments of NATO countries) recognizes that war is unavoidable 48 hours before Warsaw Pact forces cross the Inner German Border, thus giving the following general schedule:<br /><ul><li>At H-48, NATO issues a <b>SIMPLE ALERT</b> order. Troops assemble and equip at barracks and then moves into hides (waiting / regrouping areas near the barracks).</li>
<li>At H-24, NATO issues a <b>GENERAL ALERT</b> order. Troops move to predefined battle positions, most countries start mobilizing, reinforcements begin moving out. </li></ul>
On the Warsaw Pact side, the following reorganization will take place before starting the hostilities:<br />
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<li>Group of Soviet Forces in Germany becomes Western Theater HQ, in command for all operations from Baltic coast to Northern Italy.</li>
<li>Three Front HQ are created, using the command staff from the already existing Northern Group of Forces, Central Group of Forces and Southern Group of Forces.</li>
<li>Northern Front directs operations from Baltic Coast to Kassel</li>
<li>Central Front directs operations from Kassel to Wurzburg</li>
<li>Southern Front directs operations from Wurzburg to Austria / Italy</li>
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The scenario considers the Hannover - Kassel sector as the Warsaw Pact's main thrust, so the area covered by <b>The Dogs of War </b>will be critical for deciding the war. Without too many details, here's a summary of Warsaw Pact plan for Northern and Central Fronts.<div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwFeg65GxRst35oKT-ytxWcXmNJ5Kf9mmLQ9ljO6zpz-SK51BcygXWvyr1z4rYA6px9buIcHxo_jwjhyOL_odrrXF95vEmCH2t97H0dVKiD1SEBv9YD38LP-lQlHG-wUHzgOciajoKeunn/s4224/WP+Plan+v2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3816" data-original-width="4224" height="564" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwFeg65GxRst35oKT-ytxWcXmNJ5Kf9mmLQ9ljO6zpz-SK51BcygXWvyr1z4rYA6px9buIcHxo_jwjhyOL_odrrXF95vEmCH2t97H0dVKiD1SEBv9YD38LP-lQlHG-wUHzgOciajoKeunn/w625-h564/WP+Plan+v2.jpg" width="625" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Warsaw Pact Plan - Click for details</i></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /><div>Other important changes from <b>Less Than 60 Miles </b>should be:<br />
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<li>NATO Command Chain will be fully represented. This means that each NATO Corps will be a separate entity with its own HQ, Command Points and EW Points. This allows Warsaw Pact to exploit the old, effective strategy of attacking along the boundaries of the enemy formations.</li>
<li>An optional rule will allow to use artillery in a more abstract way, assigning artillery battalions to a specific HQ and keeping them off-map.</li>
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</div></div></div>Fabrizio Vianellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04566056256115509256noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6417322096032317960.post-69753730116014360812020-06-22T19:23:00.006+02:002020-08-09T13:06:58.183+02:00The Dogs of War - On Map and More<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitDIkn0pDv4aKJXjJtT6WAlfIIlaewSUPT7YZt2Bq3d2d-ZAn8qOTdVcd3qgt5nZISpMa5YkkkzZ1baTI2mCKWsv4SXT0YlA4iXGx56A2Pc5NI1nl5cOPXmRoLCUySumzlNd_RE2-o0IHu/s1600/Boxart+v4+-+internet+small.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1172" data-original-width="1200" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitDIkn0pDv4aKJXjJtT6WAlfIIlaewSUPT7YZt2Bq3d2d-ZAn8qOTdVcd3qgt5nZISpMa5YkkkzZ1baTI2mCKWsv4SXT0YlA4iXGx56A2Pc5NI1nl5cOPXmRoLCUySumzlNd_RE2-o0IHu/s320/Boxart+v4+-+internet+small.jpg" width="320" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;">As you maybe know, <b>The Dogs of War </b>will be the second module of our C3 series, covering the British Army Of the Rhine sector during the dramatic events of 1985's World War Three. </div>
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Focused on Command, Control and Communication problems and on John Boyd's OODA Cycle, the C3 Series takes a different approach on several wargame mechanisms and forces players to face three equally dangerous foes: the enemy, their own plan and time. </div>
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As John Boyd wrote:<br />
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<i>"The goal is to collapse adversary’s system into <b>confusion </b>and <b>disorder </b>causing him to over and under react to activity that appears simultaneously <b>menacing </b>as well as <b>ambiguous</b>, <b>chaotic</b>, or <b>misleading</b>."</i></div>
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Ok, enough introduction. The map is proceeding very well, as you may see in the images below. We're still missing several labels, bridges and airfields.</div>
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From a strict mobility point of view, BAOR Sector has a much better terrain than Fulda for conducting a mechanized offensive: lots of plain, a great road network and only a few gentle hills.</div>
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From a combat point of view, it's probably worse than US V Corps Sector for the attacker: The Weser river is an obstacle that cannot be avoided, and the Britons can use several cities and dozens of small towns as strongpoints to slow down Warsaw Pact's advance.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik-Ijb610LzbPbT5GjVeQnWYH2O8jbyzK6az2sJLBtTaxuwAsFfIGUQBUDW707_ibq42aBN0kqwC43AQpNQS6oeuk9M6nuRoMe_JZc_SplwaDbZ-Ap3ytEUcMeiwYkPDkYmVyk5jAfgPLo/s1600/DOW_Map_v14_Overview.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="574" data-original-width="1000" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik-Ijb610LzbPbT5GjVeQnWYH2O8jbyzK6az2sJLBtTaxuwAsFfIGUQBUDW707_ibq42aBN0kqwC43AQpNQS6oeuk9M6nuRoMe_JZc_SplwaDbZ-Ap3ytEUcMeiwYkPDkYmVyk5jAfgPLo/s640/DOW_Map_v14_Overview.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Map Overview</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaHNBjx6HwyzF1Z1q9QxuByoAhxtF2kpSL-wlCHyiXQtsT1dxrQ2eDiJoxeGr5wq4GBCYcSlVe1vPrcDMy_u7qIpYQybvpqy9SdpCrR9GraLRf8WtM-SCp-9LY2x_QRNejAzgfOl3Sg6y1/s1600/DOW_Map_v14_Detail1.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1085" data-original-width="1600" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaHNBjx6HwyzF1Z1q9QxuByoAhxtF2kpSL-wlCHyiXQtsT1dxrQ2eDiJoxeGr5wq4GBCYcSlVe1vPrcDMy_u7qIpYQybvpqy9SdpCrR9GraLRf8WtM-SCp-9LY2x_QRNejAzgfOl3Sg6y1/s640/DOW_Map_v14_Detail1.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Detail of Paderborn Area</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBH80Ehl0FClM8InoG6tSczvHr7tFa4O3yb_dFHN3_p74dhxsIzr6W_e6N7m8uiLAEd0kz74BG6URr12cCnwBqcO_NK6Le9OsP1jtAR-3RFk2KGErK6-A4_jzGyCDzQ1XC1GQCpLys8hce/s1600/DOW_Map_v14_Detail2.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1085" data-original-width="1600" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBH80Ehl0FClM8InoG6tSczvHr7tFa4O3yb_dFHN3_p74dhxsIzr6W_e6N7m8uiLAEd0kz74BG6URr12cCnwBqcO_NK6Le9OsP1jtAR-3RFk2KGErK6-A4_jzGyCDzQ1XC1GQCpLys8hce/s640/DOW_Map_v14_Detail2.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Detail of Goslar Area</td></tr>
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Meanwhile, Anthony Morphet is preparing a first version of NATO Order of Battle using his on-field knowledge. British, Belgian and West German forces will be included, and I'm sure we'll have infinite discussions ranging from timings of artillery operations to the names of the Battalions :)</div>
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Fabrizio Vianellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04566056256115509256noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6417322096032317960.post-21154116894688974952020-01-14T02:06:00.003+01:002020-01-14T17:06:39.850+01:001985: Deadly Northern Lights - "The Gates of Fire" AAR <i>What follow is an After Action Report of a playtest session for <b>1985: Deadly Northern Lights </b>Scenario One, titled "<b>The Gates of Fire</b>"</i>. <i>I will not enter in detailed explanations of rules or combat mechanics, as I would like to keep the narration flowing and short.</i><br />
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<i>The scenario covers the Soviet offensive in Northern Norway during the first 10 days of war. Both NATO and Warsaw Pact have only a fraction of the ground forces normally available in Central Europe, and similar problems for moving them where needed. The real fight is in the sky and at sea.</i><br />
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<i>More detailed info on 1985:DNL can be found at the <a href="https://trlgames.com/1985-deadly-northern-lights/" target="_blank">TRLGames official page</a>.</i><br />
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<i>Note: Click on the pictures to see them full-size!</i><br />
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The Gates Of Fire</h2>
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<b>Time: July 24, 1985<br />Location: Northern Norway</b></div>
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For the second time during the century, Norway finds itself at the margins of a conflict for the control of Europe. Once again, ports and airfields along its never-ending coast are a primary strategic objective, allowing to cut or protect NATO's jugular vein: the North Atlantic line of communication.</div>
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Orders for Soviet Northern Fleet and Murmansk Front are to take control of Norwegian airfields and ports and use them whenever possible to move forward the supplies needed by 6th Combined Army, the ground element of the offensive. </div>
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NATO Commander of Allied Forces North Norway (NON) has very limited resources available. His main expected reinforcements are the United Kingdom / Netherlands Amphibious Force, its escort task force centered on HMS Invincible, and a US CV Battlegroup around D+6.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgkAs38rwFBwG2tEOHEcxVNSDjITnSB_A6PDa7JlIGTj8LB2APvbK0grI2q2hAX4kIcEdZ7vy9OlMY6WJQJ5jJfXkqlVmSfRtd7q2-fOzudaOpq9VWH9dSt_E20intXJnHK5nhrneOltEA/s1600/01_T0_Export.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="914" data-original-width="1600" height="365" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgkAs38rwFBwG2tEOHEcxVNSDjITnSB_A6PDa7JlIGTj8LB2APvbK0grI2q2hAX4kIcEdZ7vy9OlMY6WJQJ5jJfXkqlVmSfRtd7q2-fOzudaOpq9VWH9dSt_E20intXJnHK5nhrneOltEA/s640/01_T0_Export.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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D+0 - WP Turn</h3>
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The weak Sør-Varanger Garrison Battalion is no match for Soviet 6th Combined Army and it's easily overran. Despite that, its main tasks are accomplished: slow down enemy advance and destroy key bridges near the border.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGGOYTog788di4LaXbWEfHJP1eY72Lhv90Q77pXrUORaP2J_MVcShwv-v-PJm6GoCA6PLouocsu1sYnpGr6uWVmLMHz6N1zdONhOFafjcadS9YzIs0CxHNbJNFERwKJmBn8Ciy4D5TrBPn/s1600/01_T1WP_GroundCombat1_Export.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="654" data-original-width="780" height="536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGGOYTog788di4LaXbWEfHJP1eY72Lhv90Q77pXrUORaP2J_MVcShwv-v-PJm6GoCA6PLouocsu1sYnpGr6uWVmLMHz6N1zdONhOFafjcadS9YzIs0CxHNbJNFERwKJmBn8Ciy4D5TrBPn/s640/01_T1WP_GroundCombat1_Export.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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More than 20 Soviet submarines of Foxtrot, Kilo and Tango classes enter Norwegian Sea. </div>
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Submarines are followed by part of Soviet Northern Fleet, transporting 61st Marine Brigade and several days of combat supply.<br />
Two RAF Buccaneer Squadrons take off from Northern Scotland to attack the Soviet Task Force. They are intercepted by Soviet Su27 supported by ECM, but the attack is fended off by Norwegian F-16 patrolling the area.<br />
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<br />
RAF Buccaneers launch a Stand-Off attack on the Soviet Fleet, inflicting some losses to the transport ships and to the Marines embarked.<br />
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<br />
<h3>
D+1 - NATO Turn</h3>
Despite this success, the situation at dawn of D+1 is not good for NATO. Banak Airfield has been captured by a Soviet Paratroops Battalion, and Soviet 61st Marine Brigade debarked 30km North of Bardufoss Airfield.<br />
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<br />
With time running out, NATO Commander takes a risky decision. The UK/NL Amhibious Force is not going to wait for its Dutch component, but will sail immediately for Tromsø in three different Task Forces.<br />
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<br />
Soviet Naval Aviation was hoping for this chance. Two Regiments of Tu22 Backfire and Tu16 Bear with heavy escort successfully intercept the Transport Task Force, and the weak NATO air cover is not able to drove them off.<br />
The resulting Stand-Off attack is a carnage for the British transports, with hundreds of Marines drowned in the icy waters.<br />
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<br />
Emboldened by the result, Soviets launch a second attack wave of Tu16 Bears against the Britons, sinking more troops transport and damaging HMS Liverpool and HMS Hermione.<br />
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<h3>
D+2 - WP Turn</h3>
<div>
The following day, RAF seeks revenge against the Soviet Task Force and successfully intercepts before it leaves the area. The ensuing Stand-Off attack damages two Soviet Destroyers of Krivak and Kotlin class.</div>
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<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Taking advantage from the absence of NATO Air Superiority, worn out by previous combats, a Soviet Paratroops Battalion is airdropped East of Tromsø.</div>
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<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Having reorganized after debarking, Soviet 61st Marine Brigade assaults Bardufoss Airfield. A preliminary SEAD Mission successfully suppress most of NATO AA batteries, and is followed by a full strength attack with heavy air support. After 20 hours of combat, NATO garrison is forced to surrender.<br />
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<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
At nightfall of D+2, NATO situation is further deteriorated.</div>
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<h3>
D+3 - WP Turn</h3>
<div>
Warsaw Pact reorganizes its naval forces, while 6th Combined Army struggles to advance due to supply problems.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h3>
D+4: NATO Turn</h3>
<div>
The arrival of US CVBG Forrestal is more than welcomed by NATO. US and UK Squadrons immediately launch a strike against a Soviet Task Force that finished unloading supplies at Banak Airfield. F-14 squadrons inflict heavy losses to the Soviet interceptors, and the combined Strike sinks more enemy merchant ships.</div>
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<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
At the end of D+4, Warsaw Pact partially reactivates Banak Airfield.</div>
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<h3>
D+5: WP Turn</h3>
<div>
Soviet Il-76s begin landing at Banak Airfield, bringing in an SA-6 AA Battalion and more supply.</div>
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<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Banak Airfield also allows to deploy Soviet helicopters forward, and to transport a Spetsnaz Battalion just South of the town of Alta. In the ensuing assault, supported by Mi-24 helicopters and Mig-27 Fighter-Bombers, Soviet special forces capture the town.</div>
<div>
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<div>
The situation at the end of D+6:</div>
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<h3>
Conclusions</h3>
<div>
<i>I've called it a day at the end of Turn 4, as NATO has no more chances to change the final verdict: Warsaw Pact Substantial Victory. </i></div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
<i>NATO made several critical errors right from the start, culminating in the disastrous deployment of UK/NL Amphibious Force. </i><i>Warsaw Pact had his share of mistakes too, but differently from NATO he can afford some, at least in this scenario.</i></div>
<div>
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<i>Next AAR: <b>The Prize</b>, Warsaw Pact surprise attack on Stockholm</i>!</div>
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Fabrizio Vianellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04566056256115509256noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6417322096032317960.post-53313394921947344442019-11-14T00:34:00.001+01:002019-11-14T00:34:50.824+01:00"1985: Deadly Northern Lights" Official Box Art!At last, the pieces of Warsaw Pact's Northern offensive are falling into place....<br />
Here's the official box art! More to come in the next few days.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUhZUaqiZ2wGEIKsKkCLf5WLwciYklc43xfJ2A72dqm3oFGmlLi8vHx9D-J2PDJI-hMfK-ekjorHSPEItLn1EieETzCqpmg5IFcAp11tLcxKtDXO2OmAnhgLOii4UGPXu4yfcPEgTXRhsI/s1600/Box+Art+v5+Internet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1179" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUhZUaqiZ2wGEIKsKkCLf5WLwciYklc43xfJ2A72dqm3oFGmlLi8vHx9D-J2PDJI-hMfK-ekjorHSPEItLn1EieETzCqpmg5IFcAp11tLcxKtDXO2OmAnhgLOii4UGPXu4yfcPEgTXRhsI/s640/Box+Art+v5+Internet.jpg" width="471" /></a></div>
<br />Fabrizio Vianellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04566056256115509256noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6417322096032317960.post-52840974742865250192019-07-26T00:09:00.001+02:002019-07-26T00:09:36.425+02:001985: Deadly Northern Lights - Map 1The Soviet offensive against Scandinavian Peninsula is getting ready.....This is a first, low-res draft of <b>1985: Deadly Northern Lights</b> Map 1.<br />
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A lot of things are still missing, but our glorious cartographers are working without pause! The whole theater of operations will be covered by 5 maps (3 95x56cm, 2 smaller maps).<br />
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War is hell. In this case, a frozen one.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ttH8gNaBqu6cjQ4RB_1Nl3ssl_uJBl7GLuiry2tp-R_tS5MPrBgKPKw-H91gLBhrTDmzB8_KFOD4ydDbAzgEcSSbG8ICElO0jm4xoNrLL_mmKcQexMR8Rw5l6Ib0tciGqsUTWFQKuUNh/s1600/L3DT_Map1_v8_Export_9600_GImped_v4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ttH8gNaBqu6cjQ4RB_1Nl3ssl_uJBl7GLuiry2tp-R_tS5MPrBgKPKw-H91gLBhrTDmzB8_KFOD4ydDbAzgEcSSbG8ICElO0jm4xoNrLL_mmKcQexMR8Rw5l6Ib0tciGqsUTWFQKuUNh/s640/L3DT_Map1_v8_Export_9600_GImped_v4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Fabrizio Vianellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04566056256115509256noreply@blogger.com4