Gaming World War III: Tabletop Armageddon Part I

During my formative years I accepted the popular assumption that a nuclear exchange would mean the end of the world. Mushroom clouds would bloom, and fallout would spread around the world heralding the start of nuclear winter and the end of civilization. It made sense, and films such as The Day After and Threads in …

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Air War on the Central Front D+7 (16 July, 1987)

The Commander, Allied Air Forces Central Europe, General Bill Kirk’s worries were starting to compound. As the land war in Northern Germany ramped up, so did the Warsaw Pact air effort in 2nd ATAF’s (Second Allied Tactical Air Force) area of responsibility. From D+6 through much of the following day, enemy air efforts directly supported …

The Politics of Global War: The Polish Powder Keg

After eight days of war the Polish People’s Republic was beginning to show signs of uneasiness. Though the evidence was generally unnoticed by a world preoccupied by the war raging, it was nevertheless present, and smoldering. The direct effects of the war were being felt more by Poland than any other Warsaw Pact member-state, with …

The Central Front D+7 (16 July, 1987) Part V

The cavalry squadrons of the 8th Infantry Division and 3rd Armored Divisions played their role as covering forces well. The battalion-sized units harassed the enemy formations making their way west through the morning. Bolstered by fixed wing close air support, attack helicopters, and artillery, they slowed down the leading units of the 11th Guards Division …

The Central Front D+7 (16 July, 1987) Part IV

1st Guards Tank Army commenced its advance at 0600 hours. There was a level of concern in the army group’s headquarters regarding the dispositions of the opposing NATO forces. The main avenue of the advance would be through the US V Corps area and it was known for certain two heavy divisions were positioned there. …

The Central Front D+7 (16 July, 1987) Part III

As the day went on, conditions were developing in the northern, and central sectors of NORTHAG which were starting to favor maneuver-oriented offense, and defense. Soviet pressure continued to build in three areas: Southeast of Bergen and Hermannsburg in I NL Corps area, just east of Celle, and southeast of Hanover. Even though the danger …

The Central Front D+7 (16 July, 1987) Part II

20th Guards Army resumed its advance at 0400 CEST. The reconnaissance company and advance guard of the 32nd Guards Tank Division’s lead regiment reported no enemy activity around Eschede. Unoccupied defensive positions are discovered, yet no Dutch troops or combat vehicles were in sight. To the south, the 35th Motor Rifle Division makes a similar …