The Northern Flank D+15 (24 July, 1987) Part IV

Following the series of probes and feints on the previous day, the littoral waters of the North Cape region took on an increasing amount of prominence for the Soviet Red Banner Northern Fleet and AFNORTH’s Naval Forces Northern Norway (NAVNON). The renewed attention was brought on by separate realizations by naval commanders of both sides …

The Northern Flank D+15 (24 July, 1987) Part III

Through the morning and early afternoon, it was becoming clear the anticipated Soviet attack on Banak had been either delayed or cancelled altogether. The Royal Marines from 3rd Commando Brigade who secured the airbase initially had been reinforced with additional troops from that brigade, along with US Marines from the 4th Marine Amphibious Brigade. The …

The Northern Flank D+15 (24 July, 1987) Part II

Despite the 11th Independent Air Army commander’s initial alarm, the true intent behind the NATO airstrikes, and supporting sorties in the early morning hour was not to pave the way for B-52s and other American strategic bombers to transform the Kola Peninsula into a sheet of glass. The attacks and jamming were intended to keep …

The Northern Flank D+15 (24 July, 1987) Part I

The next round of NATO air missions against targets on the Kola peninsula started at 0230. It soon became clear the focus of the early morning sorties would be different from what it had been just twenty-four hours before. Fighter bases and long-range radar sites were the primary targets. The NATO fighter-bombers were accompanied in …

Western Pacific D+15 (24 July, 1987) Part II

Not long after dawn, a ROK (Republic of Korea) mechanized infantry brigade commenced a spoiler attack against the North Korean 872nd Tank Division 4 kilometers south of Uijongbu. The 872nd was the lead element of the North Korean push down the Uijongbu Corridor. Communications intercepts had revealed the NK division was just a shell of …

Western Pacific D+15 (24 July, 1987) Part I

After five days of high-intensity combat on the southern half of the Korean Peninsula, North Korea’s armed forces were in need of large-scale replenishment. Much like the NATO and Warsaw Pact armies in Europe had learned, stocks of ammunition, fuel, and replacement equipment are consumed at rates far higher than pre-war studies estimated. And like …

Book Review: World War 1990

I’ll be taking a short detour from D+15 to present a book review. The other day a book review on Fuldapocalypse.com happened to catch my eye. Coiler, the author of that website, is a prolific reviewer of World War III fiction who posted a review for World War 1990: Battle of the Three Seas by …

Arabian Peninsula/Persian Gulf D+15 (24 July, 1987) Part II

There is general acceptance among Third World War historians that July, 1987 was a most inopportune time for Saddam Hussein to play a high stakes game of poker. A global war was underway. The United States and Soviet Union were fixed on the struggle for supremacy and national survival being waged. Smaller nations in Europe …

Arabian Peninsula/Persian Gulf D+15 (24 July, 1987) Part I

0015- The 328th Guards Airborne Regiment surrenders. In accordance with the agreement reached between the US and Soviet commanders, the Soviet paratroopers will be processed and interned as prisoners of war. US troops will be solely responsible for the welfare of the prisoners. CENTCOM has issued strict orders forbidding the Saudis from taking any role …

Happy New Year!

Well, we made it through 2020. A little over 12 hours ago the page turned from 2020 to 2021. Here's hoping that the new year will bring a little more normalcy, and happiness for everyone. Lord knows we can all use it after the past ten months or so. I'd like to wish everyone a …