Perception and Misperception D+24 (2 August, 1987) 0100-0200 Zulu

Moscow, USSR 0100 Zulu (0500 Local) The Defense Council was huddled together in the secure conference room located on the wing adjacent to the general secretary’s living quarters. It was now beyond first light in Moscow and the Politburo was set to meet at 6:30. In the next ninety minutes some critical decisions had to …

Midnight Fog D+24 (2 August, 1987) 0015-0030 Zulu

The United States and Soviet Union both maintained satellites in orbit that were tasked with monitoring their enemy’s homeland for immediate indications of a missile launch. By unspoken agreement these birds had not been targeted with anti-satellite weaponry by either side. The loss of such a critically sensitive platform to hostile action by the other …

A Brief Glance At NATO Theater Nuclear Forces D+23 (1 August, 1987)

NATO’s theater nuclear forces in Central Europe on D+23 consisted of intermediate range ballistic missiles and cruise missiles, and nuclear gravity bombs delivered by tactical fighters. In the case of ballistic and cruise missile systems, the warheads and missiles were both operated and owned by the United States. When it came to air delivered B-61s, …

A Brief Glance At NATO Battlefield Nuclear Forces D+23 (1 August, 1987)

NATO’s battlefield and theater nuclear weapons in Central Europe were practically untouched by the war. With the exception of a handful of failed Spetznaz and air attacks in the early hours of the conflict, Warsaw Pact forces had deliberately avoided targeting possible deployment areas and airbases containing nuclear weapon storage bunkers. It was planned to …

Germany ’87 vs Ukraine ’22: Ground Operations

When it came to planning the invasion of Ukraine, the Russian military went back to the late 20th Century. Experiences gained and tactics developed in Syria, Georgia and Chechnya were going to be of limited value in Ukraine. This was going to be a more traditional type of war fought against a large, well-equipped opponent. …

Germany ’87 vs Ukraine ’22: Airmobile Forces

Here we are almost three days into the 2022 Russia-Ukraine War and similarities between the Soviet Army in 1987 and the Russian Army of 2022 are already appearing. Some of the problems facing Russian air and ground forces in Ukraine today closely resemble the challenges that the Red Army and its Warsaw Pact allies would’ve …

Gaming WWIII: User Feedback On The Third World War: Designer Signature Edition

The Third World War series was the gold standard of NATO-Warsaw Pact operational level wargames in the 1980s. Each of the four titles can hold its own against competition from the ’80s and even beyond. Separately, they examine what shape NATO-WP operational level conflicts would take in specific theaters. Central Europe in Third World War: …

Thanks to MidRats For Bringing Me Aboard For Tonight’s Show

A very special thanks to Sal and Eagle over at the MidRats podcast for inviting me on tonight. I had a fantastic time discussing the blog, wargaming, Ukraine and a host of other topics. Learned a few things as well and I hope the same holds true for them and the listeners. If any of …

2021 Holiday Tournament Round 1: Central Front Operational

#1 Third World War: Battle for Germany vs #8 The Next War: Modern Conflict in Europe NATO vs Warsaw Pact in Central Europe in the 1980s captures the imagination like no other hypothetical conflict ever has and probably ever will. Both of these titles were released at times when this conflict appeared quite possible. The …

The Central Front D+19 (28 July, 1987) Part III

1300- President Reagan places a call to SACEUR and gives the American general the green light to prepare and launch the anticipated counter-offensive. He warns SACEUR that NATO forces are not to cross the Inner-German or Czech border under any circumstances unless Reagan orders otherwise. “Your mission is to push the Russians out of West …