Central Front Air CMO Wargame Scenario Update #1

Yesterday I ran through the rough draft of the Central Front D+0 air war scenario I discussed back before Memorial Day. I have good news and bad news to report. On the good side, all missions for the Red (Warsaw Pact) and Blue (NATO) sides fired off perfectly through the first four hours of the …

WWIII Aircraft Losses: Warsaw Pact, East German Air Force, Central Front D+0 Part III

Jumping back into Warsaw Pact air losses on D+0 this entry will look at the East German Air Force losses on the first day of war. East German’s air arm was involved in the fighting but not in a decisive manner. For the majority of the Central Front, East German air units served in a …

Central Front: US III Corps In World War III (Part III)

One of the first transport aircraft to arrive in Europe from the United States on D-3 carried the advance party of III Corps. The corps commanding general remained at Fort Hood coordinating the preparation and movement of corps troops and material from the US to Europe. General Saint and his staff would depart for Europe …

Air War On The Central Front: The Red Air Force’s First Day Of War D+0 (9 July, 1987) Part II

The preemptive airstrike launched by Israel in the opening minutes of the Six-Day War destroyed the majority of the Egyptian Air Force on the ground. The Soviet Air Force digested the lessons of Israel’s overwhelmingly successful operation and soon thereafter began developing countermeasures aimed at making it impossible for NATO to catch the Soviet and …

Let’s Try This Again: WWIII 1987 Scenario Build For Early Summer 2023

Evening, everyone. I wanted to take a moment to talk about a renewed wargame project I’m considering at present. First off, I know my earlier attempt to draw up a few scenarios based on WWIII 1987 ended in frustration and failure. However, the appearance of NATO Air Commander and recent posts related to the air …

Air War On The Central Front: The Red Air Force’s First Day Of War D+0 (9 July, 1987) Part I

The efficiency and power of NATO air forces was never underestimated by senior Soviet military commanders. In the late 1970s a new generation of combat aircraft were beginning to make their way into service with major NATO alliance members. It was clear Western air forces were on the verge of a renaissance and major modernization. …

WWIII Aircraft Losses: Warsaw Pact, 16th Air Army, Central Front D+0 Part II

16th Air Army    Zossen, GDR (Continued) 126th Fighter Division   Zerbst, GDR 35th Fighter Regiment    Zerbst, GDR A/C Strength 0000 Hours D+0: 53x MiG-29 Fulcrum A/C Combat Losses D+0: 17 7 Fulcrums lost on AD missions AM/PM 7 Fulcrums lost on OCA Escort missions AM 3 Fulcrums lost on OCA Escort missions PM 833rd Fighter Regiment …

WWIII Aircraft Losses: Warsaw Pact, 16th Air Army, Central Front D+0 Part I

Now it is time to take a look at Warsaw Pact air losses on the Central Front in the first day of the Third World War. 16th Air Army was the primary Soviet air army in Eastern Europe through the Cold War. It’s sub-divisions and regiments were based at airfields across East Germany. 16th Air …

Central Front: US III Corps In World War III (Part II)

REFORGER was officially activated on the late afternoon of 5 July 1987 at President Reagan’s direction. Even before Reagan’s address to the nation when he announced his intention to reinforce Germany, III Corps was in motion. Warning orders had been received at the corps and division levels. Advance parties were on the move to embarkation …

Central Front: US III Corps In World War III (Part I)

In a January 1987 interview with CBS News, US III Corps commander Lieutenant General (at the time) Crosbie Saint was asked what the mission of his corps would be if Warsaw Pact forces invaded Western Europe. He replied bluntly, “To save Germany and NATO.” History has proven Saint’s pre-war words to be accurate. Six months …