Even A Paranoid Can Have Enemies D+24 (2 August, 1987) 0500-1030 Zulu

0500 Zulu- In Moscow the first indications of a Kremlin power struggle start to take shape. Marshal Akhromeyev informs KGB Chairman Viktor Chebrikov of the battlefield nuclear attacks in East Germany. Chebrikov advises the senior Soviet military officer to inform the general secretary of this event, and more significant, not to accept any orders by …

The Northern Flank D+13 (22 July, 1987) Part II

In Northern Norway NATO ground forces were moving expeditiously, and with determination.  US Marines had Andoya almost fully secured. Small groups of Soviet troops continued to hold out at three separate locations in and around the airbase perimeter. It would only be a matter of time before they surrendered or were neutralized. In the midst …

The Northern Flank D+11 (20 July, 1987) Part II

Soviet air operations in the north were affected by the shuffling of commanders taking place that morning. Planned air attacks against Swedish targets were scaled back significantly with some of the attack aircraft, and fighters re-tasked to support the 54th Motor Rifle Division in Finland. Preparation for a large raid against Bodo in the early …

The Northern Flank D+11 (20 July, 1987) Part I

Immediately following the Defense Council meeting that morning in Moscow, KGB Chairman Viktor Chebrikov handed Marshal Akhromeyev a list of NWTVD senior officers and their staffs. Notes were scribbled aside each name denoting certain officer’s reliability or lack thereof. In essence, the list told Akhromeyev who the chekists were in the Northwestern Theater of Military …

The Politics of Global War: The Restive Kremlin D+11 (20 July, 1987) Part III

Present conditions in the Northwestern TVD (NWTVD) were far from ideal. Every man seated at the conference table was aware of troubles and issues in the north but not the extent of them. This included General Secretary Romanov. Marshal Akhromeyev understood this was his time to speak the unfettered truth. Failure to do so would …