Mapping Out June, 2023

Memorial Day has come and gone. Now 6 June looms in the very near future. Following the anniversary of the landings in France the summer weeks tend to speed up. Independence Day is approximately one month away. Here in the States, the holiday serves as halftime for the season. We have barbecues, watch fireworks, and …

The Northern Flank D+25 (3 August, 1987)

On land and air, the final hours of the Third World War on NATO’s Northern Flank was marked by grim vigilance as both sides readied their forces and troops for the seemingly imminent prospect of further escalation. AFNORTH’s plan for the use of nuclear weapons on the northern flank was dependent primarily upon air delivered …

Follow Up To War Plan Orange

Last night after I posted the partial reading list for summer of 2023, I began thinking about War Plan Orange. I basically just said  ‘this is important to read with everything going on now,’ and then left it at that. No context or explanation provided. I just sort of left everyone hanging and felt bad …

Summer 2023 WWIII Reading List

The summer months almost always offer the opportunity to catch up on reading or start a new literary adventure altogether. Whether it’s on the beach or in your backyard, nothing beats relaxing in a comfortable chair with a good book. I am looking forward to the chance to crack open a few books this summer, …

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 …

Midweek Odds & Ends

Odd #1 I was looking around on BoardgameGeek.com earlier today and browsing game titles of more temporary World War III hypotheticals. I was specifically searching for air and naval centered games in the Western Pacific and Indian Ocean. To my disappointment I’ve only found a limited number of these games so far. Judging from reviews …

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 Summer Wargaming Update: I Caved

I caved. It took me less than two weeks to go back on my promise not to play any wargames this summer based on a NATO-Warsaw Pact war in the 1980s. Temptation reared its head and my willpower and resolve melted like butter in a microwave. The kicker is, it’s all my fault. 😊 Last …