Slow Drift to War Europe 1984
- Thread starter Farmer12
- Start date
ferdi254
Banned
The question is with total superiority on the seas by NATO how does the WP get any seaborne invasion done? And with literally 200% of their helicopters stuck with different plans already ITTL (Alaska, making up for the 1:3 inferiority on the balkan front and disrupting manouvres on the central front) how does the WP get any forces to Sealand?
Last edited:
Yes, please. Onto the war. Way too much detail. I think most readers would like the war to start then see how it's defended against. That being said, I look forward to reading this tale every day but it does seem to be taking forever to get to the war itself. The initial leadup including Politburo and US NSC discussions were written much more tighter and were an easier read. I'm more into the action stuff than the details about every single unit.
The war in the Baltic is going to be a bloodbath. In these restricted waters engagements will tend to be fought until one side or the other is pretty much wiped out. There won't be one big battle but lots of vicious ones especially between light forces. IMHO the key issue is going to be not whether the WP can make lodgements, some will succeed, but rather can they be reinforced. To the extent helicopters, transports, amphibious ships are destroyed or significantly damaged during the initial attack will be the key question. Other than ground attacks to Jutland, which even if successful will take time, the WP forces designed to take Denmark are going to rely on sea and air replenishment and reinforcement.
Several important questions here:
1. To what extent have the Danes made any effort to place anti-landing obstacles on the most likely beaches.
2. Has NATO done much mining - both around Denmark and Norway and in the Baltic exits.
3. Is Denmark ready to blow the bridges connecting the various islands to each other/Jutland fast enough. You have to believe the WP will make every effort to keep this from happening. Along this line are proper efforts made to ensure ferries are secured as much as possible for NATO use or destruction.
4. What are the Swedes doing? Are they mining their coastal waters as a defensive measure? You have to expect, especially if the WP knows NATO is mining that they are perfectly willing to detour through Swedish waters and deal with the protests later.
5. Have the Danes made provision for destruction of port facilities. No matter what, given the inevitably of amphibious ship losses and the limited number the WP have, significant reinforcement and supply of occupied Denmark will require capturing intact ports.
IMHO NATO may reinforce with light naval forces and subs, probably conventional. Sending larger warships or nukes in to the Baltic is asking for them to be hit again and again. For the WP capturing all of Denmark means access to the open sea from the Baltic, the ability to hit Norway from the south as well as the north, and making ignoring Soviet demands difficult for the Swedes who are now isolated in a postwar world where their line to the outside world is controlled by the Soviets. WP based in Denmark makes the North Sea much more dangerous and opens the UK to air attack from a wider range of aircraft given the distances.
Several important questions here:
1. To what extent have the Danes made any effort to place anti-landing obstacles on the most likely beaches.
2. Has NATO done much mining - both around Denmark and Norway and in the Baltic exits.
3. Is Denmark ready to blow the bridges connecting the various islands to each other/Jutland fast enough. You have to believe the WP will make every effort to keep this from happening. Along this line are proper efforts made to ensure ferries are secured as much as possible for NATO use or destruction.
4. What are the Swedes doing? Are they mining their coastal waters as a defensive measure? You have to expect, especially if the WP knows NATO is mining that they are perfectly willing to detour through Swedish waters and deal with the protests later.
5. Have the Danes made provision for destruction of port facilities. No matter what, given the inevitably of amphibious ship losses and the limited number the WP have, significant reinforcement and supply of occupied Denmark will require capturing intact ports.
IMHO NATO may reinforce with light naval forces and subs, probably conventional. Sending larger warships or nukes in to the Baltic is asking for them to be hit again and again. For the WP capturing all of Denmark means access to the open sea from the Baltic, the ability to hit Norway from the south as well as the north, and making ignoring Soviet demands difficult for the Swedes who are now isolated in a postwar world where their line to the outside world is controlled by the Soviets. WP based in Denmark makes the North Sea much more dangerous and opens the UK to air attack from a wider range of aircraft given the distances.
ferdi254
Banned
The FRG navy and the danish navy were just built to defend the baltics and the FRG subs were such a standard that the only thing US carrier forces were afraid of were german subs. Friend of mine was XO and captain on German subs. And with the NATO having complete air supremacy the WP navy is screwed.
Michael Canaris- Well this briefing is important for my story line one it allowed me to come up with a final list of the units involved on both sides. This will allow me to be able to do a better story line when i write about the war. Also is someone questions whats located where just go to chapter 21 and you will have it. It also allows me to be more detailed on what is happening and allow me to right a better story line. As for when the war happens tomorrow is Zero day. The war will happen in two to four days later. So in roughly in less than a month of posting the war will happen. Then i hope to provide a much more detailed story line of battles.
sloreck- As for defending the beaches to many beaches to few troops for effective beach defense. With the satellites watching you simply avoid the defenses by a few kilometers. Think OP's with artillery to shell the landing beaches and possibly coordinate air strikes. Defensive mining has been done around port areas especially the port areas closest to Rostock. Sweden as so far put off the laying of mine for fear of civilian casualties amongst is own population. but has plans to begin laying mines on the day the fighting starts. As for the laying of Demolition charges on bridges and port areas. Key bridges are set for demolition but there is a shortage of enough demolition charges to take out entire ports although key areas in the port are set for demolition or can rapidly be set for demolition since there is a fear of accidental detonation has held back some placement of demolition charges. Also as a side note this whole series of posting allowed me to find out that i have missed units on both sides. Now those units can be put back into the storyline.
Strategic Reserves
Now we will finish with a briefing with briefing on the forces around Berlin and then the strategic reserve of the Soviet Force and our strategic reserve. Berlin the 5th independent Tank brigade and the 6th Independent Motorized Rifle brigade with three Rifle divisions the 351st ,352nd and the 353rd are encircling West Berlin. But we have the feeling that this force is to keep the West Berlin Garrison in place and not to attack. At this time, we believe that the West Berlin garrison will be kept under siege for during the war.
As for the Soviets Strategic Reserve, the 3rd Combined Arms Army composed of the 7th 10th 12th and the 47th Guards Tank Divisions. This Army is the primary reserve force for the Soviet forces attacking in the German Northern Plains. Which is why it was setup in and around Brandenburg Germany. 20th Guards Combined Arms Army composed of the 25th Tank Division, the 6th Guards Tank Division and the 15th and the 35th MRD. This Army is setup in and around Leipzig Germany. This is the reserve force for the Warsaw Pact forces attacking in the south of Germany.
As for the Airborne forces in the Strategic Reserve, the 109th Guards Airborne Division force are setup in and around the Berlin Schoenfeld Airport. The 37th Independent Assault Landing Brigade and what appears to be at least one of the new Airborne Brigades has been training with that 37th Helicopter regiment. We believe at least two of the new Airborne Brigades are in the area of Leipzig and we also know that at least one of the newly organized independent Helicopter regiment with a mixture of Hind D’s and Mi- 8 helicopters is training with these two units this force is located near the city of Halle in East Germany. We also believe that two more of the Airborne Brigade are in the area of Jena East Germany and another of the newly organized helicopter regiments in this same area. That appears to be all of the independent airborne brigades.
We have had a bit of luck with the Category D divisions as message was sent breaking down the components of the various Corps and the divisions attached. Some believe this was done on purpose to blur what was going on. The category D divisions have been setup in Corp strength formations. The 51st Rifle Corp with the three divisions the 370th, 371st and the 372nd are setup in the forest to the south of the city of Weimar. The 52nd Rifle Corp with the 373rd,374th and the 375th. This Corp is located in the area of Bernburg East Germany. 54th Rifle Corp with the 376th,377th and the 378th divisions is locate in the vicinity of town of Mockern. The 55th Rifle Corp with the 379th, 380th and the 383rd division locate in and around the town of Tangermunde. With the final Rifle Corp the 58th with the 388th and 389th divisions located in the forest to the north the town of Havelburg.
Finally, the KGB has sent a number of Penal battalions with each battalion having attending KGB Security company. We have evidence that at least another twenty thousand penal troops have been setup in a variety of security camps. Where these penal battalions will be attacking where as of yet, we are uncertain.
Now we will take a brief overview of our own Strategic reserves. The Bundeswehr’s 3RD Corp with the 4th and 10th Panzer divisions and the 1st Panzer Grenadier division as well as the 25th Fallshirmjaeger brigade. Then there is the 1st French Army, with the 1st Corp- 1st and 7th Armored division as well as the 12th and 14th Light Armored Force. The 2nd Corp the 3rd and 5th Armored division and the 15th Infantry division. Finally, the 3rd Corp with the 2nd and 10th Armored division and the 8Th Infantry division. Also, the newly formed 25th Paratroop division and the 28th Mountain Division
We have the most substantial members of the Strategic reserve. The 24th Infantry division of the Regular army. Then we have two National Guard Armored the 49TH and 50TH Armored Division. We also have the 106th and 163rd Armored Calvary regiment. We also have the 200th Armored brigade reinforced and four mechanized infantry brigade the 30th 32ND, 157th and the 218th. That covers our forces.
General Rogers considered what had been told and he looked over his notes for a minute or so and then he commented. We can be pretty sure that the WARSAW Pact forces will not attack tomorrow or the next day but they could attack any time after that. Let’s face it the Soviets have given up Strategic surprise so they will be attempting to gain some sort of tactical surprise. But I have decided that the 49th Armored division be sent to Bavaria as a strategic reserve for NATO forces in that district. Also, I want to send the French 28th Mountain division to reinforce the French 4th Corp. No other units will be moved from the strategic reserve. As for Denmark what forces do, we have on the Island of Funen. There was a shuffling of papers and then the response was well sir its Danish local defense forces. General Rogers walked up to the map and then he turned around and ordered, **The 35th Infantry brigade is to be moved to the island to provide a proper defensive force. Also, the 30th Armored can be moved to the Jutland Peninsula to reinforce the defenses there. With the 82nd and 101st as well as the Danish forces on Zealand are sufficient to defend the Island.
As for the Soviets Strategic Reserve, the 3rd Combined Arms Army composed of the 7th 10th 12th and the 47th Guards Tank Divisions. This Army is the primary reserve force for the Soviet forces attacking in the German Northern Plains. Which is why it was setup in and around Brandenburg Germany. 20th Guards Combined Arms Army composed of the 25th Tank Division, the 6th Guards Tank Division and the 15th and the 35th MRD. This Army is setup in and around Leipzig Germany. This is the reserve force for the Warsaw Pact forces attacking in the south of Germany.
As for the Airborne forces in the Strategic Reserve, the 109th Guards Airborne Division force are setup in and around the Berlin Schoenfeld Airport. The 37th Independent Assault Landing Brigade and what appears to be at least one of the new Airborne Brigades has been training with that 37th Helicopter regiment. We believe at least two of the new Airborne Brigades are in the area of Leipzig and we also know that at least one of the newly organized independent Helicopter regiment with a mixture of Hind D’s and Mi- 8 helicopters is training with these two units this force is located near the city of Halle in East Germany. We also believe that two more of the Airborne Brigade are in the area of Jena East Germany and another of the newly organized helicopter regiments in this same area. That appears to be all of the independent airborne brigades.
We have had a bit of luck with the Category D divisions as message was sent breaking down the components of the various Corps and the divisions attached. Some believe this was done on purpose to blur what was going on. The category D divisions have been setup in Corp strength formations. The 51st Rifle Corp with the three divisions the 370th, 371st and the 372nd are setup in the forest to the south of the city of Weimar. The 52nd Rifle Corp with the 373rd,374th and the 375th. This Corp is located in the area of Bernburg East Germany. 54th Rifle Corp with the 376th,377th and the 378th divisions is locate in the vicinity of town of Mockern. The 55th Rifle Corp with the 379th, 380th and the 383rd division locate in and around the town of Tangermunde. With the final Rifle Corp the 58th with the 388th and 389th divisions located in the forest to the north the town of Havelburg.
Finally, the KGB has sent a number of Penal battalions with each battalion having attending KGB Security company. We have evidence that at least another twenty thousand penal troops have been setup in a variety of security camps. Where these penal battalions will be attacking where as of yet, we are uncertain.
Now we will take a brief overview of our own Strategic reserves. The Bundeswehr’s 3RD Corp with the 4th and 10th Panzer divisions and the 1st Panzer Grenadier division as well as the 25th Fallshirmjaeger brigade. Then there is the 1st French Army, with the 1st Corp- 1st and 7th Armored division as well as the 12th and 14th Light Armored Force. The 2nd Corp the 3rd and 5th Armored division and the 15th Infantry division. Finally, the 3rd Corp with the 2nd and 10th Armored division and the 8Th Infantry division. Also, the newly formed 25th Paratroop division and the 28th Mountain Division
We have the most substantial members of the Strategic reserve. The 24th Infantry division of the Regular army. Then we have two National Guard Armored the 49TH and 50TH Armored Division. We also have the 106th and 163rd Armored Calvary regiment. We also have the 200th Armored brigade reinforced and four mechanized infantry brigade the 30th 32ND, 157th and the 218th. That covers our forces.
General Rogers considered what had been told and he looked over his notes for a minute or so and then he commented. We can be pretty sure that the WARSAW Pact forces will not attack tomorrow or the next day but they could attack any time after that. Let’s face it the Soviets have given up Strategic surprise so they will be attempting to gain some sort of tactical surprise. But I have decided that the 49th Armored division be sent to Bavaria as a strategic reserve for NATO forces in that district. Also, I want to send the French 28th Mountain division to reinforce the French 4th Corp. No other units will be moved from the strategic reserve. As for Denmark what forces do, we have on the Island of Funen. There was a shuffling of papers and then the response was well sir its Danish local defense forces. General Rogers walked up to the map and then he turned around and ordered, **The 35th Infantry brigade is to be moved to the island to provide a proper defensive force. Also, the 30th Armored can be moved to the Jutland Peninsula to reinforce the defenses there. With the 82nd and 101st as well as the Danish forces on Zealand are sufficient to defend the Island.
The final hours be Zero Day
1PM London The Prime Minister listened to the briefing, all British Army forces in West Germany were now in place. Wombat Recoilless Rifles were being shipped to increase the number of Recoilless Rifle that were with the frontline battalions already armed with Wombats. All the units had double the number of Recoilless Rifles per battalion. Also, any Milan systems that are being produced by British Aerospace Dynamics are also being sent. Apparently the last two weeks of Milan Missile Systems and Missiles as the last three weeks of refurbished Wombat Recoilless Rifles had not as of yet been sent.
Margaret Thatcher was more than a little annoyed that this had happened. Apparently, there had been an emphasis on shipping rations to the frontline units. Or more to the point the new ah hoc rations civilian canned food stuffs had been hurriedly boxed and shipped to supplement the standard military rations. The decision had been made when someone in the Royal Logistics Command had run the numbers and realized that the standard reserve stock of military rations had been seriously reduced and if something was not done the Army could run out of combat rations due to the sheer numbers of troops that had been mobilized. Also no one had expected the crisis to go on as long as it had. Feeling a little mollified about the reason for the delay. After all an army could not fight without food.
She was assured that tomorrow, a convoy of trucks carrying the new Milan and the refurbished Wombats as well as more missiles for the Milan’s and ammunitions for the Wombats. He also commented that a C-130 carrying forty-two tons of LAW missile had arrived in the UK and a group of trucks, had been collected to carry those missiles to West Germany. Otherwise the Convoy would have left today but it had been decided that for security reasons the convoy would be delayed until this shipment of LAWs rockets was loaded onto trucks. This convoy was to be escorted by the The Royal Yeomanry, territorial army units with armored cars. This unit would escort this convoy to the respective Corp areas and then return to the United Kingdom. The Prime Minister sat for second considering what she was told and then she pointed out that the War could start at anytime. “Despite what our agent told us it does not mean that the Soviets could attack before telling him. For some reason that we do not know of.’’
The Minister of Defense pointed out that the Soviets were notoriously rigid in following their plans so he did not expect any problem to come from this and the convoy should be able to be back in the Great Britain before the war starts. The Prime Minister accepted the comment and the meeting went on to the next item on the agenda. The was, Operation Pearl, the Joint Spanish Armada/Royal Navy carrier task force was discussed the reality that the Task Force would arrive in the area of Conraky Guiana at least a day or two before the war would begin. So rather than take the chance that the Task Force would be discovered. The Task Force was actually moving away from Conraky with plan of heading back at high speed and carrying out a Carrier strike on the Soviet Navy warships in Conracky.
Then the discussion went to the movement of the Royal Navy and US Navy Ballistic Missile submarines to the Aegean Sea. The plan was going as scheduled. The best information was that the Soviets had no idea what was going on.
Then the conversation turned to the planned arrests. The Spetsnaz would be hit before the attack would take place. The Embassy and consulates as would be hit the second the fighting started with raids on all the Embassy and Consulates employees and their families that were still inside the United Kingdom would be arrested. Then as the work day started the various agents in place as well as any sleepers and the various illegals would be arrested. The Spetsnaz units would be hit by SAS as well as troops from the Airborne units. Margaret Thatcher nodded her head and then she spoke, “I want to emphasize that absolute security needs to be maintained. No loose talk, no trying to impress someone. I want a clean sweep of these traitors.
I especially want to make sure that those members of the Conservative Party that are in the pay of the KGB are all arrested and receive their punishment for treason. The Labor and Lib Dem will be to busy trying pointing out those people and I want to be able to emphasize that they have all be captured and will face trial. I want to be able to point out to the People of the United Kingdom that all the traitors whatever their party will be punished as well as the other assorted traitors we will capture in our sweep.
Washington DC
Mike Harper looked up from a list of supplies being shipped to various locations in the country. Quantities of cheese and butter to be placed in a variety of abandoned mines, caves and other assorted located. The stock piles of food and also medical supplies mostly over the counter kind of medical supplies but given the shortages in medical supplies it was the best he could do. Also, some construction material most gathered from civilians source. He also made a decision to attempt to reinforce the larger stockpiles with more troops with their families. Now he had to convince the Army to reinforce these locations. That would be a meeting tomorrow. Moving the troops to the various locations at this time was much easier. With the bulk of the American military now being over seas there was bit of slack in the transportation network.
The Army would be screaming that they did not have the resources to be able to carry out his request. But Mike had information, a lot of Engineering units as well as several battalions of Artillery were still in the states. His plan was simple, he would suggest the units be reinforced with past service troops so that the equivalent of an infantry company of troops to each battalion. The Engineering units and Artillery units would take less casualties thus allowing the additional forces to be organized. He was going to sweeten the deal by appointing military officers to command these forces. Tomorrow he would see just how good of a salesman he truly was.
Margaret Thatcher was more than a little annoyed that this had happened. Apparently, there had been an emphasis on shipping rations to the frontline units. Or more to the point the new ah hoc rations civilian canned food stuffs had been hurriedly boxed and shipped to supplement the standard military rations. The decision had been made when someone in the Royal Logistics Command had run the numbers and realized that the standard reserve stock of military rations had been seriously reduced and if something was not done the Army could run out of combat rations due to the sheer numbers of troops that had been mobilized. Also no one had expected the crisis to go on as long as it had. Feeling a little mollified about the reason for the delay. After all an army could not fight without food.
She was assured that tomorrow, a convoy of trucks carrying the new Milan and the refurbished Wombats as well as more missiles for the Milan’s and ammunitions for the Wombats. He also commented that a C-130 carrying forty-two tons of LAW missile had arrived in the UK and a group of trucks, had been collected to carry those missiles to West Germany. Otherwise the Convoy would have left today but it had been decided that for security reasons the convoy would be delayed until this shipment of LAWs rockets was loaded onto trucks. This convoy was to be escorted by the The Royal Yeomanry, territorial army units with armored cars. This unit would escort this convoy to the respective Corp areas and then return to the United Kingdom. The Prime Minister sat for second considering what she was told and then she pointed out that the War could start at anytime. “Despite what our agent told us it does not mean that the Soviets could attack before telling him. For some reason that we do not know of.’’
The Minister of Defense pointed out that the Soviets were notoriously rigid in following their plans so he did not expect any problem to come from this and the convoy should be able to be back in the Great Britain before the war starts. The Prime Minister accepted the comment and the meeting went on to the next item on the agenda. The was, Operation Pearl, the Joint Spanish Armada/Royal Navy carrier task force was discussed the reality that the Task Force would arrive in the area of Conraky Guiana at least a day or two before the war would begin. So rather than take the chance that the Task Force would be discovered. The Task Force was actually moving away from Conraky with plan of heading back at high speed and carrying out a Carrier strike on the Soviet Navy warships in Conracky.
Then the discussion went to the movement of the Royal Navy and US Navy Ballistic Missile submarines to the Aegean Sea. The plan was going as scheduled. The best information was that the Soviets had no idea what was going on.
Then the conversation turned to the planned arrests. The Spetsnaz would be hit before the attack would take place. The Embassy and consulates as would be hit the second the fighting started with raids on all the Embassy and Consulates employees and their families that were still inside the United Kingdom would be arrested. Then as the work day started the various agents in place as well as any sleepers and the various illegals would be arrested. The Spetsnaz units would be hit by SAS as well as troops from the Airborne units. Margaret Thatcher nodded her head and then she spoke, “I want to emphasize that absolute security needs to be maintained. No loose talk, no trying to impress someone. I want a clean sweep of these traitors.
I especially want to make sure that those members of the Conservative Party that are in the pay of the KGB are all arrested and receive their punishment for treason. The Labor and Lib Dem will be to busy trying pointing out those people and I want to be able to emphasize that they have all be captured and will face trial. I want to be able to point out to the People of the United Kingdom that all the traitors whatever their party will be punished as well as the other assorted traitors we will capture in our sweep.
Washington DC
Mike Harper looked up from a list of supplies being shipped to various locations in the country. Quantities of cheese and butter to be placed in a variety of abandoned mines, caves and other assorted located. The stock piles of food and also medical supplies mostly over the counter kind of medical supplies but given the shortages in medical supplies it was the best he could do. Also, some construction material most gathered from civilians source. He also made a decision to attempt to reinforce the larger stockpiles with more troops with their families. Now he had to convince the Army to reinforce these locations. That would be a meeting tomorrow. Moving the troops to the various locations at this time was much easier. With the bulk of the American military now being over seas there was bit of slack in the transportation network.
The Army would be screaming that they did not have the resources to be able to carry out his request. But Mike had information, a lot of Engineering units as well as several battalions of Artillery were still in the states. His plan was simple, he would suggest the units be reinforced with past service troops so that the equivalent of an infantry company of troops to each battalion. The Engineering units and Artillery units would take less casualties thus allowing the additional forces to be organized. He was going to sweeten the deal by appointing military officers to command these forces. Tomorrow he would see just how good of a salesman he truly was.
Jack Brisco
Banned
Farmer, from reading your meticulous and detailed accounts of everything leading up to this war believe we're going to see an amazing depiction of the conflict. Am on the edge of my seat,can't go any further without falling off. Thanks! 
Jack Brisco- I will do my best but i readily admit my know of ground warfare is far superior of naval and air warfare. But i will do my try my best to do a good story line when i comes to fighting at see.
Archangel- Thankyou for that bit of info, keeping up with the internal politics of various countries is tough but i will try to keep this bit of info in mind as the story goes along. But the politicians are not likely to have a lot of sway in the first few weeks of the war.
Archangel- Thankyou for that bit of info, keeping up with the internal politics of various countries is tough but i will try to keep this bit of info in mind as the story goes along. But the politicians are not likely to have a lot of sway in the first few weeks of the war.
Zero Day
0600 24/23 Aug Henderson Airfield The commander of Marine Air Group 41 had just arrived the night before and he was watching a flight of Phantom II’s were just taking off they were taking the place of a flight of Mirages that had been on patrol. The Phantoms were from VMFA- 321, these planes had been on Guadalcanal for almost a month and the rest of the MAG41 was on the way. He had arrived yesterday with the last of support personnel for the Group. Then VMFA-112 would be arriving in the next day or two. Half the support personal for the squadron would arrive today. The plane would fly in tomorrow and the last of the squadrons support personal would arrive the day after that. The 41st would be operating out of Henderson B. The Seabee had put together the field together in a little over two weeks. There had been some problems with the ground the landing field had been located on. But those problems had been dealt with.
Normally the 41st Air Group would have been with the 4th Marine Division. But the mission of the 4th MarDiv was to attack Nicaragua. Since Nicaraguan did not have much of an Air Force so it had been decided that the 41st Air Group would be sent to fight in the skies over the Solomon’s. The logic was simply taking out the Soviet in the Solomon’s and once that was done the Marines could be sent else where to fight. Probably South Korea but time would tell, but it could be the Philippines. But the first things first. But one thing was for sure the Marine were going to kick commie ass in the Solomon’s, just like they had kicked Jap ass in World War II.
10 Am Vladivostok The senior army commander was reading, STAVKA. It was short and to the point you have over twelve hundred helicopters as well as a large number of transport planes capable of moving Airborne troops across the Barents Sea. As for ground forces you have the 98th Airborne as well as the 11th and 13th Independent Assault Landing Brigade was well as the Naval Landing force of two armored and five infantry battalions. You have more than sufficient forces to carry out an attack on Alaska on short notice. We want an attack to divert the Americans attention from the main battle zone using troops that would other wise be unused. This attack could also force the Americans and the Canadians to send troops to defend Alaska. Excuses will not be accepted. The Army commander grunted as he considered what he was reading.
He had hoped to discourage Stavka and the Politburo from engaging in an unwise military offensive against Alaska. Picking up the phone he told his aide to gather the senior members of the High Command in the East. The meeting would be this afternoon at 3 PM.
4AM Fulda Gap The 1st /37th infantry battalion was on one hundred percent alert, while the Russians were not supposed to attack until tomorrow the 2nd brigade commander Col. Ashford had made it clear that every battalion was to be ready for battle each and every morning from now on. He wanted the troops in position and ready to fight. That meant everyone in the brigade had damn well better be up and in position to do their mission. Lt. Col. Rodney was at his command center waiting for the allotted time to pass. In just a couple of hours his mistress would be finally leaving the area. She worked for the local government and she had volunteered to stay for as long as possible. But she was leaving today and he planned to stop by her apartment in the village for one last fling before she left. Life would be lonely after she left.
3PM Vladivostok The senior commanders of the Soviet Army, Navy and Air Force with a variety of subordinates were not happy about the message that had been sent from Moscow. The truth was that when the order had first arrived, they had thought that be sending a report about the difficulties in carrying out the Invasion of Alaska would dissuade the Politburo. The response from Stavka had made it quite apparent that some sort of an attack would have to made on Alaska. Now they got down to the work of planning the attack.
The 10AM Moscow The Politburo was having a meeting, the fact that the Western Alliance had not cracked in any way was a little disheartening. Now while the members of the Politburo who had not voted for Romanov were now of the opinion that Romanov has sold the rest of the Politburo a bill of goods. Promising victory but the truth was now that war was invulnerable. But for now, no one made any comments. It was just too early to openly oppose Romanov.
Romanov readily told the Politburo, that while it was disappointing that the West refused to accept the reality of the situation. It was not totally unexpected. He then stated that there would be no turning back the die had been cast and to backdown now would be disastrous. To fail to follow through with their demands would be economically disastrous. The rest of the Politburo nodded their heads in their minds they had made an acceptable gamble and it had not worked. There was not much to discuss and not much to be briefed on.
Field Marshall Ogarkov was going to give a quick briefing on the current military situation. He made it quite clear that the attack would not happen until day three. He commented that the enemy would be expecting the Soviet Army to cross the border tomorrow morning. But nothing would happen the troops would feel a little let down but they would be saying tomorrow. When nothing happened the next day, the troops would be even more let down and they just might begin to wonder if anything would happen. But on the third day the troops would cross the border and hopefully some small bit of operational surprise would happen.
Then the conversation shifted to the Barents Sea where a sudden decision to make a limited assault on Alaska to possibly divert troops from other fronts. Field Marshall Ogarkov considered the idea to be bad. It had been inspired by members of the Politburo, who in moment of a vodka hazed thought had an epiphany. Personally, he would have liked to keep the troops closer to the China border just in case war broke out but that was not to be. So, the order had been given and it would be obeyed.
10am Dover
The convoy of trucks carrying weapons and ammunitions arrived in Dover. Now the trucks were being loaded on to ferries to be taken across the Channel to Calais and from Calais to the West Germany. It was looking like the convoy would not arrive until late tonight and the trucks returning the next day.
11AM Fulda Gap The company was going over a briefing on the threat from Soviet heliborne assaults. Flash cards displaying a variety of Soviet helicopters were shown to the troops. As the reaction force B company would be the unit that would be expected to react to any heliborne assaults. Chuck had to admit he was impressed by the Hind D’s. The word was that they were armored like a tank and a real bitch to shootdown. He had watched the news reports showing the Hind D in action in Afghanistan as well as the intelligence reports on the Hind D. It could go into a hot LZ drop off the troops and then rip the shit out of anyone attacking the LZ.
10 AM Washington DC The Mike Harper walked into the White House with his aides following him. In the meeting room was a group of men and women sat waiting they handled the Continuity of Government program. Mike stated that troops should be allocated in adequate numbers to protect some of the larger food stockpiles and of course the gold and silver reserves. One of the members of the continuity of government commented that while he understood the necessity of protecting the food reserves, he did not feel that the Gold and Silver reserves would need guarding since who would take gold or silver in the middle of a collapse of civilization.
Mike replied that there might come a time when to people of the United States might not want to accept paper currency to pay for food and other supplies. Should that happen representatives of the Government might have to come up with alternate methods of payment. Unless the members of the Continuity of Government believed that coercion and confiscation would do the job. That comment brought a period of silence from the people in the room.
Then a representative of the Department of Treasury commented, “The dollar has not been on the gold standard since the 1933 and complete severed the relationship in 1971. Finally, I believe the American people will accept the paper dollar out of the confidence they will have over our currency. There is no need for the United States to step back into the middle ages. “
The man representing the State Department who had spent years in various, third world countries just shook his head in disbelief. Then he commented, “Paper money will rapidly lose its value in a Post Nuclear America. We could print money but it most likely lead to hyperinflation. I could just see million-dollar notes that might get you a loaf of bread if you lucky. Also, with the major cities taken out and the economy in a tailspin and the people will likely engage in barter to one degree or another. Now do not think I would encourage use of gold or silver as a unit of exchange. But to just ignore the possibility that the people might not want to take paper money and demand other kinds of compensation is dangerous.
That seemed to bring a degree of consensus of agreement amongst the group even the military officers were nodding their heads in agreement. Then the senior Army officer in the room spoke up, “We agree with the necessity of the food stockpiles and even the moving of precious metals to other safer location. But to divert engineering units or even artillery units to protecting these precious metal and food stockpiles is in our mind questionable. We may have a need for more troops overseas especially the artillery. As for the engineering units will be needed in the post reconstruction period and locating these units in some case geographically isolated locations. Will inhibit our ability to respond quickly any problems that may turn up. “
Mike considered the Generals comments and then he responded, “The one kind of equipment that the military has in abundant quantity is artillery field pieces. Also, the artillery units are less likely to take heavy casualties and with the large number of recalled trained artillerymen. We have an overabundance of trained personal. Which leads me to point out that what I am looking for is trained military personal to protect to stockpiles and by the way I have been gathering over the counter medicines, bandages, Disinfectants and other assorted medical supplies. Also, Iodine both in pill and also in liquid form. We have a lot more liquid iodine than in the pill form. But we are looking into ways of make potassium Iodine pills from the liquid iodine we are gathering in a post-strike situation. We had wanted to by more potassium iodine pills but there are only so many produced in a year. At the same time the companies that produce Potassium iodine pills have not been engaged in increasing production.
By the way we are also purchasing large quantities of canned foods of all types. You may be seeing a shortage of SPAM, Campbell and Progresso soup of all kinds. Hell, we are literally pulling tons of canned fruits and vegetables out of the chain of supply. We even hit stockpiles of C- Rations in the civilian market as well as stockpiles of C-Rations in the depots. So right up to the day the missiles launch we will be moving supplies to the various stockpiles.
This means the units involved in defending a critically important source of supplies not only for the civilians but for the military as well. We are also going to allow the units to bring their immediate family with them for the duration of the crisis.
Now as for the engineering units locating some units in locations well away from the area that are going to be hit by major strikes. This mean units will not have to deal with post-strike radiation to any serious degree. That means while the unit is not close to any major targets the units will be in condition to carry out post-strike reconstruction. Even if the situation requires the unit to move some distance from the stockpiles.
The head of the Post War continuity of government smiled, “Secretary Harper you have been really going all out in your efforts to gather these stockpiles together. I have to speak to the President about your efforts. The idea of increasing the number of troops protecting the stockpiles is commendable. I did not realize to the extent you have gone to add all the supplies you can to the stockpiles. I feel that the President will want the supplies well protected and I expect that the Army will respond to the plan. It is fifteen minutes till 11AM it will be 6pm in Moscow. That mean the time allotted by Moscow to agree to the Soviet terms will be over. That means war will follow possibly as soon as tonight but more likely tomorrow morning. By the way as secretary of the department of Agriculture, your, supposed to be on a plane this afternoon. Hopefully fighting will not break out between now and then.”
Mike smiled and he replied, “I doubt that the WARSAW PACT forces will cross the border much before 4am West German time. Which is 10pm Washington time. Since my plane leaves at 4pm, I should be in the air and well away from the eastern United States by that time.” The head of the continuity of government nodded his head. “Now we have other matters to attend to, Gentlemen, Ladies have a good day. “
4PM Andrews AFB Right at 4pm Mike Harper and a plane load of bureaucrats headed into the sky. With a few hours the plane would be landing in Denver. Everyone would get a short rest and then back into the sky for the 11 to 7 shift.
6PM Cavour Ed Blake and his family were gathered around the table, to day was the day that the ultimatum had passed on. Maybe tomorrow John would be in battle. But what was really upsetting Martha was George has received a draft notice telling him to report to the draft board Tuesday of next week. She could soon have two sons fighting in the war and she was not one bit happy about it. She remembered the telegram her parents had received telling them that their son had died in Korea. She was reliving that memory and she sat at the table looking across the table looking at George and wondering if she would she would do if she received a telegram about one or the other or worse yet for both. She was expecting the worst out of this war.
Rear Admiral Streit was sitting watching the reports as they flowed in so far the Russians had not been very aggressive. Then a series of messages had arrived for a variety of the personal on board the plane. The commander of Looking Glass for the moral of the troops and to make sure that they were keeping their minds on their work. Had setup a message board for the families that were on the move. All they had to do was call the number and leave a message and he would have that message sent on the to the personal on the plane. Andrew smiled, his wife had arrived at the family ranch. Well one concern was off of his mind.
Normally the 41st Air Group would have been with the 4th Marine Division. But the mission of the 4th MarDiv was to attack Nicaragua. Since Nicaraguan did not have much of an Air Force so it had been decided that the 41st Air Group would be sent to fight in the skies over the Solomon’s. The logic was simply taking out the Soviet in the Solomon’s and once that was done the Marines could be sent else where to fight. Probably South Korea but time would tell, but it could be the Philippines. But the first things first. But one thing was for sure the Marine were going to kick commie ass in the Solomon’s, just like they had kicked Jap ass in World War II.
10 Am Vladivostok The senior army commander was reading, STAVKA. It was short and to the point you have over twelve hundred helicopters as well as a large number of transport planes capable of moving Airborne troops across the Barents Sea. As for ground forces you have the 98th Airborne as well as the 11th and 13th Independent Assault Landing Brigade was well as the Naval Landing force of two armored and five infantry battalions. You have more than sufficient forces to carry out an attack on Alaska on short notice. We want an attack to divert the Americans attention from the main battle zone using troops that would other wise be unused. This attack could also force the Americans and the Canadians to send troops to defend Alaska. Excuses will not be accepted. The Army commander grunted as he considered what he was reading.
He had hoped to discourage Stavka and the Politburo from engaging in an unwise military offensive against Alaska. Picking up the phone he told his aide to gather the senior members of the High Command in the East. The meeting would be this afternoon at 3 PM.
4AM Fulda Gap The 1st /37th infantry battalion was on one hundred percent alert, while the Russians were not supposed to attack until tomorrow the 2nd brigade commander Col. Ashford had made it clear that every battalion was to be ready for battle each and every morning from now on. He wanted the troops in position and ready to fight. That meant everyone in the brigade had damn well better be up and in position to do their mission. Lt. Col. Rodney was at his command center waiting for the allotted time to pass. In just a couple of hours his mistress would be finally leaving the area. She worked for the local government and she had volunteered to stay for as long as possible. But she was leaving today and he planned to stop by her apartment in the village for one last fling before she left. Life would be lonely after she left.
3PM Vladivostok The senior commanders of the Soviet Army, Navy and Air Force with a variety of subordinates were not happy about the message that had been sent from Moscow. The truth was that when the order had first arrived, they had thought that be sending a report about the difficulties in carrying out the Invasion of Alaska would dissuade the Politburo. The response from Stavka had made it quite apparent that some sort of an attack would have to made on Alaska. Now they got down to the work of planning the attack.
The 10AM Moscow The Politburo was having a meeting, the fact that the Western Alliance had not cracked in any way was a little disheartening. Now while the members of the Politburo who had not voted for Romanov were now of the opinion that Romanov has sold the rest of the Politburo a bill of goods. Promising victory but the truth was now that war was invulnerable. But for now, no one made any comments. It was just too early to openly oppose Romanov.
Romanov readily told the Politburo, that while it was disappointing that the West refused to accept the reality of the situation. It was not totally unexpected. He then stated that there would be no turning back the die had been cast and to backdown now would be disastrous. To fail to follow through with their demands would be economically disastrous. The rest of the Politburo nodded their heads in their minds they had made an acceptable gamble and it had not worked. There was not much to discuss and not much to be briefed on.
Field Marshall Ogarkov was going to give a quick briefing on the current military situation. He made it quite clear that the attack would not happen until day three. He commented that the enemy would be expecting the Soviet Army to cross the border tomorrow morning. But nothing would happen the troops would feel a little let down but they would be saying tomorrow. When nothing happened the next day, the troops would be even more let down and they just might begin to wonder if anything would happen. But on the third day the troops would cross the border and hopefully some small bit of operational surprise would happen.
Then the conversation shifted to the Barents Sea where a sudden decision to make a limited assault on Alaska to possibly divert troops from other fronts. Field Marshall Ogarkov considered the idea to be bad. It had been inspired by members of the Politburo, who in moment of a vodka hazed thought had an epiphany. Personally, he would have liked to keep the troops closer to the China border just in case war broke out but that was not to be. So, the order had been given and it would be obeyed.
10am Dover
The convoy of trucks carrying weapons and ammunitions arrived in Dover. Now the trucks were being loaded on to ferries to be taken across the Channel to Calais and from Calais to the West Germany. It was looking like the convoy would not arrive until late tonight and the trucks returning the next day.
11AM Fulda Gap The company was going over a briefing on the threat from Soviet heliborne assaults. Flash cards displaying a variety of Soviet helicopters were shown to the troops. As the reaction force B company would be the unit that would be expected to react to any heliborne assaults. Chuck had to admit he was impressed by the Hind D’s. The word was that they were armored like a tank and a real bitch to shootdown. He had watched the news reports showing the Hind D in action in Afghanistan as well as the intelligence reports on the Hind D. It could go into a hot LZ drop off the troops and then rip the shit out of anyone attacking the LZ.
10 AM Washington DC The Mike Harper walked into the White House with his aides following him. In the meeting room was a group of men and women sat waiting they handled the Continuity of Government program. Mike stated that troops should be allocated in adequate numbers to protect some of the larger food stockpiles and of course the gold and silver reserves. One of the members of the continuity of government commented that while he understood the necessity of protecting the food reserves, he did not feel that the Gold and Silver reserves would need guarding since who would take gold or silver in the middle of a collapse of civilization.
Mike replied that there might come a time when to people of the United States might not want to accept paper currency to pay for food and other supplies. Should that happen representatives of the Government might have to come up with alternate methods of payment. Unless the members of the Continuity of Government believed that coercion and confiscation would do the job. That comment brought a period of silence from the people in the room.
Then a representative of the Department of Treasury commented, “The dollar has not been on the gold standard since the 1933 and complete severed the relationship in 1971. Finally, I believe the American people will accept the paper dollar out of the confidence they will have over our currency. There is no need for the United States to step back into the middle ages. “
The man representing the State Department who had spent years in various, third world countries just shook his head in disbelief. Then he commented, “Paper money will rapidly lose its value in a Post Nuclear America. We could print money but it most likely lead to hyperinflation. I could just see million-dollar notes that might get you a loaf of bread if you lucky. Also, with the major cities taken out and the economy in a tailspin and the people will likely engage in barter to one degree or another. Now do not think I would encourage use of gold or silver as a unit of exchange. But to just ignore the possibility that the people might not want to take paper money and demand other kinds of compensation is dangerous.
That seemed to bring a degree of consensus of agreement amongst the group even the military officers were nodding their heads in agreement. Then the senior Army officer in the room spoke up, “We agree with the necessity of the food stockpiles and even the moving of precious metals to other safer location. But to divert engineering units or even artillery units to protecting these precious metal and food stockpiles is in our mind questionable. We may have a need for more troops overseas especially the artillery. As for the engineering units will be needed in the post reconstruction period and locating these units in some case geographically isolated locations. Will inhibit our ability to respond quickly any problems that may turn up. “
Mike considered the Generals comments and then he responded, “The one kind of equipment that the military has in abundant quantity is artillery field pieces. Also, the artillery units are less likely to take heavy casualties and with the large number of recalled trained artillerymen. We have an overabundance of trained personal. Which leads me to point out that what I am looking for is trained military personal to protect to stockpiles and by the way I have been gathering over the counter medicines, bandages, Disinfectants and other assorted medical supplies. Also, Iodine both in pill and also in liquid form. We have a lot more liquid iodine than in the pill form. But we are looking into ways of make potassium Iodine pills from the liquid iodine we are gathering in a post-strike situation. We had wanted to by more potassium iodine pills but there are only so many produced in a year. At the same time the companies that produce Potassium iodine pills have not been engaged in increasing production.
By the way we are also purchasing large quantities of canned foods of all types. You may be seeing a shortage of SPAM, Campbell and Progresso soup of all kinds. Hell, we are literally pulling tons of canned fruits and vegetables out of the chain of supply. We even hit stockpiles of C- Rations in the civilian market as well as stockpiles of C-Rations in the depots. So right up to the day the missiles launch we will be moving supplies to the various stockpiles.
This means the units involved in defending a critically important source of supplies not only for the civilians but for the military as well. We are also going to allow the units to bring their immediate family with them for the duration of the crisis.
Now as for the engineering units locating some units in locations well away from the area that are going to be hit by major strikes. This mean units will not have to deal with post-strike radiation to any serious degree. That means while the unit is not close to any major targets the units will be in condition to carry out post-strike reconstruction. Even if the situation requires the unit to move some distance from the stockpiles.
The head of the Post War continuity of government smiled, “Secretary Harper you have been really going all out in your efforts to gather these stockpiles together. I have to speak to the President about your efforts. The idea of increasing the number of troops protecting the stockpiles is commendable. I did not realize to the extent you have gone to add all the supplies you can to the stockpiles. I feel that the President will want the supplies well protected and I expect that the Army will respond to the plan. It is fifteen minutes till 11AM it will be 6pm in Moscow. That mean the time allotted by Moscow to agree to the Soviet terms will be over. That means war will follow possibly as soon as tonight but more likely tomorrow morning. By the way as secretary of the department of Agriculture, your, supposed to be on a plane this afternoon. Hopefully fighting will not break out between now and then.”
Mike smiled and he replied, “I doubt that the WARSAW PACT forces will cross the border much before 4am West German time. Which is 10pm Washington time. Since my plane leaves at 4pm, I should be in the air and well away from the eastern United States by that time.” The head of the continuity of government nodded his head. “Now we have other matters to attend to, Gentlemen, Ladies have a good day. “
4PM Andrews AFB Right at 4pm Mike Harper and a plane load of bureaucrats headed into the sky. With a few hours the plane would be landing in Denver. Everyone would get a short rest and then back into the sky for the 11 to 7 shift.
6PM Cavour Ed Blake and his family were gathered around the table, to day was the day that the ultimatum had passed on. Maybe tomorrow John would be in battle. But what was really upsetting Martha was George has received a draft notice telling him to report to the draft board Tuesday of next week. She could soon have two sons fighting in the war and she was not one bit happy about it. She remembered the telegram her parents had received telling them that their son had died in Korea. She was reliving that memory and she sat at the table looking across the table looking at George and wondering if she would she would do if she received a telegram about one or the other or worse yet for both. She was expecting the worst out of this war.
Rear Admiral Streit was sitting watching the reports as they flowed in so far the Russians had not been very aggressive. Then a series of messages had arrived for a variety of the personal on board the plane. The commander of Looking Glass for the moral of the troops and to make sure that they were keeping their minds on their work. Had setup a message board for the families that were on the move. All they had to do was call the number and leave a message and he would have that message sent on the to the personal on the plane. Andrew smiled, his wife had arrived at the family ranch. Well one concern was off of his mind.
Jack Brisco
Banned
Farmer,
Great update. The people in Moscow have just totally lost it. An invasion of Alaska is a major operation, requiring months of planning. If they want it to happen in a few days the operation is doomed to catastrophe. Since the people in Vladivostok are just sitting down now to plan the operation....whoa.
Great update. The people in Moscow have just totally lost it. An invasion of Alaska is a major operation, requiring months of planning. If they want it to happen in a few days the operation is doomed to catastrophe. Since the people in Vladivostok are just sitting down now to plan the operation....whoa.
Unfortunately 1/37 is going to be in for a bad time since all their positions have been compromised, one can only hope the source of the leak is identified before too much harm is done and new positions can be established. I expect the attack on Alaska is going to end badly for the Russians, but for any Alaskans caught in the middle it won't be any fun either. The USN is monitoring the waters so any seaborne groups will be detected well before they get anywhere important, and the Aleutian radars will spot incoming, although I expect Soviet forces will try and knock those out early. I expect the Chinese will note (with glee) the depletion of the Soviet Pacific military forces.
The 48-72 hour delay in the attack hopefully won't lull NATO forces in to thinking maybe it won't happen, but rather allow for more time to get ready/move forces. I wonder what the status of Soviet naval forces beyond the GIUK Gap is - have they flooded the Atlantic with subs? I assume/hope that all key military equipment is being sent across in escorted convoys, also Kelfavik has been pumped up to guard against air attacks on convoys.
The 48-72 hour delay in the attack hopefully won't lull NATO forces in to thinking maybe it won't happen, but rather allow for more time to get ready/move forces. I wonder what the status of Soviet naval forces beyond the GIUK Gap is - have they flooded the Atlantic with subs? I assume/hope that all key military equipment is being sent across in escorted convoys, also Kelfavik has been pumped up to guard against air attacks on convoys.
Jack Brisco
Banned
Would also say this....US/Allied ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance) worldwide is and has been going all-out in order to give a maximum heads-up of the impending Soviet attacks. EVERYTHING - all systems/platforms/etc. , you name it, they're going balls to the wall. And, hey, you never know, General Rogers might be able to get in that first, early punch.
Jack Brisco- True about Alaska, to tell the truth i had never thought much about an attack on Alaska. Then a thought occurred to me suppose someone of importance in the Politburo proposed the idea. In a dictatorship its easier to go along than to tell them they are out of their fucking minds.
As for CentCom a localized series of attacks on units in position to attack across the border allows NATO the opportunity to slow down the overall thrust of the attack and causing varying degrees of disruption to the attacking force.
As for CentCom a localized series of attacks on units in position to attack across the border allows NATO the opportunity to slow down the overall thrust of the attack and causing varying degrees of disruption to the attacking force.