View Full Version : The Next War 1979 - NATO
Scenario: The Next War 1979
Version: Sudden War
Warsaw Pact Player: Red Storm
NATO: Chuck
Result: Draw
This after action report covers the bloody match between Redstorm and Chuck for control over Western Europe. Although Redstorm is a rookie he caught on quick and had me on the ropes for much of the match.
Turn 1 - June 22nd, 1979
The war starts as hordes of Warsaw pact armor rumble across the border toward West Germany. The Warsaw Pact has attacked at the right time as western militaries are in a poor state after years of neglect. Several new western weapon systems are on the drawing board so the Kremlin has decided to roll the dice before the situation gets worse.
Both Italy and France have refused to come to the aid of their 'allies'. Hardline socialist governments rule both countries and believe the Soviets have many grievences against the west that justify an invasion. Luckily the freedom loving people of Hungary have revolted against the Soviets and will also sit this one out.
Due to the sudden nature of their attack, Warsaw Pact forces are unprepared for war and don't make much progress in the first 3 1/2 days of the war. My strategy is to keep my forces back deep within West Germany, with focal points at the key cities of Munich, Frankfurt, and Dortmund.
See http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/europe/germany.jpg for a map of Germany.
Turn 2 - June 25th
Polish forces make a large scale invasion against Denmark this turn and surround the garrision at Copehagen. There is little chance the Danes can hold out and they have been given up as a lost cause by the NATO high command in Brussels.
Several Soviet special forces regiments make landings along the part of West Germany bordering the North Sea. A counterattack by the Dutch 1st and 4th Mechanized Divisions eliminates most of these units over the next few days.
In the heart of Germany I have positioned the American Army (1st, 3rd, 8th Mechanized Divisions and 1st, 3rd Armored Divisions) along the Main River. In the south the 2nd West German Corps is quickly building up the defenses around Munich.
Turn 3 - June 29th
Denmark surrenders as expected. Soviet special forces at Wilhelmshaven and Oldenburg continue their fantical defense against the Dutch counterattack. The German 3rd Panzer Division, 1st Panzer Grendier, and 11th Panzer Grendier Divisions have set up behind the Weser River to prevent the Warsaw Pact from exploiting the situtation.
In Berlin the West German garrision continues to hold out. Their tough defense has inspired millions of people across the free world.
Turn 4 - July 2nd
The entire front is quiet this turn as both sides feel each other out. NATO forces have recovered from the initial shock of the attack and now have a solid line of defense throughout West Germany. All of the Soviet special forces behind NATO lines in northern West Germany have been eliminated. The Soviet lines look weak around the Fulda Gap and potential counterattacks in this sector is possible down the road.
Player Strategy
Redstorm doesn't appear to pressing the attack fast enough IMHO. It seems like I might get a chance to counterattack sooner than expected.
Turn 5- July 6th
The Czechoslovakian Eastern Army, about 50 kilometers east of Munich, is overstretched and the West German units in this area are ordered out to destroy it. After a few days of battle, a couple of thousand Czechoslovakian tanks are wasted for the cost of several hundred Leopards.
Turn 6 - July 9th
After landing yet more Special forces in northern West Germany, the Soviet 2nd Guards Tank Army has smashed across the Weser River and turned the flank of the NATO forces in this sector. NATO has ordered the entire Dutch Army to contain the breach.
In the middle of West Germany the Americans have begun a limited counterattack. The Soviet 1st Guards Tank Army has been cut off from supply by the American 8th Mechanized Division and the 3rd West German Corps.
The area around Wurzburg and Nurnburg has remained static over the last few weeks as neither side has committed enough forces to cross the Main River. The counterattack in the south of West Germany continues as the 2nd West German Corps has advanced to the axis of Regensburg-Passau.
Turn 7 - July 13th
NATO has opened up a large counterattack against the 'Kassel Salient'. West German forces have driven through the Soviet 8th Guard Army and the Polish Warsaw Motorized Army. American and Italian forces are supporting the move toward Kassel with an attack towards Fulda.
Warsaw Pact forces in the north are at their strongest. The East German Motorized Army, Polish Pommeranian Motorized Army, and Soviet 2nd Guards Tank Army have crossed the Weser River. So far the Dutch and West German forces have kept the enemy in check.
Meanwhile in the south the 1st Gebirgsjager Division has forced a crossing over the Danube River and will soon enter the territory of Czechoslovakia. Only the Soviet South Group of Forces stands in the way of a general Warsaw Pact collapse in this sector.
Strategy Notes
The chance to press the front back into East Germany looks possible now. Several parts of Redstorm's lines look weak.
Turn 9 - July 20th
The NATO counterattack over the last week has opened up some large holes in the Warsaw Pact lines between Bielefeld and Fulda.
The 6th and 7th Soviet Guards Tank Armies have been moved in to stop my advance. Hopefully this will relieve pressure on the Dutch defending Niedersachsen. NATO special forces have made drops into East Germany and Czechoslovakia.
Turn 10 - July 23th
Dutch forces are beat after weeks of war against thousands upon thousands of top line Soviet tanks. A withdraw toward the Ems River is the only option. The Belgium 1st and 16th Mechanzied Divisions are on their way north to provide more cannon fodder for the Warsaw Pact attack.
In the center of the map the NATO counterattack has just about run out of steam. The front line goes from Gottingen-Fulda-Nurnburg. Intelligence sources have vastly underestimated Soviet tank strength and there just isn't enough NATO tanks to go around.
Strategy Notes
I think I have underestimated Redstorm's TOAW playing abilities. After some mistakes early on he has done a lot of better in recent turns.
Turn 13 - August 3rd
Warsaw Pact forces continue to advance through northern West Germany and have reach the border with the Netherlands. The situation is critical and I have sent a division of US Marines in an attempt to stop the Soviet steamroller. Battlefield intelligence indicates that over 20,000 enemy tanks have been destroyed yet the Soviets seem to still have plenty left in the tank.
The rest of the battlefield has turned into a static situation. Small parts of East Germany and Czechoslovakia are under NATO control but there isn't enough forces to expand on this situation. The Warsaw Pact has total air supremacy which makes advancing very difficult.
Strategy Notes
Losing the air war has cost me the ability to drop my special forces behind enemy lines. Increasingly my only option is to select the 'dig in' option.
Turn 15 - August 10th
The advance by the Warsaw Pact toward the Netherlands and northeastern West Germany continues. Several divisions have crossed the Ems River and are pressing the attack toward the key town of Munster. Belgium forces are worn down but continue to hold the town of Osnabruck on the Weser River.
In the south German forces have been driven out of Czechoslovakia and are now back behind the Danube River. The town of Regensburg is still held, providing an avenue for supplies to get to units along the northern bank of the Main River.
Turn 18 - August 20th
A ceasefire has finally been called as both sides are tired of war. The end result is a small but costly victory for the Soviet Union. Denmark has been overrun and the important cities of Hamburg, Hannover, and Bremen are now a part of East Germany.
The price was steep however as the armies of the Warsaw Pact countries have been decimated. Over 32,000 main battlefied tanks (T-55, T-62, and T-72) were destroyed in the fighting. By contrast the NATO nations only lost 9,000 main battlefield tanks.
The economies of the west have been geared up for war and US Presidential candidate Ronald Reagan has vowed that he will retake Berlin by 1982 if elected. Several new weapon systems (M1 tank, AH-64 Apache attack helicopter, Bradley fighting vehicle, F-16 Falcon, F-18 Hornet, and F-117 Lighting) should help him keep this promise.
Strategy Notes
Overall a enjoyable scenario but it seems to devolve down into trench warfare at the end. This is probably due to the fact that each side losses so many tanks early on that it gets harder to stay mobile.
Redstorm did great and had me in trouble for a few turns. Hell, with 'only' another 10,000 tanks or so he could of taken Nurnburg. :p
Final Turn Situation Briefing:
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