The Third World War (European Scenario)

[Magpius]

Thanks for the effort here Bootlegger; entertaining and informative reading.

[bootlegger267]

6-19 August, 1990
1908902241z

After two weeks, Phase 2 was almost complete. As much as he wanted to let the Russians' and East Germans' personnel truck out of the Erfurt Pocket, leaving their equipment behind (this was proposed through the Swiss), the Russian response was an attempted breakout.

He was waiting for his J2, Col Grubb to arrive with the latest intel dump. It was taking longer than usual because of the Romanian withdrawl from the WP and the implications that went with it. The door opened and his J2 walked in with multiple folders which he placed on the conference table.

“Sorry for the delay Sir but I was watching a replay of one of AFSouth's AWACS. Actually twice, forward and backwards to confirm the tracks” said Grubb. “Tracks of what? Asked Russo. “The tracks of Russian helicopters, all moving from here to here” said Grubb as he pointed at the display. Grubb put up an overlay over the display. “Just about every Soviet helicopter Regiment has redeployed from the Danube Front into the NorthAG sector.” “Are they....” Russo let his thoughts trail off. “In my opinion, yes” said the Col. “OK Josef, break it down for me” said SACEUR.

“Indicator 1...The Poles are now in the line, here, and here, pointing to the two black circles. Why now?
“Indicator 2...The redeployment of the attack helicopter Regt's, those are the yellow circles”
“Indicator 3...While we've been consolidating our CentAG positions, the Russians' have resupplied all these divisions, circled in red, way beyond 100%.” said Grubb.

Russo looked at the display. “Bremen” “Yes” “If they breakthrough there...” “Nothing to stop them.” Russo had only one division in strategic reserve. Russo picked up his phone. “Bill, get the 101st loaded. They're going to vic....”

Grubb continued to brief the rest. “AFSouth is working out the kinks between the Greeks and Turks regarding Ploesti/Sofia. For the most part, the fighting is minimal in that theater.

NorCom has contained the Russians' and has retaken Alta-Banek. They've been ordered to dig in and halt offensive ops for the time being.” said the Col.

[bootlegger267]

Cont...

[bootlegger267]

23 August, 1990
2308900900Z

Gen Russo wass pacing in his office. He was pissed that the Russians' were not agreeing to a ceasefire in place with a gradual withdraw to pre-war borders. The talks were being mediated by the Swiss, with no success.

“Ok” said Russo under his breath. He looked at the situational displays, NORCOMNORD, NORCOMSUD, NORTHAG, CENTAG, AFSOUTH. He picked up his phone and called his J3. “Bill, start Phase 4. I've already given the French the go ahead to leave the Berlin corridor and start to probe towards Rostock.” “Mike, you know what's going to happen once the Russians' see us massing four US Heavy Corps? They'll release, and it will go downhill from there” said the J3. “Yep, but it'll be at least a week, probably more before we are ready. That gives the Russians' some time to make the right decision” said Russo.

[bootlegger267]

Cont...

[bootlegger267]

30 August, 1990
3008901450Z

Russo looked out the open door of his Blackhawk as the pilot turned southeast over Bielfeld, flying over dozens of destroyed vehicles. Fields cratered like a moonscape. The pilot then followed the trace of the battlefield. When they arrived in the Kassel/Fulda/Erfurt area the pilot slowed the craft and slowly gained altitude. As the pilot approached a low ridgeline, he came to a hover. The battlefield where two Russian Armies were destroyed came into view. “Erfurt Pocket” said Col Grubb. The carnage was absolute. “Why didn't they just take the damn offer we gave them?” said Russo to nobody. “They couldn't. If they did, and the rest of the soldiers on the line found out, and they would...” Grubb let it trail off. “Yeah, mass desertions....”

They landed at the Gera airfield. As they approached, Russo saw the destruction the airborne operation had done here. A single sedan awaited the two passengers and once loaded, drove towards a large hanger where he would give his briefing.

Once inside, Russo was greeted by the commanders of the US III, V, VII, and XI Corps. Also present were the French I and II Corps commanders. These would be the men who would fight the final battles to end this war.

“As we all know, the French I and II Corps broke out of the Berlin corridor on the 23rd and advanced some 100kms towards Rostock. Behind them, the US V Corps turned northwest, cut one of the two remaining WP MSR's north of Magdeburg, and are now 50kms to the rear of the 3rd Shock Army. Although negotiations to end this thing continue, there has been no progress.

US III Corps will pick up the lead followed by VII Corps, with the intent of reaching Rostock to the north and northeast of Hamburg. US XI and the French I and II Corps will provide flank security.