A cynical and unconscionable invasion of neutral territory directly responsible for the escalation into, effectively, World War 3.
General Sir Bernie Rogers US Army, NATO SACEUR.
A temporary special operation necessary to confront Swedish Nazis, who were intent on disrupting the irresistible tide of European liberation.
Colonel-General Alexei Andropov Soviet Army, Special Administrator, Nordic Anti-Fascist Zone.
Whichever view you take of the 1985 Soviet incursion into Sweden, sadly overshadowed by the intense combat that also erupted further south right across the former 'Iron Curtain', no-one can doubt the severity of the combat in the north nor anticipate the protracted fighting and guerrilla activity that continues to this day in this wild region of endless forests and lakes...
Daniel, seen above modelling the Swedish tanker's iconic black beret, devised and briefed the scenario commemorating this little known battle of forty years ago:
The intel was technically correct - the Soviet armour did consist of 1970's second generation tanks typical of a low readiness Category 3 Motor Rifle Division.
What was not anticipated by Swedish High Command was that these were the modernised versions.
T62M and T55AM2s not only have increased armour and improved FC, they are also capable of firing AT-10 STABBER ATGM through their main guns whilst on the move!
The manoeuvre corridor selected by Baltic Fleet Command was not as wooded and rugged as most of Sweden, and allowed ample scope for long range missile engagements...
The river was impassable even to amphibious vehicles due to the rapids. The lakes that dot the area however had no impact on the mighty Soviet war machine!
For whatever reason in 12mm scale it seems easier to translate the map to the table:
I've noticed in my travels that Scandinavian rural buildings tend to be painted in bright primary colours. Absolutely no idea what a reindeer farm looks like though - but it probably features a barn or two!
Daniel, Declan and Peter as the Swedish team arrayed their defences around the near objective, retaining one platoon of S Tanks in ambush and their ATGW missile teams also providing some depth defence.
Darren came up with a tactical plan that was so cunning you could pin a tail on it and call it Reynard! I would take the Motor Rifles and T-55s down our right flank and seduce the defences away to the east and north, whilst Darren punched hard with the T-62s straight for the objective from the south-east.
As the attackers Darren and I got the first move. Our Fast Air showed up bang on time and in fact was on call pretty much throughout the game - unlike the Swedish pilots!
Whilst our air and aviation assets picked off the iconic S Tanks at stand-off ranges, our AFVs and Motor Rifles were free to exploit the ample cover to close the defences.
Luckily for us the Swedish Air Force was largely conspicuous by its absence! Then when they did finally show up they went into anti helicopter mode. They chose...
unwisely!
Now it was the turn of our AFVs to stay in plain sight whilst the dismounts closed with the enemy infantry using the cover of the woods.
Whilst Darren took his tanks straight for the objective!
However the crafty Swedes did not fall entirely for our cunning plan - they didn't spring the S Tank ambush until our tanks were well within short range! Fortunately for us, their dice were communist sympathisers!
So that by turn 5 we had the objective in a pincer between the Motor Rifle's T-55s and the T-62s. With most of their AFVs brewed, largely by our ubiquitous Frontal Aviation comrades, the Swedish infantry fell back to fight another day...
This was Daniel's first scenario for Team Yankee, and he came up with an absolute corker! At some point I hope we replay this, perhaps with the teams swapping roles. And I daresay a fresh set of Swedish dice!
Photo Credits: SOVFOTO & Daniel Larssonsonson
Great scenario, AAR and miniatures!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Steve, most kind!
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