Thread: 6 turns of the full game without Naval rules.

BooBoo130 — 2007-06-15T20:38:45+00:00

The Next War
09/17/06

This is a solitaire replay of the Spring Maneuvers Campaign Game of the SPI classic The Next War. I did not play with the naval rules at all. Also, I used the modified CRT’s found on Board Game Geek for land and air to air combat. I did not use the optional supply rules but did use battlefield recovery. I hope you enjoy the After Action Report.

April 1, 1978 East Germany.

Warsaw Pact: In accordance with our “Spring Maneuvers” War Plan, Warsaw Pact Forces will attack into West Germany to liberate the country from capitalism. The following armies will accomplish the task of liberation.

East German 3rd Army will capture West Berlin using 1 Tank Division (TD) and 3 Motor Rifle Divisions (MRD).
East German 5 Army with 1 TD and 1 MRD will drive into Denmark and assist airborne and marine units in the capture of that country.
2 Guards Tank Army with 2 TD and 2 MRD will attack along the Hamburg- Oldenburg axis.
20 Guards Army with 1 TD and 3 MRD will attack between Hamburg and Hanover, supporting 2 GTA and 3 SHK Armies.
3 Shock Army with 4 TD will attack Hanover and then Osnabruck.
Soviet Northern Group of Forces HQ with 2 TD and 1 MRD will capture Kassel and then on to the Ruhr cities. They will be assisted by 3 Shock Army.
8 Guards Army with 1 TD and 3 MRD will capture Frankfurt and the nearby airfields.
1 Guards Tank Army with 2 TD and 1 MRD will be used as an OMG with either 8 GA or SNGF
Czech 1and 4 Armies comprising 2 TD and 2 MRD will capture Munchen and Augsburg.
Czech Eastern Army with 3 TD and 3 MRD will capture the northern half of Austria, specifically Wien and Linz. This army will then move into Bavaria to assist CZ 1 and 4 Armies.
SSGF HQ with 1 TD and 2 MRD along with the Hungarian Army of 2 TD and 4 MRD will capture the southern half of Austria and then invade northern Italy.

NATO HQ: During the recent war games in East Germany several spies reported large amounts of ammunition and fuel being placed in forward dumps. Also, Russian forces scheduled to return home have not done so. Numerous units appear to be moving forward to jumping off points in East Germany. Three airborne divisions are preparing for air insertion at several airbases in East Germany. Also, four EG divisions have moved near West Berlin. All the major Soviet front line armies with supporting Warsaw Pact tier armies are massing along the inter German border. The Polish Pommerania and Silesian Armies are moving via rail to the East German border. NATO units have been put on a high state of alert. Forward based helicopter units were moved back to be able to support NATO forces. Several NATO formations, notably the 2nd, 6th and 7th WG Mech divisions, the US 1st Armored and 11th ACR, and several British units were able to move into better defensive positions. NATO air units are being scrambled at this time. France is already activating its Army for movement into West Germany. West German Reserve formations are mobilizing but will take several days before they are ready.

GT 1: The Warsaw Pact attempts to gain air superiority over the entire area of operations, especially in the Baltic area where 3 Soviet Airborne Divisions are headed. NATO counters with air units in the Central and Northern sectors. WP air units obtain air superiority over the Baltic and Southern air zones but are intercepted in the Central and Northern air sectors with losses to both sides.

WP Movement/Combat Phase: Three Soviet Airborne Divisions land in Denmark but sustain losses from AAA units. The three divisions reform for an attack on Copenhagen.
The EG V Army drives toward the base of Denmark.
Berlin is attacked by 4 EG divisions but the US brigade holds out.
The 2GTA lays siege to Hamburg which is defended by the WG 6th PZGD.
20GA attacks elements of the British 1st AD, WG 3rd PZD and 11th PZGD, and Dutch 41st Brigade but makes little headway.
The WG 2/1 is destroyed by attacks from the 3Shock Army. However, the HQ unit of the WG 1st PZGD, with artillery support, defends the outskirts of Hanover against two divisions causing two hits on the Russian units.
SNGF units attack Kassel but defense by the WG 2nd PZGD causes a step loss to a tank division.
8GA attacks the 11th ACR north of Fulda. The Cavalry beat back attacks by two divisions, causing two step losses, with assistance from AH-1 gun ships.
1GTA moves to cover the flank of the 8th GA. SCGF units attack the US 1st AD in Nurnberg capturing one hex of the city.
The CZ1 and 4 Armies attack the WG 4th PZGD near Regensburg. One CZ division loses a step and the WG’s have to retreat a hex.
In Austria, Wien is surrounded and under siege. Losses to both sides were light (a step a piece).

NATO Movement/Combat Phase: NATO forces react to the attack, moving the NE I Corps toward Bremen to backstop the WG I Corps.
WG I Corps covers the area between Bremen and Hanover with the US 4/2 brigade attached.
BAOR units cover the area west and south of Hanover.
The BE I Corps moves toward Paderborn.
FR I Corps with 2 divisions moves toward the Ruhr cities.
WG III Corps defends Kassel and Giessen Area.
The US V Corps defends the area of Frankfurt with the US 8th Mech in reserve. WG 12th PZD with the Canadian 4th Mech Brigade defends the approaches to Wurzburg.
The US VII Corps holds the Nurnberg area.
FR II Corps moves to Ulm.
IT IV Corps, comprising 3 divisions and 2 brigades, moves toward Munchen.
The IT V Corps with 3 divisions and several brigades defends the Italian Yugoslavian border.

Losses: NATO: WG 2/1 mech brigade, 1x Bo-105 helo WG, 2x F-104WG, 2x G91WG, 1x AJetWG, 2x F4WG, 2x F5NE, 3x SAM sites, IV Danish HQ. Warsaw Pact: 3x Mig23.

GT2. Air Phase: WP controls the Air Superiority levels but takes numerous causalities in the Interception level and Ground Support Level. The 103rd and 106th Guard Airborne Divisions attempt to para drop into the Osnabruck and Minden area on the North German Plains but are completely destroyed by WG Hercules SAM sites.

WP Movement/ Combat Phase: 76th and 31st GAD assault Kobenhavn destroying the 1/SJA brigade. The VI HQ unit still holds the city.
EG V Army destroys two SAM sites and one Danish HQ unit while entering Denmark.
EG III Army loses the 11th MRD in attacks on the US Berlin Brigade.
Polish Silesia Army attacks the British Berlin brigade, one MRD loses 2 steps.
2GTA takes tremendous loses attacking Hamburg but forces the WG 16/6 brigade out of the suburbs.
20GA forces back units of the 3PGD, BR 1AD, 11PGD and the NE 4 mech brigade. In these attacks Soviet divisions lose 2 steps and numerous air units to SAM fire.
Pommerania Army exploit’s a gap between Hamburg and Bremen and captures Bremerhaven. The entire army is fatigued.
3Shock captures Hannover and engages units of the BR 4AD. Losses to three Soviet divisions are taken, British and WG units retreat in good order.
SNGF units move to cover 3Shock’s southern flank. Two Soviet divisions capture Kassel, losing one step to the 6GTD.
8GA has one MRD and one TD attack the 5PZD to no effect. 57GMRD attacks and destroys the 1/3A brigade. 27GMRD rampages the rear areas of the US V Corps destroying 10 SAM and AAA sites.
SCGF clears Nurnberg splitting the US VII corps in two.
CZ 1 and 4 Armies attack the 4PGD to little effect.
Eastern CZ Army captures one hex of Wien.
Hungarian Army redeploys four divisions to the outskirts of Graz.
SSGF units are stopped south of Wien by Austrian Alpine units backed up by artillery.

NATO Movement/ Combat Phase: Danish JYT division causes more damage to the 102GAD.
6PGD recombines in Hamburg in preparation for a breakout to NATO lines.
I NL Corp’s 1Mech attacks the Polish 5TD causing 1 step loss. The Corp redeploys all three divisions on line from Bremen to Wilhelmshaven. 101 Mech Brigade is in reserve.
I WG Corp disengage from several Soviet divisions and redeploys to the west bank of the Weser River. The US 4/2 AB is attached. I WG holds the area Bremen to Minden.
BAOR Corp disengages units and takes up positions east of Herford. Two divisions recombine.
I FR Corp moves into the Osnabruck area as a reserve with 2 divisions and another on the way from France.
I BE Corp moves into the line north of Kassel with one division in reserve.
III WG Corp- 7PGD combines and destroys the SNGF HQ unit and recaptures Kassel. 5PGD attacks the 39GMRD but takes a loss.
V US Corp has the 11ACR attack and destroys the 8GA HQ. The regiment moves to block supply for the rest of 8GA. US 8MD attacks the 27GMRD causing the Soviets 2 step losses.
VII US Corp has been split in two west of Nurnberg. However, the 10PZ in a surprise move captures Nurnberg and destroys the SCGF HQ. The three Soviet divisions are now in somewhat of a pocket but the US units are out of position.
II FR Corp moves south of Nurnberg preparing for commitment to battle. The Corp contains two divisions.
II WG Corps is spread out in defensive terrain north and east of Munich.
IV IT Corps with two mech and one tank divisions plus two brigades moves into Munich and prepares to attack CZ units.
Austrian units defend in place.

Comments: This turn US units took a beating due to very bad (or good depending on what side you are on) die rolls. They were unable to stem the tide even with helicopter and artillery support.
The North German Plain units are doing very well holding back 18 frontline Soviet divisions.
Helicopter units have been the key to NATO’s defense in several key battles.
NATO must have secondary units behind the main line of resistance to stop breakthrough units from causing damage to rear area units. This cost the US V Corps many SAM and AAA units.
Russian units can take severe losses when attacking the line against artillery and helicopter backed NATO units.
So far the most troubled area is in the Frankfurt area. If the US units can’t hold back the 8GA the whole front will be split in two.

GT3: Air Phase: NATO Wild Weasels are in the North and Central Air Sectors. No air units are deployed to the Baltic Sector due to Denmark’s imminent capitulation. WP controls the Superiority in the North sector but is decimated in the Interception level by French and Belgian Mirage fighters. The Central Sector is controlled by NATO due to US F-15’s and F-4’s. The South Sector is WP controlled.

WP Movement/ Combat Phase: 76th and 31st GAD capture Kobenhavn from the remaining defenders but the 76th is destroyed in brutal city fighting. The JYT division is surrounded and will surrender soon.
EG V Army attacks the JYT division to no effect.
2GTA loses two divisions attacking Hamburg.
Pommerania Army engages the NL I Corps but takes heavy losses.
Silesia Army engages the British Berlin Brigade but loses a division in street fighting.
EG III Army attacks the US Berlin Brigade to no effect.
20GA attacks the WG I Corps along the Weser River taking heavy losses from Arty and Helicopter units.
3SHK engages the British 4AD with three divisions supported by massive amounts of arty, air, and helicopter support. British 4AD takes two hits but holds position. The Soviets lose three helicopter units plus numerous air units. The British lose 2 Harriers and 1 Buccaneer air units.
SNGF units hold in place.
8GA/1GTA- 1GTA takes over all 8GA units. One MRD breaks down to cover the south flank of the army. 9TD disengages from the US 3AD. 57GMRD attacks the 11ACR with a “C” combat result. 39GMRD attacks the 5PZD using air support. A “C” is the result due to NATO arty and helicopter support.
SCGF and CZ 1 and 4 Armies- The 66MRD attacks and destroys the US 3MD HQ and 72 Arty Brigade and pushes back the 2/3 Brigade. US 1/3 and 3/3 are trapped in Bamberg by three Soviet divisions. The US brigades have taken 2 hits each. The CZ armies realign their divisions along the Donau River.
Hungarian Army captures Graz airfield and surrounds the city. The Hungarian 5TD captures one hex of Wien destroying the G and F Bn’s and the 1 Arty Rgt of the Austrian Army.
SSGF 102 GMRD destroys the 3/East Mech Brigade and the 1/East Tank Bn south of Wien.
The CZ Eastern Army surrounds the 4/West brigade, 10/West Tank Bn, and 1/West Alpine Brigade.

NATO Movement/ Combat Phase: NL I Corps destroys the Polish 5TD and reestablishes the Weser River line.
WG I Corps reinforces the Weser River.
BR I Corps takes serious losses to the 4AD. The 1AD moves to support the 4AD.
FR I Corps moves into position near Bielefeld to backstop the BR I Corps.
WG III Corps has the 7PGD attack the 6GTD. The West German’s lose a step.
US V Corps 8MD destroys the 27GMRD near Frankfurt. The 8MD moves to protect Frankfurt.
US VII Corps 1AD with help from the French 3MD destroys the 51TD and arty units near Nurnberg.
FR II Corps moves south of Nurnberg.
WG II Corps moves the 1GBD to Inglostadt as a corps reserve.
IT IV Corps moves into the line facing the CZ 1 and 4 Armies.

Current Status of WP Units by Army:
Denmark: 76GAD (destroyed), 31GAD (1 step), 102GAD (3 step)
2GTA- 9GTD (1), 32MRD (3)
Pommerania- 2MRD (1), 12MRD (0), 3MRD (0), 15MRD (0), 16TD (0)
20GA- 6GMRD (3), 19MRD (3), 25TD (0), 207MRD (1)
3SHK- 7GTD (1), 10GTD (0), 14GMRD (0), 47GTD (1)
SNGF- No HQ, 38TD (0), 6GTD (3)
8GA/1GTA- No HQ (8GA), 20GTD (3), 39GMRD (1), 11GTD (0), 57GMRD (0), 9TD (0), 20GMRD (0)
SCGF-No HQ, 66MRD (1), 16GMRD (3), 55GMRD (1), 31TD (0)
CZ 1 & 4 Armies- 2MRD (0), 9TD (1), 19MRD (3), 1TD (0)
Silesia Army- 11TD (1)
EG III Army- 7TD (0), 1MRD (1), 4MRD (1)
Hungarian Army- 9MRD (1), 27MRD (0), 12TD (0), 17MRD (0), 4MRD (0), 5TD (1)
SSGF- 35MRD (1), 2TD (0), 102GMRD (1)
CZ Eastern Army-13TD (0), 20MRD (1), 3MRD (0), 4TD (1), 15MRD (0), 14TD (1)

Current Status of NATO units by Corps:
NL I Corps- all units at full strength
WG I Corps- 1PGD HQ (destroyed), 2/1 PGB (destroyed)
BAOR Corps- 4AD (2)
FR I Corps- all units at full strength
BE I Corps- all units at full strength
WG III Corps- 7PGD (1), 5PZD (1)
US V Corps- 1/3 AD (destroyed), 72 Arty (destroyed), 10 SAM & AAA units lost
US VII Corps- 3M HQ (destroyed), 1/3 MB (2), 3/3 MB (2)
WG II Corps- all units at full strength
FR II Corps- all units at full strength
IT IV Corps- all units at full strength

GT 4: Air Phase: WP holds Air Superiority Level in the North Sector but is decimated by French and Belgian Mirages, backed up US and WG depleted F-4 units, in the Interception Level. All WP ground support for the North sector is aborted. In the Central Sector, US F-15 and F-4’s take on CZ and EG Mig-21fighters in a massive air battle. The US units abort all of the air cover but several groups of WP ground support aircraft penetrate to the battlefield. Losses in CZ and EG aircraft are high. The Italian air force sends numerous air support aircraft into the South Air Sector to assist the Austrian Army around Graz.

WP Movement/ Combat Phase: The Polish 6th ABD moves to forward bases via helicopter for future commitment to the battlefield. The CZ 22 ABB is also moved to a forward airbase. NATO aircraft are able to interdict all WP supply lines but lose two steps of precious F-111 aircraft. This will surely make a difference on the battlefield.
EG III Composite Army made p of 1MRD, 1TD (both EG units), 102GAD, 2 Soviet Marine brigades, and the 7th Polish Marine Div move south toward Hamburg for commitment to the battlefront.
2GTA holds positions around Hamburg.
Pommerania Army attacks the WG 9/3 and BR 7/1 with the 3rd, 12th, 15th MRD’s plus the 16th TD, pushing the NATO unit’s back one hex. The 3MRD and 12MRD sustain losses.
20GA attacks the 11PGD and WG 3/1 brigade defending the Weser River. 25TD and 207MRD sustain losses. NATO loses 2 helicopter units, both WG.
3SHK- The bloodied 7GTD attacks two brigades of WG panzer grenadiers (1/3 and 1/1) along the Weser. The Soviets are destroyed in the attack and is now a division base only. The 10GTD, 47GTD, and 14GMRD attack the bloodied BR 4AD. The Brits are able to repel every attack due to arty and helicopter units. 47GTD and 14GMRD take losses.
SNGF- The 38TD disengages from the WG 2PGD. The 6GTD attempts disengagement but fails.
Warsaw Army- The Polish army arrives in the area south of Gottingen to assist SNGF units. The army consists of one TD and one MRD with one more of each on the way.
8GA/1GTA- 57GMRD attacks the 11ACR losing a step. 20GTD attacks units of the 5PZD and is destroyed. The 11GTD attacks units of 5PZD and losses a step. 5PZD was supported by EW, arty, and helicopters.
SCGF- The 16GMRD, 55GMRD, and 31TD attack the US 1/3 and 3/3 in Bamberg, all three attacks fail with 55GMRD and 31TD sustaining a loss each. The 66GMRD is OOS near Wurzburg.
CZ 1 and 4 Armies- 2 MRD attacks units of 4PGD but loses a step. The rest of the army awaits the arrival of the CZ Eastern Army from Austria.
CZ Eastern Army- 4TD captures Wien. 14TD attacks the 1/W Alpine brigade losing a step. The 3MRD attacks the 4/W brigade and 10/W Tank Bn to no effect.
Hungarian Army captures Klagenfurt and surrounds Graz. Three Soviet divisions are en route to assist the destruction of the Graz defenders.

NATO Movement/ Combat Phase: WG reserves arrive this turn and take up positions in several urban/city hexes. The US Reforger units and Air Force units arrive also.
The NATO Commander has ordered the 6PGD along with units of the 3PZD to breakout of the “Hamburg Pocket”. The 6PGD is able to move out of the city and then attack the Polish 2MRD near NATO lines. The 2MRD is pushed out of the way and the West German’s make it to the safety of the Netherlands lines south of Bremerhaven. Both units are fatigues but in good shape.
NL I Corps defends in place.
WG I Corps defends in place.
BR I Corps defends in place.
FR I Corps backstops the BR I Corps and moves one division south to assist the BE I Corps.
WG III Corps- Brigades of the 2PGD attack the cut off 6GTD south of Kassel, destroying the Soviets. The 5PZD attacks the 39GMRD to no effect.
BE I Corps moves units into Kassel and defends the Weser River north of Kassel.
US V Corps- 8MD attacks the 11GTD northeast of Frankfurt. CZ air units are ordered to assist the defense while AH-1 gun ships and F-4’s fly support for the attack. The 11GTD is destroyed. Nine CZ air units are lost along with three AH-1’s and two F-4’s.
FR II Corps- The 3MD attacks the 66MRD near Wurzburg destroying the division.
US VII Corps- The “Battlin Bastards of Bamberg” holds on while relief is en route. The 10PZD, attached to VII Corps attacks the bloodied 55GMRD to no effect. The US 1AD reoccupies Nurnberg awaiting a possible attack by a Russian TD.
WG II Corps- The 1GBD recombines and, with assistance from reserves and 4PGD brigades, destroyed the CZ 2MRD south and east of Nurnberg.
The Austrian Army is dying in place.

GT 5: Air Phase: Warsaw Pact air units are blown from the skies in the North and Center Air Sectors. In the south, Hungarian air units are attacked by Austrian Saab’s and US F-4 air units. A total of seven Warsaw Pact air units penetrate to the battlefield.

Note: I forgot to use the Battlefield Recovery Rule in the game so far. I wanted to use it but just overlooked it. So, after looking at my pictures and rereading my AAR I was able to roll for replacements for most of the countries.

Warsaw Pact Move/Combat Phase: All Front Supply Heads are interdicted by NATO bombers.
EG V Army with one TD and one MRD move south toward Gottingen. The experienced EG 7TD from Berlin is attached to the army.
2GTA is reconstituting three divisions and will be moving south toward Kassel.
Pommerania Army receives the Polish 7 Marine Division and holds position. One MRD receives replacements.
20GA- The 6GMRD receives replacements. The rest of the army holds position.
3Shock- The army holds position.
SNGF/ Warsaw Army- With four Polish divisions and the Soviet 38TD, this army is preparing for commitment to the area around Kassel. This army will be bolstered by the 2GTA.
1GTA- 57GMRD attacks the 11ACR to try to open a supply route to the 39GMRD. The attack is unsuccessful. The US loses 2 AH-1 attack helicopters in the attack.
SCGF- The 31Td and 16GMRD attack the 1/3 and 3/3 mech brigades in Bamberg. Unbelievably the US units hold on with no support whatsoever. The 16GMRD loses a step in the attacks and is a division base only.
CZ 1 and 4 Armies redeploys their divisions to cover their western flank.
CZ Eastern Army captures St Polten and surrounds Linz. The 20MRD takes a hit in the attack on Linz.
Hungarian Army with the SSGF units captures Villach and moves to the Italian border. Two beat up Soviet divisions are left to screen Graz.

NATO Movement/ Combat Phase: NL I Corps holds positions between Bremerhaven and Bremen.
WG I Corps holds position and recovers the 3PZD base and 8/3 brigade into corps reserve. The Corps occupies the line between Bremen and Minden.
BR I Corps holds position while signaling to the home isles to get the Mobile Field Force to Germany ASAP.
FR I Corps repositions the 8MD near Paderborn.
BE I Corps has been advised by SACEUR that up to three WP armies may be attacking their lines within days. The Belgian commander moves the 1MD north of Kassel in preparation. WG reserve units are also sent that way. The Belgians hold the area 40 kilometers north of Kassel to Kassel.
WG III Corps- The 5PZD destroys the 39GMRD near Giessen. The unit then exploits into the rear areas of the 1GTA and destroys the HQ. The Corps holds the area from Kassel to Giessen. The 6PGD is moving toward this threatened area to backstop the Belgians and WG III Corps.
US V Corps- 8MD is able to destroy the 57GMRD. The US 1MD is massing east of Frankfurt. The 12PZD recombines and attacks a regiment of the 20GMRD pushing it back a hex. The Soviet 9TD is no cut off. The Corps holds the area from Giessen to just west of Wurzburg.
US VII Corps- The Canadian 4MB attacks the remnants of the 16GMRD destroying it. The French 3MD then attacks and destroys the 55GMRD. The destruction is complete when the 10PZD destroys the 31TD south of Bamberg. The two US brigades have been relieved. The US 1AD recombines in Nurnberg. The Corps holds the area from Wurzburg to Nurnberg.
WG II Corps- The 1GBD rests after its actions last turn and the rest of the corps awaits the CZ Eastern Army. The Corps holds the area from Nurnberg to Landshut.
FR II Corps- The Corps is holding an area of the Main River south of Nurnberg with one division.
IT IV Corps- The Corps holds the area from Regensburg to east of Landshut to the Austrian border. It awaits the arrival of the CZ army.

Note: The Warsaw Pact forces have taken numerous losses in the last two game turns. The 1GTA and 8GA are down to two divisions total. The 2 GTA has been able to recover some of its firepower but will it be enough. Also, the SCGF is now only one division. Any follow on forces will have to be sent to the Bayreuth area to stem the tide of NATO units that are there.
With the counter attack by the US V and VII Corps, supported by the French and West Germans, the southern front has changed dramatically. NATO may be able to drive either into East Germany or possibly roll up the WP lines from the south.

At the end of GT 5, the Warsaw Pact has obtained 410 victory points. Due to the surprise attack rule, 50 points are taken away. So the total victory points thus far are 360.

GT 6:Air Phase: NATO is able to obtain air superiority over the entire battlefield. All Warsaw Pact ground support aircraft are aborted in air combats. Twenty steps of WP aircraft are lost with over twenty damaged. NATO loses one step of French Mirage and several steps are damaged.

Warsaw Pact Movement/ Combat Phase: All Front Supply Heads are interdicted by NATO aircraft.
Pommerania Army repositions two divisions.
20 GA has the 25 TD disengage to receive replacements.
3 SHK has the 47GTD disengage to receive replacements.
V EG Army- The 7TD and 9TD along with the Soviet 38TD and two brigades of artillery attack the BE 16MD north of Kassel. The Weser river is crossed again but the 9TD and 38TD sustain losses. The Belgians are able to hold on.
2GTA completes its move with three divisions to the north of Kassel to assist in attacking the BE I Corps.
Warsaw Army spreads out its four divisions to cover the border from Fulda to the Czechoslovakian border. The Soviet 5TD is attached to the army.
CZ 1 & 4 Armies The three divisions shift to cover the Czechoslovakian border.
CZ Eastern Army attacks Linz with four divisions. One Hungarian division is destroyed in the attack and the city is still held by the Austrians.
Hungarian Army is approaching the Italian border with seven divisions, including the Soviet 2TD.

NATO Movement/ Combat Phase: NL I Corps holds positions west of Bremerhaven.
WG I Corps made up of three WG divisions, the US 4/2AB, and the BR 7/1AB defends the Weser River. Several WG reserve units are repositioned.
BR I Corps holds positions along the Weser River.
FR I Corps remains as a backstop to the BR I and BE I corps.
BE I Corps holds positions against the EG V Army. The 16MD will be the anvil for an attack by the West Germans.
WG III Corps The 7PGD receives replacements. The 2PGD counterattacks the Soviet 38TD destroying it (only a division base remains). The division base survives a second attack. The WG 6PGD moves into the area west of Kassel and is attached to WG III Corps.
US V Corps The 8MD supported by 41 and 42 artillery brigades and numerous helicopter and air units attacks the cut off 9TD causing two hits. One F-111 is destroyed.
US VII Corps US 1AD recombines preparing to receive replacements and the Canadian 4MBG moves near Bamberg.
WG II Corps the 10 PZ, 1 GBJ, and 4 PGD are forming up against the CZ 1 & 4 Armies.
FR II Corps The 3 and 7 MD’s are supporting the WG II Corps.
IT IV Corps covers the approaches to Munchen.

Conclusion: I called the game at this point due to the fact that I did not believe the Warsaw Pact would be able to mount any significant attacks against the stubborn NATO lines. The game was a blast even though I made several mistakes on the Warsaw Pact side. Here are some points for both sides.

Warsaw Pact: My plan on the Warsaw Pact side was to push as hard as possible into the NATO lines to create several critical points for NATO to deal with. Initially I thought I did pretty well but quickly realized the Pact was taking serious losses while doing so. Once the losses started to mount I started running out of offensive power in the frontlines. I was unable to attack in certain areas because my attacking divisions were so damaged, if they attacked and were lost the line would disintegrate. I feel my initial plan of attack was flawed. I attacked on a broad front and should have picked two, or at most three, axis to attack on. The rest of the line should attack to pin NATO units so they are unavailable to move to the threatened areas. This pinning action is key to both the attack and defense in this game.
As the Warsaw Pact player I should have avoided built up areas unless I absolutely had to attack the city. This was shown very well in the attack on Hamburg by 2 GTA. The army lost two of its divisions and the other two were damaged. I should have bypassed the area and screened it with the Polish follow on armies. If I had done this I would have crossed the Weser on GT 2 or so with a Soviet GTA and would have disrupted NATO lines significantly. This could have been a game winner as the next defensible area for NATO is the Ems River and Mittelland Canal area.
In regards to reserves, I feel it may be better for the Warsaw Pact player to wait a few turns before attacking. What I mean here is play the Tension Scenario to allow additional Warsaw Pact forces to be available at the start of the scenario. I found that in the Spring Maneuvers game there were a few times that I really could have used some additional forces, especially in the Nurnberg area, to continue the advance. At a few points in the game I ran out of additional forces, or all of my forces were pinned by NATO units, and I could not follow up a good breakthrough. Now this is just my opinion because I have never played the Tension Scenario and it may just turn the game into a meat grinder.
What I will try to do next time is create situations where NATO has to attack my units in areas unfavorable to them or be forced to retreat. The Weser River must be breached or NATO will dig in behind it and stop the attack cold. The Weser is the key area in the north. If it can be crossed NATO is in serious trouble. If it can be held, the Warsaw Pact better hope for a breakthrough in the south.
The Warsaw Pact starts the game with fifty eight mechanized divisions plus airborne units. NATO has 30 or so not including Italian troops. Gaining local superiority in one area is essential or the Pact will run out of steam, exactly like I did.

NATO: I always admit to anyone I play war games with that I am a better defensive player then offensive player. I do not really know why, I just am. When I set up the game and started planning the NATO defense I realized that while the game could be won by the Warsaw Pact attacking through Bavaria, it will definitely be lost by NATO not defending from Kassel north along the Weser River. In the last game I played, the Warsaw Pact blasted its way through Kassel and was only stopped after it had penetrated a few hexes west of Paderborn. The Ruhr Cities were in serious trouble, not to mention every NATO unit north of there. So, in this game I decided to use my pre-game turn movement to reposition two West German units near Kassel to stop this threat. I also redeployed the 6 Panzer Grenadier into Hamburg. I then did my best to set up a honeycomb like defensive line between the two areas that if penetrated would be able to stop the breakthrough. This was accomplished by the British and Netherlands recon units. I believe I did this well between Hamburg and Hanover. As the game progressed, the West German reserves and French follow on forces took over this honeycomb duty in the North German Plains area.
Also I decided early on that I would retreat the NATO units whenever I could instead of taking a step loss. I wanted to keep my units intact for as long as possible. When I could I would mass all the elements of a division together so that if an opportunity presented itself I would be able to recombine for better defense.
NATO’s artillery and helicopter units on the defense are deadly. A West German 3D3 brigade backed up by a 4B8-1 artillery unit and a 36-9-5 attack helicopter has a whopping defense value of 16, the equal of a front line Soviet tank division. Now considering the artillery unit can be used to assist more than one unit per game turn, this makes the artillery units very important pieces in the framework of NATO defense. In this game I was continually able to blunt Warsaw Pact attacks by positioning my artillery units to cover as much of the front as possible. Where the artillery could not reach I was able to send in the helicopters. When necessary I used both. The helicopters, when used on the defense, are very hard to shoot down due to them only being attacked by C and D rated anti air units.
As I stated above, I feel the Weser River is key to the defense of the North German Plains. If the Warsaw Pact can create a breach three or more hexes wide they may be able to pour troops through the breakthrough. If this happens early enough in the game, the entire NATO line will have to disengage, if possible, and move to the rear. If this happens north of Hanover at least there is the Ems River to form up on. South of Hanover there is not much to anchor a defense on.
As far as United States units in this game, they took a pounding. I believe they lost more steps than any other NATO force. I believe this happened initially because of their lower cadre ratings and superior dice rolls by the Warsaw Pact. In the area of Nurnberg, the US 1 Armor Division was pushed out of Nurnberg very quickly and the 3 Mechanized Division was surrounded. Although the brigades in Bamberg were able to hold on which pinned three Soviet divisions that could have been attacking other units they still took a beating. Also, I should have moved the 8 Mechanized Division into Frankfurt as soon as I could have. This would have stopped the rampaging Soviet division from destroying so many US assets. In the area of the two US Corps I had a hard time creating a honeycomb defense. This allowed the Warsaw Pact to penetrate the lines in a couple of places. If more Soviet units would have been available the US units could have been annihilated.

I hope everyone enjoyed the After Action Report on the game. If you have any questions regarding it please contact me on the Consimworld website in the Contemporary Folder under The Next War. Remember, I never said I was a good armchair general. Good gaming everyone.

Dan Stueber

Game: Next War, The

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