Category: Under An Iron Sky

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1985: Updated Living Rules version 48

As a consequence of several interesting questions posted on BGG, a new version of the living rules for the 1985 series is available at this link.

The procedures for Flak fire have been drastically rewritten and should now be much clearer and leave no space for interpretations, without changing the overall impact and power of AA defenses. In short, there are now three different types of Flak Fire:

Transit Flak Fire: Used when an enemy air mission traverses an airspace containing SAM installations.

On-Station Flak Fire: Used against enemy air missions affecting a whole area or without a ground target (Air Superiority, Interception, Wild Weasel).

Ingress Flak Fire: The most dangerous type, used against air missions having a specific ground target.

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1985: Under an Iron Sky 4E – US Reserve Committed

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At 20250825 0810 ZT, SACEUR ordered to commit the US FRONT STRATEGIC RESERVE. This consists of a limited number of copies located in the US POMCUS.

The available equipment can be requested only by commanding officers operating in the US front.

Connect to the 1985: Under an Iron Sky US POMCUS communication channel to request the deployment of the combat equipment to your Area of Responsibility.

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UPDATE 20250825 1447 ZT
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US Strategic Reserve fully committed. NO RESERVE LEFT IN THE US FRONT.

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1985: Under an Iron Sky 4E – Europe Reserve Committed

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At 20250823 1642 ZT, SACEUR ordered to commit the EUROPEAN FRONT STRATEGIC RESERVE. This consists of a limited number of copies located in the Central Europe POMCUS.

The available equipment can be requested only by commanding officers operating in the EUROPE front, with the exclusion of some countries not part of EU or NATO.

Connect to the 1985: Under an Iron Sky EUROPE POMCUS communication channel to request the transfer of the combat equipment to your Area of Responsibility.

The US FRONT STRATEGIC RESERVE will be committed at a later date not yet announced.

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UPDATE 20252408 2352 ZT
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European Strategic Reserve fully committed. NO RESERVE LEFT IN THE EUROPEAN FRONT.

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COMBAT ALERT – 1985: Under an Iron Sky 4th Echelon

COMBAT ALERT — FOR IMMEDIATE EXECUTION

Comrade Colonel-General,

Despite the sincere and tireless diplomatic efforts of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union to preserve peace in Europe, the aggressive and provocative actions of the imperialist United States and its puppet regime in Bonn continue to pose an unacceptable threat to the sovereignty of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and the collective security of the Socialist Bloc.

 Accordingly, the Central Committee, with full authority and historical responsibility, has directed the Armed Forces of the USSR to commence OPERATION LADOGA. The fraternal forces of our Warsaw Pact allies stand shoulder to shoulder with us in this historic struggle.

 You are hereby ordered to immediately execute the OPERATION LADOGA Directive.

MISSION

  1. Access the 1985: Under an Iron Sky 4th Echelon page, and proceed to acquire your combat equipment.
  2. Maintain continuous communication with the Political Officer attached to your formation and report all developments in your front sector, as per established protocols.

OPERATIONAL CONSTRAINTS

  1. The combat equipment is available in limited quantity. The requests will be handled on a first come first served basis.
  2. A small emergency reserve will be kept aside and used at STAVKA discretion.

Let our actions reflect the iron discipline, revolutionary spirit, and unwavering loyalty of the Red Army. Together, under the banner of Lenin and the guidance of the Party, we march toward the final victory over imperialism.

Long live the Socialist cause! Long live the indomitable will of the Soviet people!

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1985: Under an Iron Sky – 4th Echelon

 As the answer from People, Workers and Soldiers was enthusiastically positive, today we are officially announcing that the plans to mobilise a 4th Echelon for 1985: Under an Iron Sky have started!

Far from being a simple reprint, this new echelon will bring a lot of new and revised stuff. Here’s a partial, work-in-progress list.

Continue reading 1985: Under an Iron Sky – 4th Echelon
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No Peace Under an Iron Sky?

Despite six years of conflict and the mobilisation of three echelons, the Hawks of both sides keep asking for a stronger war effort in the Central Europe theatre.

The Central Committee for Resources Assignment is therefore evaluating the possibility to mobilise a fourth echelon for 1985: Under an Iron Sky. The equipment of this new echelon will be upgraded as follows:

  • Updated map, using the latest 1985 style
  • Updated counters, using the latest 1985 style
  • Updated rules, using the new layout and integrating the 1985: Mutual Assured Destruction changes
  • Geolocated Air Bases Chart, similar to the one already realised for 1985: Deadly Northern Lights
  • Warsaw Pact Field Manual WP-01-001, on the application of the Socialist War Doctrine
  • NATO Field Manual FM-014-001, on the application of the AirLand Battle
  • Full colour rules, scenarios, and field manuals
  • Additional small fixes and updates

To confirm this renewed effort will meet an overwhelming and enthusiastic response, we invite the Soldiers and Workers of the Union of the Soviet Socialist Republics to answer the following survey. Further decisions will be based on the results.

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1985 Series – Overview Video

Theatre Commander Fredrik Voss prepared an informative report covering several important operational and strategic aspects of the 1985 series!

For this commendable effort, he will be awarded with the Order of Lenin by the General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union during the forthcoming Victory Parade, date still to be defined.

No matter if you have been fighting for days on the Central Front, you’ve just debarked at Bodø, or you are entrenched at Bandar Abbas, take a look at this video and increase your chance to survive the ordeal!

In case enemy electronic warfare is blocking the direct access to YouTube, use this link.

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Play? I Ain’t Got Time to Play.

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SITREP 20230705 1631ZT:

1. 1985:Under an Iron Sky resisted the enemy assault for 23 minutes, 1985:Sacred Oil heroically stood for 60 minutes. There are no survivors.
2. US POMCUS for Less Than 60 Miles 2nd Echelon has been overran.
3. The remaining copies of  Less Than 60 Miles 2nd Echelon will be shipped from FRANCE.

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Since Thin Red Line Games started, I’ve had this insane habit to keep some copies in “strategic reserve” for any eventuality: SACEUR asking one to decorate his office, sudden collapse of the frontline, conventions….you never know!

This kind of behaviour has been sometime criticized, as just a few days after you’ve paid 400 bucks for a 1985:Under an Iron Sky copy on the private market, I suddenly announce that there’s “some reserve copies available”…Of course, at 4AM in your time zone.

In short, I’m a pain in the ass…and here’s another chance to prove it beyond any possible doubt! Sorry for that 🙂

I’ve finally realized that the time I can dedicate to conventions is very limited, so there’s no point in keeping several copies aside for similar events. Therefore, I’ve just committed the following to the FEBA:

Continue reading Play? I Ain’t Got Time to Play.