1985: Under an Iron Sky 4E – US POMCUS

Description

“The increasing destabilization of the political and economic situation in the Soviet Union is undercutting our positions in the world. The pride and honor of the Soviet people must be restored in full.”

Public Declaration of State Committee for the State of Emergency in the U.S.S.R., June 11, 1985

1985: Under an Iron Sky is the spiritual successor of “The Next War” by SPI: an operational, highly detailed simulation of a NATO – Warsaw Pact conflict in Central Europe. Rules include every aspect of modern warfare, leaving little or nothing on an abstract level: air war, helicopters, electronic warfare, SAM networks, AWACS, special forces, revolts, nuclear and chemical warfare…..you name it. In order to survive, both sides must keep a constant eye on the front line, the rear areas and on the sky above.

Far from being a simple reprint, this 4th echelon brings a lot of new and revised stuff. Here’s a partial list:

• No Fixed Reinforcements: The reinforcements schedule will depend by the strategic decisions, and by the allocation of limited airlift, sealift, and rail transport capacity. As in the previous echelons, the enemy has a vote too, and the outcome of the battle of North Atlantic will be a key factor.
• Mobilisation and Tension Phase: Using the Event Cards and the same system as 1985: Sacred Oil, the Warsaw Pact must decide how much time to allocate for mobilizing and preparing its forces—potentially giving NATO the opportunity to respond in kind. The length of the build-up period, along with the unfolding political and military events during the crisis, will shape the final readiness levels of both sides.
• Lines of Communication Map: Reinforcements appear at their historical location, no matter how far or impractical, and must be moved or transported to the operational theatre using any available method.
• Geolocated Air Bases Map: New, big Geolocated Air Bases Map for NATO and Warsaw Pact, allowing a better control over the air war.
• Updated Graphics: The graphics for the map, counters, and charts have been updated to the style used in 1985: Sacred Oil.
• Updated Rules: Rules updated with latest changes from 1985: Deadly Northern Lights and errata.
• Updated OOBs: The French Armed Forces and People’s Polish Air Force OOBs have been updated using the latest discoveries made during the development of the C3 series. Several minor changes to other OOBs.

Game Parts

• 3x 95x65cm and 2x smaller matte laminated maps, depicting Central Europe from Denmark to Northern Italy
• 2000+ counters matte laminated counters, representing Warsaw Pact and NATO combat and support units1x Lines of Communication map, used for strategic movement
• 2x Air Bases maps
• 42 Cards covering forces mobilisation, special operations and political events
• 40 pages Rules booklet, full color
• 40 pages Scenario / Designer’s Notes booklet, full color
• 8 pages Field Manual, full color
• 2x Charts & Tables booklets, full color
• 4x Players’ Aid charts, full color
• 1x War Room Poster, A3 format
• 2x 20-sided dice

Game Highlights

• Order of Battle and TO&E are not “generic”, but set exactly in July, 1985
• 14km per hex, 48 hours per game turn
• Division / Brigade sized ground combat units
• Squadron sized Air and Helicopter units
• Extensive air war rules covering Escort, Intercept, SEAD, Wild Weasel, Ground Strike and more
• EF-111 and Yak28 PP Offensive ECM Squadrons
• E-3 Sentry and A-50 Mainstay AWACS Squadrons
• Special Forces, Airmobile, Paratroops, Electronic Warfare, Artillery, SSM, SAM and Air Defense Artillery units
• Rules for Chemical Warfare, Nuclear Warfare and uncontrolled escalation to Strategic Nuclear Exchange
• Specific operational tactics like Airmobile Antitank Battalions, Active Defense and Single-Echelon Assaults
• Variable reinforcements, depending on the strategic military events
• Unrest and Revolts in Warsaw Pact countries
• Two different Campaign Games:
  1. “Forward, Comrades!”, the classical Warsaw Pact offensive in Central Europe
  2. “It Started in the Shipyards”, NATO intervention in support of widespread revolts in Warsaw Pact satellite countries
• Four smaller scenarios:
  1. “Checkpoint Charlie”, the battle for West Berlin
  2. “A Damned Nice Thing”, Warsaw Pact main attack against NORTHAG
  3. “Mind the Gap”, Warsaw Pact secondary attack against CENTAG
  4. “Operation Quartet”, Warsaw Pact offensive against Italy following a stalemate on Central front
• “To Shatter the Old World” Campaign, combining 1985: Under An Iron Sky, 1985: Deadly Northern Lights, and  1985: Sacred Oil. Nothing can be worse.

Price and Availability

170.00 euros, VAT included where applicable.
US ONLY