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.
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.
————————————— UPDATE 20250825 1447 ZT ————————————— US Strategic Reserve fully committed. NO RESERVE LEFT IN THE US FRONT.
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.
————————————— UPDATE 20252408 2352 ZT ————————————— European Strategic Reserve fully committed. NO RESERVE LEFT IN THE EUROPEAN FRONT.
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.
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
The combat equipment is available in limited quantity. The requests will be handled on a first come first served basis.
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!
Comrades! The Central Committee for State Security of the Union of the Soviet Socialist Republics has authorised the publication of the 1985: Under an Iron Sky 4th Echelon Designers’ Notes!
You will find them on BigBoardGaming and on the next issue of the Pravda. Spasiba, Tovarisch Kev!
Comrades! The 4th echelon of 1985: Under an Iron Sky will be at the San Diego Historical Convention.
In the 2-hours session, we will talk about the biggest news introduced by this echelon, run a playthrough of the build-up and mobilisation period before the beginning of hostilities, and hopefully have some time remaining for a Q&A section.
TO ALL COMRADES AND CITIZENS OF THE UNION OF SOVIET SOCIALIST REPUBLICS
Pursuant to Directive No. 47/382-B issued by the Central Recruitment Directorate of the People’s Commissariat for Defense Mobilization, it is hereby announced that the formation of the 4th Operational Echelon designated for strategic deployment in the Central European zone of military responsibility is approaching fulfilment of the personnel quota as stipulated by State Planning Directive 12/84-K.
In accordance with approved mobilization norms, a restricted number of volunteer positions remain available for assignment to OPERATION LADOGA.
Citizens exhibiting unwavering ideological commitment and physical readiness are instructed to present themselves without delay at their nearest authorized recruitment station for processing and verification. Alternatively, inquiries and applications may be directed to the official contact node: info@TRLGames.com.
All volunteers shall be duly registered in accordance with the Mobilization Registry Statute (Article IV, Section 7) and allocated to their designated formations per operational exigency.
Volunteers already registered do not have to reapply.
Glory to the Workers and Peasants of the Soviet Union. Long live our inevitable victory over imperialist aggression.
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.
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.
As promised, here’s a debrief and photoshoot of Wargaming Initiative NATO 2024, that took place in Hamburg from September 2 to September 4.
Thin Red Line Games had been invited to “facilitate” (present and play) 1985: Sacred Oil. Our undercover intervention team consisted of Comrade Anthony Morphet and, well, me.
Crossing the Elbe. Maybe we should increase the MP cost for that.The undercover intervention team has just obtained the badges. Access to the NATO structure is granted!
The first day was the so-called Icebreaker event, where you basically eat, drink, and do some “networking” activity – that is, trying to obtain classified information from some High Brass debilitated by alcohol or fatigue 🙂
During the second day, things get real and several wargames are deployed and played. We decided to focus on Littoral Commander – West Baltic, where we commanded two Soviet – I mean, Russian – task forces from Northern Fleet trying to force the Skattegat strait and enter the Baltic Sea during a full-fledged war with NATO.
The strait was defend by naval mines and several US Marines units equipped with ASuW missiles. Despite my attempts to convince Comrade Morphet to move his Task Force faster, we lost precious hours approaching the strait and we were not able to reach the planned objectives. Of course, we are not going to write that in our final report.
Comrade Vianello is not convinced of how the operation is rolling out.Russian TFs forcing the Skattegat, after some difficult mine cleanup.Comrade Morphet looks happy, despite his Task Force failure.
Some additional HUMINT on other wargames being played is here below.
The Russian OOB for the “VIP” megagame
During the third day, dedicated to the so-called MegaGames, we setup and played a custom scenario for 1985: Sacred Oil, covering the tension period just before a conflict between the forces of Justice and Freedom (Soviet Union and possibly Warsaw Pact) and the capitalist, plutocratic countries (United States, France, United Kingdom and possibly NATO).
I was in charge of the Soviet and Warsaw Pact forces on three theatres (Northern Europe, Central Europe, and Southwest Asia), NATO players were in charge of US CENTCOM, while Comrade Morphet acted as Umpire, White Cells (Civilian government and any command not explicitly included in the scenario), and jack-of-all-trades entertainer.
Comrade Pascal van Overloop also paid a visit, hiding his true identity behind his best smile. He took some additional HUMINT about the NATO strategies and the event. Spasiba Tovarisch!
Following the operational plan prepared by KGB, Soviet Union initially mobilised several Military Districts, Armies and Corps in Turkestan and North Caucasus, while at the same time moving the submarine forces in the Indian Ocean in attack position to cut a possible US Sea Line of Communication from the US West coast to Diego Garcia.
CENTCOM reacted cautiously by starting successful diplomatic talks with Saudi Arabia and trying to obtain additional Intel on the Soviet moves. Last but not least, a SLOC (Sea Line of Communication) was being activated between US and Diego Garcia, the one and only US base in the SW Asia region.
On July 11th (game time), Warsaw Pact launched ZAPAD 85, the largest military exercise to date in central and northern Europe. The operation involved a substantial but undisclosed number of troops from East Germany, Czechoslovakia, Poland, and the Soviet Union. Despite clear indications to the contrary, the Warsaw Pact officially claimed that fewer than 25,000 troops were participating, thereby denying any obligation to permit foreign observers at the exercise.
The germ of doubt is now planted in CENTCOM. Is the Soviet mobilisation in southwest Asia the preparation for an offensive in the Persian Gulf, or only a feint to distract from an upcoming European offensive?
After some consultations, CENTCOM decided that ZAPAD 85 was an attempt by the Soviets to sway attention from the Persian Gulf, and accelerated the preparations for deterring or facing a Soviet aggression against Iran. The whole CENTCOM assigned air forces were called in, a new batch of stinger missiles and weapons is sent to the Afghan Mujahidin, and the diplomatic pressure on the Gulf states was increased in order to obtain access to their air space and facilities.
In the end, our evaluation is that CENTCOM correctly guessed the Soviet plan, correctly reacted to the Soviet threat and its possible developments, and the capitalist world will probably survive.
But remember, the Plan had been prepared by our KGB Comrades… Who really knows where the bluff ends?
