This kit will allow AFNORTH and Baltic / North Sea Theatre Commanders to update 1985:DNL to the Second Echelon standards. It is unfortunately available in a very limited quantity!
SITREP UPDATE 20230202 1745ZT: Well, it survived 30 minutes. I’m sorry for the ridiculously fast sequence of events.
Please be aware that:
it is practically a Second Echelon unboxed version; the only missing parts are the Task Forces and Air Combat charts already fielded during the first mobilisation.
The equipment will be airlifted from France. Deployment to non-European fronts can be expensive (40+ Euros).
In just three years, war has changed and become even more deadly.
Troops who started fighting the Scandinavian Campaign in the First Echelon can now increase their combat effectiveness by upgrading to the latest, more advanced equipment used by the Second Echelon forces.
NOTE: This is a free, downloadable Print-and-Play. You will need a good printer, some heavy photographic paper, and probably your local printing shop for the updated LOC map as it measures 100×60 cm.
In war, every small bit of information could be crucial and in the end make the difference.
This Historical Notes article presents additional insight into the campaign background, the official plans and the forces available as they were seen before the war began, and could help theatre commanders to better prepare for the upcoming challenge.
1. At 20220714 1441ZT NATO and Warsaw Pact announced that an agreement for an immediate ceasefire has been reached.
2. Hostile actions against Warsaw Pact forces must cease immediately, except when needed to respond an attack or to stop attempts by opposing forces to further advance in the territory of NATO or any other friendly nation in the AFNORTH region.
3. 1985: Deadly Northern Lights Second Echelon is officially OUT OF STOCK.
4. Orders already received are safely stored in an atomic proof bunker and are guaranteed to survive.
5. Even though it was a small operation, 1985: Deadly Northern Lights established a new record with a life span of 72 hours only. A big thank you to all the troops who made this possible! The next goal will be a conflict shorter than a global thermonuclear war.
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SITREP
At 19850723 2100ZT, Transfer of Authority of NATO forces to SACEUR and subordinate commands has been approved during a NATO emergency meeting
At 19850724 0400ZT, Warsaw Pact forces launched a coordinated land, air and naval offensive against AFCENT and AFNORTH
Heavy fighting reported along the Inner German Border, possible WP main effort in NORTHAG sector
Confirmed WP amphibious / airmobile assault on Kobenhavn – situation still fluid, city outskirts enemy-controlled
Confirmed WP amphibious assault 20km North of Narvik incurred in moderate losses and successfully landed regiment-sized Soviet naval infantry
Unconfirmed brigade-sized Soviet airdrops at Bodø and Trondheim
No reported WP use of Chemical / Nuclear assets, Nuclear Weapons NOT RELEASED
MISSION
All assigned forces secure the combat equipment. Enemy forces are expected to have full intel about the ongoing operation within 24H and take countermeasures to capture or destroy any equipment not yet secured.
Additional HUMINT and IMINT available at the following link:
At 20220402 2251 ZT, DEFCON 3 has been declared for the Second Echelon of 1985: Deadly Northern Lights. Report for Duty by writing to INFO@TRLGAMES.COM if not yet enlisted.
1985: Deadly Northern Lights covers the Warsaw Pact offensive against the Nordic countries during the dramatic events of World War Three. Norway, Sweden, Finland and insular Denmark are in the cross-hair, facing the full might of Northern Fleet, Baltic Fleet and two Soviet Military Districts.
Basic information about the operation can be found at this link. In addition, this Second Echelon will be equipped with several updates and changes listed below.
1985: Deadly Northern Lights joins its smaller brother Less Than 60 Miles as a Charles S. Roberts Awards Nominee, in the Modern and Hypothetical Wargame category!
1985: DNL didn’t win, but considering our small print runs the nomination is a big achievement and we are really proud of it.
A big THANK YOU to the Grognards who voted for our monster!
From Comrade Counter-Admiral Joe Kussey, an in-depth analysis of the options available to Warsaw Pact for Operation Garbo – the invasion of Sweden.The document is also available for download at this link.
After playing Scenario #3 several times and invading Denmark, I thought I would take a look at the difficulties of invading Sweden. Invading Denmark seemed pretty straight forward – capture Copenhagen’s three city hexes and win the game. Because of the WP helicopter and air transport fleet, supply is not major concern in that scenario, unless WP loses Air Superiority over Copenhagen. Given the massive advantage of ground support vs brigades with a defense of “1”, it was just a matter of getting units into position and providing air support to the Polish Marines. Would this be the case with Sweden? After setting up, it is clear that this will be more difficult than invading Denmark.
Upon review, several things stand out. Unlike Denmark’s situation further southwest, Soviet airfields are more distant from Sweden, ruling out attack helicopter support until an airfield is secured and repaired. In addition, Soviet forces set aside to conduct the opening invasion are relatively light given the size of Sweden: 3 Air-Drop battalions, a Marine and a parachute brigade. This will make splitting forces risky. With no major geographic objective that could end the game (such as the fall of Copenhagen), Soviet forces will have to capture a ground to win. WP will need to fight on a broader front. In addition, Sweden also has a better equipped army and will receive NATO reinforcements.
