Preamble:

With the Soviet Coup, and assassination of the Premier, hardliners saw their first objective was to secure more oil and stave off economic ruin. By acquiring the burgeoning oil fields they could rape the technology stack for their own oil field development and secure stocks and pipeline for internal use or sale on the black market. The Soviet economy and hegemony was closes to collapse. Patriotic fervour and war were the best solutions to this hardliner group of men. 
They set out to prove it right starting with disinformation, and escalation of petty political issues.

Location-Langley VA July 22nd 1985
4th floor, AFNORTH liaison department, photographic analysis group, Scandinavia Section:
“Well what do you think Larry?” The younger analyst asked enthusiastically of the grouchy 2 pack a day smoking, rumple shirted team lead.
He didnt wait for an answer, he just ploughed on.
” hell it looks like they are on parade. Those are Foxes, those there are Tangos and hell isn’t that a for real Kilo class? ” his already excitable voice kicked up another notch. ” what the hell are they doing?” He drew deeply on his cigarette, emulating the old man Larry.
Larry looked up, opened a file and spun it around to the kid. More full color pictures from what appeared to be fishing trawlers on a sparkling sea, capturing the same subs sailing on the surface.
Larry smiled. ” either this is one hell of a parade, or a very clever ruse before the start of WW3. So young man, let me ask you; which one is more likely given the situation in Europe and the Soviet Union?

Dan the analyst looked up at the much taller and wiser case worker. He shrugged his shoulders. “beats me, no one wants a war do they Larry?”

Turn 0

-image/109_72385-satx4rfl35.025 [satellite image]

Late Evening SONAR HQ

Sir, Urgent FLASH Eye only for you, said the foppish Belgian diplomatic attache to SONAR HQ named Kirke continued. Something about Soviet mobilization…it.. “What?” the General interrupted ” You are not supposed to read the messages, just hand them to me, now get out! ” Roared the retired German General. No one understood protocols anymore he fumed…no one, a bunch of soft liberals he fumed. He threw himself onto his sofa. The thicker, rounder middle that he now carried thanks to endless diplomatic meals and events, forced his seat to slide… He swore to get back into his running, I’m a fat bastard. Turning his attention to the message, it was indeed Eyes Only.

It looked like the crazy bastards in the Kremlin were going to get their wish. His well trained military mind could see all the pieces moving into place, with the Eastern Bloc Unrest, the coup complete, and the country in economic ruin, it was the obvious choice…This data merely confirmed an imminent timeline. But what would the Politicians do? Dither? Debate and argue?
The good news was he was on the coast of Norway. Nothing much will happen here. He thought. However he better see to it that the Norwegian Navy escalated and implemented Operation Loki, that he helped them design.

24 hours later:

…SITREP…TF Loki in place, forward patrol and Surveillance assets in place…

CNN: The Soviets Politburo continued their fierce rhetoric regarding escalating tension initiated by Norway’s reluctance to sell them Oil more cheaply due  the financial challenges Russia is facing. As food lines grow, and the economy crumbles, Western powers appear to be crushing the poor Russian people. The Russians need help from the IMF!

Brussels AFNORTH command meeting July 23^rd

Meeting Minutes…”it is therefore confirmed that Soviet activity, and build up in Kaliningrad, Leningrad and Murmansk is atypical even during manoeuvres. COVERT INTEL confirms massive stockpiling, and enhanced levels of readiness.

To counter this threat, West German, Danish and co-ordinating forces from Sweden have ramped up ASW surveillance and Naval surveillance. This heightened level of activity has triggered an aggressive response from the Diplomatic and Military channels of the USSR…..

Our recommendation is immediate mobilization of all AFNORTH member country forces ASAP. We are requesting immediate NATO assistance, in particular from the US. This will be presented as a readiness exercise to counter Soviet aggression.”

TURN 1

BREAKING NEWS- CNN reporter Lars Jambort filed a report claiming aggressive Norwegian, US and other NATO pilots caused and international incident. Several Soviet planes were destroyed…In other news Her Majesty’s Broadsword took serious damage, it is alleged that Soviet submarines did this, but no proof is forth coming from the Admiralty! These accusations have outraged the Politburo and poured fuel on an already tense situation.

EXTERNAL EVENTS PHASE:

We resolve GUIK Gap / Scheleswig-Holstein Front and Finnish Front

GUIK gap, soviets lose 1 air step. But shitty die rolling forces a convoy step loss on Broadsword.

SH front: stretched thin the NATO forces barely scrape together units for coverage of the Jutland…the kill1 soviet step. Finnish Front losses are 1 Air step for Soviets here also.

Northern Map focus – Map D

Air Superiority –

“Contrary to all reports Norwegian airspace has now been directly entered and proactive Soviet fighters are targeting our citizens and our military. Escalate Operation Loki, to Thor’s Hammer. Notify NATO, we require Article 5 Support and call the President of the USA and get him to send me ships, missiles and men! Then Inform the King, if he is not too busy with his commoner wife!!” Kare Willoch said to his aide, a usually calm man, with a large bald forehead was furious, he was stuck in Narvik for the foreseeable future, he could not risk air or sea transport right now and their was much to do. His economic plans for growth would be devastated by a war. Yet the European leaders and the POTUS had failed to help his country and prevent war. Now his nations resources which were so critical to growth are about to be stolen. Russia was driving too hard a bargain, now it was coming to take what was theirs.

He quickly called for his marketing team to come up with a resistance slogan, and to launch a campaign as soon as possible. If we lose the war, we will fight on. Then he dialled into listen to the latest reports from his Generals. As he glanced out the window, he saw contrails, and an explosion…

Forward Defense Site N04:

 ” target identified, 3 make that 4 Flanker [ Su27s] fighter formations.
Deny the airspace! SCRAMBLE…

 Soviets, press into Norwegian airspace!
After a terrifyingly brief but deadly dogfight, 50% of Soviet air has aborted and 2 steps are lost.

The tiny Norwegian airforce flying F16A’s did their best, but suffered 50% casualties.

“Air superiority over Narvik was achieved Local 0900HR 25^th July However the Sea channels are proving problematic. Losses have been higher than expected, and our Navy can expect significant interference from Kobb class submarines ASW air and some frigates. We require more aircraft for the front if we are to achieve local superiority. Our intel reports Swedish aircraft also aggressively patrolling near Narvik, but as yet have not intervened.” The Marshal paused….We should have invade Sweden first, But I defer to my Comrade Generals strategy. As we speak para troopers are dropping on airfields, our Navy & Marine contingents is preparing to invade the coastline of Norway and we are clearing our minor border defensive brigades.

First Ground Combat in the Norwegian Oil War.

Col. Ivan Bagramyan, was old for his rank, it seemed despite his famous father and Grandfather he had made little progress up the “Ladder”. There would be no Gorget patch for him, no acknowledgement . No mater who he served he pissed them off so quickly that he ended up in shitty assignments like now. Though…. Now he was leading from the front through Nikel, across the river and would make the first ground assault in the war to preserve the Union! Surely there would be honor in this!? Da?

The Arctic Tundra had taken its toll on the men. But not as bad as had been expected, due in part to the heavy training schedule imposed by Ivan. He watched the Assault from his Command BMP, dangerously close to the 1^st Echelon advancing, after a massive arty strike. As the first wave went in, Ivan could see his men falter… He could not understand why? Doctrine collapsed, BMPs were exploding and black smoke filled the sky! He should have used air to soften these wily Nords up!

Within and hour his 1^st echelon was almost wiped out, and it would take time to organize for another assault. He was behind schedule! Just then the phone rang.

[Technical Aside]

The 131^st Category II Motorised Infantry division had moved 27 movement points to be adjacent to the SV Garrison guarding the bridge. They assaulted adding +4 MP for 31MP. They had already accrued 1 Fatigue point, but passed a second FAT check. A Division attacking a Bn meant that the defense was dropped from 4 to 1 for Norway.

The Arctic terrain dropped the attack DRM 1 and boosted the DRM for defenders 1. Cadre ratings were the same. The Nor. Forces had elected to dig in, for +2 in a HedgeHog [HH], Fatigue added one more to the Defenders DRM. But the biggest difference was the 13:1 odds. Everything over 7:1 adds to the DRM for the Attacker. When its all said and done the Attacker had a net -2 [ Def. 4- Attacker 6 a net -2. ] The Die roll is a 20! This would be an A1 result and end the combat & unit activation. [END]

Naval Action–

Reuters- ” off the isolated windswept coast of Norway, it is alleged that Soviet convoys are being intercepted by rogue elements of the Norwegian Navy. The Norwegian Defense directorate had this to say: ” we are defending our country and our seas from over aggression, your comments are propaganda! These conflicting reports are causing global stock market gyrations. When will all parties come to the table?”

FLASH URGENT: to all maritime vessels: Fox class subs are penetrating our screens. Advise caution. ASW surveillance has tracked and sunk one submarine. All Norwegian forces are free to engage targets of opportunity. END.

#10 Downing Street:

“Mr Prime Minister, Admiralty reports that the Norwegian picket lines are leaking like a sieve. Our recommendation is to send Invincible to support them and land our Marines to invoke a little spine in the poor buggers and see if the Soviets want to mess with us!” Said the Foreign Minister.

“Well.. said the PM, I doubt they really give a f*ck. They shot up HMS Broadsword for God Sake. Yes. Send them in, with an open ROE. Lets show these bastards who won the bloody war!

Colonel Tewkislov led his men as always from the rear. That was modern war for you. But he had their admiration and respect. He could still out run, out drink and out swear any of the 37th paratroop division.
Today however was not their day. The landing was textbook perfection. They had just 24 hours to secure the airfield however before the huge Tuplov transporters arrived with supplies….
And they were stuck.
The Norwegian forces had bested them in two failed assaults from different directions.
Compounding this, casualties were amazingly high, 25% plus in two brigades. Their toughness could not stop mines, heavy MG fire and the fearlessness of the homeland defender.
[tech detail – two A1 results a 18 roll, and a 15 roll… Let me just say this a die are cursed…] the air support available were unable to make a difference to the odds or net result..

Next:
Marine Landings and the Alpine ready Paras of 7th Guard drop in to say hello!