The Deadly Northern Lights Campaign scenario play continues here with the air superiority phases. In Northern Norway:

The Narvik area above.

[Game Mechanic note:] Note I inadvertently left Norths break downs on map. They need to come off. This will mean that North will be reinforced by 42/LF [ just another of the many hiccups as we learn as we go here..] By doing that if and when the 7G Ukraine [edit for unit designation] and Alpine Division, combines into a Division we will have an effective fighting force to attempt to hold the line. The NATO forces have named this group HotGates. As you can see below Fossbakken is a key area for access to the Narvik valley corridor. All the narrow roads that lead to Narvik converge here. Obviously there is a risk that the elite 7^th Guard might ‘go around’… but there are only so many men to spread around.

But first NATO side must acquire local air superiority. Without that or without reducing the Soviet air coverage, they will be bombed out of existence due to the un wieldy terrain, full of minor lakes, bogs, sparse tree lines and rugged hill scapes etc.

INTEL REPORT

AIRCOM

Weather: Storms or worse -Inclement

Suggested force allocations: Hold at All Costs

Enemy air concentration at Bardufoss Designation #303 is: High

Expected Losses: High

Mission Criticality: Severe

Desperate fighting, in horrible conditions drive the NATO teams from the sky. Losses are also severe. Soviet Air Groups control the skies over Fossbakken.

Step losses 4:1 in favor of the Soviets. 1:1 with damage. The evil Red die rears its head again!

Sweden is now fully committed:

Breaking News:

Olof Palme the PM of Sweden did not know it. But his actions today would eventually cost him his life to a single gunshot on an evening walk home from the cinema in February 1986. Revenge has a long arm and a longer memory.

Today July 21st 1985–
Reuters: Break News, Today Swedish fighters could be seen in fierce mortal combat with Soviet aircraft on station in Danish/Soviet airspace over Copenhagen. Soviet military advisors and spokesperson Lt Colonel Tomislav suggested his countries proactive policing action by our far thinking leaders in the USSR was exactly the reason why they were here in Denmark…. To protect Danish citizens. Sounds of gunfire and heavy combat could be heard from the port in Copenhagen from the interview room.

A few hours before Sweden declared war on the USSR and Olof called upon all Socialist Democratic states to join him, even those behind the Iron Curtain! To rise up against Communist aggression.

“Swedish pilots have been shot down along the border of Sweden and Norway,” Said the PM. Though the details remain murky at this time due to inaccessible terrain and inclement weather. Should these claims bear fruit will Gorbachev act to limit the damage in an increasingly polarizing “policing action”. The President of the United States gave a long monologue finally declaring that he was seeking Congresses permission to go to war.