18_02hs: A Bridge too far? - MC 02 Fulda Gap '85

Frankfurt, West Germany, June 18th 1985: The battle for central Germany has been raging for a full week with heavy losses sustained on both sides. The city of Frankfurt is the immediate objective of the Warsaw Pact in this region and this objective is just within its grasp. NATO is predicting that there will be a major push for the capture of this key political and strategic base of operations. The Soviet 8th Guards Army has resumed the advance and has mobilised it's last strategic reserves for the this upcoming battle. The beleaguered East German 3rd Army is also in position to support the attack. The Soviet 7th Guards Tank Division of the 1st Guards Army is refitting after its attack on Wetzlar and should be available in the next 36 hours to join in the attack. NATO has also been preparing; a large North Atlantic convoy arrived in Amsterdam on the 16th with replacement weapons and equipment for the depleted US formations. Additionally, the German 5th Panzer Division was pulled out of the front lines yest erday for refitting; that formation should arrive in the Frankfurt area every soon. The Soviets know that this is their chance to end this war quickly. The capture of Frankfurt opens the gates for a race towards the Rhine, France and the Atlantic coast, but time is playing against them and NATO gets stronger with each passing hour. To ensure victory the Group of Soviet Forced Germany HQ commits the 79th Guards Air Assault Division to a very risky airdrop near Mainz to secure the Rhine Bridges and block any NATO reinforcements. [Size: large] Designer’s notes: Best played as Warsaw Pact or Human vs. Human.