WWIII - Somewhere in Belgium in the late 1980's a Cold War Goes HOT [Part 1 of 2] Ebb and Flow

The Sunday morning quiet of a sleepy Belgian town is rudely broken by military diesel engine revving noises as camouflaged armoured reconnaissance vehicles trundle inconsiderately into its sleepy suburbs. Recon is wit, speed, aggression but tempered with enough caution to live long enough survive and report. The Soviets thus win the opening moves with their aggressive thrust (see below, the Soviets advance across two thirds of the table whereas the Belgians are content in gaining local objective points around the town, the consequences of which means that the Soviets can spread and seek out the weaknesses of the Belgian defence):    

The Soviets are poking their noses around corners of fields, folds in the ground, trails through woods - constantly testing for gaps and finding out where the Belgians are and are not. This empty road seems to point straight into the NATO backfield (see below, a tempting  open flank is found that really needs to be explored by "Bear Two" - no Belgians in sight either, even better): 

The Belgian reconnaissance commander is bemused by so many reports coming in of enemy movement across the whole front, surely the Soviets cannot be here so soon? Small arms fire is heard from the outskirts of the town, looters or the enemy? The implied reported numbers mean that the Soviets are here in force, it must be a whole recon battalion which implies at least a couple of regiments will be following up behind. There is going to be some hot action starting here very shortly. Still the valiant Belgian is reassured in himself that the Belgian formation is tank heavy, so they should be well placed to stop the Reds in their tracks (see below, the morning solace is broken all hell is about to break out): 

 

Significantly a Soviet recon creeps quietly across an important river. The Soviet Lieutenant briefly reports, "Bear Three. Route Green Three is open, feet dry!" Back at the mobile command centre, a wry smile breaks across the face of a grizzled Soviet Motor Rifle Divisional Commander as he taps a Red BTR Battalion marker on the map, "Forward! Fast!" (see below, there is a fleeting opportunity to exploit the slow moving Belgians):  

Incredibly the Russian motor cycle reconnaissance platoon along with a BRDM2 armoured car support troop races around the sleepy Belgian suburbs without encountering any opposition. Not understanding how they are still alive they radio in "Bear Two. Route One Open. Repeat, Route One Open!" This generates yet more frantic activity at the Russian Divisional HQ. Three battalion markers, each representing a BTR formation is moved across teh map to the town. "Take the town!" barks the General, knowingly committing a full regiment of his best (BTR) infantry supported with their organic tank companies (see below, a Soviet Recon unit disbelievingly with an open road and no sign of any opposition): 

Meanwhile the Belgian recon is hunkering down behind a riverine and near a friendly town. They nervously expect to meet Soviet Recon elements at any time. They are hoping their powerful M1's will appear soon. The Belgian caution resembles more of a peacetime operation, following a known COA with NATO Allies playing Red, repeating a common TEWT pattern and a plodding ignorance of an active enemy stalking them (see below, the Belgian recon is far more content to watch across the river than actively probe beyond it, they are bivouacked and awaiting orders and thus vulnerable to unexpected "events"): 

"Events" such as a whole battalion of BTRs crossing an undefended bridge on the Belgian left flank, something which the peace loving Belgians are totally unaware of (despite the Belgian player being able to "see them" out of the corner of his eye). So, 'Bear Three' has the company it requested, is really happy and is ready to push forwards to create more mischief. The Soviets are flanking left in battalion force, even if jut to be a nuisance (see below, undoubtedly the Belgians will have to react to it and in teh process be "distracted" from teh defence of the central town): 

Speaking of which, the "town" has now become the centre of attention for "three" Soviet BTR battalions. The first of which runs into Belgian teeth, a formidable Belgian defensive formation, a battle line of M1 Abrams tanks deployed onto a key terrain feature overlooking the approaches to the town. The Soviet Tank Coy supporting the BTR Battalion starts a fire fight to cover the Soviet infantry deployment (see below, the BTR battalion is ordered to de-bus into the urban area to its immediate right): 

However, the two other BTR battalions find much less opposition barring their way into the town and push the Belgian reconnaissance units easily aside. A burning M113 tells the sorry tale. The last thing an armoured Belgian cavalry commander really wants to do is play "meet and greet" with a Soviet T-72 in a boulevard. One BTR battalion spreads out in deployment of a fighting line covering the third battalions column of attack into teh heart of the town (see below, deployed Soviet infantry are now advancing into the town and the Belgians find themselves on the backfoot and need to make an emergency deployment): 

The Soviet floodgates have been unleashed. Two full BTR regiments, the wheeled infantry complement of teh Soviet Motor Rifle Division, are set in motion. The broader plan if for the Soviet infantry to find a weakness in the Belgian defensive line. Then the Tank Regiment followed by the BMP Regiment can create a deep penetration.