850610_08a: Ardennes of the 80s? (HTH) - MC 05 Danube Front '85

Bridges are not "Wired", which makes it slightly harder for NATO to defend. There is also a lack of higher HQs, which makes some of the units less usable due to chronic (Low Fuel/Ammo" status.

A good one, requires the NATO commander to observe and react, but also plan ahead to meet verious contingencies. The WP sweep south unfolded quickly in an unpleasant way, but the engineers and pioneers rushed to blow the bridges up.

The Czech's (WP) have a tough fight taking the bridges. It was a slug fest. Destroyed most of the city of Regensburg in heavy urban combat. Tried to run for the exit VP's but couldn't make it.

NATO needs to buy as much time as possible to keep the Warsaw Pact away from the Danube and the Warsaw Pact has to do what they can to move as quickly as possible. Very fun scenario.

Warsaw Pact must push hard to "blitz" his way past the initial screen of NATO recon troops to reach the Danube River. A strong Warsaw Pact thrust NW into the major city of Regensburg with secondary probes looking for intact bridges and ferry crossings south will stretch NATO defenses. Warsaw Pact should hold off deploying his paratroops until the mid-to-end game turns. Recommend that players don't deploy WMD's as chemicals and tactical nuclear weapons will upset any parity between forces and spoil an otherwise exciting game. Forced bridge crossings, ferry operations, paratroops, armored spearheads - this scenario has it all! Between equal skilled players, NATO will have a moderate advantage due to the natural and man-made terrain barriers - Danube River and Regensburg. However, the Warsaw Pact large numbers of armor, mech infantry and artillery units can wear down the small NATO force. Highly recommended Danube Front '85 scenario! I will be playing this one again!

Played this scenario twice commanding the Warsaw Pact against the same NATO opponent. Initially, was able to "blitz" and quickly overwhelm NATO recon elements defending on the East bank of the Danube River. However, even after the Warsaw Pact forces captured several bridges intact and pushed both armor and mechanized infantry units across the river, NATO was able to bottle up all the Warsaw Pact bridgeheads. Frustrating to see multiple stacks of T-55's and T-72's (approximately 80 - 100 tanks) volley fire against Leopard 2 platoons defending in clear hexes, get only "Fatigue" combat results while the Leopard 2 opt fire took out 2-3 Warsaw Pact armor vehicles per exchange! Scenario balance needs to be re-examined. Again, between equal skilled players, NATO will have a moderate advantage due to the natural and man-made terrain barriers - Danube River and Regensburg. Initial stages of scenario are exciting, but the latter game not so fun - especially for the Warsaw Pact commander!