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Finland, June 24, 1990, Soviet army of 228 units opposed to Finnish army of 207 units for a battle of complexity 1.08 at Battalion(II) level on a 2.5 Km/Hex map for 23 turns of Half Day each. by Jari Mikkonen submited on 04-01-2003 Rugged-Defense Playing Statistics
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HIGHWAY TO HELSINKI 1990 v1.0 --- "Hey mama, look at me I'm on the way to the promised land I'm on the highway to Helsinki" -AC/DC A hypothetical Soviet thrust towards Finnish capital city. Half-day turns 23 turns 2,5 km per hex --- *** FINN COLORS *** Blue on white: Armour and Jäger Brigades, Air Forces Light green on white: Infantry Brigades Gray on white: Frontier Guards Yellow on white: Local forces ----- In 1990 the collapse of Soviet Union began to seem obvious to many in west as well as in east. Those who standed between east and west considered wise to distinguish themselves to be on the winners side early enough for political prestige. Finnish government considered this issue thoroughly and came up with a solution: joining NATO as soon as possible. *** When this information came out to publicity, Kreml naturally wasn't very pleased. It had enough trouble at keeping Warsaw Pact together to stand what was happening. Finland would be followed by Sweden and Austria, then Poles and Czechs would start making demands, and so on. Something had to be done, but at the moment Kreml didn't come up with any decisions. *** In June anti-Soviet riots erupted in Estonia. Army suppressed them with brute force, which was comdemned by Finnish president in a special tv-broadcast. After interrogating imprisoned rioters, KGB presented politbyro what the militaristic wing was hoping for: Finland's secret police SUPO had organized the unrest. Preparations were initiated in a calm silence to make Finland a cautionary example to others... Soviet generals organized six operations. Two were seaborne invasions of Hanko and Åland to deny Finns access to Baltic sea, two were diversionary attacks against Joensuu and Sodankylä, one was the secondary offensive towards Oulu to prevent supply deliveries from Norway and one was the primary offensive, its goal being no more or less than the half-million capital Helsinki. They knew they had to knock Finland out of war quickly, just in a week or so. If the war prolonged, it would consume money and trust of Pact allies. Who knows, maybe even NATO might rush to help. *** Despite their attempt to be "very huss-huss", the Soviet mobilization of over ten divisions near Leningrad was noticed by many intelligence services a week before the attack. A US diplomat passed recce satellite pictures of Soviets pushing their Northern Military District to wartime strength. Still not certain of what was coming, Finnish president Mauno Koivisto reluctantly ordered drafting reserves for an "extra rehearsal". Despite of having a highly efficient mobilization system, it still would take more than a week to have all troops combat ready. *** June 25th, 0200. Outposts have heard motor sounds from the whole length of the border for two days. Seven hours ago a border guards company got involved in a brief firefight with a Spetnaz platoon. Soviet ambassador is not willing to explain the obvious: Finland is in a state of war. --- EVENTS: Finns are shocked at turn 1. Shock effect lessens by turn 6 and disappears in turn 8. There is a nuclear plant near Loviisa. If fighting takes place nearby, there is a chance that a shell drops to the facility, causing melt-down. *** The Soviet main attack begins on turn 2. *** Soviet air transport declines by turn 6. *** Soviets get supply points by capturing the harbours at Kotka and Valko. --- See the scenario documentation for more. |