Next War: Korea with No US Involvement

 Next War Korea

This play through of Next War: Korea is part 2 of my attempt to play some of the next war games without US intervention. The US has a massive impact on any game, even without sending in land forces, due to its air and sea power, so what happens when that is taken away. In this scenario the US has withdrawn from Korea and the DRPK sees its chance to reunite Korea. Distracted by its own troubles China only offers very limited support. Japan provides air/naval support and the commonwealth limited support to Korea.

I planned to write a more narrative style account, such as I did with Next War: Poland. However this play-through proved to be a brutal war of attrition with few breakthroughs or maneuvers. As such, I will just provide a brief description.

I used the special rules for refugees, and the realism rules for North Korea (which weaken their massive army significantly.) and some others

Early Game

The North pushed over the borders and slowly pushed the south back. The losses were about 2-1 in favour of the South, but that is fine for the North because they have a much larger army. When an area looked difficult to defend the south would withdraw 1 or 2 hexes to another defensible position.

Northern SOF were able to damage some southern airbases but the southern air force was able to win the air war after about 4 turns, however much of it was damaged so it could only provide limited support. Northern missile strikes almost all failed/were shot down.

Mid game

As the southern reinforcements started to arrive the north threw in its most elite units and chemical weapons to try and breakthrough bridges or difficult areas. The losses were now at a rate of about 3 to one. On the East coast the Northern attack failed completely and the middle was running out of steam, but 2 hexes of Seoul had been taken. The elite commonwealth SoF started to target northern supply systems and depots having destroyed the air defence system.

Late Game

The Northern push ran out of supply and then front line units. The south pushed up through the middle around the flank of the Northern push on Seoul and started to roll them up. By turn 15 almost all the Northern units had been destroyed, but the South losses had been massive. The south won by about 90 victory points.

 

He are some images as the game progressed.

 

Next War: Poland End Game Summary

 

Turns 11 and 12

NATO forces advance towards the north east edge of Poland and also into Lithuania from Kaliningrad. Russia uses a nuclear strike on the remnants of the RRC as they push up, but they are swiftly replaced by French forces, which are also struck with nuclear weapons. In response NATO destroys a nuclear weapon facility inside Russia.

Spanish forces rapidly advance liberating the major Lithuanian cities and eliminating the Russian general command. The Russians are also pushed completely out of Poland and have very few combat units left.

Final VPS

Russa 249

NATO 333

Overview

The Russian attack started relatively well, clearing and attacking without major losses and on schedule. The southern attack with Belarus was slower, and the Polish airborne and airmobile units were able to delay any push on Warsaw.

The biggest early failure were the constant disappointing results of the Russian SoF, though they mostly survived, and the early naval disaster. The NATO air defence level also survived which reduced the effectiveness of Russian strikes.

The turning point came when the Russian attack on the newly arrived RRC in the south was stopped and then pushed back with heavy losses. Along with this, the 3 turns that Augustow, a city on a key road, took to be cleared slowed the Russian advance.

As more NATO forces arrived the situation started to change. As Russian losses mounted and NATO land forces increased it became a question of if Russia could hold on to its seized territory to force a draw, but even the use of nuclear weapons could not stop the NATO advance in the end.

This concludes this play through of Next War: Poland.

March 27th New York Times “Ceasefire announced in Europe”

After short negotiations, a ceasefire has been declared for Europe. Russian forces are expected to withdraw from the Baltics, followed by a withdrawal of NATO forces from Kaliningrad. The fate of this agreement is still in flux as reports of fighting between different Russian forces in and around Moscow. The fighting began shortly after the ceasefire negotiations ended and appears to be a preemptive arrest of military leadership by the Kremlin to prevent a coup. Already the Hague as issued arrest warrants for much of the Russian leadership.
 

March 25th, BBC News

“The Polish government has confirmed that the last occupied city in Poland, Swalski, has been liberated by British forces. This follows the rapid advance of Spanish forces into Lithuania and the liberation of Kaunas and the Lithuanian capital, Vilnus. NATO forces also confirmed that there is no plan to advance into Russia, and no further strikes against Russian nuclear forces will be carried out as long as there are no more nuclear attacks.”

 

March 22nd, China Daily “More Nuclear strikes as NATO pushes world towards the abyss”

 

Russia has carried out further nuclear strikes as NATO's brutal attacks threaten not just the Russian people, but the whole of the world. The Chinese premier has called once again for a ceasefire and negotiations on the future of....

Next War: Poland Turn 10 Summary

 

Clear, contested

Russia makes one last push in the skies to keep NATO aircraft occupied and not striking, but the cost is almost all the Russian air force.

Russian support units, which escaped across the river into West Lithuania inflict losses on NATO units in Kaliningrad via strikes.

NATO catches some Russian units fleeting east from Kaliningrad. Germain and French attacks west are not effective at 1-1 and 0-1, but the Spanish inflict a massive 3-0 and clear the way into Lithuania.

Russian units fall back to river crossings in Lithuania. Many of the trapped units in Kaliningrad start to surrender.

The end is near.

March 19th, Guardian Newspaper “Mass surrenders reported as Russian lines collapse, but nuclear threat remains.”

 

 

 

Russian forces, cut off in Kaliningrad appear to be surrendering to NATO forces in a series of videos released yesterday. At the same time NATO forces are advancing in all directions. While NATO leadership has made it clear they do not plan to cross into any other Russian territory, the spectre of another nuclear strike by Russia looms large.

 

Next War: Poland Turn 9 Summary

 

Overcast, NATO initiative

Russian SoF and NATO SoF have some results against airbases and SAMs respectively, but the remaining teams for both sides are lost.

Russia does not attempt to contest skies and has no naval units

A Russian Nuclear strike at sea destroys the stack of NATO ships that had just conducted the Latvia landings.

NATO advances from the south and into Kaliningrad eliminating many Russian brigades and well as some HQs. One Russian counter attack against French forces pushing east is shattered by NATO air support 0-2. Many Russian support units are cut off in the Kaliningrad peninsula. The Danish brigade is lost during this process.

NATO clears Kaliningrad.

March 17th TV2 (Translated from Danish)

 

"After being at the forefront of the battle for Europe, The Danish mechanised brigade has been withdrawn from the front lines. After leading the push into Kaliningrad and weeks of heavy fighting the brigade is no longer combat effective according to sources. Despite this Denmark can be proud of the commitment our soldiers made in the defence of Europe."

March 16th, NHK World News

 

"...the Russian use of an atomic weapon to destroy the NATO fleet in the Baltic. NATO forces have continued the attack and have today captured the capital of the Kaliningrad region. Large numbers of Russian soldiers are believed to be cut off and already there are reports of mass surrender. The potential for.."

March 14th 09:42, NBC Breaking News

 

"There are reports that just moments ago there was a nuclear detonation somewhere off the coast of Latvia. There are no details at this time, but this is the area where a large NATO fleet is conducting landings. If confirmed this will be the first use of nuclear weapons since World War 2. We will keep bringing you new information as we get it."

Next War: Poland Turn 8 Summary

 

NATO SoF are only able to do a little damage to air defences, Russian raids do heavy damage to airbases.

NATO strikes target airbases with attack helicopters, 1 helo destroyed and 1 is damaged.

In the air, Russia launches its rested air force in an attempt to retake the air advantage. They do inflict some damage, but suffer catastrophic damage. The air war is now all but over, though Russia does still have a good number of strike assets.

An attack by Russian subs in the North Baltic does 2 steps to the UK AMPH which is carrying 4 units of marines, 2 are lost. However, the large number of escorts means that all Russian subs, including the advanced nuclear ones, are wiped out. The entirety of the Russian navy has been destroyed.

The following landing in Riga does not go well for NATO and all the marines will be lost, however all Russian combat units are also destroyed, leaving just the HQ and support units.

A Russian counter attack to retake Bialystok is a 4-0 disaster when their air support is shot down and NATO helos and air all get through. The Russian southern armies are shattered.

Russian attacks near the NATO push into Kaliningrad area manage to push back the poles and get across the north-south river.

March 13th, CBC News, interview with NATO spokesperson

 

Please forgive the typo, I can't be bothered to go back and re-do it.

Interviewer: So are you saying that despite the reports, the landings in Latvia have not failed?

Spokesperson: Failure is not the word that we would use. While the forces have achieved less success than we had hoped, they have tied down a large number of Russian troops and inflicted heavy casualties on the enemy.

Interviewer: But, surely you heard the comments from the former general we had on earlier, that this looked like a colossal gamble that has backfired and that it should not have been done after the Russian attack on the fleet a couple of days ago.

Spokesperson: Everyone is entitled to their opinions, but the only ones who understand what is going on and the true goals of the operation are those in command. Everyone else should not second guess these …

March 13th. The Sun “Rats Flee Sinking Ship”

 

Loads of Russian generals are running away with their ill gotten gains as brave NATO troops get ready to storm their hideyhole. Convoys of expensive cars and tanks are driving north, out of Kaliningrad, which is a bit of Russia in-between Poland and Lithuania. After robbing some polish cities, these looting villains must surely know that justice is coming. Our brave boys have.....

March 13th, Time magazine “The Roads of Death”

 

The attacks on Bialystok by Russian forces earlier in the week was a text book example of the major flaws in Russian military planning. Repeated piecemeal attacks against elite and well positioned defenders resulted in only 100s of destroyed vehicles and 1000s of casualties. Russian air support had been cleared from the skies, while NATO strikes broke up any major attacking groups. In this short but ferociously bloody war, this day will surely go down as a catastrophic Russian defeat.

March 12th BBC News at 7

 

“There are reports of a Russian Submarine attack on the combined fleet in the Baltic. A large number of NATO ships, which are operating in the Baltic were struck by Russian submarines. The extent of the damage and the casualties amongst the marines, who are alleged to be aboard, is yet unclear, but is believed to be significant.”

The reports also suggest major losses amongst Russia's submarine force. With more on this we...

March 12th, Russia today Live News (translated from Russian)

 

“The desperate NATO attack, which crossed into Kaliningrad had been crushed by brave Russian soldiers defending their homes. NATO attacked and reached the river for less than 24 hours before a determined attack by the defenders drove them back. Every day the final Russian victory draws closer as the NATO war machine breaks down. The forces...”

Next War: Poland Turn 7 Summary

 

Storm

NATO SOF damage detection and SAMs as well as destroying 2 airbases but loose 4 of 6 teams.

Russian SOF damage some airbases and destroy the Italian wild weasel but loose 3 teams, both sides are running low on SOFs.

Due to the storm, Russia avoids fighting in the air and attempts to recover some of its air power for a new push next turn.

NATO push into Kaliningrad region and destroy a Russian HQ, but a German attack fails with losses. Poland liberates the last city near the Baltic sea and pushes on into Kaliningrad.

The RRC and supporting airborne forces liberate Bialystok and destroy the remaining Russian defenders.

Russia pushes to the East of the advance into Kaliningrad, trying to pinch it off. Spanish forces are driven back with even losses while the city of Goldap is again captured by Russia.

NATO forces liberate the city of Ponarth in the south and British Paras drive back the Belarusians.

Russian counterattacks across a bridge to help Kaliningrad fail with losses. If this had broken through they could cut off the NATO advance, and delayed the invasion of the main city by a week or more.

Russian HQs and support units begin to withdraw north out of Kalinigrad, to avoid being cut off if NATO breaks through.

Belarus begins to withdraw all its remaining units from Poland, having lost all of its front line combat units and having no more replacements.

Russian finally clears Augustow in eastern Poland, but it may be too late. NATO clears the first city in Kaliningrad.

March 10th, El Pais online “Military Coup Underway in Belarus”

 

 

 

A military coup is under way in Belarus, according to announcements made by a council of generals. The president of Belarus has not been seen since yesterday and there is no indication as to his present condition or location. There was sporadic gunfire in the early hours around the presidential palace, but it ceased some time ago.

The Belarusian military has suffered badly as part of Russian invasion of Europe and disquiet amongst many of its leading generals had been rumored for some time. The announcement also indicated that while the remnants of Belarus's land forces would be withdrawing, its air force would continue to support Russia.

This event will surely weaken the Russian efforts in the East of Poland where NATO forces are on the offensive.

 

March 9th 11:24am, TVP1 Breaking news (translated from Polish)

 

“We now return to our live coverage of the situation in Bialystok. Though there has been no official word it appears as though Russian forces have fled the city during the night after heavy fighting through out yesterday."

“Already there are images, taken by locals, of airborne forces form a variety of European nations moving through the streets. Though it is too early to declare the city liberated, it seems as though that is now only a matter of time. Some are calling this the turning point in this nearly 1 month old conflict.”

“To discuss the situation we have....”

March 8th, Copenhagen Post “Danish Forces Victorious, Advance into Kaliningrad Region”

 

 

 

A sudden attack by the Danish forces in North Poland has routed Russian forces and allowed a NATO advance into the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad. Many Russians were captured and abandoned and destroyed equipment can be seen lining the roads. Another attack by polish forces...

Next War: Poland Turn 6 Summary

 The air war is destructive for both sides, but Russian losses are far heavier and they NATO takes an air advantage. The air war is coming to a close.

Russian SoF attacks do major damage to air defences and airbases destroying the German wild weasel on the ground.

NATO SoF and strikes damage Russian air defences.

Russian artillery destroy the Belgian RRC brigade.

Other strikes for both sides mostly fail.

Russia overruns a NATO HQ in north east Poland, but other attacks only do light damage.

Polish and Danish attacks towards Kaliningrad do inflict heavy Russian losses and they push forward , liberating a Polish city on the border.

RRC inflicts losses on the Russian in Bialstok, but fail to push them out.

All attempts at clearing fail.

Allies take the Initiative.

March 8th, The Sunday Times Magazine “Augustow Resists”

 

It has been over a week since Russian soldiers entered the city of Augustow in eastern Poland. Despite the withdraw of Polish and NATO armed forces from the area, the city remains a battleground. There are constant attacks on the Russian occupiers by Polish soldiers hidden in the city as well as by the local population. This small scale fighting has taken a toll on...

March 7th, 8PM, Russian Government Press Conference

 

“Today, our brave soldiers destroyed the NATO command in Poland. Many high ranking officers have been killed or captured. It is time for NATO to accept the will of all Russian peoples to be united, and end their senseless war of aggression against us. It is the will of...."

Next War: Poland Turn 5 Summary

 Overcast, next turn clear

Russian SoF do light damage to Air defences, but damage some airbases destroying an F-35.

In the air the fight continues but Russian power is faiding, it is contested. 

NATO SoF do heavy damage to air defences, Russian air defences are badly damaged. 

Russian strikes mostly fail, NATO strikes do damage to Russian airbases and aircraft. 

Russia finishes cleaning the Baltics advances into north Poland.

Belarus attack in south, losses an attack helicopter but finishes off the last polish units.

Russian attack on RRC is a 1-2 loss, the advance here is broken.

A NATO supply base is lost in the north east.

Russian air support is near Goldap is early detected without fighter escort and is shot down but the attack reduces polish HQ.

Other russian attacks are mostly even for losses and damage.

The RRC begin their counter attack, eliminating 3 Russian units for 2 reductions

More NATO strikes destroy an airbase.

More Russian air support is early detected and shot down but NATO attack in Kaliningrad is still 1-0

Polish HQ over run in the north east.

RRC follow up retreating Russians and do a 1-1 over a bridge eliminating a Russian unit

Russians clear a city to the east of Kaliningrad

Russia fails to clear Augustow again.

Clears other cities but Belarus fails in the south

Next turn is contested, turn 7 will be storm

 

I forgot to take map images.

March 5th 10:00 United Kingdom Ministry of Defence Announcement

 

“Thank you for coming everyone. I will be giving a brief update now but will not be taking questions. I will be making a fuller statement tomorrow in the House of Commons when we will know more.”

“Since March 3^rd, Members of the Parachute Regiment, as part of the NATO Rapid Reaction Corps, along with aircraft of the Royal Air Force, have been involved in heaving fighting at Ostrolenka on the Narew river. The NATO forces in this area have suffered casualties. We can not provide any details on the numbers as of this time. The Russian attack has been defeated, and they are now retreating. The RRC remains combat effective, and is pursuing the Russian forces. Many prisoners have been taken and Russian losses are very heavy. We will...”

March 4th 14:22, CBC Breaking News

 

“We have some breaking new just coming in. Estonia has Surrendered. This is according to a spokesperson for the just announced “transitional government” who is now speaking along with members of the Russian military. There has been no word from the Estonian government for the last 24 hours, though representatives in other countries have said that the nation continues to resist any Russian occupation. We will shortly be ...”

Next War: Poland Turn 4 Summary

 The air war continues, while Russia maintains an advantage, every turn it weakens as more NATO forces arrive.

Russian SoF do 4 strikes on NATO airbases damaging some aircraft while NATO repays the favour in the same way.

Russia uses a lot of strike power to try to damage the RRC who are walking to the front line in the south. Most fail except for a couple of strike 1s, many strike aircraft are damaged.

Freed from needing to support combat, ,massed artillery and HQ strikes in Kaliningrad eliminate the polish units that crossed the border and damage others.

Constant NATO attacks are degrading Russian air defences.

Belarusian attacks do some damage, but they take more losses.

The massive Russian attack on the RRC is a disappointment after all the air-support is driven away it is 1-1 result.

Estonia continues to hold on.

Russians fail to clear the key city of Augustow which delays the forces advancing south from Lithuania.

Next turn will be an overcast Russian initiative turn.

March 2nd, China Daily “NATO forces driven from Kaliningrad”

 

NATO's short lived offensive into Kaliningrad has ended in failure. The attack, which entered the Russian territory almost a week ago has been driven back across the border according to sources. The attack was mounted by units of the Polish army which have sustained heavy casualties from Russian artillery. The question now is how long can NATO continue its aggression in the face of such determined defence.

March 1st, Der Speigle International “Airbases Damaged in Night of Chaos”

 

During the night of the First of March, Russian sabotaged groups launched attacks against airbases across Germany. Many of these bases were damaged but they remain operational. The government has appealed for calm as an increasingly concerned population worries about the war getting closer to home.

Next War Poland Turn 3 Summary

It is overcast and a contested turn. Next turn will be clear.

Russia maintains air advantage, both NATO and Russia take damage in the air, but NATO is being reinforced.

Russian strikes and SoF do only a little damage to air defences.

NATO do some damage to air defences but huge damage to airbases, destroying 3

Russian advances continue, destroying polish units including a HQ in the south and pushing down in the north and through the Baltics, but taking losses. The Polish counter attack into Kaliningrad is stopped, but another one recaptures Goldap.

Russia clears Kanuas in Lithuania and Zambrow in east Poland.

 

 

February 29th 11:24am, TVP1 Breaking news (translated from Polish)

 

“After heavy fighting throughout yesterday, Polish armed forces have declared the city of Goldap liberated. The Russian occupiers have fled back across the border into Kaliningrad which Polish forces have already started to enter. Despite the declaration, the army has asked residence to stay indoors unless absolutely necessary. We now go live to our correspondent on the ground...”

February 29th, Russia Today Update Bulletin

 

“As Russian and Belarusian continue their advance into Poland to secure the borders, they have captured their first high ranking general. Sources say that the polish 18^th division was destroyed in Eastern Poland and the General and his staff were killed or captured somewhere near the city of Zambrow. There has been no official word on the general's condition, but he is thought to be wounded. As the Russian advance goes on, it can be only a matter of time until NATO capitulates.”

February 28th, BBC News special report

 

“In the early hours of this morning there were a number of very large explosions across Russia. While the BBC is banned from reporting inside Russia, videos circulation on the internet show large explosions and, later, clouds of billowing smoke. While NATO refuses to comment, sources say that this was a very effective strike targeting multiple air facilities across the country. Submarines from the Royal Navy my have been involved.”

Next War Poland Turn 2 Summary

 NATO air reinforcements from UK, Spain, Germany, France, Denmark, Belgium and Canada have arrived, as has the Rapid Reaction Corps. Some land units from Denmark, Spain and Germany have also arrived.

The air battle is more even, Russian maintains an advantage, but is starting to take damage.

Russian SOF damage detection and don't achieve much else, only lose 1 team.

NATO does lot of damage to both Russian SAMs and Detection, also damaging more airbases and doing more collateral damage. Looses 2 teams

Russian missiles damage both SAMs and Detection but fail all others. NATO missiles all fail, but the German Wild Weasel strike does heavy damage to Russian SAMs. Russian air defences have been badly damaged.

Russian attacks are moderately successful, but the attack in Lithuania takes heavy losses.

All NATO counter attacks are disasters, all rolling over 7

The RRC flies into the eastern theatre, near Belarus, undetected.

Russia continues to advance but takes more losses, especially in Lithuania. Air Support is often forced away by SAMs or taking damage.

Belarussin forces a take a city, but have taking very heavy losses to elite Polish units.

2 Polish mechanised brigades enter a town in Kaliningrad doing heavy damage to the naval guards there.

Russia clears many places including Vilnius.

Russian has continued to advance and is clearing well, but losses are increasing, especially in Lithuania and in the air. Polish attacks have been very costly to NATO and have taken losses.

The next turn is overcast and contested.

The Russian arrow into Lithuania should be red.

 

February 27th 18:30, Televisión Española News (translated)

 

“Russian military command has just announced the capture of Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, as well as other regions and cities in the Baltics and Eastern Poland. Representatives of the Lithuanian government insist that they have not surrendered and are still fighting".

"Spanish forces are already on the ground in Poland, but weather or not they are already involved in combat at this time is unknown due to reporting restrictions.”

February 27th Gazeta Wyborcza (Translated) “Polish Forces Enter Kaliningrad”

 

Polish forces have captured the town of Bagrationovsk in Kaliningrad. Russian forces were driven from the town with heavy casualties as parts of the 11^th division crossed the border. The government insisted that not an inch of Poland will be given up and our forces will take the fight to the enemy.