The Last War? : Epilogue

[Bernard Woolley]

This is not the end of TLW. It is not the beginning of the end, but, perhaps, it is the end of the beginning of TLW.

*


D+59

*

20th June. 'Soviets request immediate armistice' – The Scotsman.
'After an apparent inability to stop the NATO offensive into East Germany and Czechoslovakia, the Soviet Union has requested an immediate armistice with NATO. Experts have attributed this to the ongoing rebellion in Poland, which has seriously disrupted Soviet supply-lines and has absorbed a great deal of their reserves.'

21st June. 'War Over! Official!' - The Sun.
'Faced with our Brave Boys and Girls, the Reds have thrown in the towel! Sixty days after their cowardly attack on us, the Communists have realised that they can't beat Brave Battling Brits. For the third time in less than one hundred years, Britain has been key in defeating evil!'

'On Page 3, Kelly from Essex gives her uncensored reaction to our victory!'

23rd June. 'NATO Foreign Ministers to meet to discuss talks' – The Times.
'NATO foreign ministers will today gather in London to discuss where and when peace talks will begin with the Soviet Union and its Warsaw Pact allies. Informed speculation has suggested that the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland will be the venue. The armistice seems to be holding at the moment, with only minor violations reported. Amongst priority for NATO members in any talks will be the release of Prisoners of War.'

25th June. 'Signal from COMSOUTHEAST to CINCSOUTH'.
'From COMSOUTHEAST
To: CINCSOUTH
CC: SACEUR
'Subject: Edirne Garrison

'As part of the armistice agreement, the Soviets have allowed the Turkish-Greek garrison of the city of Edirne to withdraw with what equipment it can take with it. Any equipment that cannot be removed within forty-eight hours will be destroyed in place. The Soviets have also given safe passage to any of the remaining civilians in the city to leave. They have allowed Turkish authorities to send transports through their lines to collect any civilians.
'The senior Turkish and Greek officers at my headquarters have proposed that the personnel of the Edirne Garrison form the core of a Greco-Turkish Brigade, to be called the Edirne Brigade. I have given assent to this proposal, as I believe it will raise morale amongst my forces and help to improve Greco-Turkish relations.'

1st July. 'NATO-Soviet Peace Talks begin today' – The Guardian.
'Security around the Palais des Nations in Geneva is tight today ahead of the beginning of peace-talks between NATO and the Warsaw Pact. The delegations from both sides have already arrived in Switzerland. The priority for the NATO delegation will be an agreement for both sides to withdraw to their pre-war boarders. Talks on arrangements for a swap of Prisoners of War are also expected to take place today.'

*

0901 hours GMT, 3rd July. Outside Olsztyn, Poland.
The two Su-22M4 of the Polish Air Force swooped in over the battlefield, releasing four cluster bombs each on the advancing Soviet armoured vehicles, before climbing away. The Soviet motor-rifle regiment was caught off-guard, having been promised air superiority. The attack ground to a halt as Polish PT-91s and BWP-2s opened fire on the surviving vehicles. The Soviet divisional commander ordered his reserves forward, intending to bull through the Polish defences. The Poles were forced to give ground, pulling back into Olsztyn itself.

If the Soviet commander thought he was making progress, he was very wrong. Once within the city itself, his men ran into troops from the Obrona Terytorium Kraju, which were reinforced by the elite 35th Gdańsk Assault Regiment, part of the 7th Łużycka Naval Assault Division. The Soviets were drawn into a bloody urban battle.

*

Szeregowy Filip Kamiński took careful aim with his kbk wz. 88 Tantal rifle as he saw Soviet motor-riflemen emerge from cover. As a member of the 35th Gdańsk Assault Regiment, part of him was disappointed at the clumsy way his opponents moved. They were clearly reservists found at the bottom of the barrel. Kamiński pulled the trigger of his rifle rapidly and was satisfied to see his targets fall, either hit, or taking cover.

Kamiński had spent most of the war garrisoning the Danish island of Bornholm. First as an invader, then as an ally, while the Soviets first ran roughshod over Poland, then began to actively destroy the country. He had been very glad when the 'Free Polish Army' in Bornholm; the 6th Pomerania Air Assault Division and the 7th Łużycka Naval Assault Division; had returned to Poland to rejoin the Polish Armed Forces. After hearing about Soviet atrocities in his country, it had been satisfying to Kamiński and he fellow soldiers to kill as many Soviet troops as possible. Decades of resentment against their Soviet overlords was being released.

“Tanks coming up!” Another soldier yelled.

Kamiński followed the man's outstretched arm and saw the first of a column of T-64s slowly nosing their way up the street. Behind them came BMP-1s.

“Take cover!” The Kapral commanding the squad Kamiński was part of yelled. “Get ready to hit them when they pass!”

As the Soviet armoured vehicles, the Polish soldiers ducked out of cover and bombarded them with Molotov cocktails and other improvised anti-tank weapons. Some members of the OTK pulled anti-tank mines in front and behind the column. With the Soviet vehicles trapped, the Poles finished off the job with various marks of RPG. Crewmen and infantry who bailed out of burning armoured vehicles were mercilessly cut-down by small-arms fire.

With Soviet forces getting bogged-down within Olsztyn, the Polish commander took the opportunity to launch a counter-attack. Sending his armour to attack the Soviet rear in a double-envelopment. Soviet reserves and attack helicopters stopped the attack and forced the surviving Polish armoured vehicles to retreat, but not before they had carried out a great execution. The result was the Soviet advance was brought to a complete halt.

1231 hours GMT. BBC News 24 Update.
'We are just getting reports that the Soviet delegation has walked out of the Palais des Nations in Geneva. The Soviets have reportedly accused NATO of collusion in the ongoing Polish Conflict. While no official confirmation has been given, it is believed that some NATO logistical support was given to help the 'Free Polish Army', which had been stationed on the Danish island of Bornholm, return to Poland, so that it could join the fight against the Soviets. We go over live to our Chief Diplomatic correspondent in Geneva. Paul, what can you tell us?”
“I can confirm that the Soviet-led Warsaw Pact delegation has indeed walked out of the peace-talks. They have accused NATO of directly interfering in an internal Polish matter and will not return to the negotiating table until NATO withdraws support for what it has termed 'fascist rebels'. The Soviet chief negotiator saved some of his harshest words for the UK, which he accused of harbouring so-called Polish 'revisionist-traitors'. A reference to the fact that the Polish-Government-in-Exile from the Last War still exists as an organisation in London'.

0859 hours GMT, 5th July. SHAPE, Casteau, Belgium.
General Paul Baker reflected that it was nice to be back in a normal office, rather than a bunker, or a trailer hidden in woods. Even if half of the building that hosted the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe was still unusable, it was still more 'civilised'. However, around half of SHAPE's staff were still dispersed to the forward H.Q and bunkers. Those who had returned to Casteau could be evacuated at a few hours notice. Moreover, for safety's sake, Baker and his two deputies were never at the same location at the same time. It made meetings a little inconvenient, but it was better safe than sorry.

“Good morning, Sir.” Brigadier Stephen Arthurs, one of SHAPE's senior military intelligence officers, said as he entered SACEUR's office.
“I certainly hope it is, Stephen.” Baker replied.
“Sorry, Sir, that's not something I can promise.” Arthurs said as he took his seat.

The Brigadier took some papers out of his briefcase before he started.

“The Poles are still holding their own, at least in the north. They roughly handled a Soviet tank division at Olsztyn two days ago and routed a Motor-Rifle Division at Bydgoszcz yesterday. Soviet efforts to break through the Polish defensive line and take Gdańsk have failed for the moment. Doesn’t help that they are mainly using lower readiness and mobilisation divisions.”
“They're not diverting Cat A and B divisions?” SACEUR asked.

Arthur's shook his head.

“Other than a couple of Cat A and B divisions moved from Soviet reserves, they are keeping those divisions facing us. The best information we have at the moment suggests that the Soviets believe that we would take advantage if they withdrew their best divisions. Seems the East Germans think the same, which is why they done nothing more than strengthen their eastern border and deploy some air assets. The other Warsaw Pact nations that border Poland have acted similarly. Our best intelligence is that their governments fear mutinies if they send their troops against Poland.”

Baker chuckled.

“With allies like those, who needs enemies?”

The Brigadier nodded in agreement and grinned.

“How are things in Soviet-occupied Poland?”
“The Soviets have pretty much completely replaced the Polish internal security apparatus with their own. Oh, there are some units that are officially OTK, or ZOMO and wear their uniforms, but they are really MVD Internal Troops. The Soviets have also deployed several KGB Security Battalions, that they previously only employed within the USSR. As you would expect, their conduct has been brutal. Which has made them priority targets for the Polish Home Army, who have been making a thorough nuisance of themselves. The strength of the Home Army has grown recently, as the Soviets embarked on their efforts to 'make friends and influence people'.”
“And I'm sure that no help is reaching them from places like Langley, Fort Bragg, or Credenhill. Not while we are...well...were negotiating with the Soviets. By the way, any signs that they will return?”

Arthurs shook his head.

“Sorry, Sir, outside my remit. Though, personally, I would expect them to come back sooner than later. I would.”
“So would I, Stephen. The longer they wait, the worse it gets for them. We're getting stronger every day, while they get weaker. Well, I do have a political briefing this afternoon. I hope I can get a good indication on Soviet intentions regarding the peace-talks from them.”

The Brigadier shrugged.

“Depends on whether the Soviets know what they are planning, Sir!”
“Very true. I do wonder sometimes.”

Once Arthurs had left, Baker decided that he needed to get out of the office for a while. He called his aide and ordered that his car be made ready. He stood up, grabbed his M9 General Officer's Model pistol from one of his desk drawers and stepped out into the corridor. It still smelled of drying paint and glue, and SACEUR could hear the sounds of hammering, drilling and sawing off in the distance.

*

It was a short, five minute drive from his office to SACEUR's official residence at Château Gendebien, which was within the grounds of SHAPE. With his family having been evacuated to the United States, the château felt strangely empty, even though some of the staff had returned. Baker went upstairs to his study and started to write a letter to his wife. The pair had only been in contact intermittently since 14th April and he felt that a good, old-fashioned letter would be the best way to get his thoughts and feeling across to her.

2201 hours. 'ITN News at Ten bulletin'.
'Our top story tonight is the government announcement this afternoon that some Emergency Restrictions will be eased over the next few days. While the Cabinet Officer has yet to confirm what restrictions will be eased, they are expected to include controls over print and broadcast media, and those to do with electricity and gas supply. Since the start of the war, there have been restrictions on non-domestic lighting, such as advertising billboards and some street-lights. If speculation is correct, restrictions on those would be amongst those eased. Some public order regulations are also expected to be eased, although the authorities will retain the right to enforce all such restrictions if they feel it is necessary.
'In other news...'

7th July. 'President Wałęsa to address UN' – The Independent.
'In a rare public appearance outside of Europe, President Lech Wałęsa is due to address the General Assembly of the United Nations today. He is expected to call for more nations to recognise the government Republic of Poland as the legitimate authority of the country. Wałęsa had been nominated as the first holder of the revived presidency by General Wojciech Jaruzelski and thus is considered his legal successor. Since then Wałęsa has led what is sometimes known as the 'Gdańsk Government', as it has made its temporary capital in that port city, while a Soviet-backed regime occupies Warsaw.
'Wałęsa is also expected to remind the world of the crimes that have been committed against the people of Poland, including the use of indiscriminate bombing against civilians. There have also been reports of use of chemical weapons. President Wałęsa will also call on the Western world to come to the aid of Poland and announce a new, democratic constitution for the nation. Moreover, he will move for the General Assembly to confirm that the Republic of Poland should hold the nation's seat at the UN. The Soviet Union has, so far, blocked any attempts by the Security Council to discuss the matter, and evidently President Wałęsa hopes to find support amongst the General Assembly.'

1601 hours GMT. United Nations Headquarters, New York City.
The speech to the General Assembly had gone well. Lech Wałęsa was not the most polished of public speakers, but he had spoken from the heart and had seemed to have won over a number of nations which had not yet decided which Polish government to recognise. Interestingly, the government of India had moved a resolution in support of the 'Gdańsk Government', calling on the Soviet Union to desist from attacking Poland and to respect its sovereignty. Predictably, the Soviet delegation had walked out when President Wałęsa had stepped up to the podium, followed by the various delegations from Warsaw Pact countries.

Now Wałęsa and his delegation were getting ready to leave the UN and head to secure accommodation provided by the US State Department. As was to be expected, security around the Polish President was heavy. UN security officers formed an outer perimeter, with the President's own Close Protection team forming a ring around him. The CP team had been trained by the British Service Police Close Protection Unit, and included a couple of RMP NCOs from that unit. The American DSS and NYPD would provide protection once the Presidential Party left the UN's jurisdiction.

Staff Sergeant Angus McCallum was one of the two Royal Military Police NCOs assigned to President Wałęsa's Close Protection Team. It was a long way from the British High Commission in Islamabad, now a burned out shell, to the UN in New York, McCallum reflected. Although, he wished the principle paid as much advice to his bodyguards' advice, as the British High Commissioner had. Wałęsa seemed to want to shake hands with almost everybody he passed on his way out. McCallum kept his eyes on the hands of those the President approached, looking out for any weapons.

“Soviet delegation up ahead, Staff.” The other Brit on the team warned McCallum.
“I see 'em, Stan.” He replied, wishing that he had more than a a P229 pistol.

All of the members of the CP team were armed with the same pistol, while a few had the H&K quick deploy ‘Zerfallkoffer’ with MP7s inside. Hopefully, none of the weapons they were armed with would be needed.

The Soviet delegation was standing up ahead, their ambassador in the middle. As President Wałęsa's party approached, the pointedly turned their back as a group. Then it happened.

“DEATH TO TRAITORS!” Someone from within the Soviet delegation yelled.

A junior staffer emerged from the group wielding a knife. The UN Department of Safety and Security would soon discover the knife had a ceramic blade and wooden handle, which meant it would not be picked up by metal detectors. That made the UNDSS suspicious as to its origins. A confidential report would suggest that organs of the Soviet state had smuggled it in.
McCallum instinctively stepped into the path of the attacker and began to draw his pistol. In the moment time seemed to slow down.

'POP! POP!'
'POP!'

The attacker dropped to the ground, his knife skittering across the floor towards McCallum, who looked for the source of the shots. Two of the UN security officers who had formed the outer perimeter had shot him before he could get any distance. Another member of the Soviet delegation was down, wounded, having been struck by bullet and bone fragments.

“GO! GO! GO!” McCallum yelled, keeping his gun trained on the threat, as the remainder of the CP team hustled President Wałęsa out of the building to his car.

He followed a moment later, forming part of the rear-guard, leaving the UN security officers to deal with the aftermath of the attack and the pandemonium.

2201 hours GMT. 'CNN news report.'
'Mystery still surrounds the attempted assassination on Polish President Lech Wałęsa at the United Nations earlier today. As President Wałęsa was leaving after addressing the General Assembly, an apparent member of the Soviet delegation attempted to attack him with a knife. The attacker was shot dead at the scene by two UN security officers. A bystander was injured during the attack, but is said to be recovering in hospital. President Wałęsa was uninjured and was rushed from the scene by bodyguards. The Soviet Ambassador to the United Nations issued a statement calling the attack a, quote, “tragic incident that would not have happened had the United Nations not hosted the criminal Wałęsa.” The US Ambassador condemned both the attack and the statement from his Soviet counterpart, calling it, quote, “an appalling example of blaming the victim”. The new Cuban Ambassador briefly spoke to our reporter on the spot and stated, quote,“am I next?”
“The British Ambassador has called an emergency session of the Security Council to debate the attempted assassination, calling for the Soviet delegation to be censured. The UN Secretary General has promised that a full investigation will be carried out.
'In other news, the Soviet-led Warsaw Pact delegation returned to the negotiating table at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland this morning. Five days after they walked out in what they claimed was a protest at NATO interference in Poland.'

9th July. 1201 hours GMT. Off the port of Gdynia, Poland.
The small convoy led by the ORP Generał Stanisław Sosabowski approached the Polish port, carrying supplies for the Polish Armed Forces. While the lead ship might now bare the proud name of a Polish general from the Last War and fly the Polish ensign, she had, until recently been USS Boulder (LST-1190). She had been officially decommissioned and stricken from the US Navy a month ago and sold to an Indian ship-breaker. The ship had been sold to the Polish government while en-route to India and re-routed to a new destination in Europe. She had then been loaded with supplies and set sail for Gdynia.
The other three vessels in the small convoy were the former USS Charleston (LKA-113), USS Mobile (LKA-115) and USS El Paso (LKA-117). They too had been decommissioned at the same time as Boulder/Sosabowski and had ended up in Polish hands in a similar way.

If asked, the US State Department would express shock and surprise that three former US Navy vessels had been sold on to a third party, and mention that it had lodged a complaint with the Government of India. Oddly, though, no requests to deny the vessels entry to ports in Europe had been lodged.

*

During the invasion of Western Europe, NATO forces had captured a great deal of Soviet equipment, much of it serviceable. Along with weapons and ammunition. There were also a number of now Western leaning nations which had previously been allied to the USSR, and were willing to supply suitable equipment and weapons. Egypt, for example, had proven willing to supply Poland, both from its own stocks and from the stocks it had captured from Libya. For reasons of deniability and logistical comparability, it was important that what was supplied to Poland was of Soviet, or Eastern European origin, or similar.

*

Once the convoy had passed through the Baltic Straits, a Polish escort group had rendezvoused with it, to provide protection. Completely coincidentally, a NATO task group had always sat up-threat. Or, what would have been up-threat, had it actually been escorting the convoy. Which it was not. The NATO task group had regularly broadcast that it would regard any Soviet, or Warsaw Pact assets that came within a certain distance of it as being hostile. Again, it was clearly a coincidence that the Polish convoy just happened to be within the declared exclusion zone. Soviet commanders had seethed, but had not been given permission to attack the convoy, lest a clash with NATO occur. Instead, they had mined the approaches to both Gdynia and Gdańsk. The latter was still blocked, but the Polish Navy had cleared a route to the former.

The Polish Air Force had put up a maximum effort to defend Gdynia from enemy attack, as the three vessels docked. With Gdańsk closed, its dockworkers had volunteered to be driven up the coast to assist their colleagues at Gdynia. The Soviets were sure to launch a maximum effort to destroy the ships and their cargo, so it was vital that they be unloaded as soon as possible. Troops from the Gdynia garrison, along with civilian volunteers soon joined the effort. As the last of the cargo was unloaded from the four vessels and driven away, the city's air raid sirens sounded.

10th July. 0901 hours GMT. Palais des Nations, Geneva, Switzerland.
“And so, as previously stated.” The Soviet Ambassador said, though his translator. “We will agree to reduce support for Iraq and the People's Democratic Republic of Korea if NATO will agree to cease support for the Polish rebels, and the Islamic extremists of Iran. We also demand that Australia and New Zealand cease operations against our forces and their Indonesian allies based on Ambon.”

The British Ambassador sighed, and wished it was not his turn to lead the NATO delegation.

“Mr Ambassador, we went over that yesterday. We agreed that as part of a wider peace in the Middle East and the Korean peninsular, both sides would withdraw to their respective pre-war borders. Since the governments of Iraq and North Korea have been resistant to peace overtures, you also agreed to reduce military support to them, as a way of persuading them. Now, you are trying to tie that agreement to events in Poland. This is not acceptable, Sir. We also cannot negotiate on behalf of our allies in Australia and New Zealand, or on behalf of the Republic of Iran. Were you to agree to cease mining operations in their waters, and allow them to join these talks, then the governments of Australia and Zealand...”
“Nyet!”

The Soviet Ambassador banged his right fist on the table.

“Nyet!” He said again before continuing.
“Since yesterday, new information has reached us.” The translator said. “You have again been supplying the Polish traitors! We can also not allow Australia, or New Zealand to join these procedures, as they are not signatories to the armistice. No, we will only reluctantly agree to reduce supplies to our fraternal allies, if you cease your interference in internal Polish affairs.”

The British Ambassador looked a little puzzled and turned to one of his fellow negotiators.

“What's the fellow going on about?” He asked, just loud enough for the Soviets to hear.
“The supply convoy that reached Poland yesterday, Sir. The ships were former US Navy vessels, sold on the open market for scrap. The Poles bought them and filled them with various supplies.” The other negotiator whispered.
“Ah, I see.”

The British Ambassador turned back to the Soviet delegation.

“I understand that the government of the Republic of Poland was able to get a supply convoy through the Baltic. My understanding is that those vessels were sold on the open market for scrap, by that the Poles bought them. They also bought supplies to fill them in a number of countries.” The ambassador paused to shrug. “They had the money and you know what Capitalism is like. If you have enough money, you can buy almost anything.”
“And who gave them the money?” The Soviet Ambassador asked accusingly, through his interpreter.

Again, the Briton shrugged.

“I understand that the government of the Republic of Poland inherited significant assets from the former People's Republic of Poland.” He said, including 'former' to slightly needle his opponent. “Moreover, I understand that the Polish émigrés across the world have been raising money for the Republic of Poland. I cannot speak for other governments, but Her Majesties Government is not about to tell its citizens how it can spend their money, so long as what they are doing breaks no laws.
“Now, perhaps we can come back to this issue. I suggest that we move on to the subject of a Prisoner of War exchange.”
“That is acceptable.”
“Good, now we have prepared a list of prisoners that we would like to see released by you and a list of those we are willing to release. Would it be acceptable to release those who are injured, or sick?”

The Soviet Ambassador nodded.

“Da.”
“Would the Swiss and Indian be suitable intermediaries?”
“Da.”
“Excellent. I propose that we start the exchange within forty-eight hours.” The British Ambassador said.
“That would be acceptable to us, but I will need to consult with Moscow to confirm. We need to check on logistical issues.”

The negotiation session continued until the break for lunch, with several other minor issues being settled. Though, when the British Ambassador tried to return to the first item, the Soviets were insistent and refused to budge.

“We need something to break the impasse.” The British Ambassador said to his fellow negotiators over lunch. “Something to break the link between Poland and our agreement of yesterday. Damned if I know what it is, since we are not going to sell Poland down the river.”
“Is there something that the Soviets want, something more important than Poland?” The French Ambassador wondered. “Something we can give them?”
“This may be an unpopular suggestion, ladies and gentlemen.” The American Ambassador said. “But, we froze millions in Soviet assets at the start of the war. The Swiss have frozen a great deal more. If we agree to release some, or all of those assets, and get the Swiss on board, it might suffice.”
“Would fit with current Soviet views of Capitalism all right.” The Briton declared. “They'd think we were 'buying' Poland, plus they are short of foreign currency. I just hope it doesn't come back to bite us.
“You're leading the afternoon session, aren't you, Anton?”

The Frenchman nodded.

“Oui, and I am sure it is something I can sell to them. I can offer to unilaterally release assets in French banks. Make it seem like there is some dissension in our ranks.”
“I'll speak to the Swiss and try to persuade them.” The American said. “I'll bring it up at this evening's session if I am successful. Our President wants Iraq and North Korea dealt with, so we don't have any more distractions.”
“My government feels the same.” The Briton replied. “After all, we got them to abandon Angola and Zimbabwe if we also withdrew forces from the region. I think we got the better of that deal, given that the South Africans are quite capable of looking after themselves. Allowing us to keep a military sales and training team in South Africa was quite a result too!”
“It was worth it, even if we had to pay for the Cubans to be shipped home!” The Frenchman commented.
“And provide the ships and aircraft!” The American said. “Though, I am sure our German friends will miss that South African submarine that has been working with their navy.”

The Briton looked at his watch.

“Well, it's time to get back, folks. Oh, and anybody want to guess how many times our esteemed Soviet colleague will say 'Nyet' this afternoon?”

The NATO negotiating team had started a sweepstake to guess how many times 'Doctor Nyet' would live up to his name. The Canadian Ambassador had won the morning session. The ambassadors and aides all gave their guesses and handed over the requisite ten Swiss francs. The negotiating session had become a trial, with the Soviets agreeing to something, only to go back on it the next day, or threaten to walk out. The sweepstake was one of the things keeping the NATO delegation going. It was still going to be a long afternoon.

***

[Bernard Woolley]

Accompanying Pictures

[Eaglenine2]

Well this is a surprise.

[jemhouston]

Fine work.

I wonder how reliable the Soviet forces in Moscow are?

[Matt Wiser]

This is a surprise.

There are a LOT of ways this can fall apart.

Not to mention a lot of events between the last chapter and this one. Along with the Middle East and Korea being out of the discussions. Saddam won't quit, and neither will Kim Jong-Il.

[drmarkbailey]

There's considerable advantages to the USSR in keeping the conflict simmering in the Pacific. It entirely ties up the Japanese and South Koreans in economic terms (both are major producers of GWEO and less exquisite munitions), ties down their entire militaries and forces the USA to retain in the Pacific all the forces in or attached to PACOM.

It would also make sense for the USSR to remain enmeshed in the mess that Indonesia has become. Again, it locks all the regional powers in to regional affairs and problems. While their militaries don't matter to NATO, their economies are also distracted and they are also screaming for US weapons and ammo, logistics support etc,

So What is the USSR committing in the Pacific which is major? Not much after the fighting they have done. Even better from their perspective, they can ramp things down a notch or two and still expand the low-tech, low-risk, high-return disruption operations and blame them on rogue actor states like the DPRK.

In this sort of environment, the uncertainty this generates is quite valuable to Moscow. There's an argument here to actually expand these operations, minelaying's obvious, so are things like sporadic pinpoint attacks. Similarly, operational rampdown against Japan while keeping the conflict going also makes a lot of sense.

Lots in this.

Cheers: Mark

[Matt Wiser]

There's also keeping it simmering in both the Middle East (Iraq as well as Yemen), and Korea. Minimal expenditure of Soviet resources, but what they do send frustrates the Allies in both regions to no end.

[Lordroel]

Good update Bernard but we do not need to be worried that something is wrong with you, like your wife (if you have one) saying you need to get out in the sun a bit more.

[Jotun]

DON‘T YOU EVER GIVE ME SUCH A SCARE AGAIN, MISTER!



Just kidding.

Will this be a multi-part epilogue? There is so much that hasn‘t even been touched upon.

Like what happens to Die Zone? I would not be averse to writing a short story about a heliborne air assault by Fallschirmjäger on the Stasi HQ in Berlin-Hohenschönhausen…securing ALL of the Stasi records.

Ahem.

[Redsoxjeff5]

I'm slightly confused,is this the end of the story or just the end of the 1st part

[Cihatari]

Go Poland!!

I was going to be in Gdansk this weekend, not related to anything TLW, but family issues prevented this happening.

[Fusilier]

Wow. That caught me off guard too, not to mention the "jump" of five and a half weeks from Ch400 (27May05) to the events of 03Jul05...
I think (and hope) there are still a LOT of stories to come in that interval, before we reach the Treaty of Edinburgh...
Always a pleasure to read and I have been honoured to add a story or two here and there, but that pales into nothing compared to the stewardship of Bernard and his FOUR HUNDRED chapters!

[Matt Wiser]

Wow. That caught me off guard too, not to mention the "jump" of five and a half weeks from Ch400 (27May05) to the events of 03Jul05...
I think (and hope) there are still a LOT of stories to come in that interval, before we reach the Treaty of Edinburgh...
Always a pleasure to read and I have been honoured to add a story or two here and there, but that pales into nothing compared to the stewardship of Bernard and his FOUR HUNDRED chapters!

You're not the only one hoping for stories that cover those missing five weeks.

[Bernard Woolley]

This was a real gamble, so I'm glad you guys didn't hate it!
400 seemed a good break point, both in terms of chapter number and with events unfolding. Never fear, TLW will return!