"Must read for Soviet Team Yankee players" Topic

My wonderful sister-in-law got me this book for X-MAS along with some T-72's. It's the invasion of West Germany through Soviet eyes. You'll get plenty of scenarios ideas.

The biggest thing I see is the proper use of artillery and aircraft to open the hole needed. For TY, since they are balanced battles the Soviet player(s) will need to concentrate on a given area and then force the NATO player(s) to leave their prepared positions and fight out in the open. The Soviet player will have to continue to utilize their artillery to break up the NATO side. Artillery has to be used right. In Red Army, the Soviets utilize their artillery, gain surprise and are able to exploit the numbers. TY will prevent two of those three.

The book will be an excellent scenario source as D6 Junkie points out. I try and re-read the book at least every couple of years.

Agreed

I don't recall the Soviets using their arty to any great extent in TY, which I found surprising considering their WWII doctrine.

They had several sections of the book from the commander of the field artillery. Remember his sub commanders had issues with the massive amounts of ammo and how they would be moving the ammo. Also there was the section of the chemical smoke rounds and how they needed to be guarded. Another section talked about the lose of a battery. Artillery is important and I think the fact the artillery commander was a named character in the book highlights it.

Balanced forces just doesn't sound right to me.

Eastern Numbers vs. Western Quality

Lots of Soviet artillery bombardment beforehand, followed up by massive radio jamming. Lots of scouting, followed by armor and helicopters. Jets and artillery support breakthroughs, not units in trouble.

That to me is how a 1985+ game should go.

I agree. TY scenarios should account for the Soviet numbers. I know Russian points are lower in TY so maybe that is one way they try and get the numerical numbers created.

Yes, you get a lot more Soviets for the same points in TY.

Mako11,

Do you feel the point difference gives the right feel for the Soviets? I would expect the difference to be a division of Soviets to a brigade of NATO forces at the higher end of the scale.

Ralph Peter's best book not on the ACW. Even better than Coyle's TY IMO. Then again, I thought his two follow-ups, 'Sword Point' and 'Bright Star' were better also.

Red Thrust by Steven Zaloga is pretty good (if not essential) too – several sections, each consisting of a short story covering an action for an arm of the Soviet forces, followed by analysis. So mech infantry, armour, heliborne, Spetsnaz, artillery, fighters, chem attack.

Great read, I read that back when it was first released. It was nice to read from the other guys perspective when at the time most novels were only from the Wests point of view. I also read Armageddon by the same Author about 2 years ago, Reflecting back, it was a bit prophetic, written pre ISIL.

Great book and an eye opener for its' story.
Yes they can be creative and yes they coul have won.

Thanks for the recommendation!