We're starting work on an expansion for our upcoming rules, Rush of Battle (a serious illness in the family has demanded our attention but all is well now and we're mostly back to work!). We'd like to get the community's feedback on the topic.
In January/February of 1991 western forces were engaged in battle against Saddam Hussein's Iraq. Meanwhile, in Europe, the Soviet Union was collapsing. In August of 1991 there would be an unsuccessful coup attempt against Gorbachev by hardliners in the communist party.
Hypothetical: the coup attempt occurs earlier, at the height of Operation Desert Storm. Success is mixed but mostly successful. Soviet forces try to push through eastern Europe and into western Europe in an attempt to reestablish Soviet control of its satellites and to take advantage of NATO's focus on Iraq.
Uncertain as to who is really in control the west is unwilling to launch nukes to defend Europe. And while it appears that Soviet conventional forces are mostly in rebel control, forces loyal to Gorbachev retain control of Soviet nuclear forces.
The Result: NATO forces must fend off Soviet troops pushing into Germany but without the threat of nuclear war. It's not quite all out war but the wounded Bear is especially dangerous as it thrashes about in its death throes.
In your opinion, what would make for interesting or at least plausible orders of battles for both sides?
With many NATO troops in the Gulf but Soviet forces in disarray due to the coup, which side would have the advantage, especially with nukes off the table?
How far would or could the Soviets go into Germany? Remember, their aim it primarily to reassert control of their satellite states while also building a deeper buffer against NATO. Berlin and several klicks into Germany? All the way to the French border?
