T2000: WHITEOUT (v2.2 PBP Campaign)

[Legbreaker]

You might want to include Canadians as an option also since the Soviets wouldn't have been taking national boundaries between the US and Canadians too seriously. It's a sure thing Canadians would be in the region (especially since there are references to Canadian units slated for Korea being held back due to the Soviet landings).

It's worth noting the invasion of Alaska occurred shortly after nukes (tactical) were first used. It would appear the Soviets were banking on their nukes to do nasty things to the US ability to respond effectively and therefore it's likely the Soviets had been planning both the invasion and use of nukes for some time. As many have commented, an invasion of Alaska/Canada doesn't really seem logical and so the US and Canadian forces may have been caught napping. Could be an element you might consider integrating into your game?

[M-Type]

My idea for the beginning bit was utter boredom, I mean, you're stationed in Alaska! You don't even get decent TV reception! WTF!!

All the while they'd be getting snippets of news from Korea/Europe/CONUS...

Then there'd be reports of Spetsnaz units on the ground. Then maybe a raid or two...then BAM.

Tactical nukes start flying. Everyone discusses what could possible be going down on the other side of the world.

Then BAMAGAIN.

Soviet landing forces are seizing the coast and such.

It does note that Canadian units held their border, as the 47th got pushed back to said Canadian border.

"Outposts of 47th Infantry Division in Alaska are attacked by Soviet Spetznaz units followed by 2 arctic mechanized brigades; they are pushed southeast in heavy fighting over the Canadian border where they were reinforced by elements of the Canadian army."

It should be noted I'm using this timeline.

EDIT: I could switch it so the PCs are in the 207th Infantry Group AKA 2nd Infantry Brigade (Arctic). They get a piece of all the action in the "listed" campaign. They're also one of the first to come in contact with the Soviets.

And also, on the nuke thing, America hasn't been bombed yet, as it's only July 1997. I'd have to go re-check the timeline to see if nukes were used closer to that time in Asia/Europe. I'm pretty sure they were in Asia at least.

[M-Type]

Coincidentally enough, the one nuke target in Alaska just happens to be Elmensdorf AFB (from the v2.2 rules, I don't use the timeline, I just use the nuke targets). Which just happens to be abutting Anchorage. Which happens to be the city the 2nd Infantry Brigade is protecting in July 1997.

Maybe instead of abandoning Anchorage, some units manage to hold out 4 months instead?

[Cdnwolf]

Now to make it real fun... put the game in the middle of winter... guerrilla attacks in a raging snowstorm would be fun.

[M-Type]

Since the Soviets attack in June...the PCs will have to hold out a long time! And survive the Nuking of Anchorage (which I'm sure will be a huge part of this campaign) will be pretty key.

In looking at historical weather data of Kodiak Island (where I'm starting it), the average temp of June 1997 was 48.5 Fahrenheit.

There are huge gaps in the Arctic Campaign though, like from July-March '98, so I'm sure there'll be a place for Winterfest '97 in there somewhere.

I can't imagine anyone did much fighting though . At least the Russians are used to it, and it won't be Eastern Front,1941-42.

[M-Type]

For anyone interested, reading through this and this and a little of this would be useful to you.

[M-Type]

of course, having this in AK lets some ugly questions rear their heads:

What the hell do the Russians want with Alaska (Oil? Natural Beauty? Moose?)

and

How could an invasion survive without roads and such. There's a lot of mountains, and most transport is done by small prop planes. The Soviets are gonna have to blow A LOT of fuel just to move around, and the US troops can just plink away at them with their MGs and ADA.

Anyone have good ideas on how a Soviet invasion of Alaska would go down?

[Targan]

Originally Posted by M-Type

Coincidentally enough, the one nuke target in Alaska just happens to be Elmensdorf AFB...

Remember, that's the one nuke target hit with .5mt or larger. As GM you can nuke almost any target not listed in the strike lists with a nuke strike of less than 500kt and still not be in conflict with published material.