Storming the Gap First Strike reveals the explosive origins of the Third World War and delves into the opening salvos of the conflict between NATO and the Warsaw Pact in a world where the Cold War turns hot in 1985.This epic story is told from a range of viewpoints - through the eyes of the decision-makers in Washington as well as the tankers and infantry fighting through hills and towns of southern Germany.Based partly on the scenarios from the smash-hit game by Lock 'n Load Publishing World At War 85, each tale is a pulse-pounding narrative of intense Armor clashes that will help determine the fate of the most valuable piece of real estate this side of the Inner German border - the Fulda Gap.Caught by a surprise Soviet attack, NATO hastily deploys its men and tanks on the first day of the war. Their mission: protect the bridges over the Fulda River in a desperate bid to halt the onslaught of Soviet Armor before it can strike west and bring the Western alliance to its knees.As the first volume of a series that tells one version of the war's progress, First Strike can be enjoyed as a companion to the platoon-scale wargame or by casual readers as a close-up view of mechanized combat in a war that never was.

IntroductionAcknowledgmentsChapter 1: Warning ShotsChapter 2: The LiberatorsChapter 3: AmbushChapter 4: Operation HallucinationChapter 5: A Need for SpeedChapter 6: Morning in AmericaChapter 7: Deadlines and DoomsdaysChapter 8: Allons!Chapter 9: Can't You Hear That Thunder?Chapter 10: Bad OmensChapter 11: Poor Bloody InfantryChapter 12: Flank HitsChapter 13: Burning BridgesChapter 14: RazvedkaChapter 15: Burden of CommandChapter 16: MaelstromChapter 17: Hair TriggerChapter 18: The Prodigal SonChapter 19: Drive on NiederaulaChapter 20: AftermathChapter 21: Hard ChoicesChapter 22: High ScoreChapter 23: Iron HorseChapter 24: KnightChapter 25: RookChapter 26: QueenChapter 27: CheckmateAbout the AuthorAbout the EditorAudiobook EditionWhat is the World at War 85 Game Series