| “ | On November 9, 1989, the Cold War was supposed to end. It didn't. World in Conflict Teaser Trailer[1]
|
” |
World War III, also known as the Third World War and in the USSR as the Great Liberation War (Великая Освободительная Война), is a hypothetical global conflict and the main focus of World in Conflict.[2] The global conflict began in 1989 when the Soviet Union invaded West Germany, and later engaged in combat with NATO, culminating in a battle against the long-time rival of the Soviets, the United States of America on American soil. Using the latest advancements in military technology, the world's superpowers fought on land, sea and air to further their own aims. NATO fought for its own survival against the Soviet military advance, while the Soviets fought to prevent an economic collapse and assert their dominance over Europe.
Background
The occurrence of World War III had been a major fear for the entire global society long before 1989. When the Second World War concluded with the defeat of Nazi Germany and the Empire of Japan in 1945, the world's major political powers began to consolidate their own powers in an effort to ensure that such a conflict of such a destructive scale would never repeat itself. Unfortunately, they also sought to increase their own influence in the world abroad, creating major political, military, and social tensions that sowed the first seeds of a Third World War.
In the aftermath of World War II, the United States and the Soviet Union emerged as the two major superpowers of the world, and worked with their allies to ensure that such a conflict would never break out again. The two sides, along with their European allies, occupied Germany and reorganized it as two separate entities, the democratic West Germany and the communist East Germany. The United States formed an alliance with Western Europe, which eventually materialized into NATO, while the Soviet Union formed the Warsaw Pact in Eastern Europe and erected the Iron Curtain, the major political division between the West and the East. The Berlin Wall was later built between the Allied-controlled West Berlin and the Soviet-controlled East Berlin, further increasing major tensions between the two powers.
Determined to keep each side from superseding each other's authority, the two superpowers created major alliances with other nations and engaged in an arms race. The arms race saw the two sides increase military expenditures and military authority overseas, as well as the mass production of nuclear weapons. Fearing the outbreak of nuclear war that could potentially annihilate the world, the two sides engaged in diplomatic efforts to ensure peace between the two powers, while at the same time engaging in proxy wars within satellite nations and expanding their arsenals.
From 1945 to 1989, the world engaged in a long and deadly period of political tension known as the Cold War, with the world anxiously wondering if they would one day be plunged into another World War.
Prelude
The Cold War finally reached its critical stage during the Summer of 1989, when the Soviet Union's economy was collapsing, threatening its communist influence across Eastern Europe and within Russia. Facing the increasing political and social unrest and the potential disintegration of the Warsaw Pact, the Soviet Union blackmailed Western Europe to preserve its authority. It demanded that the Western World provide massive financial aid to the Soviet Union or it would pursue a course of war and invade Western Europe in retaliation. The United Nations ignored these calls and instead pursued diplomatic efforts to reach a cohesive settlement.
Initially, the Soviet Union complied, but secretly created plans for its invasion of Europe. They put their strategy, Maskirovka (Camouflage), to conceal their goals and actions. Soviet soldiers were put into rigorous training while the West was fooled by the Maskirovka. Due to the prepared Soviet plans, the Pacific Theater was left quiet, with no Asian countries willing to join the war should it commence. During that summer, while diplomatic talks were still in progress as part of Malta Summit, the Soviet Union launched its assault across the Iron Curtain, triggering the opening stages of the much-dreaded World War III.
European Theater
Soviet Invasion of West Germany
- Main article: Invasion of West Germany
European Theater - West Germany - Berlin Wall - Brandenburg Gate
Spetsnaz commandos infiltrate West Berlin.
Positions of the US, NATO, and USSR after the Invasion of West Germany
The Soviet war on Western Europe began with the invasion of West Germany in June 1989. The precursor for the main assault was a sneak attack on anti-aircraft defenses, utilizing a team of Spetsnaz. When the sneak attack succeeded, the Soviets launched their massive assault on the Allied troops occupying West Berlin. Under the command of skilled officers, the Soviets were able to defeat most of the NATO forces there. The Soviet forces smashed through the Berlin Wall and overwhelmed the defenders. The attack was swift and deadly, and within the day, they had seized the entirety of West Berlin.
As the red banner was raised over Berlin again, the Soviets continued their momentum with a concentrated attack on West Germany. Within days they launched another assault, and West Germany fell into Soviet hands, forcing NATO to retreat from the German front.
Soviet Advance into Europe
European Theater - The Balkans, Scandinavia, and Western Europe
Soviet forces advance into Western Europe
After the successful occupation of West Germany, the Soviets proceeded to invade the rest of Europe. The Soviets attacked with full-force, allocating most of their Category-A Class Armored Divisions into the battle. NATO knew the probabilities of losing Europe to the Soviets with the latter having the upper hand in both quantity and (in some regards) quality.
With West Germany completely under control, the Soviet Union proceeded to invade several neighboring Allied states. Denmark quickly fell to the Soviets after Copenhagen was captured. From here, the Soviets launched numerous attacks against the Scandinavian nations of Norway, Sweden, and Finland. Finland quickly fell after a concentrated attack from the Russian border, leaving Norway and Sweden vulnerable to a ground offensive. It appears that the Soviets launched amphibious assaults on Sweden, seizing part of the southern coast and the capital of Stockholm, causing Sweden to immediately fall into the Soviets. The non-aligned Yugoslavia also fell under the Soviet Union's jurisdiction, leaving Greece and Turkey open for future Soviet assaults. Albania fell also, but as seen in the strategic map of Europe in the first European campaign mission, the very southern part of Albania, especially the Albanian-Greek border, still remained free, showing a possible alliance between the Greek and the Albanian states. (This might explain why Greece is not invaded yet)
Meanwhile, the Soviet Navy stormed into the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, engaging the British Royal Navy as it attempted to reinforce their allies. While it remains on the defensive, Great Britain has held its ground (although their sea blockade in the Mediterranean Sea was later crushed by the Soviets).
Soviet Invasion of Norway
- Main article: Invasion of Norway
European Theater - Norway - Somewhere at the Norwegian Coastline
Norwegian anti-aircraft missile batteries firing at Soviet aircraft.
After successfully taking over Sweden, the Soviets prioritized Norway for its vital air corridor. Taking it would allow them to fly missions deep into NATO territory. However, they discovered many large anti-air defenses in Norway, so they decided to launch a direct assault to the Norwegian anti-aircraft batteries. As Soviet forces entered Norway, a fierce battle between the NATO-allied Norwegian military and the Soviet Union began. Although the Norwegian Army valiantly defended their homeland with all their might, the Soviets ultimately succeeded in their goal of eliminating the Norwegian anti-air defenses and won the battle. As a result, the Soviets have since been occupying the northern part of Norway.
American Intervention
With most of Europe falling into Soviet hands, NATO forces were left with only one option: Seek aid from their last ally, the United States of America.
The United States was quick to intervene while the war in Europe was ongoing. They immediately sent thousands of troops to Western Europe to assist in the mission to reconquer West Germany, where the Soviets were focusing a great deal of their resources. Meanwhile, the U.S. Navy reinforced its presence in the Mediterranean as it scrambled to replace the destroyed U.S. Sixth Fleet, which had been annihilated by the Soviet Navy.
Through their combined efforts with NATO, the Americans were able to regain their initiative on the European Front, opening an offensive front for NATO forces. However, the Soviets had no intention of surrendering and continued to assault NATO forces. As such, NATO could now refocus its efforts towards defending its own territories.
The United States focused its efforts in West Germany, where it had made significant gains but the frontlines continued to fluctuate with every engagement. The U.S. Marines were also deployed to Iceland, where they helped the Royal Navy repel possible Soviet incursions.
Soviet Invasion of Iceland
European Theater - North Sea - Somewhere near Iceland
Considering Iceland's strategic position, the Soviets prepared to invade Keflavík, an airbase in Iceland. This plan was initiated by deploying an amphibious assault to the island country in the North Sea. However, as the Soviet Navy reached the North Sea, they were engaged by the Royal Navy, who had set a sea blockade to prevent the Soviets from ever reaching Iceland. Even so, the Soviets managed to penetrate the blockade, and proceeded to occupy the western coasts of Iceland. Since then, the Royal Navy had since then struggled to drive the Soviets back, until the U.S. Marines arrived and joined the battle.
Soviet Invasion of France
- Main article: Invasion of France
European Theater - France - A French town not far away from the French Riviera
Soviet infantry ambushing a NATO armored column.
The Soviet Union built upon its increasing momentum with an amphibious invasion of the southern coast of France following its success in breaking through the Royal Navy sea blockade in the Mediterranean Sea. Catching the French Army off guard, it quickly conquered the coast and occupied all the territories west of Marseille. The Soviets then conducted a series of air raids against major French cities and bases across the country, including Paris.
In order to prevent the Soviet advance into the heart of the country, the Americans sent several battalions to reinforce the French. Operations began with the liberation of the French Riviera. Commanded by Colonel Jeremiah Sawyer and Commandant Jean-Baptiste Sabatier, NATO forces were ready to send the Soviet forces out of France.
European Theater - France - The French Riviera
While the U.S. Navy picked off the seaborne Soviet reinforcements, the Americans assaulted the Soviet stronghold in Marseille and recaptured it, breaking the Soviet hold on France. Unfortunately, Commandant Sabatier was killed in action after his task force was ambushed and overrun while fighting off a Soviet counterattack. However, the Soviets suffered far more casualties than NATO did. The NATO forces were successful in halting the Soviet attempt to occupy France. This enabled NATO and the U.S. to concentrate their forces elsewhere.
France (along with Spain) is the last known European country to have endured and repulsed the Soviet invasion, but with the Soviets creating a new front in America, several U.S. divisions were requested to return, leaving France susceptible to an upcoming Soviet attack.
Middle Eastern Theater
Recent information suggests that the Soviet Union has been trying to gain access to oil supplies in the Middle East. Their plans are to invade Iran, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia for oil-rich lands. Along with controlling Middle Eastern oil fields, the Soviets may use this opportunity to expand their influence south-ward, gaining control of warm water ports (a goal the Russians had aspired to since the time of the Tsars). So far (as of January 1990), the Soviets have launched an invasion of Iran, together with incursions into northern Turkey. Russian troops have advanced as far as central Iran, occupying Tehran and threatening to advance as far south as the Persian Gulf. US troops so far have prevented further advancements, halting the Soviet advance as far south as central Iran. Due to the presence of the oil fields in Middle East (for which many Western European and East Asian countries rely on), it is most likely that the US has deployed a large number of troops to Saudi Arabia as well as other Gulf countries such as Bahrain, Qatar, UAE and Kuwait to prevent an attack by the Russians under the guise of the Carter Doctrine, which considers an attack on the Persian Gulf region an attack on US and/or allied interests in the region; there is also the possibility of US and Soviet naval clashes in the Persian Gulf. In other parts of the Middle East, tensions between Israel and the Palestinian territories may have broken out, at the same time Israel would have placed IDF units on high alert on their borders with Egypt, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon. Meanwhile, with the US sixth fleet, crippled in the Mediterranean (as of September 1989), the US Indian or Pacific fleet (together with allied navies) would be on high alert around the Suez Canal Red Sea, Persian Gulf or Gulf of Oman; sea routes that would be important for Western allied oil and/or goods shipments.
Asian Theater
Not much information was given about the events in Asia even after China joined the war. In of December 1989, China occupied Mongolia, the Himalayan countries such as Nepal and Bhutan and parts of far northern India and Burma. On the Korean Peninsula, North Korean troops invaded South Korea; with Seoul besieged, South Korea faced a similar fate to Europe. Taiwan was occupied by China while the cities of Hong Kong and Macau faced invasion from the Chinese. Japan remained untouched but was a target of opportunity for the Soviets and their allies.
Caribbean Theater
Concurrent with the Soviet naval assaults in Virginia, Cuba was said to have been fighting the U.S. forces in the Bahamas, possibly as a staging area to allow for the Spetsnaz attack on New York City. The other armed engagements in the Caribbean Theater are unknown.
Soviet Theater
U.S. Operations on Soviet Soil
Soviet Theater - Somewhere near Murmansk - Soviet Power Plant
Several teams of Norwegian Rangers, assisted by a battalion of U.S. troops, infiltrated a location close to a power plant to secure intelligence from a downed U.S. bomber. However, they later faced a group of Soviets attempting to drive them back. After a long battle, the U.S. troops managed to retrieve the intelligence and rescue the bomber's crew before they extracted from the combat zone. To make matters worse for the Soviets, the Americans had inflicted massive infrastructural damage on the local area.
Soviet Theater - Kola Peninsula - Soviet Northern Fleet Naval Base at Polyarny
- Main article: Raid on Severomorsk
The Soviets didn't expect an attack on their submarine base in Severomorsk and were caught by surprise. The Soviets had enough time to evacuate a few of their nuclear-powered submarines, but the rest were destroyed during the assault. Soviet infrastructure also suffered intense damage. The Soviets managed to repulse the U.S. forces once again, however, and the submarines that escaped would later launch a strike against the U.S. East Coast.
Soviet Theater - Northern Russia - Quarry
The Soviets secured a quarry for defensive position, and encountered NATO airborne forces trying to rescue their captured commanders. Lieutenant Romanov defended the prisoner camp from any NATO soldiers attempting to get close. The other three officers were tasked with countering NATO forces. The battle was long and furious, but the Soviets emerged victorious, destroying all the retreating NATO forces.
American Theater
- Main article: Invasion of the United States
Initial Soviet Invasion Attempts against the United States
American Theater - Virginia - U.S. Naval Yards
With the U.S. Army preoccupied in Western Europe, the American East Coast was open to attack. In the days following the NATO assault on the Soviet naval yards near Murmansk, the Soviet Navy was launched into the East Coast with the remnants of its submarine fleet. The targets were the naval facilities at the Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Fortunately, thanks to the advanced knowledge of their NATO allies, the Americans were warned early. As a result, they successfully repelled the attack and destroyed all the Soviet submarines, but also took a few casualties in the process.
Meanwhile, Cuba, the Soviet Union's long-time ally in the Caribbean Sea, invaded the Bahamas, creating a Caribbean front in the war. Due to the islands' close proximity to Florida, the U.S. Army got engaged with the Cuban Army in an effort to force them back towards their own country. However, the Cuban invasion of the Bahamas was a ruse, a distraction for the U.S. military to draw their attention away from another Soviet attack against the U.S East Coast.
American Theater - New York City - Liberty, Ellis, and Governor's Islands
- Main article: Battle of New York City
Despite having failed to attack the U.S. naval bases in Virginia, the Soviet Union continued its offensive against the United States in the American East Coast. Three companies of Spetsnaz commandos occupied Liberty, Ellis, and Governor's Islands in the waters of New York City, capturing many hostages and commandeering numerous American vehicles.[3] The U.S. Forces acted immediately and began to recapture the occupied islands.[4]
The intention of the Soviet occupation of the islands was to blackmail the U.S. to withdraw all its forces from Europe or the Soviets would exterminate the population of New York City with a chemical attack launched from Liberty Island. Ultimately, this act of blackmail failed when a concentrated assault by the U.S. Army Rangers recaptured the three islands and crushed the Soviet occupiers.[3] Although the operation was a success, many U.S. vehicles and other materiel were destroyed in the process, indirectly weakening the U.S. forces.
Soviet Invasion of Seattle
American Theater - Seattle, Washington
- Main article: Invasion of Seattle
Sometime following the failed assault on New York City, the Soviet Union renewed its offensive against the United States. Determined to prevent the REFORGER convoys from reinforcing NATO and draw American attention away from the war in Europe, the Soviets launched a massive invasion against the American West Coast.
Using a large amount of civilian freighters, they covertly transported thousands of soldiers, vehicles, and equipment (at least the equivalent strength of several divisions; a corps) past the U.S. Pacific Fleet and invaded the city of Seattle. The Soviets swiftly crushed the U.S. Army and National Guard units there, forcing them to retreat to the countryside. Using Seattle as their base of operations, the Soviets proceeded to invade the whole of Washington State in an effort to distract the U.S. Army. The President ordered the American defenses to employ any means necessary to repel the invasion.
American Theater - Seattle, Washington - I-90 East Channel Bridge
- Main article: Retreat of Seattle
Following the invasion of Seattle, the Soviets found a retreating U.S. Army convoy and proceeded to pursue and destroy them. The Soviets engaged the convoy in a firefight. The U.S. forces were more than a match and secured the I-90 Bridge. In the process, they also escorted evacuating civilians and the family of a general living there out of the combat zone. The U.S. Forces succeeded in escaping and destroyed the bridge to halt the Soviet advance.
American Theater - A few miles from Seattle - Farmlands
After a few days, the Soviets needed to open up a new offensive front for their forces, and proceeded to invade the Washington farmlands for more ground and resources. There they encountered guerrilla resistance. Despite the lack of appropriate equipment, they eliminated the resistance. After defeating light guerrilla resistance, a group of U.S. Forces attempted to counterattack the Soviet forces to regain their lost ground. Although the U.S counterattack was fierce, the Soviet defense held, and Soviet forces made their way further out into the countryside.
American Theater - Washington - Pine Valley
- Main article: Battle of Pine Valley
In the weeks following the fall of Seattle, the Soviet Union occupied much of Washington state, easily capturing Tacoma and possibly the state capital of Olympia. The battle-worn Washington National Guard and regular U.S. Army units came under the command of Colonel Jeremiah Sawyer, who rallied his surviving forces for a counterattack aimed at halting the Soviet advance. Their target was the coastal town of Pine Valley, which had been occupied by Soviet paratroopers. Assisted by the Oregon National Guard, who had been redirected to Washington, Sawyer's forces staged a large offensive against the town, eventually capturing it with success thanks to the tactical assistance from the U.S.S. Missouri.
American Theater - A few miles from the farmlands - Countryside
Soviet Frontal Aviation taking out guerrilla positions.
After hearing the news about the successful U.S. counterattack on Pine Valley, the Soviet forces went on the offensive. After the capture of the surrounding farmlands, they proceeded to advance further into the countryside. The Soviets encountered another group of unexpected guerrilla forces, but dispatched them with little effort.
However, after a while, the guerrillas proved a nuisance; they effectively halted the Soviet advance for a short period of time. Seconds turned to minutes, minutes to hours, hours to days, and days to weeks. The Soviet forces decided to end the guerrilla resistance by destroying their headquarters and capturing their leader. The attack was successful, but it was followed by yet another U.S. counterattack. Like the previous attempt, the counterattack was nullified by the Soviet forces.
The Soviets once again mobilized, and were given orders to neutralize the Strategic Defense Initiative, so that the United States would be unable to defend itself from strategic nuclear attack, forcing the Americans to concede the fight. Unknown to the Soviets, however, the SDI program had never developed a viable missile shield, and all that prevented a nuclear exchange was the rumor of its existence. Almost all of the Soviets' Category-A class units were allocated to the mission, leaving other Soviet forces with light equipment.
American Theater - Cascade Range - Riverbed leading to Cascade Falls
After discovering the Soviet's plans, American forces prepared to defend the SDI project, for if they failed, it could mean a Strategic Nuclear Exchange, and they could not afford to let that happen. With Wilkins' battalion preparing to defend Fort Teller, Sawyer's battalion was sent to keep the Soviets preoccupied as long as they could. Their defensive battle bought the forces at Fort Teller enough time to fortify and they retreated to Cascade Falls, with the Soviets hot on their trail.
American Theater - Cascade Range - Cascade Falls
- Main article: Battle of Cascade Falls
After a month of consolidation and restructuring, the Soviets renewed their offensive in Washington and advanced eastwards to the Cascade mountains, in an effort to capture an American installation at Fort Teller. Their goal was to secure the Strategic Defense Initiative, a space-based weapons program aimed to defend the U.S. in the event of a Soviet nuclear attack.
However, the Soviets didn't realize the project had been a failure, and if they discovered the ruse, the U.S. would be a subject of nuclear attack. Colonel Sawyer and Colonel Wilkins of the Oregon National Guard raced to Fort Teller's defense, stalling the Soviet advance in the mountains. They retreated to the town of Cascade Falls, where they intended to trap the Soviet offensive force and destroy it in a bombing run.
Nuclear strike at Cascade Falls
When word came down that the Soviets had reinforcements coming, the Americans turned to their last option: A tactical nuclear strike. The U.S. Army pulled back all of its forces while a handful of units under the command of Captain Mark Bannon stayed behind to distract the Soviets. The ploy succeeded and the resulting attack annihilated the Soviets, saving Fort Teller and with it the whole United States, though at the cost of many American lives.
American Theater - Cascade Range - Path towards Clearwater Creek
An M2A2 Bradley fighting in the fallout.
Shortly after the nuclear strike on Cascade Falls, American forces were trying to reestablish a chain of command, as the nuclear blast let out an EMP wave that disabled most communication equipment. As U.S. forces tried to gather scattered forces in the sundered riverbed, they also faced a large group of Soviet stragglers. The U.S. forces were able to regroup and stop the Soviet remnants, and proceeded to retake all their lost ground.
U.S. Counterattack
After many costly battles in America, the U.S. forces took time to recover and regroup, and prepared to push the Soviets out of the American Theater. The Soviets were greatly weakened, as many of their Category A units in Washington had been allocated for the failed assault on Fort Teller. The U.S. troops in the European Theater reinforced some of the troops in America, providing them more power, but leaving parts of Europe more vulnerable to any Soviet offensives.
American Theater - The Path to Seattle - Clearwater Creek
- Main article: Battle of Clearwater Creek
As the Americans gained momentum in their counterattack, they proceeded to try and breach the Soviet defense perimeter. Clearwater Creek, a town with a road that leads to Seattle, was the primary objective for Sawyer's battalion, for its capture would enable a straight path to Seattle. The attack went as scheduled, but the U.S. forces faced several delays.
A bridge leading to the town square had been destroyed by the Soviets, cutting off an armored company and forcing the Americans to take another path. The Americans found another bridge, only to have it blown up by the Soviets once again. They only had one option left: The long path. Despite the delays, the town was captured by the U.S. forces after defeating a Soviet counterattack.
As the U.S. forces gained a fast route to Seattle, Soviet forces prepared for the worst – A large American counterattack.
Chinese Intervention
Chinese fleet heading towards the Pacific Coast.
As the months passed on, General Morgan informed that a new ally of the Soviets had just entered the war – The People's Liberation Army of China. As they started provoking war in Asia, they invaded some neighboring countries like South Korea, Taiwan and India, and successfully occupied those countries.
Considering the massive number of American forces about to retake Seattle, the Soviets requested that the Chinese reinforce their forces in Seattle. Several fleets of Chinese ships left their home ports and headed for America, bringing a large number of troops and resources along with them.
Recognizing the threat posed by the Chinese naval forces, General Morgan was left with two options: Withdraw the American forces in Europe to reinforce the homeland or launch a nuclear strike to wipe out Seattle. The former was considered unrealistic, as doing this would leave Europe dangerously weakened. Simultaneously, the Americans were hesitant to detonate another nuclear weapon on their own soil.
After evaluating their options, a bold plan was formulated. If American forces could retake the city before the Chinese arrived, they could prevent any significant landing operation at Seattle's vital ports and simultaneously cut off the remaining Soviet invaders. However, if the plan failed, there would be no choice but to launch a nuclear strike on Seattle to prevent a Chinese landing and a Soviet resupply. Col. Sawyer was tasked with carrying the plan out, and his forces rushed to take the city before the Chinese could arrive.
Preparations to Retake Seattle
American Theater - The Path to Seattle
U.S. forces breakthrough the Soviet defensive lines.
As the Americans prepared to retake Seattle, they were suddenly told to halt; Army command wanted to give the American forces time to replenish their losses, as well as having an assignment for a small force of American soldiers.
Their top priority, other than retaking Seattle, was to capture two Anti-Ship Missile Launchers on Sandfish Island, to stop the Chinese should they ever make it past the Puget Sound.
Last Stand in Seattle
- Main article: Liberation of Seattle
American Theater - Seattle, Washington
Chaotic battle between American and Soviet forces in Seattle.
After taking over the anti-ship artilleries, the U.S. forces were finally ready for their ultimate goal since the Soviet invasion of America – Save Seattle.
The President ordered Colonel Sawyer, Lieutenant Parker, and Major Webb to lead the operation to retrieve Seattle. Its Soviet occupiers were heavily entrenched. However, the U.S. forces were able to catch them off-balance, causing Soviet unit cohesion to break down, with several forces going on the offensive despite the offset of offensive power in the American's favor.
In order to hold off the upcoming American counterattack towards Seattle, the Soviets launched a large armored counter-attack. However, this left their command HQ vulnerable to attack. The U.S. forces, taking advantage of this Soviet defensive gap, launched a successful seizure of the Soviet command building, while also managing to occupy the nearby harbor. However, during the operation, Major Webb's company was wiped out, with Webb himself being severely injured after taking a sniper's bullet meant for Colonel Sawyer.
Despite the severe losses, the U.S. finally managed to retrieve Seattle before the Chinese fleet arrived. Later, Captain Malashenko commanded his remaining forces to launch a suicidal counterattack, but it was easily held off and he was either killed in action or was taken prisoner. As the Chinese fleet arrived at Seattle, they discovered that their Soviet allies had already fled the city. They later called off the attack after being overwhelmed by the anti-ship artillery.
Aftermath
.jpg){kind=link}
Conflict map following the liberation of Seattle
Seattle was finally liberated, but World War III was not yet over. While Seattle recovered, the armed conflicts in Europe and Asia were still ongoing, and the Soviet aggressors would have to be stopped in order to put an end to this global conflict.
Although devastating to both sides, the Soviet invasion only captured a small amount of territory during the initial landing and was ultimately defeated before any meaningful gains could be made. The Soviets lost several highly skilled and experienced commanders and a significant amount of high-level combat forces, leaving them severely weakened overall.
With the American front secured and the Soviet advance largely halted in Europe, the Soviet Union's momentum was stalled. Although the final outcome of the war is uncertain, it seems unlikely that with their weakened economy, the blow in men and materiel resulting from the loss of the American campaign and their loss of momentum that the Soviets would have been capable of making any further meaningful territorial gains. However, with China and other allies bolstering their war effort, it is likely that the conflict could have dragged on for some time before its eventual conclusion.
References
- ↑ World in Conflict - Trailer. GamerSpawn (September 23, 2009).
- ↑ Massive Entertainment, Sierra Entertainment, World in Conflict. September 18, 2007.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Massive Entertainment, World in Conflict. Mission 10: "Liberty Lost".
- ↑ Massive Entertainment, World in Conflict. Cinematic: "New York", cutscene_newyork.bik.
| Battles and engagements of World War III | |
| European Theatre | |
|---|---|
| American Theatre | |