Storm and Steel Second Wave (World at War 85)

The Second Wave has been Unleashed      

The forces of the Warsaw Pact storm west over the Inner German Border and unleash devastation on the first days of the conflict. Among the NATO defenders of West Germany are Captain Kurt Mohr and his company of Leopard tanks. Outgunned and outnumbered, the men must conduct vital delaying operations until reinforcements can mobilize to stop the communists in their tracks.

After a harrowing battle to prevent the Czechoslovakian army from capturing a key bridge over the Danube, Mohr and his tanks are ordered to reinforce a battalion of grenadiers. The mission: buy time for the rest of his panzer brigade to prepare defenses around the key city of Landshut. Attacked by endless waves of enemy tanks, infantry, and aircraft, they must hold at all costs while the pressure mounts and the number of casualties skyrockets.

 To make matters worse, Mohr’s leadership is challenged at every step by internal politics that jeopardize the mission and his men’s lives. Each critical decision brings the company to the brink of tearing itself apart - posing a threat as dangerous as the enemy itself. Can Mohr keep his men together and stay alive or will his first day of war be his last?

“After increasing his magnification on the PERI scope, Mohr noticed infantry climbing out the roof hatches of several carriers. No doubt, they were there to suppress enemy armor with anti-tank missiles and RPGs while the rest of their regiment rushed forward. It was bad news. With a range of three kilometers, the wire-guided missiles could badly damage or even destroy a Leopard tank. If the infantry got close enough, the rocket-propelled grenades would burrow right through his thin rear armor.  The OT-64s had to die.”

“After increasing his magnification on the PERI, Mohr noticed infantry climbing out the roof hatches of several carriers. No doubt, they were there to suppress enemy armor with anti-tank missiles and RPGs while the rest of their regiment rushed forward. It was bad news. With a range of three kilometers, the wire-guided missiles could badly damage or even destroy a Leopard tank. If the infantry got close enough, the rocket-propelled grenades would burrow right through his thin rear armor.  The OT-64s had to die.”

Brad Smith is a freelance writer and game designer. He has a keen interest in the topic of the late Cold War, which has fed his creative output. He has authored around a dozen books set in an alternate World War III: 1985 universe. His blog can be found at www.hex- sides.com. You can also access his books on the Ama- zon.com store page. Several of his stories are available through Lock 'n Load Publishing. His main interests are writing, wargaming, and spending time with his wife and son. He recently designed "NATO Air Commander" and the soon to be released "That Others May Live" both published by Hollandspiele. Two of his favorite wargames are "Gulf Strike" and "The Korean War" from Victory Games. His gaming blog can be found at www.hexsides.blogspot.com. Brad has worked as an Emergency Medical Responder in Canada then as a writer based in Geneva, Switzerland before moving to Japan in 2004, where he has lived ever since. He holds a Bachelor's degree majoring in History from the University of Winnipeg, a Master's in Journalism from the University of British Columbia, and a dual Master's degree in TESOL and Applied Linguistics from the University of Leicester. He has written for academic journals, newspapers, radio, and magazines on a variety of topics. He recently served as an editor for an issue of Yaah! magazine and is a frequent contributor to other game journals. His main writing inspirations include Tom Clancy, Joe Scalzi, Ralph Peters, and Stephen King. His favorite books include "Red Storm Rising", "Old Man's War", and "Red Army".

Keith Tracton has been acting in some way, shape, or form for thirty-seven years. A veteran of stage, screen, TV, film, voiceovers and, of course, audiobook narration. His audiobooks can be found on iTunes and on Audible.com. The only thing he has been doing longer than acting is playing board war games - forty- four years doing that, and still going strong. As such, he also very much considers himself fortunate to be the lead developer for Lock 'n Load Publishing's upcoming alternate-WWIII platoon level game series World At War 85.

David Heath has been playing games in some way or another for most of his life. They are and have always been a large part of who he is. Since high school, he has wanted to write, design, and develop great games and stories. David took his first step at Victory Games and is grateful to Mark Herman and Eric Lee Smith for giving him the opportunity as an intern. It started a fire that has never gone out in him. David is currently the owner and operator of Lock 'n Load Publishing as well as being the founder and President of The Gamers Network, Matrix Games, Strategic Games Publications, and at one point, the owner of The Wargamer. He has owned a few other businesses over the years but has always kept coming back to gaming. His other interests include music, movies, and technology, and how he can combine his interests together. His faith in God has always been a major driving factor in his life and is thankful for God's blessings in his life. - John 3:16