« Harrier Air War: 1985 » Brad Smith

May, 1985 — The world is on the brink of a third global conflict after an American destroyer is sunk in the Persian Gulf. The eight RAF Harrier pilots of Shadow Flight are highly trained and motivated. But are they ready for the first twenty–four hours of conflict that awaits them? As the flight starts to take losses, their leader must walk a careful line between preserving his men and completing his assigned missions. By mid–morning, the Soviet 3^rd Shock Army is perilously close to taking Hanover and advancing over the Weser River by nightfall. NATO’s strategy for NORTHAG hinges on slowing the Russians at all costs. But with many of the NATO airbases in West Germany destroyed in the early hours of the conflict, it’s up to the RAF Harriers to do the hard work of keeping the Soviets at bay. Meanwhile, the clock is ticking — can NATO air power recover in time to make a difference?