Northern Europe / Scandinavia Sourcebook

[Lurken]

Hi

A fellow T2k:er and me have talked about that it would be fun to write up more information about the theater in Northern Europe beyond what is stated already. The reasoning is that what happens in Scandinavia will cause ripples down to Germany, Poland and the Baltics.

So we will start laying out the basics of what happened in the years leading up to the Twilight War, and during the war.

The main focuses will be the Nordic countries, together with Kola peninsula, Karelia region in Soviet Union and potentially Iceland.

If people would like to contribute, they are welcome to do so. Any and all help is always greatly appreciated.

[Lurken]

Various regions and their assumed state, going by the descriptions that I have read and surmised.

Norway: Is divided and ravaged by ongoing war. Southern parts are held by NATO/Norwegian forces led by the norwegian king. There was a failed offensive against Narvik() that was beaten back by remaining WP-forces.

Finland: Defended fiercely against both NATO and WP. The finnish Lapland region in the north is likely devastated. The border area against soviet Karelia and Leningrad is likely also damaged. Unknown status on the state of Finland.

Denmark: Likely devastated by conventional means early in the war to slow deployment of NATO forces into the Baltic sea. Copenhagen most likely a heap of rubble. Bridges to Germany likely blown up, either by danes, germans or by soviet means. The state of Denmark is likely nominal in name only. Possibly failed state at the end of the war.

Sweden: Saw heavy fighting in the north due to spill over from Norway and Finland when dealing with NATO, WP and marauder forces. The mining industry in north does not exist at the moment. Southern and middle Sweden is likely swamped by refugees from Norway and Denmark, and possibly Finland and other nations at the Baltic Sea. Wartime coalition government. Stable state at the moment, but in a bad position. Possibly sending limited forces to the Baltic states and Poland to secure influence and resources. Possibly having geopolitical struggle against France in Northern Europe.

Kola and soviet Karelia: Likely under formal control of USSR, but may harbor separatists.

Iceland: No idea. Possibly forgotten over the war, except for the total reduction of Keflavik and strategic harbours.

[Legbreaker]

That summary sounds about right. I'm thinking Iceland has probably suffered a significant population reduction after being cut off from the outside world and the trade goods that's usually required to support people in that climate.
Those left have likely reverted to old practices to survive, the skills and memories of elders proving absolutely vital to a settlements viability.

I wonder how many of the members of the Swedish expeditionary forces call or compare themselves to Vikings

[Olefin]

"Norway: Is divided and ravaged by ongoing war. Southern parts are held by NATO/Norwegian forces led by the norwegian king. There was a failed offensive against Narvik() that was beaten back by remaining WP-forces."

Based on the writeup in Boomer it sounds more like that offensive succeeded

[Raellus]

I'm pretty sure Going Home mentions that the Danish Jutland division returned home in the autumn of 2000 to perform local security functions. This, to me at least, implies that it wouldn't be a failed state, but one that has recused itself from the continuing conflict to focus on recovery.

I've done a write up regarding Sweden's subtle attempts to gain influence in central Europe through diplomatic, economic, and military means. See Post #25:

https://forum.juhlin.com/showthread.phpt=4881

[Olefin]

I'm pretty sure Going Home mentions that the Danish Jutland division returned home in the autumn of 2000 to perform local security functions. This, to me at least, implies that it wouldn't be a failed state, but one that has recused itself from the continuing conflict to focus on recovery.

I've done a couple of write ups regarding Sweden's subtle attempts to gain influence in central Europe through diplomatic, economic, and military means. I'll share it when I get home.

You are correct about the Jutland Division

Jutland Danish MD (2,000 men): The bulk of this unit has withdrawn from Germany, and repatriated itself to Denmark, either by land or by crossing the straits to the Danish islands of Lolland and Falster, Some personnel have chosen to remain in Germany, and have attached themselves to various military and quasi-military groups.

There is also the Slesvig Regimental Combat Team of 600 men that are in southern Denmark as well - with 600 men and been there since Dec 1997 on internal security duties

[Lurken]

"Norway: Is divided and ravaged by ongoing war. Southern parts are held by NATO/Norwegian forces led by the norwegian king. There was a failed offensive against Narvik() that was beaten back by remaining WP-forces."

Based on the writeup in Boomer it sounds more like that offensive succeeded

Ah! Thank for the note, I'll read up exactly what it says there. But even with Narvik back in the hands of norwegians, Norway are still in a bad spot.

I'm pretty sure Going Home mentions that the Danish Jutland division returned home in the autumn of 2000 to perform local security functions. This, to me at least, implies that it wouldn't be a failed state, but one that has recused itself from the continuing conflict to focus on recovery.

I've done a write up regarding Sweden's subtle attempts to gain influence in central Europe through diplomatic, economic, and military means. See Post #25:

https://forum.juhlin.com/showthread.phpt=4881

Thank you! Still points towards that Denmark, if not failed, it doesn't feel well. Mildly speaking. Would you agree on the notion that Denmark is likely reduced early in the war by conventional means to deny NATO easy access into the Baltics

And your post about the swedes operating in northern Poland is what started this ball rolling =)

[Tanper]

There is actually semi-official lore surrounding this, as there was an official Twilight 2000 sourcebook in Finnish called "The Nordic Countries".
I'll post the main details here (will post additional details to those interested, I own the book):

Finland is under military dictatorship.
Sweden in in the grips of a civil war.
Denmark is quite okay.
Norway is led by a heroic military-prince.
Iceland is just about normal.

[Legbreaker]

There is actually semi-official lore surrounding this, as there was an official Twilight 2000 sourcebook in Finnish called "The Nordic Countries".

I think there's a thread detailing most of it already

[Legbreaker]

These are what I think are the main hits when I put "Finland" in as the search parameter. There were 130 threads found in total though, and I didn't use any other parameters, so it's quite likely some relevant threads have been missed.

https://forum.juhlin.com/showthread.phpt=4771

https://forum.juhlin.com/showthread.phpt=5513

https://forum.juhlin.com/showthread.phpt=4412

https://forum.juhlin.com/showthread.phpt=3886

https://forum.juhlin.com/showthread.phpt=3906

https://forum.juhlin.com/showthread.phpt=3868

https://forum.juhlin.com/showthread.phpt=3903

https://forum.juhlin.com/showthread.phpt=3881

https://forum.juhlin.com/showthread.phpt=3352

https://forum.juhlin.com/showthread.phpt=2685

https://forum.juhlin.com/showthread.phpt=1437

https://forum.juhlin.com/showthread.phpt=1438

https://forum.juhlin.com/showthread.phpt=1007

https://forum.juhlin.com/showthread.phpt=716

https://forum.juhlin.com/showthread.phpt=165

[Lurken]

There is actually semi-official lore surrounding this, as there was an official Twilight 2000 sourcebook in Finnish called "The Nordic Countries".
I'll post the main details here (will post additional details to those interested, I own the book):

Finland is under military dictatorship.
Sweden in in the grips of a civil war.
Denmark is quite okay.
Norway is led by a heroic military-prince.
Iceland is just about normal.

I was under impression that it was an unofficial addition, since it was only in finnish. So I am sorta disregarding that book.

These are what I think are the main hits when I put "Finland" in as the search parameter. There were 130 threads found in total though, and I didn't use any other parameters, so it's quite likely some relevant threads have been missed.

https://forum.juhlin.com/showthread.phpt=4771

https://forum.juhlin.com/showthread.phpt=5513

https://forum.juhlin.com/showthread.phpt=4412

https://forum.juhlin.com/showthread.phpt=3886

https://forum.juhlin.com/showthread.phpt=3906

https://forum.juhlin.com/showthread.phpt=3868

https://forum.juhlin.com/showthread.phpt=3903

https://forum.juhlin.com/showthread.phpt=3881

https://forum.juhlin.com/showthread.phpt=3352

https://forum.juhlin.com/showthread.phpt=2685

https://forum.juhlin.com/showthread.phpt=1437

https://forum.juhlin.com/showthread.phpt=1438

https://forum.juhlin.com/showthread.phpt=1007

https://forum.juhlin.com/showthread.phpt=716

https://forum.juhlin.com/showthread.phpt=165

Thank you Legbreaker, some of those threads contained very good information!

[Olefin]

The Twilight 2000 sourcebook in Finnish is not official and was never authorized by GDW - so while you can use it if you like its not actually canon

[cawest]

Iceland would be in deep trouble. they can not supply enough food for the island current pop. I would expect some people fleeing there after the nuks started to fly. (they would view it as a safe place) I could see powerful people going there and not waiting to just to sit in the hot water and would try to take power in some way. with a shortage of food and fuel (the 4x4 is the state truck after all) things would get ugly.

[Lurken]

The Twilight 2000 sourcebook in Finnish is not official and was never authorized by GDW - so while you can use it if you like its not actually canon

Yea, and it is rubbish. I went through the translated version that I found, and it manages to contradict itself, inside the book. When describing each nordic country, they list all the nuclear attacks. But further down in the book, when they go around the world, I noticed that the Scandinavia part was totally unchanged from the v.2.2 book. With the exception of the editor note.

HOWEVER, we do not that in Boomer, which is official, they specified that Oslo was nuked. So that stays in. But rest of the attacks were more conventional missile/bomber strikes.

Which means, that the editor must have read and should have realized that the book was self-contradicting. It is total rubbish, sadly.

I think this is just another reason to clean it up and do something more sane and internally consistent.

[Raellus]

Thank you! Still points towards that Denmark, if not failed, it doesn't feel well. Mildly speaking. Would you agree on the notion that Denmark is likely reduced early in the war by conventional means to deny NATO easy access into the Baltics

Yes, I reckon that the Soviets hit the ports with heaps of conventional munitions (and a few Spetznaz raids), and harbors/channels would be extensively mined. I'm quite surprised that canon doesn't have Denmark being nuked at all (AFAIK).

So yeah, Danish infrastructure would be badly damaged, and Denmark would be suffering from fuel and food shortages as well. Compared to its neighbors, however, I think it would be in relatively decent shape. I don't think that it would be a failed state.

And your post about the swedes operating in northern Poland is what started this ball rolling =)

That's awesome.

I too am feeling inspired. This thread has got me thinking about creating a proper Nordic Sourcebook.

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