THEATRE EUROPE
The Ultimate Conflict Simulation
P.S.S. Wargamers Series
Theatre Europe -
Strategy Game of the Year -
Computer & Video Games, Zzap, Crash, Amtix
Item INDEX
1 INTRODUCTION 1
2 LOADING 1
3 GETTING STARTED 1
4 MAP MODE 1
5 To MOVE a UNIT 2
6 To MAKE an ATTACK 3
7 ACTION SCREENS 3
8 To REBUILD UNITS 3
9 AIR PHASE 4
10 SPECIAL MISSIONS 5
11 RADAR SCREEN 6
12 OPPONENT'S (Computer) TURN 6
13 BASIC TACTICS (How to Play) 6
14 To SAVE/LOAD or QUIT GAME 7
15 The ADVANCED GAME 7
16 DISK VERSION 9
17 The European Battlefield 9
18 Designer's Notes 11
19 UNIT LIST 13
20 BIBLIOGRAPHY 14
21 ATARI THEATRE EUROPE 15
22 AMSTRAD THEATRE EUROPE 15
23 SPECTRUM THEATRE EUROPE 16
24 REINFORCEMENT SCHEDULES 16
25 NUCLEAR AUTHORISATION CODE 16
THIS PROGRAM IS DEDICATED TO THE
PEOPLE OF THE WORLD IN THE HOPE
THAT THE GAME IS NEVER PLAYED FOR REAL
ALAN and FRIENDS, MARCH 1985
(c) P.S.S. 1985
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Theatre Europe Manual Page 1
1. INTRODUCTION
Many Computer Games of the 'ARCADE' variety can be played by simply loading
the program and getting hold of the Joystick. Any rules etc. can be picked up
as you go along. This is NOT a game of that type. Do not take this to mean
that this is a game of vast complexity, it is not that either. However it is a
game you will learn and enjoy far quicker if you follow this Manual. You must
at least read Sections 1 to 13 to understand the basic game.
This game covers the first 30 days of the next war in Europe. You can choose
to be the supreme commander of N.A.T.O. or the Warsaw Pact. In your control
are air and ground units. These are backed up by your ability to make
strategic nuclear/chemical attacks.
As the Warsaw Pact commander your task is to break the N.A.T.O. alliance,
which you see as a powerful invasion force, poised on your border. You will
achieve your aims by taking over West Germany.
As the N.A.T.O. commander your task is to stop any further Russian invasion of
Europe. You will achieve this by preventing the occupation of West Germany.
2. TO LOAD (See Section 21 for Atari)
For Disk Version, see Section 16.
Plug your joystick into Port 2, and ensure that the tape is fully rewound.
Press SHIFT and RUN STOP together.
The message on the screen will say: PRESS PLAY on your cassette player.
Press Play on your cassette player.
The screen will go blank for 15 seconds and then display the message:
'Searching/Found'
After a few seconds the screen will go blank again and the tape will restart.
Loading takes only a few minutes using the turbo loader that is incorporated
in the software.
3. GETTING STARTED.
When the program has loaded the message PRESS 'N' FOR N.A.T.O. PRESS 'W' FOR
WARSAW PACT will be seen. PRESS 'N'.
The screen will now show PRESS '1, 2 OR 3' TO SELECT GAME LEVEL. Press '1'.
You will now be asked PRESS 'A' FOR ACTION SCREENS. PRESS 'N' FOR NONE. Press
'A'.
On the next screen Press 'P' to PLAY.
4. MAP MODE.
The screen will clear and a map of Europe will be displayed. At the top of the
screen is a line of black text on a yellow background. This line is the TEXT
LINE and is used to display game messages, information etc. The line now reads
N.A.T.O. MOVEMENT PHASE. This tells us that the Phase (Part) of the game turn
we are in, allows N.A.T.O. units to move.
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Below this line is a box with DEFCON 5 printed in it. This shows us how close
we are to making a major nuclear attack. DEFCON 1 would mean we are making it!
The DAY box indicates which day of the war we are in.
On SWEDEN you will see a WHITE SQUARE, this is called the COM BOX. [It] is
used to order moves, attacks etc.
By moving the joystick the COM BOX can be moved around the Map. The large
white square near the top left of the screen is the REPORT BOX. This tells you
what the COM BOX is positioned over and gives a report on any unit's strength.
(Units on the Map are Armies or Corps). As a guide here is a list of symbols
used on the screen Map. The COM BOX [? sentence incomplete in manual]
SYMBOL COLOUR DESCRIPTION
Blank Black Land
Blank Cyan Sea/Lake
Shaded Brown Mountains
Line Grey Border
Cross Various Capital City
Circle Blue N.AT.O. Corps
Circle Red Warsaw Pact Army
Circle Yellow Neutral Army/Corps
5. To MOVE a UNIT.
Place the COM BOX over a N.A.T.O. Unit (Blue Circle) and press the joystick
fire button. The COM BOX will turn GREEN, showing that the Unit is ready for a
move. You will notice that the COM BOX can now only move a certain amount.
This shows how far the Unit is capable of moving. When the COM BOX is over
where you wish the Unit to go, press the fire button. The COM BOX will turn
WHITE and the Unit will move. The Unit will have a black dot in its centre.
This is to remind you that the Unit has moved this turn. A Unit cannot move
twice in one turn, neither can it move into the sea or on top of another Unit.
There are exceptions to this which are dealt with in the Advanced Game.
Movement through Mountain areas is slower than normal. On the turn following a
move into Mountains, the Unit will start the Movement Phase already dotted. It
will not be able to move until the following turn. The player can move as many
or as few Units as he likes each turn within the limits mentioned above. A
Move order can be cancelled, if the COM BOX is still green. Put the COM BOX
back on the Unit and press the fire button.
To leave the MOVEMENT PHASE Press the SPACE BAR.
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6. To MAKE an ATTACK.
The TEXT LINE will now read N.A.T.O. ATTACK PHASE. All the dots on the Units
caused by movement will be cleared. To make an Attack place the COM BOX over
your Unit and press the fire button. The COM BOX will turn GREEN to show the
Unit is ready for an Attack order. The movement of the COM BOX will again be
limited to show the Attack range. Position the COM BOX over the Unit you wish
to attack and press the fire button. Your Unit and the Unit you are attacking
will both be marked with a dot. Each Unit can only make one attack per game
turn. You cannot attack your own Units (much as you may feel like it!). You
can attack an enemy with more than one of your own. Once again within the
above limits you can make as many or as few attacks as you like.
To leave the Attack Phase press the Space Bar.
7. ACTION SCREENS.
If you selected ACTION SCREENS by pressing 'A' at the start of the start of
the game the following will apply. If you did not, read the MAP ATTACKS
section. The TEXT LINE will ask you to SELECT BATTLE. To do this place the COM
BOX over one of your Attacking Units (dotted) and press the fire button. If
you do not wish to see the battle, or are not making any Attacks this turn,
press the Space Bar for the MAP ATTACKS.
The screen will clear and show you a view of the Attack. Your forces will be
shown moving across the lower half of the screen, mainly on the road. The
enemy will be located near the horizon and may or may not be visible. Your
task is to assist the attack by destroying enemy forces with your missiles. To
launch a missile press the fire button. Guide the missile to its target by
keeping the aiming sight (Black Square) on the target. Any aircraft are
normally hostile and may be fired at as well. Depending upon how many of the
enemy you destroy, you receive a bonus (or penalty), which is applied to ALL
your attacks this turn. Try to make each missile count. Throwing them about
like confetti will lead to problems as you will note in the Rebuild Phase. The
Action Screen will end after a time and you will see the Map Attacks.
MAP ATTACKS.
The screen will display the normal Map Mode, all Units involved in battles
will flicker. Any unit that is destroyed will be removed from the Map. Some
Units may be forced to retreat at this stage.
8. To REBUILD UNITS.
The TEXT LINE will read N.A.T.O. REBUILD PHASE ARM. 1 and all your Units will
change to numbers. Place the COM BOX over a Unit (number) and the REPORT BOX
ARM. line will show the same value as the map. This is because all your Units
are now showing their ARM values (Combat Strengths). In this Phase you may add
any ARM reinforcements you receive to any Unit. The number of Arm
reinforcements for this turn is shown on the TEXT LINE. In this case 1.
Position the COM BOX over the Unit you wish
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to rebuild and press the fire button. The ARM. value of that Unit will
increase and the TEXT LINE will now read ARM. 0. The COM BOX will turn from
YELLOW to WHITE. This is to show that no more ARM points are available this
turn. Press the Space Bar and move on to the AIR Rebuild stage.
The above is repeated to assign AIR points to your Units. Press the Space Bar
and go on to the SUP. (Supply) Rebuild stage. At the rear of this book you
will see the N.A.T.O. REINFORCEMENT SCHEDULE. This shows the amount of
Rebuilds and on what Day they will arrive. Note AIR Rebuilds for Units are
listed under TAC.AIR. The Units listed under AIR are for the Airforce only.
Rebuilds cannot be 'saved up' and are lost if not used on the turn they
arrive. No Unit can have an ARM, AIR or SUP. value higher than 9.
Press the Space Bar for the next Phase.
9. AIR PHASE.
This phase is used to control your Airforce. Air Units can be assigned to
various MISSIONS and moved into or out of RESERVE. All AIR Reinforcements are
automatically added to the RESERVE on the day they arrive. AIR Units can be
'saved up' in RESERVE and will not be lost if left in RESERVE. The AIR RESERVE
is shown at the top right of the screen. The main display shows the Air
Missions you can perform and under AIR POWER the number of AIR Units on this
mission.
By moving the joystick the Text Pointer (FROM RESERVE) can be set at various
MISSIONS. If the fire button is pressed an AIR Unit will move From Reserve to
the Mission. After you have assigned the AIR Units press the Space Bar. The
Text Pointer will change and read TO RESERVE. If it is now placed next to an
AIR MISSION and the fire button pressed, an AIR Unit will move from the
MISSION to the RESERVE. Notice that we cannot move units from one Air Mission
to another in the same Air Phase. The Units must always pass through the
RESERVE and take two turns to change MISSIONS. Management of your AIR RESERVE
is an important factor in playing the game well.
The colours of the numbers of AIR Units assigned to a MISSION give you
information about the enemy's Airforce. If your number is coloured green then
you have more AIR Units assigned to that MISSION than him. If the colour is
yellow the numbers are equal. Red shows that he has more AIR Units on that
mission than you. Note this is only true on LEVEL 1. See advanced game for
other LEVELS.
There are only four AIR MISSIONS that you need to understand on game LEVEL 1.
A brief outline of each follows.
AIR SUPERIORITY.
AIR Units on this Mission seek to gain control of the air over the battlefield
(Europe). They achieve this by patrolling and attacking enemy aircraft in the
air. Air Superiority is a very important mission as it affects all other
missions. If the enemy is winning the battle for Air Superiority you will take
greater losses flying other missions. If you are in the lead he will take
greater losses.
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COUNTER AIR
These AIR Units attack enemy airfields. Seeking to destroy the enemy airforce
by knocking out his bases rather than fight him in the air. This mission will
help you in the battle for Air Superiority.
INTERDICTION
This Air Mission attacks the enemy supply and movement network i.e. roads,
bridges, tunnels, etc. The effect of the mission is to delay the arrival of
enemy Reinforcements.
RECONNAISSANCE
You will have noticed that positioning the COM BOX over an enemy Unit on any
MAP MODE screen will give a Report on the Unit in the REPORT BOX. This report
gave the Units name and ARM. level. The more AIR Units assigned to
Reconnaissance the more detailed this Report will be. These AIR Units will
take losses (as will all others) so if the Reports on enemy Units start to get
less detailed you will know the reason.
10. SPECIAL MISSIONS.
This phase can be skipped by pressing 'N' (MAINTAIN PRESENT STATUS); this
calls for no special missions. The Level 1 game can be played without using
any Special Missions.
STRATEGIC CHEMICAL LAUNCH
This Mission will launch an attack using missiles equipped with Chemical
warheads (GAS). The target will be an enemy supply city. This Mission carries
the risk of an enemy Nuclear response.
STRATEGIC NUCLEAR LAUNCH
When this mission is called (by pressing 'F1') you will be asked for the
NUCLEAR AUTHORISATION CODE. If the correct CODE is entered you will be given
access to the Nuclear Fire Missions. An incorrect CODE will cause you to miss
this phase. The CODE only has to be entered once in any game, access is
automatic after this has been done. In the Nuclear Fire Mission phase the
control arrow is moved by the joystick. To fire a particular mission, position
the arrow next to the mission and press the fire button. A brief guide to the
missions follow:
STANDBY: This fires no mission and is the normal setting.
SINGLE STRATEGIC LAUNCH: This allows you, by means of the RADAR SCREEN, to
make a Nuclear Strike on any one target.
FIRE-PLAN WARM PUPPY: This will fire the majority of your missiles at various
targets. The enemy reaction to this will be extreme (you have been warned!).
On Level 1 ignore all references to the REFLEX SYSTEM and do NOT switch it on.
Only ONE Mission can be called each turn. To leave this phase press the Space
Bar.
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11. RADAR SCREEN.
This screen is used to show missile attacks made by either side. If you have
selected a SINGLE STRATEGIC LAUNCH the Nuclear Targeting Cursor will be on
screen. Position the Cursor over a target and press the fire button. You
cannot make Strategic Attacks against a friendly or Neutral City/Unit.
If the enemy launches an attack against you the following will apply: The
enemy missiles will be 'boxed' by a Tracking Cursor and the I.P. Cursor will
appear on screen. This is the Impact Predictor and will move to the Predicted
Impact Point of the enemy missiles. (Their Target) The REPORT BOX will name
the target.
If the enemy launches a FIRE PLAN attack the I.P. and Tracking Cursors will
not appear.
12. OPPONENT'S (Computer) TURN.
The computer will now perform all the Phases you have just completed. You will
see his Movement and Attack Phases. In the ATTACK PHASE if you have selected
ACTION SCREENS you must do the following. Place the COM BOX over one of your
Units that is being attacked and press the fire button.
The Action Screen display is similar to Section 7 and all points covered there
apply. If the computer fires any Special Missions it will make them out of
sequence. They will be made at the start of its turn, so it is possible that
you may fire a Special Mission and see it on the RADAR SCREEN, and then the
computer will fire a Special Mission. This means that the computer's turn will
start with the RADAR SCREEN showing the computer's Special Mission.
13. BASIC TACTICS (How to play).
On Level 1 it is better to fire no Special Missions. Any advantages you
receive will be offset by the triggering of nuclear responses by the computer.
As the N.A.T.O. player your Task is to DEFEND West Germany, this does not mean
you should set out to capture Moscow!
Making Attacks with Units is a costly way of stopping the WARSAW PACT. A
careful Defence will gradually grind down his attacking Units. (Maybe!).
Do not allow a Units ARM. value to become 0 as the Unit will be destroyed if
it is attacked. This will mean the loss of any AIR./SUP. the Unit had.
On the ACTION SCREENS firing a constant stream of missiles may get you a good
Attack/ Defence Bonus, but the SUP. values of your Units will fall at an
alarming rate. Be warned.
In the Air try to win the battle for Air Superiority, but do not let your
Reconnaissance Level drop to 0.
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14. To SAVE/LOAD or QUIT GAME.
At the start of your MOVEMENT PHASE you may QUIT the game by pressing the 'F1'
key, when the QUIT=F1 prompt is showing. You can now RESTART the game by
pressing 'R' or press 'S' to SAVE the game. For Disk Version Load/Save see
Section 16.
Put a blank cassette tape in your cassette player, then press 'C'. If you wish
to save more than one game on the cassette tape make a note of the tape
counter reading. Now press Record and Play. The screen will go blank until the
saving is complete.
To load a previously Saved game you must first load the game as normal. Press
'N, 1 & A' to reach 'Load Old Game' selection. Now press 'B' to Load the Saved
game. Put the saved game tape in your cassette player. Make sure it is rewound
to the start of the saved game. Now press 'C' and then press Play on the
cassette player. The saved game will load and then start.
15. THE ADVANCED GAME.
The following are differences or extra features that apply when playing the
game on Levels 2 and 3. Also covered is playing the game as the commander of
the WARSAW PACT.
MOVEMENT
It is possible to make an EXCHANGE Move providing neither Unit has Moved in
this Turn. Place the COM BOX over one of the Units and press the fire button.
Position the COM BOX over the other Unit and press the fire button again. The
two Units will Exchange Places.
CHEMICAL RELEASE
After the MOVEMENT Phase the TEXT LINE will read ENTER CHEMICAL RELEASE CODE
OR PRESS 'N'. To authorise CHEMICAL RELEASE press 'Y'. Your Units will now use
Tactical Chemical Weapons (Gas) in their Attacks. This will give your Units an
Attack Bonus and cause greater losses to enemy Units. Once Chemical Release is
authorised, it will be in use from then on.
ASSAULT-BREAKER
This is a special AIR MISSION that can be used to attack enemy ground Units.
If the number of AIR Units assigned to this Mission in your AIR PHASE is 10 or
more the following will apply.
Before the ATTACK PHASE the TEXT LINE will show SELECT ASSAULT BREAKER TARGET.
The Assault Breaker targeting Cursor will be on screen (A B). Place this
Cursor over the Unit you wish to attack and press the fire button. The Attack
will cause losses in the Units ARM level. (Maybe!) Only one ASSAULT-BREAKER
Attack can be made per turn. The AIR Units flying this Mission are liable to
take losses.
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WARSAW PACT SPECIAL UNITS
The 1st AIRBORNE ARMY and the 1st AMPHIBIOUS ARMY are special Units and are
capable of specialist MOVEMENT. The 1st AMPHIBIOUS ARMY is capable of SEA
MOVEMENT. The Unit starts on the sea and can continue to move on the sea.
However once the Unit moves onto the Land it cannot return to SEA MOVEMENT. It
will then become the same as all other Units.
The 1st AIRBORNE ARMY is capable of AIR MOVEMENT. The COM BOX will show the
limits it can AIR MOVE within. If you wish to use AIR MOVEMENT for this Unit,
you must do it the FIRST time the Unit moves. After this first move it will
move like any other Unit.
The AMPHIBIOUS ARMY cannot be REBUILT until it is on LAND. The AIRBORNE ARMY
cannot be REBUILT until it has moved. Then only the SUP. level can be raised.
Various movement restrictions apply to the above Units as you will discover.
AIR PHASE (Advanced)
The ASSAULT BREAKER Mission was covered earlier, the others are as follows:
DEEP STRIKE - This Mission attacks the command and control of the enemy. Like
INTERDICTION it may lead to the late arrival of enemy Units. It could also
stop enemy Assault Breaker missions. It carries a slight risk of triggering a
nuclear response.
IRON-SNAKE - This Mission attacks the enemy railway network. It could cause
the delay or loss of enemy REINFORCEMENTS.
On Levels 2 and 3 the RED, GREEN and YELLOW colours of your AIR Unit numbers
still give information about the enemy's Airforce. But now some of the
information could be wrong.
SPECIAL MISSIONS
You may have realised that the enemy could launch a nuclear attack in his turn
and that you cannot reply until your turn. To overcome this you have the
REFLEX SYSTEM. Once you have entered the NUCLEAR AUTHORISATION CODE the Reflex
System can be switched on. When switched on the Reflex System will
automatically reply to an enemy missile attack. It will reply by launching a
nuclear attack to match the enemy's. Single Launch for Single Launch, Fire
Plan for Fire Plan. It will fire while the enemy missiles are still in the
air. The danger is that it cannot distinguish between an enemy nuclear or
chemical missile attack. If the enemy fires a chemical attack your Reflex
System will make a nuclear reply. I will leave you to contemplate the dangers
involved in this.
Use the 'F5' in the SPECIAL MISSIONS Phase to turn the REFLEX SYSTEM on or off.
ADVANCED TACTICS
WARSAW PACT: Remember your aim is to take over West Germany. Do not waste too
many resources invading Neutrals in the south. In the AIR you must make the
most of your initial advantage, N.A.T.O. will receive more AIR Units than you
as the days go by.
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N.A.T.O.: Get control of the Air as soon as possible, then allocate spare Air
Units to Assault Breaker Missions. Only make counter attacks at very
favourable odds.
16. DISK VERSION.
TO LOAD
Plug in your joystick into Port 2.
Insert Program disk in disk drive. Type LOAD "*",8 (then press RETURN).
When the READY prompt appears on the screen Type RUN (then press RETURN).
The Program will now Load and Run.
To SAVE a GAME
After pressing F1 to QUIT the game, press S for Save. Insert a blank formatted
disk into the disk drive. Now press C to Save the game.
To LOAD a SAVED GAME.
Load the game as normal and then press N, 1 & A to reach the Load Old Game
selection. Press B and insert the disk with your Saved game into the disk
drive. Now press C and the game will load and run.
17. The European Battlefield.
In the area covered by the game map, approximately 6.5 million people are in
the armed forces of N.A.T.O. or the Warsaw Pact.
The ground units total some 84 divisions for N.A.T.O. and 173 for the Warsaw
Pact. Both sides have 13+ Divisions not on the map which are allocated to the
theatre.
A rough count of aircraft gives N.A.T.O. 3,000 and the Warsaw Pact 7,000. In
the U.S. and Canada are a further 1,900 aircraft that would be deployed to
Europe in the event of war. The Warsaw Pact has 750 aircraft deployed in
Russia which are likely to be used as reinforcements.
The naval aspect of the theatre is treated in an abstract way. Details of the
navies on either side will not be discussed, except to mention that N.A.T.O.
has superiority in carrier numbers, whilst the Warsaw Pact has the edge in
submarines.
The strategic nuclear balance is as follows: N.A.T.O. 2,000 delivery systems
(missiles & aircraft) with 9,000 nuclear warheads. The Warsaw Pact has 2,700
delivery systems with 8,000 warheads.
All the above figures are approximate. The numbers are constantly changing, as
new weapon systems are deployed or old ones phased out.
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We have tried to use the most accurate information we could legally acquire to
produce the game. No doubt we have been tricked by both sides dis-information
services at times, but this is the best we could do.
During the Second World War Britain, America and Russia were allies, however
after the defeat of Germany, the alliance was soon in disarray. The western
members of the alliance became worried when Russia maintained its armed forces
at their wartime level, seeing the might of Russia as a possible threat to the
now DISARMED rest of Europe. They also disagreed with Russia imposing
communist governments on the countries it had liberated from the Germans.
Finally in 1949 they formed the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (N.A.T.O.)
to deter any further Russian expansion. To Russia it appeared that it had
fought and suffered a devastating war, only to see its former allies band
themselves together into a hostile alliance. In 1955 (the year Germany joined
N.A.T.O.) Russia formed an alliance with the communist countries of Europe.
This alliance is known as the Warsaw Pact.
If the war does start, current opinion seems to accept that after 30 days it
will grind to a halt. Both sides will then have used up their stockpiles of
conventional munitions. New production will not start to reach the front-line
until some time after this. If this occurs the West's superior production
capabilities would probably ensure a N.A.T.O. victory, provided strategic
nuclear weapons have not been used (if they have there will be no production).
The Warsaw Pact forces are committed to fight an offensive war, however it
starts. They do not wish to have the battle fought on their soil (they
remember WWII).
We will now give a brief outline of the weapons deployed on the Central Front.
(West German / Warsaw Pact border).
Infantry: Still the unsung hero of the battlefield, only now he has to dig a
hole for the A.P.C. as well as himself. Seriously, the major change since
World War II is that most infantry are now equipped with A.P.C.s (Armoured
Personnel Carriers). Weapons used are assault rifles, grenades, machine guns,
mortars and various anti-tank/anti-aircraft missiles. Also carried are N.B.C.
(Nuclear, Biological, Chemical) suits, sensors, radios etc. Now you can see
why they need the A.P.C.s, which also make useful hiding places for illicit
drink, food and magazines.
Tanks: One of the most impressive weapons to the uninitiated. Thundering by
like invulnerable metal giants in peace-time exercises they appear
unstoppable. The truth is far different. Without infantry and aircover they
are soon reduced to smouldering scrap. The tanks main problems are they are
big, noisy, deaf and nearly blind in combat. They need supporting infantry to
be their eyes and ears. The aircover is required to keep away enemy ground
attack aircraft and helicopters, who are attracted to tanks like wasps to jam.
This does not mean that tanks are now useless. They are still the armoured
punch in any attack and still the best anti-tank weapon.
Artillery: The forgotten arm; forgotten that is by civilians. Anyone with army
combat
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experience knows all about artillery. In World War II artillery accounted for
more casualties than all other weapons put together. Modern artillery is much
more lethal than the 1945 variety. Improved ammunition, targeting,
communications and mobility have achieved this. N.A.T.O. has the lead in
artillery techniques.
Electronic Warfare: One of the fastest growing aspects of 'modern' warfare. An
ever expanding range of electronic equipment is designed to blind, find,
deafen or destroy the enemy. Of course it is then necessary to produce
equipment which will stop the enemy doing this to you. It has proved to be of
great value in the limited combat situations where it has been used. If war
occurs on the Central Front and all the equipment is switched on together,
then the results will prove interesting to say the least.
Chemical Warfare: Commonly referred to as Gas. Various chemical liquids,
solids or gasses are sprayed into an area. This gives rise to various
unpleasant effects which we will not discuss. Chemical weapons are delivered
by various methods, including aircraft spray tanks, artillery shells, missiles
etc.
Airpower: For the purpose of comparison we will simplify the various air
missions into three types and give numbers of aircraft allocated to each
mission in 1984.
Air Superiority: N.A.T.O. 740 :Warsaw Pact 4370
Ground Attack: N.A.T.O. 1950 :Warsaw Pact 1920
Reconnaissance: N.A.T.O. 285 :Warsaw Pact 600
These figures do not include the French Airforce, the 1,900 aircraft in the
N.A.T.O. reserve or the 750 Warsaw Pact reserve. Head counts such as the above
are not as overwhelming as they first appear. N.A.T.O. has superior (in
general) aircraft and better pilots. Also a much higher percentage of the
N.A.T.O. aircraft can actually fly (many of the Warsaw Pact aircraft are
grounded awaiting spares, etc.).
That concludes our rather brief survey of the European Battlefield. We did not
wish to overwhelm you with endless technical details, but rather to give a
different view of Theatre Europe. Anyone wishing the technical details should
refer to some of the books listed in the bibliography.
15. Designer's Notes.
In the THEATRE EUROPE we have tried to produce a game that is both playable
and informative. The game has gone through many revisions and alterations
before it reached its present form. For those of you who are experts in this
field we apologise for the simplifications we have had to make. Our task is to
produce a game which can be understood and played by a wide age group. This
group includes both wargamers and non-wargamers, experts and novices. The game
in its present form is (we hope) a reasonable balance between conflicting
requirements.
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Theatre Europe Manual Page 12
Certain assumptions were made in the game which we hope are valid. These
include:
1. N.A.T.O. will win the battle for control of the Atlantic.
2. The Warsaw Pact will gain control of the Baltic.
3. Warsaw Pact Naval movement in the Baltic will be slowed by N.A.T.O. mines.
4. The N.A.T.O. Atlantic air transport operation will succeed.
5. France will enter the war immediately.
6. Switzerland, Sweden and Austria will remain neutral.
7. The Warsaw Pact Armies will remain loyal and 'enthusiastic'.
8. The Warsaw Pact will not start the war with a massive nuclear bombardment.
9. N.A.T.O. will not 'go nuclear' if it cannot stop the invasion in X days.
10. Both sides will refrain from using biological weapons.
We have grouped certain Divisions, brigades etc. into non-existent armies for
ease of play. The two most obvious examples are the 1st. Airborne Army and
1st. Amphibious Army. The Warsaw Pact has the units that compose these Armies
but they are not organised as Armies (so we are told).
The exchange move is really to allow the Warsaw Pact to rotate 'burnt out'
units to the rear as fresh ones enter the battle. Thus simulating their
tactical doctrine.
The movement limits on the 1st. Airborne Army are to force the player to make
a reasonable Air Move. The player still has various options and we felt this
was better than putting a big arrow on the screen, then saying 'Use them here
you fool.' Though the Airborne Unit in reality could land further West than
this, we do not think the Warsaw Pact would be able to maintain supply by air
beyond the movement limit.
The Rebuild Phase attempts to show the problems associated with supply and the
allocation of reserves. The clever ones amongst you will soon find ways to
abuse this Phase. It is left in its present form for ease of use.
The REFORGER SITES are stores of equipment to outfit U.S. Divisions. The idea
being that the men are flown over from America, thus saving time, as the
equipment would normally have to be brought over by sea. As the rebuilds
representing these Divisions enter the game, the Sites are 'used up'. We leave
you to work out what happens if a Warsaw Pact Unit enters a Reforger Site
before then.
Tactical Chemical Release reflects the use of Tactical Gas weapons. Once gas
has been used the effectiveness of its further use is limited. Once bitten,
twice shy!
In a unit the ARM level represents the combat effectiveness of that Unit. It
is not just a head or tank count. Many other factors come into play. For
instance the Warsaw Pact Units are penalised because of their high breakdown
rates. The TAC Air level of a Unit includes Aircraft we expect to be assigned
to ground support as well as helicopters, etc. that are part of the Unit. The
SUP level includes missile reloads, conventional ammunition, fuel, food and
water, etc.
The nuclear aspect of the game presented many problems. We felt it was
unrealistic for the game to have no nuclear attacks, but we did not want the
game to degenerate into nuclear 'ping-pong'. The threat of nuclear attacks
will limit the players options and we
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Theatre Europe Manual Page 13
feel this is how it should be. You will find that nuclear strike capability is
a two-edged sword. It gives you great power in attack or defence, but each use
will make the start of an all-out nuclear war more likely. The strategic Gas
Attacks are mainly a device for introducing uncertainty into the game. However
with the advent of the 'Nuclear Winter' theory this may change. If you know
that X Megatons will trigger a Nuclear Winter, why not arm your missiles with
X - 10% Megatons and arm the rest with Chemical Warheads? No doubt the
military on both sides are already looking into this and alternative schemes.
The Reflex system is an attempt to simulate the 'Automatic Computer-Controlled
Reaction System' that is currently gaining favour in the Pentagon (see
'Science Digest' - March 1985). The less said about this the better. The
concept of allowing a computer to launch nuclear strikes, with no human
intervention, shows there are apparently no limits to human insanity.
The targeting of the computer's nuclear strikes in the game caused us some
sleepless nights. As did the thought that somewhere someone is doing the same
for real. The Air phase is our attempt to show the importance of air power in
modern warfare. We have tried to do this in as simple a way as possible.
Playing the game you will realise that we do not think it will be as easy for
N.A.T.O. to achieve Air Superiority as is widely believed.
The 'at start' positions of the N.A.T.O. and Warsaw Pact assume a build up of
forces on both sides, caused by by a period of international tension before
the outbreak of hostilities.
We do not believe a computer game should be used as a platform to make
political statements and have bent over backwards (in some cases with
sunglasses on) to be impartial in our treatment of the subject. We will leave
you with one final problem: Identify the planet described below:
Two thirds of the planet's population are starving to death. Some of the
remaining third destroy foodstocks to maintain prices. The planet's population
is also split into two armed camps, who between them have the nuclear
equivalent of 3.5 TONS of TNT for EVERY man, woman and child on the planet.
19. UNIT LIST.
NATO UNITS IN GAME ARM AIR SUP
DANISH I CORPS ........ 2 1 1
DUTCH I CORPS ......... 3 1 2
BELGIUM I CORPS ....... 3 2 2
BRITISH I CORPS ....... 4 2 3
WEST GERMAN I CORPS ... 7 3 3
WEST GERMAN II CORPS .. 7 3 3
WEST GERMAN III CORPS . 5 2 3
UNITED STATES V CORPS . 9 4 5
UNITED STATES VII CORPS 8 4 5
FRENCH I CORPS ........ 3 2 3
FRENCH II CORPS ....... 2 1 2
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Theatre Europe Manual Page 14
ITALIAN II CORPS ...... 2 1 1
ITALIAN IV CORPS ...... 1 1 1
ITALIAN V CORPS ....... 3 1 2
NEUTRAL UNITS ARM AIR SUP
SWISS ARMY ............ 2 2 1
AUSTRIAN ARMY ......... 2 1 1
YUGOSLAVIAN I CORPS ... 2 1 1
YUGOSLAVIAN II CORPS .. 2 0 1
WARSAW PACT UNITS ARM AIR SUP
3rd SHOCK ARMY ........ 9 4 4
1st GUARDS TANK ARMY .. 8 4 4
3rd GUARDS TANK ARMY .. 6 3 3
4th GUARDS TANK ARMY .. 6 3 3
8th GUARDS TANK ARMY .. 4 3 3
2nd GUARDS ARMY ....... 8 4 4
8th GUARDS ARMY ....... 8 4 4
20th GUARDS ARMY ...... 7 3 4
10th ARMY ............. 4 2 2
16th ARMY ............. 4 2 2
21st ARMY ............. 3 1 2
28th ARMY ............. 7 3 4
41st ARMY ............. 6 3 2
1st AIRBORNE ARMY ..... 3 1 1
1st AMPHIBIOUS ARMY ... 3 1 2
1st POLISH ARMY ....... 5 2 2
2nd POLISH ARMY ....... 4 2 2
2nd RUMANIAN ARMY ..... 5 1 2
3rd RUMANIAN ARMY ..... 4 1 2
20. BIBLIOGRAPHY.
Much of the information used in this program was taken from the following sources.
THE THIRD WORLD WAR by General Sir John Hackett & others.
THE UNTOLD STORY OF THE THIRD WORLD WAR by General Sir John Hackett & others.
HOW TO MAKE WAR by J.F. Dunnigan.
THE BALANCE OF MILITARY POWER published by SALAMANDER BOOKS LTD.
AMERICAN WAR POWER edited by R.Bonds.
SOVIET WAR POWER edited by R. Bonds.
SOVIET MILITARY POWER issued by U.S.A. Department of Defense.
WORLD ARMAMENTS AND DISARMAMENT YEARBOOK issued by S.I.P.R.I. (Various issues).
JANES ANNUALS various issues.
Booklets on CHEMICAL and NUCLEAR EFFECTS issued by H.M.S.O.
Leaflets issued by N.A.T.O.
Leaflets issued by the SOVIET Embassy.
Leaflets issued by the AMERICAN Embassy.
SANITY issued by the C.N.D.
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Theatre Europe Manual Page 15
21. ATARI THEATRE EUROPE
LOADING INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Remove any program cartridge from your computer.
2. Plug in your joystick.
3. Ensure your computer is turned off.
4. Insert your cassette.
5. Turn on the computer whilst holding down the start and option keys.
6. When you hear a beep release the start key and press return. The program
will now load.
The playing instructions are as for the commodore. "F" Keys are not used on
ATARI Machines - please follow the screen prompts.
22. AMSTRAD THEATRE EUROPE
TO LOAD:
To load the cassette version press CTRL & SMALL ENTER (if you are using the 664
or the 6128 then type: |TAPE BEFORE STARTING. NOTE | IS SHIFT AND @)
To load the disk version type: RUN "GAME"
when loaded you will be presented with a menu:
1 Player VS computer
2 Player VS player
3 Computer VS computer
1 is as the CBM64 version, 2 is as the CBM64 version but it is two player, 3
is a Demo Mode. You may use a joystick or the cursor keys and copy.
MAP MODE
SYMBOL COLOUR DESCRIPTION
Blank Various Land
Blank Blue Sea/Lake
Shaded Brown Mountains
Line Black Border
Cross Various Capital City
Circle Blue N.A.T.O. Corps.
Circle Yellow Neutral Army/Corps.
Circle White Warsaw Pact Army
TO SAVE/LOAD OR QUIT GAME
AS CBM64 version but you use 'Q' to quit and space to save not C. The Amstrad
will recognise which device to save out to (this depends on which version you
have). To reload is the same as the CBM64 version but again the Amstrad will
recognise which device to use. After saving the program will return to the main
menu and after loading will return to the same point in the game.
All other sections are as the CBM64 version.
ATTENTION ... AMSTRAD OWNERS
Unfortunately, due to the memory limitation, it has not been possible
to include all the arcade sequences depicted on the inlay cover. We
hope this does not detract from your enjoyment of the game.
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23. THEATRE EUROPE SPECTRUM
1. To Load: Type LOAD "" / ENTER and press PLAY on your cassette recorder. The
game has loaded when you are presented with the same MENU as for the AMSTRAD
version (please see above).
2. You can either use the keyboard or a Kempston joystick. All keys are
redefinable.
Default keys:
Q = UP A = DOWN P = RIGHT O = LEFT ENTER = FILE
3. ARCADE SCREENS: Unfortunately due to memory limitations it has not been
possible to include all the backgrounds that appear in the CBM 64 version.
We have however improved the overall gameplay of these screens and you now
hove four different weapons at your command via the icons at the bottom of
the screen: INFANTRY, ANTI-TANK WEAPONS, ANTI AIRCRAFT MISSILES, AIR
ATTACK. To select these simply move the cursor to the relevant Icon and
press fire. The Icon will change colour and that weapon is now under your
control.
4. TO SAVE / LOAD A GAME
At the beginning of your movement phases "QUIT" appears at the top right
of the screen for a few moments. Pressing Q at this stage will take you
out of the game. To save press S, ready your recorder and follow the
prompts. To reload press J from the main menu.
24. REINFORCEMENT SCHEDULES
N.A.T.O. WARSAW PACT
DAY ARM TAC.AIR SUP AIR DAY ARM TAC.AIR SUP AIR
--- --- ------- --- --- --- --- ------- --- ---
1 1 1 1 0 1 1 3 2 0
3 4 4 6 1 3 2 2 9 0
5 6 6 8 3 5 1 1 9 1
7 1 0 4 7 7 1 0 6 2
9 1 2 6 6 9 2 2 8 0
11 1 1 8 1 11 1 2 8 1
13 2 4 9 1 13 2 3 9 0
15 2 3 8 2 15 8 4 9 1
17 1 1 8 2 17 8 5 9 1
19 3 4 9 1 19 6 3 9 0
21 0 1 8 1 21 1 2 6 2
23 1 0 4 2 23 0 2 4 1
25 1 3 5 0 25 2 1 2 0
27 1 2 4 1 27 2 1 2 0
29 2 1 4 1 29 2 0 1 0
DAY: Day of Battle when Reinforcements Due to arrive
ARM: Combat Strength
TAC.AIR: Air Reinforcements Assigned to a Unit
SUP: General Supply Reinforcements
AIR: General Non-Assigned Air Reinforcement
Please note: These figures are the best possible case.
They could change for the worse due to Enemy Action.
25. NUCLEAR AUTHORISATION CODE
MIDNIGHT SUN
THE AUTHOR: Alan Steel is one of the original British Wargamers and has been
playing and designing wargames for nearly 25 years.
Graphic help from Ian Bird. Music by David Dunn.
Whilst the producers of Theatre Europe have taken every care in researching this
program to ensure the accuracy of details, we must stress that the events
depicted in this conflict simulation are entirely fictitious. They must never be
allowed to happen; the danger is that they might!
P.S.S.