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OPLAN Fulda: World War III

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May, 1989. The two nuclear superpowers are finally talking peace, but not everyone in the Soviet Union seeks such resolution. Senior Soviet ministers and generals conduct a coup to seize power and prevent the dissolution of the USSR and the Warsaw Pact. To cover up their plot and capitalize on the resulting chaos, they invade West Germany, setting off a chain of events and the Third World War. Across Europe, soldiers and spies are drawn into the conflict. From NATO headquarters to the front lines, the information is there to prevent nuclear annihilation if only they can find it in time.

Based on the declassified Operations Order 33001, Leo Barron's decades of military intelligence experience allow this military thriller to dive deep into tactics and realistically explore how everything could have changed in 1989.

For more information, see www.leobarron.com

340 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 16, 2022

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About the author

Leo Barron

7 books30 followers
Leo Barron works for General Dynamics as an instructor of military intelligence officers for the U.S. Army. He holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in history, and has served with the 101st Airborne. Barron has seen two tours of active duty in Iraq as an infantry and intelligence officer. His articles about Bastogne and other WWII-related military topics have appeared in Infantry Magazine, Military Intelligence Professional Bulletin, WWII History Magazine, and WWII Magazine. His last book, No Silent Night: The Christmas Battle for Bastogne received an award from the Arizona Author's Association for Best Nonfiction in 2013.

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5 stars
364 (58%)
4 stars
193 (31%)
3 stars
52 (8%)
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8 (1%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
Author 1 book
May 23, 2022
Great story!

Leo Barron has written a great WWIII story! It is well researched, with great characters and a great story line. Army veterans of the Cold War who served in Germany, particularly those who served with the 11th ACR, 3rd Armored Division and other V Corps units will find this book full of stories that will bring back many memories. The action is continuous and the spy stories well done. Armored combat in the Fulda Gap could not be described any better! I salute the author!
Profile Image for Neil.
174 reviews2 followers
February 5, 2025
This book was awesome! Part tanker war stories, part espionage novel, this book was top notch. If you are looking for a war novel geared around mechanized units and intelligence operations, this is your book. You can’t go wrong!
43 reviews
April 3, 2025
Amazing story

Kudos to the author, Leo Barron. You told a great story so very well.
The cast of characters were so well written. I read the dang thing in 3 days. Such a page turner. I loved the ending. Much respect for showing both sides of the conflict.
Profile Image for Chris Slininger.
7 reviews1 follower
May 3, 2022
Really enjoyed the book, well written! Leo brought me into the stories and lives of all the characters as they experienced WWIII!

Only note of wish would be to add some maps to follow along with. Not having maps doesn’t take away from the quality of the story though!
86 reviews1 follower
August 13, 2022
This is a good quick read about the war I could have fought. In spring of 1989 I was the Assistant brigade S3 of the 2nd Brigade, 3rd Armored Division just after completing command of C Company, 1-48 Infantry (M). The descriptions of battle are very good and will keep you reading. Although the book uses the common method of telling the story form many different commanders and other actors, there are not too many where the story can get confusing and go off the rails like so many other books of this genre do. It has the right number of characters, so most are well developed and believable.

A couple of minor nit-pick points on accuracy. The reply the tanks's loader says after loading a round in the breech is "up," not "ready." (The author does finally correct this near the end of the novel) The M109 Howitzers did not receive the name "Paladin" until the 1990s and 4-18 Infantry did not become 4-18 until summer of that year, in June, according to the unit's lineage and honors. (That battalion was 1-48 Infantry prior to the change, and I attended the reflagging ceremony at Coleman Kaserne at Gelnhausen) But these reflaggings are hard to track as there were so many throughout the 1980s. These are all minor and don't detract from the story.

Where I think the story fell down was in the premise for the war and the way it ended. The reason for the start of the war has been used many times in many other similar stories; and the ending, to me, was highly unlikely to occur the way it does in the book. I won't mention specifies so as not to give away spoilers.

A very interesting aspect of the book is that I wonder if the author used two wargames I have developed for the game publisher Compass Games to help him develop ethe story line of the war and combat. The war reads like description of playing the two games which are "NATO: The Cold War Goes Hot," and "Air & Armor." The latter game has not yet been published by the original version from the 1980s is still out there.

If you like reading novels on the "War the never Was," or enjoy books in the style of Tom Clancey, I recommend this book.
8 reviews
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May 27, 2022
Good read, but needs maps

I found the story realistic and interesting. It was difficult to follow the action however, due to the lack of maps.
Profile Image for William McLoughlin.
381 reviews13 followers
December 16, 2022
5/5. This book was a treat for me to read. It is a fictionalized version of the war that never happened—the Soviet/Warsaw Pact invasion of West Germany. This topic has been covered before (including one of my favorite novels, “Team Yankee” by Harold Coyle), but this one differs in a number of ways. Most are set in the 1984/1985 timeframe when most of the U.S. forces are still using M60A3 tanks and all infantry units are still riding around in M113 personnel carriers (and the Russians have the T62 tank). This book’s 1989 setting finds us equipped with M1A1 Abrams tanks and M2/M3 Fighting Vehicles (fighting the Russian T80). This narrative is also based on the real V Corps OPLAN 33001 [Declassified], also known as the General Defense Plan (GDP). V Corps consisted of the 3rd Armored Division and the 8th Infantry Division (Mechanized). They defended left and right, respectively, along a line roughly from Bad Hersfeld to Fulda and back to Frankfurt, Germany. The 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment served as a covering force out front. As a member of 8 ID(M) twice (1981-84 and 1988-91), I was intimately familiar with this battlefield, having studied it in detail and driven through it on a few war-planning trips. Although the book focuses mainly on 3-11 ACR and 3rd AD, some of the later action moves into the 8th ID(M) sector and takes place in the exact countryside where my mechanized infantry battalion would have actually fought in one of our contingency plans! Making this book even more special, while reading, I was able to continually consult a topographical map of the area which I still have from the Infantry Officer Advanced Course in 1980 (we had discussed a scenario unrelated to the GDP on a corner of that special map sheet).

Despite my positive review, I still have a few minor sources of irritation with this book:
-The use of the term “Inner German Border” instead of Inter-German Border.
-Excessive verbiage during radio communications (once two sides of a conversation have connected and identified each other, it is not necessary to continue to self-identify—e.g. “Alpha Six, this is Alpha One-Six…” every single subsequent time you key the mike.
Profile Image for Bookbear.
286 reviews1 follower
February 4, 2023
The author is lazy and incompetent. I gave up rather quickly, because I want to read something that I can believe is happening as told. When he messes up the localities as much as he does, I can't read it. Go and check your facts before you describe foreign places!
The first thing that pissed me somewhat off, is that thing that English speaking authors love to do and hardly ever get it right: Using foreign words or product names and just fuck them up. Oh, I wish there would be a medium where one could check out such things and there could even be places in that medium where one could get correct translations.
He calles the car the two US observers are using a Mercedes Gelandwagen (or so; I refuse to open that book again). It's Geländewagen, you idiot. But okay, it is annoying about that alone would not stop me reading. But then he describes that scene where these two observers see the Soviet troups piling up on that EAST GERMAN training grounds and then leave and go onto the "Bundesstraße 247". Yes, idiot, when you check out the surroundings of that training ground on Google Maps you can see the Bundesstraße 247 running along there. I am not sure if you are aware of the fact, that East Germany (German Democratic Republic) does not exist anymore and that what you see now on Google Maps is the present day reality. There was no Bundesstraße there in EAST Germany, because Bundesstraße includes the word "Bundes..." meaning it's a road under control and run by the Federal Government. That did not exist in the communist East German state, that was under central control of East Berlin. No such thing as a federal street there. Get at least those basic facts right. Failed.
Not reading that shit.

My thanks go to Amazon that provides samples.
Profile Image for Stuart Sullivan.
67 reviews
April 15, 2025
Well crafted Alternate History

The premise of Oplan: Fulda is one thousands of NATO soldiers lived under for a few decades.
I was on active duty in Germany in the late 70's/early 80's, two of my uncles were there in the 50's .
Everyone lived in subtle awareness of the potential for a Soviet invasion, and all of history indicated that the Fulda Gap was the most likely avenue of approach. When working assignments for US Army Command & General Staff College, we worked through these various scenarios. The Soviet units, their equipment and composition were well understood, as well as their most likely tactics. Every major global event sent us to our battle ready positions, the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, the assassination attempt on President Reagan, the Iranian embassy taken over, and many other incidents.
This story was very real to, I've traveled that region of Germany and conducted endless hours of map exercises in military training. The logistics aspect was given some commentary but could have been better developed.
This book is not for a casual reader, the detail about the various units in the engagements can be overwhelming to follow if one doesn't have some background.
I found the lack of maps distracting, the primary reason I didn't give 5 stars. I already had a decent picture in my mind about the region, while someone unfamiliar would have some difficulty keeping track of where the action was happening.
All in all a very detailed an authentic chronicle of what might have happened, but thankfully didn't. It did a great job of personifying the various characters at each level of command on both sides.
Profile Image for Chance.
1,122 reviews21 followers
April 15, 2022
History of war…is full of what-if’s since time memorial

I won’t call my self an expert on everything military but it’s truly an eye opener when give details on a few lesser know military operations and war plans and the possibility of events that could’ve been if things had happened a little differently.

The story stays in a real world terms has uses a declassified wars plans by NATO and how if sertion history lay people reacted abit differently if sertion facts were know and others not and it gives us a Cold War heat up on its last embers to creat WW3. The story uses the Soviet Political leaders and army forces on bouth sides and how they reacted was truly seemed like I was there. Do the story has a Hugh lack of interpretation of British, French, United States, and British leadership has there response where given threw second hand with no direct dialog from thouse countries leaders of that time period.

Has I said the story was truly in the moment real but I felt the author forgot in war rationality go’s out the window. Has I saw chacthers stick to military terminology with no inter-personal dialog or any curse-type Language of how they felt in the moment he set them on a pedestal of chacthers symbolism of who they where I felt this could’ve been done better to show there human side but with this it was a truly will done alternate history novel.
18 reviews
August 6, 2022
American Chieftain

The Cold War goes hot is well travelled ground. From Tom Clancy's Red Storm Rising and Sir John Hackett's Third World War a whole genre has grown.

OPLAN Fulda reminds me strongly of Bob Forrest-Webb's Chieftai, and Harold Cole's Team Yankee. All are gritty and realistic. All have relatively well developed characters, whose motives are sometimes dark. They're all very well written, and they tell believable and interesting stories.

Leo Barron is a professional historian and it shows. A novel with more than 50 footnotes is a little unusual. A Glossary might have sufficed, but that is a minor issue. Barron found the actual V Corps operational plan and includes a character based on the notorious East German spy Rainer Rupp. Simple maps of each engagement might have helped the reader navigate them and having a detailed map of southern Germany available will help you enjoy this book more.

This book will appeal you wargames and all those with an interest in military fiction and Cold War alternate history. A very fine effort, which kept me awake until 2am!
8 reviews
August 22, 2025
Don't bother. Ho hum😑

Many things incorrect . for instance, the use of nerve gas would trigger nuclear option no waiting around.
I realize this is fiction, but when tis was supposedly happening I was on a bus just south of Colorado Springs Colorado waving bye bye to the 4thinfantry on my way to New Mexico.
The entire strategy on a the nationwide was to slowdown and delay z Soviet forces. Among other thing his called foe detonation of man portable nuclear drone to block repair lines. With nukes to collapse entire mountains. The role of the Air Forces is ignored, but hey would be busy flyingtheAir borne , tanks and Apcs

with lots fresh t. The B52 bomber, would take off from Missouri, within probably 12to 24 hours, loaded with conventional bombs. Others would be circling at fail safe points. And severe many hundreds at air bases in italy, turkey Greece and england. The available troops in Germany would hold back the Czech army and east Germans until more troops carried in less than 36 hours. Holding, not battling hopeless odds.and the 4tn infantry was not in Kaiserslautern. Hey left Viet Man for home in Colorado then Pasted the Iraqi Republican guard.
Profile Image for Tonet Rivera.
27 reviews
October 28, 2022
Plausible

I'm a big fan of Leo Barron. As a historian he combines exhaustive research with compelling story-telling. I can see why he delved into "what might be." There are times when the dialogue seems stilted or contrived. I appreciate the serious attempt at character development and the resulting empathy the reader has for the various protagonists. He could get better, with a cast who are less cartoon characters and more deeply developed. It's a large cast, and understandably so, given the scope of his screenplay. He pays the price with characters who are a bit shallow and stereotyped.

Overall, an enjoyable read, and I'm sure its setting anf.context is very accurate. You wonder if the war in Ukraine will develop similarly. We all hope not.
101 reviews
December 28, 2022
Excellent thriller with nonstop action. Feasible plot line with realistic scenarios and great characters

As a veteran of West Germany having been stationed there, I’m always interested in what possible scenarios there were for possible war with the Soviet bloc. Red Storm Rising is the benchmark and this ranks up there with it in terms of the possibilities of what could have happened. The action really accelerates in the book and it’s hard to put down as it maintains the readers attention. Highly recommended.
6 reviews
January 17, 2024
Leo Barron has made the most of his formal training as a historian and experience as a military intelligence instructor when writing this excellent World War III novel set in the 80s. I was impressed that a work of fiction contain so many footnotes. This gives the reader confidence that the force structure and strategy adopted by NATO and the Soviet Bloc in the book are based on period correct battle plans, tactics and doctrine. The description of the equipment used by the opponents is also well researched. An excellent read!
19 reviews1 follower
April 18, 2024
A great story! I served with the 1st Armored Division 1972 to 1974 at Monteith Barracks in Furth Germany. The premise of the book brought back memories of the many alert exercises we did during those Cold War Days. The Fulda Gap was the place where an incursion by Warsaw Pact forces would take place. Thankfully the WWIII scenario as told in the book never took place. Storywise, Mr. Barron did a great job bringing to life all of the different characters in the story. The ending was a bit over the top; however, it is still a good story overall.
19 reviews2 followers
June 6, 2022
Good read

This tome is well worth the time to read. I may in fact read it again. The copy was clean of mistakes in writing or grammar at least for me. He made good characters and good combat. It is hard to be every one from the least to highest rank but the author did well. Making the mad man a mad man is hard but he pulled that off pretty well too. Good read
Profile Image for Ajitabh Pandey.
862 reviews51 followers
December 2, 2022
Based on the declassified Battle plan of NATO against the Warsaw Pact countries, this fiction world war 3 plot is quite interesting. Unlike many books where Americans are all shown super heroes, this book also considers the Soviet might and how it forced Americans to launch a tactical nuke to avoid defeat.
2 reviews
January 1, 2023
Interesting Play on the Cold War becoming Hot

Having served in the 2nd Squadron 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment when it was assigned the defense of the Fulda Gap, I was impressed with the details
of the offensive operational plans of the Group of Soviet Forces and the defensive operational plans of NATO, especially the US Army's V Corps.
2 reviews
June 5, 2022
Oplqn Fulda

Well, having read a few similar novels Team Yankee, Chieftain in particular, i have been looking forward to a new novel in a similar genre, and this is it, great read done in almost one sitting, read it, you will not be disappointed!
SB

18 reviews
July 16, 2022
Realist look at what WWIII. Would have look ed like in the 80's

The technical details were very accurate, which made reading it enjoyable. Details were accurate and the characters seemed to come alive.
12 reviews
October 18, 2022
Good read, loved the foot notes for the jamirgon

Enjoyable Amazon recommendation... Some times a rabbit hole of WW2 leads to a good book. Interesting focus on a real NATO document. Also well placed quotes.
48 reviews
October 27, 2022
A very good war story

If you enjoy a very good fictional war story then I would highly recommend this book.

As a veteran who was soldier during 80's -90's I have always wondered what war with the old Soviet Union would have been like.
35 reviews3 followers
January 22, 2023
a brilliant read, don’t miss it

A nerve racking story of what could happen in Russia.
It shows how a single strong and ambitious man can manipulate and bully his country to go to war…read nazi germany and Putin attacking Ukraine
Profile Image for Joseph.
3 reviews1 follower
April 11, 2023
Lost but not for long

Over all the book was great. The problem I had was that to much space and time was spent on what unit was where. Yes it made it a more then just a history book but war story. Maybe though the characters it would of been easier to keep up with the battles.

77 reviews2 followers
June 13, 2025
great read

I would hope this author would write more of these books. He did a fantastic job here. His characters were very real. His knowledge of the terrain was very good. Highly recommend
212 reviews4 followers
April 9, 2022
A very good what if book

You have a good book here. You story follows people and their wants and desires. You show what modern combat is. And what happens.
23 reviews1 follower
May 23, 2022
Excellent read

I'll confess you better know your US Army acronyms and the basics of how things like FRAGOs and ACE reports work, but all in all an excellent read.
312 reviews2 followers
May 25, 2022
The Gap

Much descriptions of organizations and weapons and strategies and tactics. Storyline weaves in and out of all the clutter of war.
21 reviews1 follower
June 8, 2022
Excellent story.

Very believable. Good plot. Very good characters. Nothing unbelievable. I will look for other works from this author.

I really dislike the 20 word requirement.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews

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