pmaidhof

Ok, the December 2, 2009 - March 6, 2010 playing of Gulf Strike Scenario 2 is over. Turn 30 ended last night around 11pm. The Soviet (Player A) earned a Marginal Victory, by controlling at least 11 cities, including Tehran. The US/Iranian player(s) (Player thwarted either a Substantive or Decisive Victory as while the Soviets had all but two Iranian cities, including Bandr Abbas, he was unable to dispute or control the Strait of Hormuz. In the end, the long supply lines, US airpower, and a brigade of US Marines kept those Soviet units that reached the environs of Bandr Abbas from actually penetrating or taking it by coup de main. A long game, much fun, and a good learning experience of a longtime-first-time player.

Yes. It is a enjoyable game system. Not too complex. Enjoyable both face to face and solo. No Combat Results Table, each unit has AP and HE firepower (number of d6 to roll), range, and a to hit number (each result >= 1 hit). The recipient of the fire rolls a number of d6 equal to its defense number, plus any terrain benefits. Each >= to its save number the unit gets to ignore 1 hit. Units are platoons, generally battalion strength for the soviets and companies for NATO. Chits are pulled for activation, NATO has two chits per unit, while soviets have one. There is options for scenario designers to provide a designated unit chit for the soviets to essentially activate a single unit a second time per turn. There is a WWII derivative coming out soon.

What are you trying to say...

Not that I was ever made aware of.

Well, 2x d20 + 1d6 equaled 22 tonight so 22 hexes in from the north east map edge start the Soviets. I chose the closest road entering the map from that rolled point. - just about right smack in the middle of the map edge. That means the grenadiers of 1/171 PzG, about 2km inboard will likely be the first to make contact with the advancing Soviet 62nd Mechanized Rifle Battalion.

Good Job Pawel, interesting scenario setting, post cold-war Europe/Baltic Sea. Nice report write-up Brad.

It's been quite the battle. Did not have an opportunity to push cardboard last night, although the next scenario already has the defenders set-up and the attacking MR Battalion has a wide choise of where to enter the map, the entire east edge of the largest WaW map. The two landser companies are *hopelessly* positioned where the enemy will avoid so they will have to switch to alternate, if not supplemental positions rather quickly in reaction to the Soviet entry. The tank company is well to the rear with the intent to counter attack once the Soviet point of main effort is determined.

"May 24th, 1985 The situation looked bad for the West Germans. Despite a herculean effort on part of the West German III Korps to contain the Soviet bridgehead at Passau, continual Soviet and Czech reinforcements had been able to stop West German counterattacks and then finally broke through the West German line. With the bulk of West German forces already committed to other sectors or destroyed - and no reinforcements in sight from France or the much promised REFORGER units - it seemed that the stubborn defense of the border and the Donau River line had come to an end. For the Soviets, the road to Munich was finally open. With surviving regular formations of the West German III Korps streamed back in disarray, trying to form another line before Munich, territorial formations took up positions in the forefront of the line, near the Issel River The Soviets on the other hand, had been bled white by the battle for the Donau. Exploitation of the hole in the West German line would have to be conducted by second-line units. In this case a mixed formation had been scrambled together from the initial reinforcing units from the Belorussian and Ukranian Military Districts. Their hardware was certainly outdated and many of the trains carrying them had been bombed by NATO air attacks, or they had been rerouted by priority to give supplies to the first-line formations; nevertheless the hole had to be exploited at all costs" Scenario Design - Arrigo Velicogna Reports to follow during the week.

Danube Crossing The early turns: 1/171 PzG was overwhelmed during 33rd Mechanized Battalion's river crossing both north and south of Passau. With 33rd Mech starting the game and benefiting from a designated formation chit is able to assault and clear Passau. Two late activations allow the 1/171 survivors (reduced HQ, Reduced Infantry, and a full strength Marder) were able to fall back to Bergengipfel, linking up there with some 2/1 AufK units holding that victory significant location. As 2nd Tanks moves up toward the river crossings at both Passau and Klappenbruck, the small 4/1 AufK units pull back to the high ground west of Klappenbruck, due to the artillery and smoke causing an LOS break. An exchange of tank fire from Bergengipfel and return ATGM fire from Passau develops without too much damage. The late turns: Between two turns, a last and then first activation for 2nd Tanks allows for it to mass at the river crossing and then burst outward both at Passau and Klappenbruck. Along the Passau-Bergengipfel sector, 2nd Tanks moves to envelop Bergengipfel to the north and south, eventually entering Bergengipfel and isolating the weakened 1/171PzG units. These units, a Marder platoon, a reduced HQ, and a reduced infantry platoon begin a dogged defense of Bergengipfel wiping out a company worth of T72’s before succumbing. Along the southern route, 2nd Tanks units are able to punch through the screening 2/1 and 4/1 AufK units in order to link back up with the main body, but then a companies worth begin to suffer communications issues causing OOC results for the remainder of the game. A company minus does reach the hills immediately south of Bergengipfel just in time to contribute to the final occupation of Bergengipfel. In the end the formations consist of: 2nd Tanks – HQ, 6x T72 33rd Mech – HQ, 2x T-62, 1x BMP, 1x BMP (reduced), 4x Infantry, 2x Sagger. 4/1 AufK – HQ (reduced), 1x TPZ1 (reduced) 1/171 PzG – eliminated 2/1 AufK – eliminated Good series of scenarios. Maybe on to Operational Maneuver Group, will probably use the OOB per that scenario vice the survivors of this scenario. Thanks to Arrigo for an entertaining storyline that I had overlooked when it came out in LOF.

Danube Crossing update, 1/171 PzG was overwhelmed during 33rd Mechanized Battalion's river crossing both north and south of Passau. By two late Turn 1 activations, the 1/171 survivors (reduced HQ, Reduced Infantry, and a full strength Marder) were able to fall back to Bergengifel, linking up there with some 2/1 AufK units holding that victory significant location. As it is at the end of Turn 1, 33rd Mechanized Battalion has assaulted and cleared Passau. 2nd Tank Battalion is currently deployed on the far side of the Danube after having sniped back and forth with the reconnaissance units on the near side, both at Klappenbruck (losing a T72 platoon) and further inland.

Well, I pushed 1st Tanks and 33rd Mechanized this afternoon. I was able to well-establish that Soviet units, as represented in this game, should not be handled as NATO forces. The possible, but usual extra activation by NATO forces often allows for what was attempted today to no avail. The West German reconnaissance units held the Passau crossings from an attempted coup de main. 33rd Mech was essentially destroyed during the advance, so the armored-only assaults into Passau itself were eventually and expectedly defeated with significant loss by the defending landsers of 4/1 AufK. Passing on a blow-by-blow account, I'll be moving on to scenario three in Arrigo's Munich's Highway series - Crossing the Danube. To spice up my own narrative, I will swap in 2nd Tanks (identical to 1st Tanks). There is no alternative to 33rd Mechanized Battalion without stepping up to BMP-2's or down to wheeled BTR's. The next scenario will follow the subsequent river crossing south of Passau. 1st Company 171th Panzer Grenadier Battalion now has moved up to hold Passau. Elements of the now heroric 4/1 Aufklarungs Abteilung have shifted south to hold a crossing site in the town of Klappenbruck. 2/1 AufK is spreadout, backstopping inland from the river line. Under artillery HE and smoke suport, the pixie-dusted 33rd Mech will be conducting the assualt river crossing between Passau and Klappenbruck. A wooded hill being their intermediate objective. The T-72's of 2nd Tank Battalion is off-map poised to enter and exploit the crossing.

Rough Wake Up Rough Wake Up This scenario is another written by Arrigio Velicogna found in an earlier Line of Fire, and again within the Compendium. It can play linked to another of his scenarios – The Bridge at Passau - and possibly a third scenario, depending upon the outcomes of the first two. The West Germans set up with 3/1 Aufk forward, using the wooded hills to screen the width of the map with the HQ and LeoII in the center, and the two Luchs platoons on the wings. The Infantry of 4/1 Aufk set up as the backstop, nestled into the towns of Hugelsdorf and Grunental, with the TPZ1’s toward the rear in hide positions. As mentioned earlier today, the special set up rule, on a d6+5 result of 11, put the lead BRDM platoon 11 hexes forward of the entry point. The T-72’s of 2nd Tank Battalion (identical to 1st Tanks) are strung out along the road behind the lead element. HQ 2nd Tanks is about center of the formation where is struggles to control the long column. The random initial placement leaves roughly a company of T-72 adjacent to HQ and LeoII of 3/1 Aufk in (G7)! Some start. 4/1 Aufk is the designated unit to begin the ambush reducing a T-72 platoon at close range while a Luchs fails to put any effects on the lead BRDM2. 2nd Tanks is the second formation activated so they charge past 3/1 Aufk and end up with the lead elements taking effective infantry, and Milan ATGM opfire from elements of 4/1 Aufk in Hugelsdorf. So many Milans were expended in those initial exchanges that resupply had to be rushed forward by grenadiers through the narrow streets of Hugelsdorf. Favorable chit pulls by the Germans allowed for a quick and orderly resupply before the Soviets could pile on. In the meantime, while the Luchs of 3/1 Aufk attempted to break contact and infiltrate back toward friedly lines, and the HQ/Leo II stack covered them with effective AP fires taking out another T-72 platoon, the forward elements of 2nd Tanks pounded the defenders of Hugelsdorf with HE fire. The second 3/1 Aufk activation had the Luchs platoons back to the southern edges of the map, the HQ/LeoII slashed into the rear of the 2nd Tanks formation where it eventually in Turn 3 went down guns blazing. When the bulk of 2nd Tanks reached the road intersection at G11, and in a barrage of Milan missiles, they bolted to the western approaches to the objective of the A17 exit point – settling in to a wooded assault position vicinity C12/C13. The infantry element of 4/1 Aufk was able to move to alternate positions to cover the exit point before the Soviets began running the final gauntlet between that covered position and the exit hex. A lucking Milan shot cause a wreck marker in what became an effective choke point vicinity A14/A15. This caused a number of the 2nd Tanks units to not make it to the exit hex in one turn, thus allowing for additional victims to the Milan nest in Hugelsdorf. The final turn (5) saw the elements of 4/1 Aufk pack up their trash and successfully exit the southern edge of the map. One disrupted T-72 platoon was unable to exit within the time allotted and was eliminated. As it turned out, HQ and support weapons not being counted, the West German reconnaissance forces won this battle 12VP to 5. Of the West German units the 3/1 HQ (reduced) and 2x Luchs platoons, as well as the 4/1 HQ, 2x infantry, 2x TPZ1 and 1x Milan will appear in The Bridge at Passau.

#2 I don't know what to think of you anymore Pete, unbelievable (j/k) The answers are given to us, I couldn't tweak them. Perhaps the product marketing needs to be enhanced.

#2 and #4 mostly for me. moreso #4

Well...fast-fast forward to the end of Turn 27 last night. The Soviets are strung out but still looking like they will ultimately win after game ends on Turn 30. To what degree will be seen. One weak stack did reach the outskirts of Bandar Abbas, only to be destroyed in detail by a Marine brigade. Soviet backfire bomber squadrons have been the bane of the US. Two carriers have already been sunk as well as the majority of the two divisions worth of heavy gear intented for the ground fight. Oh the pain...

Defenders of the Fatherland This is a solitaire battle report of Arrigo Velicogna's scenario Defenders of the Fatherland from the Battles Within Battles expansion. The scenario takes place in the upper right most corner of the Blood & Bridges map. A West German reserve M-48 tank company, and a light infantry grunts with milan ATGM, company are tasked with buying time for reqard units to prepare to halt the Soviets at the Rhine. The T-80's, BMP-2's and assorted cats and dogs of the Soviet 93rd Reconaissance Battalion is tasked with getting to the Rhine by exiting at least 6 units of the west map edge with six turns and control a cross road at Hex AA7. Both the West Germans and Russians both have two artillary barrages, while the WG also have an attached 81mm mortar platoon. The specific play area is B&B Map east of Column X and north of Row 11. I chose to try to meet the Soviet advance with the tank company forward, concealed in Faulbach, while the light infantry would be further back amongst the wooded areas north and south of the MSR leading from Faulbach to the western map edge with longer fields of fire for their potent milan anti-tank missiles. It was about here that the WG plan was fatally flawed for this run through. Turn 1: The light vehicles of the recon battalion enter the board on a relatively broad front. The BRDM2 platoon on the road to Faulbach are is engaged by a tank platoon in Faulbach which causes reduction. The other BRDM2 and BRDM2-AT platoons took a covered approach in an attempt a bypass of Faulbach to the southern wooded hills. The T-80 Tank company comes on board using moving-fire in order to support the two platoons of mechanized infantry as they moved up in an attempt to conduct a dismounted assault on Faulbach. After a short and violent exchange with the T-80's, the M48's decide they have had enough and began a fighting withdrawal that lasted the next four turns. Turn 2: While the two platoons of dismounts secure Faulbach with their inherent BMP2 providing support, the company of empty BMP2s skirt south of Faulbach. The T-80 company also now attempts to flank Faulbach to the south. The Soviet main effort is now determined by the grenadiers to be along the southern map edge, threating to bypass the light infantry company weighted to defend the high speed avenue of approach. Turns 3-4: It is here where the poor movement capability of the M48 tanks, and the black cadillac's of the light infantry leave them relatively exposed. A northenmost Milan team does account well for itself with essentially enfilade fire at the maneuvering Soviets. One infantry platoon with their inherent Anti-tank capabilities took a toll of some lighter Soviet units as they past south of the southernmost woods. By Turn 5, the WG positions were bypassed. The crossroads was taken and held as more than enough Soviet units cross the tributary river/canal and exits the map edge at Hex Column X. Losses: 1x T-80, 1x BMP-2, 1x BRDM-AT, 1x M48. Reduced: 1x BRDM-2, 1x Sov Infantry, 2x BMP-2, 1x M48, and 93rd Recon Bn HQ. Lessons Learned: M48 Tank platoons, as has been pointed out previously are extremely slow. Leg infantry can quickly be bypassed if there is enough room for maneuver. Good note that the counters are "scuff-proof" as at the start of one turn I tossed all the formation chits in a drink cup, luckily there was very little seltzer left in the bottom, all dried quickly and well. One note, it has been a couple of months since I broke out B&B and in some areas the map graphic is separating from the actual map board along some of the edges. I'll have to find a way to re-attach it without causing anymore damage.

Vosper/Saam FF, weren't they outclassed in detail back in the late 80's engagements during the so-called Tanker War with the USN?

There was a pic of a Mullah touring it and the distance from deck to bridge did not look to warrant such a designation, but thought it may just have been a stinky file photo.

I saw some vague news reports today of a new indiguous Iranian DDG? Anyone more in tune with this?

But of course.

Pursuant to Brad's new MBX proposal, my current gaming plate is full: Gulf Strike Scenario 2 will be winding down over the next few weeks with my weeking gaming gang. Stephen's Mach2 Vampires is beginning to get interesting. Currently leading a flight of IDF Phantom II on an October 1973 airfield bombing run, being escorted by a pair of Mirage III's in a pbem involving 4-5 guys and the Clash of Arms Airpower rules. The defense is a handful of MiG-21's (I believe - haven't spotted the enemy yet and I'm only at 1000') and some hidden AAA assets. Not to mention, my personal gaming interests, currently a homebrewed quick modern land rules set, and LocknLoad's World at War.

Interesting, but I do not believe that I will be able to take part due to a couple of other current mbx and pbem engagements I'm currently invoved in. Best of luck with it and I expect an AAR.

Any offical drops from NATO? If so we can spread load again.

What did they do with it after 04?

Yep, I'll keep checking. Let us know here if you find anything out. I'll do the same.