Golan Clash!

 

Daniel suggested experimenting with using Clash of Steel rules in a Fate of a Nation setting. The only models we have for FOAN are 12mm 1:144 so somewhat heretical in two planes! The table was set to represent a plateau with road junction on the Golan Heights, circa 1973:

The randomly generated mission was Flanking Move. 

Normally in 15mm this can lead to somewhat cluttered deployment but in this scale all was well and we still had the feel of the wide open spaces of the Levant.

The random mission rules dictated Scattered Immediate reserves.

Daniel rolled to be the Israeli player, and Attacker, with a company each of Sho'ts and M51s with 105mm guns. He placed a platoon of each into reserve.

As the Syrians I had two companies of 10 x T-62s, leaving one in reserve...

And a company of 10 x T-54s:

Looking at the table from Daniel's deployment area, you can see he deployed aggressively, moving forward towards all three objectives, whereas, in the distance, you can see I was more circumspect:

Threatening the centre objective but keeping my T-54s in cover in the crop fields:

However Daniel soon started racking up the victory points (VPs) so I diverted my T-62s from the centre to Objective 3 by the oasis:

Initially I felt I had little to fear from the M51s, gaining 3 VPs for wiping out an entire platoon, but Daniel directed his reserve platoons, which arrived at the right spot for him, here and then things started to get tough!

But now it was my turn for my reserve company of T-62s to arrive - I couldn't decide between the Centre and left objective in the wadi:

Because, frankly, 10 T-54s couldn't seem to deal promptly with a mere 3 Sho'ts!

Shooting them in from long range with the reserve T-62s eventually did the trick...

But by this time, only now gaining my first undisputed objective, Daniel was way ahead of me on VPs! (I won't go into the actual numbers...)

Despite this, I really enjoyed the game and I have no doubt Daniel relished handing out a drubbing. Clash of Steel always gives a fast, fun game and the 'armour only' aspect seems to suit 20th Century Arab-Israeli Wars, which this smaller scale also suits. I think we shall be revisiting!

Operation BLUE ANGEL III - Berlin or Bust!

 

Last night the Wollongong Wargamers saw the culmination of our 3 week Clash of Steel campaign - the Western Allies attempt to re-open the land route to relieve the Berlin Blockade.

The 8 x 6' table was themed on the western outskirts of Berlin, between US Check Point BRAVO and the Soviet checkpoint at Babelsburg:

My heroic tankers of the Soviet Guards Tank Regiment Marienborn had carried all before them thus far in the campaign, thus accruing a 20 point bonus. But with a new generation of Western tanks in the game, would those extra points, and Soviet technology, still be enough to defend the anti-fascist barrier?

As good communists, comrades, let us face the truth - the latest technology from the US and UK is scary - the M103 has advanced rangefinders which renders it Accurate at long range.

Whilst reliant on 2 year draftees, similar to our Soviet Army, the US fields its brightest and best in the Armored Corps!

Sergeant Presley, Elvis, Armored Intelligence Specialist, on his M48 Patton tank of 1st Medium Tank Battalion, 32nd Armored Regiment, 3rd Spearhead Armored Division.

The UK Conqueror tank is just as much of a threat, and surprisingly mobile for a British vehicle - they must have found a way to not spill the tea!

The Centurion 5/1 is also pretty capable - a powerful gun and heavily armoured.

With so much at stake in this final game, I read the GRU's latest analysis:

Only my IS-7s could stand up to the western tanks!

Of course our T54-3s also represent the best of Soviet engineering in terms of mobility and firepower - but they are hardly invulnerable to the western heavies!

Applying Marxist scientific principles to the upcoming battle, the dialectic path to victory dictated that the IS-7s would form a static 'Anvil' whilst the T54s and other older tanks would be the 'Hammer' of working class action - striking deep into the capitalist flanks, the only chance they had of penetrating western armour.

The historical inevitability of our Soviet victory was challenged somewhat by my cunning opponent's dastardly plans! 

Despite being the attacker, attempting to penetrate the anti-fascist barrier, he seemed content to lurk in cover at stand off ranges, clearly attempting to fight a battle of attrition, not mobility!

Well comrades, we were having none of that capitalist complacency! With our anvil in place...

Our brave sons of the soil took the fight to the enemy.

Striking boldly for the right and centre objectives.

Already secure on the left objective and racking up the Victory Points!

Bolstered by the timely arrival of their immediate reserves...

The capitalists finally found the courage to move forward...

They fought well, inflicting severe casualties on our central direction.

And pivoting to outflank our flank attacks!

But our tankers were happy to meet them head on!

Routing their leading elements!

Even our Patriotic War era vehicles claimed some kills!

However our cunning imperialist enemy was learning some of the socialist principles of armoured warfare...

And did not scruple to copy our tactics and use them against us:

However despite their low cunning, it was too late for the capitalists - Yes they may have destroyed virtually all our tanks, but our early possession of the objectives ushered in the inevitable socialist victory! Berlin would remain free and blockaded! [Correction by KGB Politruk GTR Marienborn - Blockade is now lifted by order Comrade Khrushchev in interests of peace and stability].

Operation BLUE ANGEL II - Hammer and Tarmac

Our Clash of Steel campaign continued at the Wollongong Wargamers this week with game 2 of 3.

The campaign dynamic meant that our kit could be improved to the Operation Unthinkable catalogue and points level increased to a base of 80 points. However the Soviets would benefit from their margin of victory points from the first game in the campaign to a total of 100 points.

It was a struggle to put together a powerful list for the British, so we allowed a free upgrade from Cromwells to Comets - it felt much more 1948 than 1945!

The Soviet list looked remarkably similar to last week, but with IS-3s replacing most of the ISU types. After all, it was this beast that caused all the panic in the first place!

The mainstay of the British force was a pair of Tortoises.

The US spent most of their points on a pair of T29s.

Set halfway between Helmstedt and the outskirts of Berlin, the autobahn was surrounded by woods and farms.

The random scenario we pulled was #5 Flanking Move with Immediate Scattered Reserves. 

This meant both sides could quickly arrive on one of the two objectives using their Spearhead forces.

I sent in my trusty T34-85s. Bit dated by this point, but fine for recon and hasty land grabs!

Daniel similarly used his Recce Comets to get onto his adjacent objective.

These were hastily backed up with heavies!

Daniel deployed a scary looking T28 to completely dominate the centre of the battlefield!

So at this stage of the battle, each side was sitting on one objective and attempting to take another.

The Comets looked like easy meat to my IS-3s...

But they weren't lacking in aggression!

They paid the price!

Over at the other objective, I was being anything but aggressive - my IS-2s were using the farm to hide... 

 From the powerful T29s...

Which were heading for the objective now only held by my T34-85s!

The other objective was looking dodgy as well as Daniel's reinforcements showed up...

Now I was in hiding on both flanks!

Fortunately my reinforcements also showed up eventually...

And were directed to bolster the T-34's tenuous hold on that objective:

By a stroke of good luck my next wave of reinforcements - T54-1s - were able to be deployed deep into the Allied Flank, seeking and obtaining side armour shots on the otherwise invulnerable Tortoises. This changed the dynamic of the game immediately!

With my hold on what was now revealed to be the principal objective racking up my VPs...

Daniel decided discretion was the better part of valour before the points imbalance for the next and final game would be insuperable.