"On NATO's Northern Flank, circa 1985" Topic

All,

Well, I got a game in, but it's not what you or I expected. Yes, I'm a wargaming butterfly: I'm supposed to be finishing up the dogfighting rules, I'm supposed to be playing 6mm moderns for 5Core Brigade Commander, I'm supposed to be playing KG Klink for 5Core Company Command, I thought I might try some Napoleonic stuff, I've still got a mountain of lead I can't see the top of, and I go and do this… But ya know what? It was fun.

Another reason I did this was because someone on TMP (Sasquatch on the Cold War board) said he was getting into Cold War/Modern stuff and was looking for a 1:1 ruleset, and The Commissar mentioned Company Command and linked to my old KG Klink batreps. I figured the least I could do was play a Cold War/Modern game and post it. Not to mention, I've been dying to get my modern USMC on the table.

So, what do we have? Well, it's roundabouts 1985 and the balloon has gone up in Europe; the 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division (whom I have a passing acquaintance with) is the air alert battalion and immediately departs for Norway, NATO's northern flank. As they land, gear is already being off-loaded from the Maritime Pre-Positioned Ships for battalion to fall in on. They hit the marshaling areas on the run, and patrols are immediately sent out. In this case, an attachment from 2nd LAI (Light Armored Infantry Battalion, which is what they were called before they became Light Armored Reconnaissance, or LAR) spots Soviet forces moving in on the village of Smellysardinso (fictional). A call for reinforcements goes out, and Marines are immediately dispatched from Alpha and Weapons Companies. But the Soviets are aggressive and push across the ford, arriving in the ville just as the Marine reinforcements arrive. A quick, sharp fight ensues; the Marines are victorious (of course), the Soviets recoil (fall back to have an artillery regiment flatten the entire grid square).

What follows is the account of the Battle of Smellysardinso (at the blog):
link

I was going to show both sides' forces, but I know we really only care about the USMC side, right?

The Marines: these are pretty much all Minifigs. Command stand at top left, two Amtracs (plastics from Takara). Each carries two fireteams, then one has a SMAW and the other a TOW. Then there's an LAV carrying a fireteam of scouts and an MG team. Lastly we have a Combined Anti-Armor Team, or CAAT, of two HMMWVs. One has a TOW, and the other is a gun truck (with a .50 cal to suppress the tank while the TOW is in flight). The LAV and HMMWVs are Minifigs.

I love playing campaigns, hate 'one-off' games, as the toys are just pieces, no personality. I'll be using such dramatic identifiers as "Team 3," "the MG team," and "Track 2."

These have been such a hit with my modern dogfight games, I just had to get them on the table: a Marine TOW let's rip at a Soviet T-72.

A thoroughly enjoyable fight, which could have easily gone either way (and was really looking like it was going to be the Russkies coming out on top), in about an hour and a half. I also got quite a bit done on the troops for KG Klink in France; they're painted and based, just need to flock them (for some reason I haven't been dull coating lately). The invasion of France is on schedule for next weekend, stay tuned.

V/R,
Jack

Sounds good.

Thanks for sharing your pics and battle report.

I'm planning on sending my USMC force up against the Russkies/W.P. in Denmark, a decade, or so earlier, to help combat their Amphibious Motor Rifle troops, and to secure the Kattegat for NATO, once again.

Still working on getting all the forces and scenic stuff together to permit that though.

Thanks Mako, and I look forward to your upcoming games.

You know I want that Cobra, but I can't go thirty bucks ;)

V/R,
Jack

Why not make it a campaign Jack? You played the first battle. All you need is to roster and name 'em. I'm not sure how many awards go around here though.

TGunner,

Don't tempt me, patience my friend, I've got too much going on as it is. Stand by for another batrep, Doggies this time though.

"I'm not sure how many awards go around here though."
They're Marines, so none, it's expected ;)

V/R,
Jack

"First in, survivors are last out" ;)

Doggies this time though

As per SOP.

When you have real fighting to do you have to pull in the Army

How do live with yourself? ;)

Every Doggie story starts with "I was gonna be a Marine, but..,"

However, I will grant you that Abrams are better anti-tank weapons than Marine bayonets ;)

V/R,
Jack

How do you live with yourself? ;)

I rest secure in the knowledge that I joined the true ground combat arm of our great republic! THE war fighters!

Actually, like you, Team Yankee played a big part in my deciding what branch of the military to join. I wanted to be a chopper jock but I found out that I didn't have the eyes for the job. The Abrams was the next best thing and the Corps didn't have them in 1988 when I signed my papers. At least the recruiter said they didn't. Just the M60A1…

Yeah…

The rest is history. I love the pig! She's an awesome ride and a terrible, wicked tool of war.

I spent most of my time on the A1, but I have a special place for the M1 and M1IP. Well, I do until it's time to clean out shell casings from the turret floor. That's when I love the A1! LOL!

Great stuff, keep them coming. I'm getting jazzed up to team mount my 15mm troops and try out Company/Brigade Commander.

There's no denying that tanks are cool man. Someday I'll share my tank story.

In any case, hurry up with your stuff, Company Commander is perfect for a Team Yankee company-team, and Brigade Commander can be played with company or battalion stands, depending on what you want to accomplish.

I'll be playing, but moderns have to chill for a bit as it's time for my kampfgruppe to invade France (and I need to finish up my dogfighting stuff).

V/R,
Jack

I knew a guy who was a Marine M60 commander in the first Gulf War. He said they had a ritual to satisfy "the turret beast".

Apparently it's very possible to lose a foot when the turret is rotating.

Very enjoyable Batrep!

Great Bat-Rep, Jack! A close run thing until the very end. "Some people" think it's time for Red Army Intelligence and the KGB to toughen up their commanders and make them more aggressive in shaping the battlefield. And the Soviet Mortar team needs to see an optometrist immediately! Since it's 1985 your Marines are using M-72's and not AT-4's. ; )
I really enjoyed you report and remind you that France is still not conquered! So, stop slumming in the 1980's and get back to the 1940's!
Cheers and good gaming.
Rod Robertson.

Some of don't want the Commies to win, Rod ;)

V/R,
Jack