After seeing Shawn's shout out for Playtesters I decided I needed a game to see whether the mojo was really back and I remembered enough of the mechanics to actually make meaningful contributions before volunteering. So rather than leap straight into my afghan campaign I set up a quick throw down game representing a contact during Lt Rupert's acclimatisation visit prior to deployment with the Lennox Highlanders.
In August 2006 Lt Rupert was on his third day shadowing Lt Sheppard of 1 Platoon, A Company, 3 Para operating near Zandi Noll, Helmand Province. Leaving Pln Sgt Rocket with the Coy HQ, Lt Rupert was to act as de facto Radio Operator during a pre-dawn raid to capture HVT Taliban leader Omar Bin Hydin. HUMINT suggested the HVT was in an isolated compound with a small bodyguard force and some local Talib supporters but intended to move off early morning.
The target compound was near to the Paras base but was screened by irrigation ditches crossed only by a rickety foot bridge so the raid was to be mounted on foot and intended to be a quick in and out operation.
Lt Sheppard had a multiple of 3 fire teams of 4 toms as well as a two man sniper team. His HQ element consisted of Pln Sgt Hard, Lt Rupert as Radio Operator, a medic and a FAC who was in contact with a Dutch F16.
His plan was to establish the HQ and sniper team on a vine drying building to create a base of fire while two teams headed for the bridge – one into the ditch to create another bae of fire while the other readied themselves for the assault by the middle walled field. The third team was to cross the ditch and succour the middle walled field.
When everyone was in position the team by the walled field would assault in and grab the HVT. Then home for tea and medals.
Everything was going swimmingly until a crash from the vine drying building caused the sentry in the target compound turn and see movement near the ditch. As he unslung his AK, Cpl Target – the senior sniper – sent him sprawling to the floor.
Lt Rupert's first involvement was "Contact – wait one"
Thanks for looking.
Phil FB @tinnedfruit
checks out some 10/15mm railroad tracks for wargaming.
