Howdy,
This is an AAR for a Modern MUF game played at the Hobbytown in Frederick, Maryland on January 20, 2018. The game was played using 15mm figures with two players.
The game was the Second battle resulting from the In the Stans campaign, and represents 3rd Platoon of Alpha Company (Blue Force) moving up the Valley of Misery toward the village at VM-3. Third Platoon's mission was to occupy the village and investigate the area for Muffintop (Red Force) activity. VM-3 is a very important location because it is located at a fork in the valley where a trail (aka road) leading to the Across the Border Valley descends into the Valley of Misery.
The Valley of Misery is very narrow, V-shaped valley with a stream at its base. A narrow road follows the stream. In addition, there is a network of mountain-side trails running along the valley. VM-3 is built on the hillside above the stream.
Photos 1, 2, & 3 show the table top terrain.
Photo 1 – Blue Forces will move from right to left. Civilian stands are present in the village.
Photo 2 – Village and Red Force stands in foreground; Blue Forces enter at far end of the table.
Photo 3 – Opposite view, Blue Forces will move from left to right.
Photo 4 – Blue Forces, Platoon Ldr, Platoon SGT, Recon, and 4 squads (19 stands)
Photo 5 – Red Forces, Local Commander, 2 Scouts, and 2 squads (15 stands)
Seven markers (blinds) were used to show the locations hidden Muffintop forces, 4 real and 3 dummies. One squad was set up in the village, the second on the hillside below the trail and above the road. A scout was set-up to watch the approaches along the valley road and the hillside trail with an IED buried along the valley road.
Blue Forces sent the Platoon Ldr, 1st and 2nd squads along the valley road, with the Platoon SGT, 3rd and 4th squads moving along the hillside.
Photo 6 – 1st and 2nd squads in foreground along valley road.
Photo 7 – View along the valley road looking toward Village VM-3
Photo 8 – SGT Rodreguz leads the way up the valley
Photo 9 – Initial contact IED explosion on the valley road, no casualties
ALL HELL breaks loose, as a fusillade of small arms fire breaks out in the valley and on the hillside.
Photo 10 – Muffintop (red) forces open small arms fire on 2nd Squad along the valley road, no casualties
Photo 11 – Muffintop (red) forces open devastating small arms fire on 3rd squad, 3 stands killed!
With the ambush triggered, the hillside Muffintop force tries to break contact, but 4th squad has moved up, into the firefight. 4th squad fire is effective, driving back the Red force.
Photo 12 – Fire and movement on the hillside – tough going for the Muffintops.
Photo 13 – 2nd Squad advances up the valley toward the village; Muffintop forces have withdrawn from village approaches.
Photo 14 – Muffintops scramble to exit the backside of the village
Photo 15 – The Muffintop press in the village is taken under fire from 4th squad. They flee, leaving several fallen in the street. Several villagers are also killed.
Photo 16 – Campaign Map
The Muffintop forces (Red) had a good plan and executed their initial ambush well. Their difficulty arose in attempting to break contact with the aggressive 3rd Platoon (Blue) force. Blue forces lost 3 stands in the hillside ambush, while the Red forces lost 4 stands in the withdrawal through the village.
It was a fun game, and I believe both players had fun. Players and GM adjourned to Analia's for post-game gyros and beverages.
More to come …
Ponder on,
JAS
