Cuba Libre!

[bigjackmac]

All,

Well, it's happened.  I started my blog almost two years ago because I was inspired by some small-scale gaming and modern Imagi-nations, and I'm finally getting into it.  The invasion of Cuba by Cuban exiles (the Cuba Liberation Army) seeking to overthrow the Castros and reclaim the island nation (so they can take it to war all over the world to satisfy my gaming needs).

It's 0300 on 1 Feb 1990, and the invasion is set to begin.  A large Cuban Liberation Army (CLA) landing force is approaching the island from the west, and so CLA Special Operations Forces (SOF) B Squadron, previously infiltrated into Cuba, have been tasked to destroy a key radar site on the Peninsula de Guana Hagabibes.


The CLA force, from B Squadron of the CLA Special Operations Force, which had infiltrated Cuba several months ago: a Command Stand, four Special Operations stands, an LMG stand, a Gustav 84mm rocket launcher, and a Jeep mounting a .50-cal HMG.


The Castro-regime force, from the 27th Infantry Company, 3rd Cuban Infantry Battalion: a Command Stand, five rifle stands, a general purpose (RPG-type) rocket, an 82mm mortar, and an armored car.


Overview of the table, with right being north, CLA on the bottom (east) and regime forces on the top (west), with the radar site at top right (northwest).


The Charlie G takes a shot at the enemy armored car.

For the whole battle, please check the blog at:
http://blackhawkhet.blogspot.com/2015/05/cuba-libre-liberation-batrep-1.html

It was fun and exactly what I'd hoped for using less forces than normal and on a smaller (2' x 2') board, and a great start to the campaign.  I've got quite a few more of these on the way.

V/R,
Jack

[Techno]

Great report, Jack. 
Shows just what can be achieved on a small area. 
Cheers - Phil.

[Duke Speedy of Leighton]

Nice report Jack.
Viva la revaluation!

[Steve J]

Excellent stuff . Always good to see games on a small table.

[Bodvoc]

Inspiring stuff.

[bigjackmac]

Thanks guys, I appreciate.  I've gotten three games in so far, with more to come this afternoon when the wifey takes the kids to a birthday party, and I'm getting them written up as fast as I can.  Hope you like them.

V/R,
Jack

[Last Hussar]

So how many are Not-SEALS -or-CIA-honest?

[bigjackmac]

LH,

In the background for the campaign, I clearly stated they were former SEALs and CIA.  Honest   

V/R,
Jack

[petercooman]

Looks like a great game! When my acw forces are finished, i'll have to get back to finishing my single based ww2 models, so i can do stuff like this!

[Last Hussar]

Former.  Yes of course. Uncle Sam knows nothing. 

[paulr]

Former.  Yes of course. Uncle Sam knows nothing. 

Sounds a bit like the 'former' Russian soldiers in Ukraine, Uncle Vladimir knows nothing 

[bigjackmac]

All I'm sure of is, I know nothing.

Except the (fake) Castro brothers are going down in my (fake) invasion kicking off my (fake) war. 

V/R,
Jack

[bigjackmac]

Stay tuned, I'll have another for you tomorrow.  I got a total of five games in this weekend, just need to get them written up.

V/R,
Jack

[ronan]

Good AAR !
Thanks for sharing.

( Some days ago, I was asking myself about your games... Didn't see any report for days...    So you were working on this ?    )

[bigjackmac]

Ronan,

Yes Sir, I've been painting and basing to get ready for this, hope you like it.

V/R,
Jack

[bigjackmac]

All,

It's 0515 on 1 Feb 1990, and the CLA SOF'S C Squadron has been dispatched to destroy a key regime Communications Center aboard a military base in Santiago de Cuba, at the east end of the island.


The protagonists: a Command stand, four SOF Teams, 2 Popular Force teams, and an 84mm Carl Gustav rocket team.

The target is the Communications Center for the entire Cuban Army, located deep in the heart of the Santiago de Cuba Army base.  The SOF teams are infiltrating the Cuban Army base with assistance of local Popular Force members of the CLA, who are co-optees that are civilian workers and members of the Cuban Army stationed at Santiago de Cuba.  The SOF teams infiltrated Cuba months ago, and are now set to be smuggled aboard the military base in 'borrowed' Cuban Army trucks.


The antagonists: members of the 31st Infantry Company, 9th Cuban Infantry Battalion, responsible for physical security of the Cuban Army Communications Center, which has its own perimeter within the confines of the military installation.  They have a Command Stand, five rifle teams, an HMG team, and an MMG team.


Overview, north is up.  The Comm Center is at top center, with the Command Post at top right.  At top, the bunkers are, from left to right, Bunkers 1, 2, and 3.  At the southern end of the table are three Cuban Army barracks, left to right, Barracks 1, 2, and 3.  The CLA SOF are at bottom left, entering in three Cuban Army trucks.  The MMG team is in B1, the HMG in B2, with rifle teams in the Comm Center and B3 and the Command Stand next to the Comm Center.  The three remaining regime rifle teams will enter the board at random locations once the shooting starts.


The CLA forces steel closer to their objective...


Then spring from their trucks onto the unsuspecting garrison.  A short, sharp firefight ensues.

To see the whole fight, pleas check the blog at:
http://blackhawkhet.blogspot.com/2015/06/cuba-libre-liberation-batrep-2.html

More to come.

V/R,
Jack

[Techno]

Another very comprehensive report, Jack. 
Cheers - Phil

[Duke Speedy of Leighton]

Good one Jack!

[bigjackmac]

Thanks Phil and Lemmey, I'm working on the next one.

V/R,
Jack

[bigjackmac]

All,

It's 0530 on 1 Feb 1990, and A Airborne Infantry Company, 1st CLA Airborne Battalion, has been dispatched to seize a key bridge east of Sandino (on the western end of the island), held by elements of the 24th Provincial Militia Company, 3rd Cuban Infantry Battalion.  The regime forces are occupying emplacements on both sides of the river, and the CLA Airborne troopers are attacking from all points of the compass.


This is battle 3 of the fight for Cuba.

In the overall scheme of things, CLA SOF Squadron B took out a radar site on the west end of the island (1) to help screen the advance of the troopships carrying 3rd Infantry Battalion, 4th Infantry Battalion, and 5th Armored Battalion, scheduled to land on the western end of the island in the La Fe area.  Almost simultaneously, CLA SOF Squadron C took out a Cuban military communications center (2) on the eastern end of the island, in order to hamper C4ISR for the Cuban military.  Now 1st Parachute Battalion is dropping east of La Fe in order to screen the landings in the west from the Cuban garrison at Pinar del Rio.  In this fight, A Company, 1st Abn Bn, is attempting to seize a key bridge in order to block Cuban Army forces from Pinar del Rio attacking the beachead, and then to enable 5th Armored Battalion's route of attack on Havana.


Elements of A Co, 1st Abn Bn: Command Stand (Captain Olejandro), six Airborne rifle teams, an HMG team, and a MILAN team.  Additionally, there is a single leader figure on the board, representing Colonel Bartolo Lucastro, Commanding Officer of the CLA's 1st Airborne Infantry Battalion.  His figure will basically be treated as a second command stand, able to assist any friendly unit on the table.


Elements of the 24th Provincial Militia Company, 3rd Cuban Infantry Battalion: a Command Stand (forgive me, I'm using a single figure stand as I don't have a 'proper' Command Stand for this force), three rifle teams, three rifle teams with RPGs, and pickup truck-mounted 12.7mm HMG.


Overview, north is up.  The regime garrison is at center, sitting astride the river, and CLA paratroopers are in all four corners.


The fighting at Bunker 1 was legendary.

A great fight, really a back-and forth affair that was only sealed due to the gallantry and combat leadership of...  Well, you'll have to check out the batrep at:
http://blackhawkhet.blogspot.com/2015/06/cuba-libre-liberation-batrep-3.html

Two more fights to write up and post.

V/R,
Jack