Team Whiskey - WWIII Fulda Gap Campaign

[bigjackmac]

Ian and Lemmey - Yeah, I heard the news: once again NATO forces have let down Team Whiskey, and we shall be falling back again...  I can't wait to hear how my buddy (Andy, AKA "Sediment") did.

Phil - Yeah man, check's in the mail!    "Can I have my sick note now..."  I can't believe you're being such a sissy about this, Phil!  What happened to the 'stiff upper lip,' etc? 
Hell, I was trying to get you whacked this time, but somehow the bad guys kept missing 

I'm working on the next batrep, it'll be another two-parter though.  Phil and Lemmey, be happy you weren't this company commander 

V/R,
Jack

[toxicpixie]

Jack - for what the rest of NATO has been up to, have a look here - http://coldwarcommanders.blogspot.co.uk/2015/09/battle-for-hanover-aar-part-one.html

[bigjackmac]

TP,

I'd seen the stuff on TMP/TWW, but hadn't looked at the blog.  WOW!!!!  Some great photos there, and I'm incredibly jealous.  I vow to someday take part in such a grand wargaming event!

V/R,
Jack

[toxicpixie]

Just wish I could swing a weekend extra free a year to go as well 

They're off for a dip in the Med next year!

[Lord Kermit of Birkenhead]

It's 12 months away - so start planning now.

Possible armies - Greek, Turkish, Italian, Spanish, USMC, Russian, Bulgarian, Syrian, Egyptian, Lybian, and may be more.

There must flights from Texas to Manchester, or go the whole roasted hog and hire a busjet, fly into Broughton, we are on an airfield. For SWMBO there is Liverpool and Chester.....

IanS

[Sean67]

Gutted the 10th Guards Tank Division got stuck in Southern Bavaria and couldn't make it
But I will try again next year.!
Regards
Sean

[Lord Kermit of Birkenhead]

Sean - you would have got the Aunt Sally job, Hold the Brits, and Chefiy and Chally wall to wall with more guns than used on the Somme....

Andy Canham had a good time with his anyway. My ears are still ringing from the shells, much fun.

IanS

[bigjackmac]

I don't know why I didn't think of simply chartering a plane 

I would love to put some USMC together for a landing in the Aegean, that would be cool!

I'm glad you guys had a great time, and it looked amazing.  I haven't seen Andy post anything on his blog yet, I suppose I need to go prod him

V/R,
Jack

[bigjackmac]

All,

It's 1230 on 6 August 1986, and Team Whiskey is in flux.  The Soviets have sent multiple columns forward, with V Corps having a decidedly hard time in determining which represent the main Soviet effort, largely due to the fact the Soviets have continually pressed forward with very strong (by US standards) reconnaissance elements, degraded US battlefield intelligence (due to casualties, Electronic Warfare by the Soviets, and the NBC environment), and the NATO focus on getting the German populace away from the contaminated areas.  To this end, the West German 5th Panzer Division charged and sacrificed itself, buying time for V Corps to rearrange its defenses and continue to evacuate the civilians.  Amongst this mess of civilians, friendly, and enemy vehicles and troops, Team Whiskey ended up pushing elements forward into Frankfurt am Main to counter an enemy armored formation moving into the urban area, threatening the evacuation.

Team Whiskey pushes forward Captain Keepers' Kilo Company, still under-strength, but only in existence due to the fact 11th ACR has collapsed 3rd and 4th Squadrons together to form one, retaining the name "Team Whiskey" as more of 4th Squadron's officers were still in the field.  Only two of Kilo's three platoons were ready for the fight, and even then they had no vehicles, and were supported by tanks of Lt Sorenson's 4th Tank Platoon, though only a couple tanks were able to make it in time for the fight.

The NATO situation with regards to making up for combat losses, as well as keeping up logistics to support what little is left, has gotten desperate.


The opposing forces, with Soviets on the left and US on the right.  As usual, a whole lot against not quite enough   This is a positional defense game, with the US trying to block the Soviet axis of advance by retaining at least three of five key buildings, and the Soviets trying to take them.

The US force, centered around Kilo Company under Captain Keepers.  They have 1st and 2nd Mech Inf platoons, under Lt Ditteaux and a transplant from 3rd Sqdn, 11th ACR: Lt Rownnan.  The CO has an M577, while both platoon leaders have M-113s with .50 cal HMGs.  Then there are eight rifle teams, two MG teams, two TOW ATGM teams, four 81mm mortar tubes, and an AH-64 Apache.  Coming in a bit late will be two M1 Abrams of Lt Sorenson's 4th Tank Platoon.

The Soviets have four command teams with vehicles, 18 BMPs, 18 rifle teams, four T-72s, a ZSU-23/4 air defense vehicle, and three on-call fire missions from direct support 122mm SPGs (off table).


The table, looking south to north, with US forces spread across the center of the table from left to right (west to east), while the Soviets are spread across the top center and top right.  The US defender is trying to cover the whole board, while the Soviet commander had put all his troops from north-south road at center to right (east).

The blue circles are the objective buildings, and the winner is the one who controls three of them by game's end.  Each US platoon has a command stand, M-113, four rifle teams, an MG team, and a TOW.  The CO is at center right, with 1st Platoon, while the US mortars are at bottom right.  The Apache is in a low hover at bottom left.


A US TOW launcher fires a missile at Soviet BMPs. To see how the fight's going, please check the blog at:
http://blackhawkhet.blogspot.com/2015/09/team-whiskey-fulda-gap-batrep-6-part-i.html

Well, that's all for now kids, stay tuned for the stunning conclusion!

V/R,
Jack

[Techno]

Very good, again, Jack ! 
Cheers - Phil

[Duke Speedy of Leighton]

Nice report Jack😎

[bigjackmac]

Thanks guys, hoping to have Part II up tonight, though it may have to wait until tomorrow.

V/R,
Jack

[Techno]

Jack......You DO realise.........

That if my character gets splatted.....The chances of you getting your figure 'wants' done, at some stage in the future, will decrease significantly.
(Not that I'm trying to influence the outcome of the campaign, in any way.)

Cheers - Phil

[bigjackmac]

Phil,

In that case, I must inform you that I recently purchased US Marines with M-14s in 15mm, as there were none available in 10mm.   

So, the only leverage you have on me are the US Marines for Guadalcanal.  So, I suggest you hurry, Mr. Techno 

Splatted, eh?  There are fates worse than death, and I don't make idle threats 

Take care man, and hopefully I can get the next part up tonight.

V/R,
Jack

[Techno]

 
Cheers - Phil

[bigjackmac]

All,

Here is the second part and finale of Batrep 6, fighting in the outskirts of Frankfurt-am Main.  The quick refresher is this: the US right flank is crumbling, almost entirely gone, and the overall tactical commander, Captain Keepers (of Kilo Company), has gone down fighting.  The US left flank, a Mech Infantry Platoon (under Lt Rownnan) and part of a tank platoon (under Lt Sorenson), is fending off attacks on its side, and preparing to counterattack to the right in order to kick the Soviets out of the objective buildings (there are five, and the winner is the one that has three, with the US down to two at this point).


The 2nd Mech Plt TOW opens up on Soviet BMPs near the central crossroads.


While, from the opposite perspective, BMPs launch Spandrels at US M1 Abrams.  To see how the fight turned out, please check the blog at:
http://blackhawkhet.blogspot.com/2015/10/team-whiskey-fulda-gap-batrep-6-part-ii.html

We'll see if you guys are really reading these; if so, there should be plenty of comments

V/R,
Jack

[Techno]

Your dice rolls need improving ? 

That was a bit of a one sided battle. (Says someone who doesn't understand the actual mechanics of the game. )
I still enjoyed reading it though.

Cheers - Phil

[Duke Speedy of Leighton]

Heck of a scrap! Nice one chap.

[bigjackmac]

Hey, thanks guys.

And Phil, what is it you're having a hard time with?  I'd love to see if I can clear it up for you.  After all, if you're going to sculpt warriors from pre-history through now to the future, I would expect you need to be familiar with every facet of strategy and tactics for every single period of warfare

V/R,
Jack

[Techno]

And Phil,  I would expect you need to be familiar with every facet of strategy and tactics for every single period of warfare

If only ! 

Cheers - Phil