Royals in Helmand

[bigjackmac]

Thanks guys.  And no Royal Marines games this weekend; they're on a stand down until I get my 'proper' Taliban painted up. 

I also think I'm going to flip the script a bit here (recall that I just kind of hopped into this without any planning); I'm thinking about changing this up.  I'm thinking these should be Royal Marines in Parwan Province 2002, then follow them through Iraq (maybe OIF I in 2003, then in Basra in 2007).  Then out to Helmand in 2011.  Maybe even hit a little Libya and/or Syria?

V/R,
Jack

[toxicpixie]

I dunno, but I do hope when CWCII is released it's got stats for actual modern stuff, and 10mm figures not far behind.

I'd quite like a Mastiff or three in 10mm, now!

Good games, Jack

[Duke Speedy of Leighton]

Btw Jack, you need to watch all three series of this:
https://youtu.be/qvhZC2LP18M

[toxicpixie]

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaargh what have they done to the pitch?!

That's terrible :S

[Ithoriel]

Btw Jack, you need to watch all three series of this:
https://youtu.be/qvhZC2LP18M

Also this: Gary: Tank Commander

[fsn]

Btw Jack, you need to watch all three series of this:
https://youtu.be/qvhZC2LP18M

Yes. Yes, you do. 

[Duke Speedy of Leighton]

Gary Tank Commander! Classic!

[bigjackmac]

Looks cool, but I don't know when I'll ever have time!

V/R,
Jack

[bigjackmac]

All,

First up, a couple admin notes:

1.  We're changing the script.  First, I've been using 45 Commando as my unit, and that's a real unit.  It happened because I wasn't planning on a campaign and I thought it was cool to throw in, but I'm not a fan of using real units for a lot of reasons, in particular because these brave men (and women?  I don't know if the battalion has women or not) are still in harm's way.  So, the unit we are following is now a rifle section from 27 Commando, Royal Marines.  Second, I'm backing this whole thing up; this started as "Royals in Helmand (Province)" in 2011, but now I've got bigger plans.  So this is now 25 Commando, Royal Marines in Parwan Province, May 2002.  I plan on following these brave lads through this tour in Afghanistan, then the invasion of Iraq in 2003 against Saddam's troops, then in peace-keeping operations in Basra, Iraq (not sure which year yet), then we'll do Helmand Province in Afghanistan, then maybe look at Libya during the Khaddafi takedown, and maybe even Syria versus ISIS.  So we are now in Afghanistan, based out of Bagram Airbase, in 2002.

2.  A lot of folks have been asking me what changes I've made to "Five Men At Kursk" to 'modernize' it a bit.  My changes are in this blogpost, on the blog.

It's now 24 May 2002*, twelve days since the last fight, and the section is out on a presence patrol, showing the flag and keeping the peace, looking to warm the populace up as the first elections are drawing near.  A day that would be known as Black Friday for the Marines of 27 Commando...


The patrol moves up, and enemy troops come on the table. Overview of map, north is up.  There is a village at right, an outcropping at bottom left (southwest), a smattering of trees, bushes, and cultivated fields, a hardball road running southeast to northwest, and two canals fordable by men, but at a movement penalty.  There are also a couple stone walls in play, serving as hard cover.

To witness the carnage, please check the blog at:
http://blackhawkhet.blogspot.com/2016/07/royals-in-parwan-fight-4.html

Well, I don't hope you liked it, but I hope you enjoyed the game.  I'm caught up, now to get some more fights in this coming weekend.

V/R,
Jack

[Duke Speedy of Leighton]

Good report.
Anyone with a VC would have been home for their own safety by now anyway

[Techno]

 

Cheers - Phil

[bigjackmac]

Thanks guy, and he's home now, just not the way I wanted.

I even cheated a little bit; for Sarge I did the casualty roll, came up "severely wounded, evac'ed home, discharged due to his wounds."  So I tried again, and came up the same thing.  I stuck with it, then rolled the next guy, got the same damn thing...

V/R,
Jack

[bigjackmac]

All,

It's now 3 June 2002, ten days since the last fight, and the "Loya Jirga" ("Grand Assembly, where tribal leaders were invited to Kabul to vote on the leadership of a transitional government) is drawing near.  Pasha Gul of Khowt Gin has been invited, but the Royal Marines have received information that the Pasha (as many have been) is being targeted by the Taliban, as well as powerful warlords, trying to sway his vote, or keep him from voting altogether.  Pasha Gul is determined to make the trip to Kabul; in order to ensure his safety he's been offered helicopter transport, as well as an armed convoy, both from ISAF.  But not wanting to look a tool of the Westerners, he has declined both, insisting there is no threat.  But battalion has received credible information the Taliban is moving on the Pasha this very moment.  This comes at a very bad time, when much of the battalion is already committed, so our rifle section, beat up as it is, is sent.

It's 2345 local time; the section has moved as quick as possible to Khowt Gin, and now they have dismounted and are entering the Pasha's compound on foot.


Overview, north is up.  The Pasha's compound is at far right, with another villager's home just below (bottom right), a third home at bottom left, and an orchard between them.  There is a dense thicket of woods at center left, known as Central Park, and other than that the battlefield is made up of cultivated fields.  You can see the forces at right; a bit of a disparity with nine bad guys and five good, but the Royal Marines will have the advantage of night vision gear.

To see how the fight went, please check the blog at:
http://blackhawkhet.blogspot.com/2016/07/royals-in-parwan-fight-5.html

These fights have been very quick and bloody; I reckon none of these have taken up more than four minutes of 'real-life' time.  It certainly feels right for the era.  I hope you liked it, I'm working on the next one.  I only got two games in this past weekend, both RMs in Afghanistan, though the table is set for Panzer Aces.  I've also been painting...

V/R,
Jack

[Duke Speedy of Leighton]

Good report!
Sounds like they've been set up with Faruq 'It is agreed' Harrif.

[Techno]

Nice one, Jack. 

Cheers - Phil.

[bigjackmac]

Thanks guys. 

And Lemmey, your friend there looks quite formidable; perhaps his real name is "Ahma Faq-Uyap."  Then you get to my alias: "Ah-Sheet Mahdrahrs."

Working on the next batrep.

V/R,
Jack

[bigjackmac]

All,

It's now 20 June 2002, seventeen days since the last fight, and Royal Marines are in Kabul.  They escorted Pasha Gul safely to the Loya Jirga, and maintained security for it (as part of ISAF) until its close on 19 June 2002.  But with their protection mission completed the Section is looking to visit the merchant recommended them by Pasha Gul, the man that can tell them who ambushed them and their location.


The outskirts of Kabul, north is up.  A built up area with a canal running north-south down its center, the Marines will enter from the east (right), looking to reach the Merchant's home and place of business, the large compound at far left.  You can also see the forces at right, ten Marines and ten Taliban.

To see how the fight went, please check the blog at:
http://blackhawkhet.blogspot.com/2016/07/royals-in-parwan-fight-6.html

More to come, though first up will be the second Panzer Aces fight from the tank platoon embroiled in Operation Barbarossa.

V/R,
Jack

[Duke Speedy of Leighton]

Terry took a tonking!!

[Techno]

 

But I need to come back, and read it really properly later.

Cheers - Phil

[bigjackmac]

Thanks guys, and Phil: hurry up with the proper read

V/R,
Jack