Operation Chunky Bandit

[bigjackmac]

Terry - Thanks for the kind words, I appreciate it.  Yes, I mostly play solo, and not sure how big the board is (terrible memory), probably about 36" x 18". I can take a look when I get home; it's gridded, so not really an issue of how big the board is, just that your aircraft fit your grid.  These 'Battle of Britain' rules are super simple, but I'm having a blast with them.

Thanks Phil!

V/R,
Jack

[bigjackmac]

All,

It's 0530 on 27 July 1990 in the country of South Leon.  We are with the Cuban Liberation Air Force's (CLAF) 407th Tactical Fighter Squadron, AKA the "Bonesaws," and they are entering the fight in South Leon.  Three days ago, the Communist Army from Federation Socialiste Nationale de Leon (FSNL), South Leon's malignant neighbor to the north, launched an all out invasion of South Leon, seizing the nation's capital.  The CLAF's 301st Tactical Fighter Squadron, AKA the "Flying Boxcars," led by Major "Viper" Culero, happened to be stationed in South Leon when the Communists invaded.  Over the past three days they've been bled dry in a series of aerial battles that saw the Cubans lose 14 of 18 F-4 Phantoms and four pilots, while the Communists lost 17 MiG-21 Fishbeds and 17 Su-22 Fitters.  Despite having a better than 2-1 kill ratio, the Boxcars failed in their mission to protect the South Leon Army (SLA) Headquarters, Marshalling Area, and Logistics Hub, all of which lie in ashes due to the Communist bombing campaign, knocking SLA Command and Control offline and crippling their resources and infrastructure to rapidly respond to the Communist invasion.  This is drawing plenty of negative attention at all levels, to include the South Leon military and civilian government, and that has the Cuban national command authority somewhat embarrassed.  By all accounts, Major Culero is a CLAF hero, but the heat is on and there are rumblings he should be relieved of command.

But the Bonesaws, commanded by Captain "Masters" Barrientos, have arrived just in the nick of time, buying Major Culero time to reconstitute his decimated squadron and reorganize as new pilots and machines arrive.  Captain Barrientos immediately, and not so humbly, takes up the gauntlet; "don't worry, Major, Bone 01 is here to save your ass!"  And with that, Captain Barrientos led a six-ship flight, comprised of brand-spanking new F-16 Fighting Falcons provided by the United States, on a classic fighter sweep, to let the Commies know there's a new sheriff in town.


Some new hardware!  Versus MiG-21s, should be a pushover.


Not quite...


But things get straightened out.

To see the fight, please check the blog at:
https://cubalibrewargame.blogspot.com/2019/08/operation-chunky-bandit-24-air.html?m=1

I've played plenty of fights, working on all the batreps, stay tuned!

V/R,
Jack

[bigjackmac]

All,

Having just completed a relatively short (10-game) campaign in WWII Greece (https://blackhawkhet.blogspot.com/search/label/Peter%20Mini-Campaign), I wanted to stretch my legs a bit, see how the campaign system would do with a much longer series of fights, so it's back to South Leon.  Not heard of South Leon?  Well, here's the catch up:

Free Cuba (those are the good guys) deployed a small force, Task Group Fulgencio (a company of Marines, a company of paratroopers, and a detachment of Special Forces), to the fictional west African nation of South Leon on 1 May 1990, to assist the government of South Leon with its internal insurgency by the Free Leon Army (FLA), which is supported by its Communist neighbor to the north, Fédération Socialiste Nationale de Leon (FSNL).

On 24 July 1990 the country of FSNL mounted a full-scale invasion of its democratic neighbor to the south. The South Leon Army was quickly cast aside and the Communist forces penetrated far south, all the way to the South Leon capital of Pendrakenville.

Cuban leadership quickly deliberated: cut losses and pull out of South Leon, or stand by their ally. The Cubans decided to up the ante, and staged a counter-invasion on 27 July 1990, where two airborne drops blocked access to the beaches where another company of Marines (TF Bowie) and a mechanized infantry company (TF Hammer) were brought ashore.

The recently landed Cuban forces pushed east (Task Group Halabrio), but the combined FSNL/FLA defenses solidified and stiffened near Route 1, the main north-south running highway. This not only left the Cuban invasion force, known collectively as Task Group Halabrio, about ten kilometers short of Pendrakenville, it also left their brothers from Task Group Fulgencio cut off southwest of the capital city.

This map campaign begins with Phase 2 of Operation Chunky Bandit: the concept of operations is for the SLA mechanized infantry battalion, with TF Black, to remain in/around Hill 114 in order to interdict enemy resupply/reinforcement coming from FSNL, and Task Group Halabrio (Task Forces Hammer, Hawk, Dusty, Bowie, and 23) push east to engage Communist forces in order to allow the cut-off elements of Task Group Fulgencio (Task Forces Redleg and Razor) to breakthrough to the west and join up with their comrades.

Immediately following Task Group Fulgencio's breakout, Phase 3 will begin, the objective of which is to liberate Pendrakenville. The SLA mechanized infantry battalion will continue to interdict Communist resupply/reinforcement efforts from FSNL, while Task Group Fulgencio will merge with Task Group Halabrio and push east to defeat Communist forces and take Pendrakenville.

More info here:
https://cubalibrewargame.blogspot.com/2020/05/operation-chunky-bandit-mini-campaign.html

The first fight sees Major Chavez leads his TF Hammer straight east, assaulting the FSNL 3rd Company's positions.  The overall Task Group commander, Major Halabrio, has decided to attach himself to the assault element, leaving Major Chavez in overall commander but willing and able to assist as necessary, functioning as a second command stand for the Cubans.


The Cubans (left) push forward on a broad front.


But it's not long before the Communists spring their ambush.


And the RPGs are flying like mad!


But hey,  all's well that ends well

To see the whole fight, please check the blog at:
https://cubalibrewargame.blogspot.com/2020/05/operation-chunky-bandit-27-ground.html

Next up we have 1st Lt Madre-Animral's TF Bowie attacking the FSNL's 4th Company.

V/R,
Jack

[Lord Kermit of Birkenhead]

Read the first sentance of 1st post as year 1615 - wondered what jets were doing in the 17th century

[bigjackmac]

Yes, that would be problematic

V/R,
Jack

[Techno]

Nice one, Jack ! 

Cheers - Phil

[bigjackmac]

Thanks Phil!

V/R,
Jack

[bigjackmac]

All,

1000 on 4 Aug 1990
Mini-Campaign Fight #2
TF Bowie vs FSNL 4th Company

1st Lt Madre-Animral leads the tough Marines of TF Bowie straight east, assaulting the FSNL 4th Company's positions.  This is a simple attack/defend scenario; the Cuban goal is to crush their enemies on the way to the capital, the Communist goal is to hold the ground.


No sooner does the Cuban attack jump off then they run into enemy infantry (far right).


Return fire is intense and Lt Madre-Animral dashes forward under heavy fire to rally the troops!


Stymied on the right, the Cubans try the left, bringing up their LAV-25 and more infantry.


But the Communists are quick to counter!

To see how the fight went, please check the blog at:
https://cubalibrewargame.blogspot.com/2020/05/operation-chunky-bandit-28-ground.html

Next up we have 1st Lt Espinale's TF Hawk attacking the FLA's 2nd Company.

V/R,
Jack

[Sunray]

Jack - as entertaining as ever.  Thank you for posting.

Apologies if I am repeating a questions asked earlier - but what is the base mat material you are using ?

[bigjackmac]

Hey, thanks a bunch!

The surface is actually three 24" x 12" particle boards that are flocked and that I foolishly drew a 1" grid on...

V/R,
Jack

[Last Hussar]

I like the Pipe Cleaner High Explosive Anti Tank (PCHEAT)

[Duke Speedy of Leighton]

Nice one Jack.

[Techno]

Wot Will sed ! 

Cheers - Phil

[Last Hussar]

Isn't 'Chunky Bandit' FSNs Tinder profile?

[bigjackmac]

Thanks, everyone!  And Chunky Bandit... Tinder...  Oh my...

V/R,
Jack

[fsn]

 

Guilty!

[bigjackmac]

All,

1000 on 4 Aug 1990
Mini-Campaign Fight #3
TF Hawk vs FLA 2nd Company

1st Lt Espinale leads his TF Hawk straight east, assaulting the FLA 2nd Company's positions.  This is a simple attack/defend scenario; the Cuban goal is to crush their enemies on the way to the capital, the Communist goal is to hold the ground.


Free Cuban forces (far left) are rushing headlong into an ambush!


Which is, of course, initiated with an RPG.


What is this, Cuban forces falling back (far left), leaving a burning Chieftain and FV-432 (far right) behind???

To see what happened, please check the blog at:
https://cubalibrewargame.blogspot.com/2020/05/operation-chunky-bandit-29-ground.html

Next up we have 1st Lt Ordonez' TF Redleg attacking the FSNL's 5th Company.

V/R,
Jack

[Duke Speedy of Leighton]

Ouch, the Cubans took a beating!

[bigjackmac]

Yeah, things got ugly quick

V/R,
Jack

[Techno]

Good one, Jack !

Cheers - Phil