Turkish invasion of Cyprus 1974

[Lord Kermit of Birkenhead]

Both sound good to me.

[Sunray]

Yes, more work in progress. There was a bigger Turkish drop around Gonyeli that the BBC captured on camera.

Hopefully the book "Ripped Apart" that Nobby recommended will unpack the invasion with a a time line and decent maps.

What is emerging is a lot of small isolated actions. Dingo scout cars in fire fights with MG positions etc. All very attractive for a decent skirmish in 10mm. 

[Big Insect]

The Cypriots were very good at deception against the Turks.
There is an incident where the Cypriot Greeks manage to impersonate their Turkish opposite numbers, and get the Turkish air-force to attack some of their own naval shipping, destroying one vessel and badly damaging another.

If I remember correctly you also have Greek paratroopers being jumped into Cyprus, as well as the Turks doing the same. That might create an interesting scenario - 2 opposing para-jumps one to attack a position and one to support the defenders.

Personally I think there is a lot of scope for small actions.

The Greek National Guard were using M3/M5 half-tracks and Marmot Herrington armoured cars, supported by Walker Bulldogs, out in the Greek islands (up until c.1989). So there might be an option for some poorer grade reinforcements from that direction as well.

Mark

[sultanbev]

The Turks did take a single Valentine AVLB to Cyprus, a fabuluous model of which is available in 3d resin in any scale you like.
https://battlefield3d.com/product/valentine-bridgelayer/
{Even in 10mm the bridge folds, just, although after it is painted it probably wouldn't}

A scenario where the the Greeks have blown a road culvert in rough ground and the Turks need to bridge the gap to get any vehicles across - infantry on foot can bypass, but the vehicles are stuck in the open, but need to get across to help the infantry clear the Greek defenders away... or something like that.

[Sunray]

If I remember correctly you also have Greek paratroopers being jumped into Cyprus, as well as the Turks doing the same. That might create an interesting scenario - 2 opposing para-jumps one to attack a position and one to support the defenders.

Personally I think there is a lot of scope for small actions.

Mark

That would be Operation Niki, you refer to Mark. 21 July 74.  The Commando battalion did not jump- the plan was to airlift them to the airport. But CNG gunners were not informed and we had blue on blue. The battalion regrouped and fought on as the ELDYK.
As you rightly say- lots of small skermish type table sized actions.

[Sunray]

Well, due to my son's chest of WW2 6mm, the first sortie will be in that scale.

Very impressed with my new copy of CWC2 delivered by Santa. The right format of rules and, eye candy to inspire a better paint job! Well done Mark and play tester team. And not forgetting Leon who saw the project through difficult times.

I am waiting for "Ripped Apart" with its maps and OOBs before translation to table top.

Currently painting up CNG and Turkish figures.(a mix of Magister Miltrum, Baccus, IM, H&R and Scotia G. The British WW2 helmets and khaki drill are neat looking.I upgraded small arms firepower with GPMGs.

Conscious of the Cypriot deficiency in modern armour and airpower I am making to counter-factual changes:

The National Guard have improved anti tank performance - Charlie Gs, 106RR and ATGMs-either Vigilant or A3 Sagger ATGM (xd6 decides what arms dealer supplies).

Same with AAA. A battery of Shilka and/or a battery of SAM 2.

I might beef up the T34s with acouple of SU-100s if xd6 allows!