All,
First up, let's get an overview of what's going on: South Leon is a (fictional) country on the west coast of Africa, and while no saints are they, they are quasi-democratic and were a lynchpin in Western military outlook of staving off the 'Domino Theory.' So while Communism worldwide has taken some fiscal hits and Westerners have thus lost their interest in helping out South Leon, who is surrounded by a neighbor, Fédération Socialiste Nationale de Leon (FSNL), which is Communist insofar as it gets them money from Soviet Union in order to carry on their tribal/territorial antagonism of South Leon.
FSNL, in concert with a domestic insurgency fronted by the "Free Leon Army" (FLA), began turning up the heat on the South Leon government and so on 1 May1990, Free Cuba dispatched a Task Group under Major Fulgencio to South Leon. A company of Marines was sent north to the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) with FSNL, a company of paratroopers was dispatched to the insurgency's hotspot in the east-central city of Diwala, and various other assets were deployed around the country in order to bolster South Leon government and military efforts. The Cubans began training host nation forces and patrolling, and the Cuban Marines drew first blood in a series of sharp clashes with troops crossing the border through the DMZ in early June. Things died down again until mid-July when the Cuban paratroopers were flung into a sudden maelstrom of violence in Diwala. Casualties were heavy on both sides, so the Cuban paras (Task Force Razor) were pulled out of Diwala to rest and refit, and the Cuban Marines (Task Force Redleg) were pulled back from the DMZ in order to cover TF Razor.
Which was a stroke of extraordinary fortune, because on 24 July 1990 the armed forces of FSNL staged a full-scale invasion of South Leon, pouring men and tanks across the border, crushing South Leon Army elements in their way. South Leon armed forces made their stand just short of the capital of Pendrakenville, halting the Communist advance, but the dagger was thrust deep. Presidente Waraldonez and Defense Minister Estevante held emergency meetings to decide whether to evacuate Task Group Fulgencio or reinforce them; reinforce was the unanimous decision, and Cuban forces were mounted out immediately. A mechanized company, a second Marine company, a second para company, and various armor, air, special operations, intelligence, and support elements were immediately dispatched by air (heavy lift capability rumored to be provided by the US Air Force). But due to the FSNL/FLA penetration of South Leon, it was determined forced entry operations would be necessary in order to secure locations to bring Cuban heavy equipment ashore.
A plan was quickly hatched for an airborne assault, in two pieces: Operation Geronimo, a combat drop by E Company, 6 Para (covered separately), and Operation Geronimo, a combat drop by 1st Lieutenant Villagrosa's ODA 212. Lt Villagrosa's 20 special forces operators will jump on the city of Gimbala, serving as the command and control center for the FSNL's 3rd Infantry Division, possessing a key bridge over the Ruhala River, and a key crossroads for traffic to and from the port city of Skarsenyi.
It is now 0330 on 27 July 1990, and the twenty paratroopers of Lt Villagrosa's ODA-212 are descending to earth below silk canopies, having just departed a loaner C-130. Upon landing they will immediately form up and assault any and all enemy positions identified (in the event, it would turn out that intelligence information provided by South Leon government elements, via Task Group Fulgencio, would prove quite accurate).
(https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--frKh104BpI/WazFz1gdOnI/AAAAAAAAf1I/ar45RgfHoPQu1H05_h0r7RkrTs91KCsEwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4501.JPG)
Overview of the South Leon town of Gimbala, north is right, and please forgive all the garbage I have lying around (I need a bigger wargames room!). At center, running top to bottom (east to west), is the Ruhala River. This fight will take place in the top left portion of the table, where the enemy has a defensive position atop Hill 60.
(https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TuMYRFNQbGQ/Wa2gCx8d49I/AAAAAAAAf2w/GB-2RJm_BsIuwNE9MoN8uFl8RgShOA2pQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4518.JPG)
The enemy troops (bottom) have spotted the Cuban paratroopers and are laying down heavy small arms fire. To see how the fight went, please check the blog at:
http://cubalibrewargame.blogspot.com/2017/09/operation-currahee-fight-1.html
Next up, a Little Group of Paratroopers assault an enemy bunker just south of the Ruhala River.
V/R,
Jack
I like the sound of a Free Leon Army, can they come and liberate me from Pendraken HQ some time?! :D
Cool report
Agreed ! 8)
Cheers - Phil
Very nice. And a cool back story
Nice battlefield jack!
Leon - Sorry man, but things aren't looking good in South Leon, where the capital of Pendrakenville is destined to be overrun...
Thanks guys, I appreciate it, hope you like the fights and the story.
V/R,
Jack
Very interesting and great looking set up!
Terry
Thanks Terry!
V/R,
Jack
All,
It is now 0330 on 27 July 1990, and the twenty paratroopers of Lt Villagrosa's ODA-212 are descending to earth below silk canopies, having just departed a loaner C-130 as part of Operation Currahee, the Cuban operation to secure space for Cuban reinforcements to enter South Leon following the full-scale invasion launched by Fédération Socialiste Nationale de Leon (FSNL). Upon landing they will immediately form up and assault any and all enemy positions identified (in the event, it would turn out that intelligence information provided by South Leon government elements, via Task Group Fulgencio, would prove quite accurate). This is the second fight of the chaotic first minutes on the ground...
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qfJvkUuMcqU/Wa2iPM5VDFI/AAAAAAAAf50/MjjZlupezRQxlzbX9FntBGy-PKvlBx17gCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4569.JPG)
Romero (left) and Doc Eusabio (bottom right) both open fire on the sandbagged position, hitting the enemy rifleman there in the left thigh! The enemy soldier goes down, but he immediately sets about bandaging his leg and getting back into the fight. To see how the fight went, please check the blog at:
http://cubalibrewargame.blogspot.com/2017/09/operation-currahee-fight-2.html
Next we catch up with SFC Medina leading an assault into the western end of town.
V/R,
Jack
Good report!
Is that a weather balloon? ;)
Lemmey,
It's what we call a 'pop-up,' formally known as a "(color) Star Cluster," which is basically a one-time flare. It comes in a little metal tube; you uncap it, slap it on your thigh, and it fires off. Before every knucklehead had a radio we used them a lot in signal plans: usually a red star cluster meant you were in big trouble and needed help ASAP, green meant you were on the objective (telling everyone else to shift fire, as happened in this fight), and white was to signify a casualty for (ground) MEDEVAC.
My little cotton puff is actually supposed to be a chaff cloud for air-to air combat, but I figured it would work for what I needed.
V/R,
Jack
Quote from: bigjackmac on 15 September 2017, 12:26:36 PM
Lemmey,
It's what we call a 'pop-up,' formally known as a "(color) Star Cluster," which is basically a one-time flare. It comes in a little metal tube; you uncap it, slap it on your thigh, and it fires off. Before every knucklehead had a radio we used them a lot in signal plans: usually a red star cluster meant you were in big trouble and needed help ASAP, green meant you were on the objective (telling everyone else to shift fire, as happened in this fight), and white was to signify a casualty for (ground) MEDEVAC.
V/R,
Jack
I remember them well. We Brits had our own Schermuly flares. We often used them as mock 66 LAWs and fired them directly at "red" APCs and AFVs. ;D
Bit behind in my AAR reading and getting caught up. I really liked the way you handled the originally parachute drop, very realistic! :)
Thanks Guy!
V/R,
Jack
All,
It is now 0330 on 27 July 1990, and the twenty paratroopers of Lt Villagrosa's ODA-212 are descending to earth below silk canopies, having just departed a loaner C-130 as part of Operation Currahee, the Cuban operation to secure space for Cuban reinforcements to enter South Leon following the full-scale invasion launched by Fédération Socialiste Nationale de Leon (FSNL). Upon landing they will immediately form up and assault any and all enemy positions identified (in the event, it would turn out that intelligence information provided by South Leon government elements, via Task Group Fulgencio, would prove quite accurate). This is the third fight of the chaotic first minutes on the ground...
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M0NVTxroKIU/Wa3-Gx-slaI/AAAAAAAAf-s/ywdr2lw0_54uAA4Z0YBlPrdYbN_eOL1mACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4603.JPG)
Overview, north is up. The FSNL Army troops are in the building at top center left, and at ground level around the fenced-in stone fountain at center right, while the Cuban Special Forces troops are at left center down to bottom left center. After this fight is over we'll discover there are bad guys in the building at bottom right and far right, but for right now those bad guys are still learning about/recovering from the shock of the Cuban invasion, and by that time these Cubans will be assaulting the FSNL trenchline (just off camera to top center left), while Lt Villagrosa leads a team to take the buildings just mentioned. It may seem a bit goofy, but such is the chaos of war, particularly with paratroopers dropping into a foreign land in the middle of the night.
(https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KzTjIKpduOU/Wa3-RzCh6mI/AAAAAAAAf_A/whay6TOIk5odJEc--Cy_YhDgO_Rube5BgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4610.JPG)
The bad guys (bottom) hear Sergeant First Class Medina (top center) thrashing about in the river, trying to get out of his parachute harness. They move in to investigate, and things are about to get ugly. To see how the fight went, please check the blog at:
http://cubalibrewargame.blogspot.com/2017/09/operation-currahee-fight-3.html
Next up is the assault on the enemy defensive position atop Hill 57, coming right up!
V/R,
Jack
How the fight went or how wet is the fight? ;)
They're still walking on the water. ;)
Cheers - Phil
Lovely terrain, Sir. Quite exquisite.
Very nice looking game Jack.
Seconded
Thanks guys!
And sure, Phil, someday I will cut some figures in half so I can base them as guys walking across the river. Someday ;)
V/R,
Jack
As has been noted, a great looking table set up you have for your games =D>.
They;re cracking looking games, Jack - very nice!
Thank you gentlemen, I appreciate the kind words.
V/R,
Jack
All,
Sorry everyone, I've had a lot of 'real life' stuff in the way lately, haven't really done any wargamey stuff for about two and a half months now. And while I'm not all the way back, I am at least partly there, and I finally made some time to type up some old batreps. So, with that, in honor of Veteran's Day/Armistice Day/Remembrance Day, may I present the final five fights of Operation Currahee.
Fight #4
http://cubalibrewargame.blogspot.com/2017/11/operation-currahee-fight-4.html
Fight #5
http://cubalibrewargame.blogspot.com/2017/11/operation-currahee-fight-5.html
Fight #6
http://cubalibrewargame.blogspot.com/2017/11/operation-currahee-fight-6.html
Fight #7
http://cubalibrewargame.blogspot.com/2017/11/operation-currahee-fight-7.html
Fight #8
http://cubalibrewargame.blogspot.com/2017/11/operation-currahee-fight-8.html
In the overall scheme of things, ODA 212, AKA "Task Force Dusty" (which is a joke, a shortening of the military term 'dust-off,' which is the nickname given to medical evacuation helicopters and/or the act of conducting a MEDEVAC) accomplished its mission of securing Gambala and its key bridge, neutralizing enemy forces in the area, and holding its positions until relieved by Cuban follow-on forces landed by sea. The detachment doesn't have much time to relax; following their relief they have been tasked by Brigadier Habanera to move out of I Corps up to the DMZ in support of offensive operations to eject the FSNL Army from South Leon. Task Force Dusty's mission will be to conduct long range reconnaissance, surgical strikes, interdiction, and to call in precision fires on FSNL headquarters, communications centers, and troop formations in support of Task Force Hammer's mechanized and airmobile offensive operations striking north.
So, I want to get to that, but I also need to fight out some actions involving Task Force Hawk, which is Lt Espinale's E Company, 6th Para Battalion, which also parachuted into South Leon on the night of 26/27 July 1990. So stay tuned, something is coming right up. Oh, and I've got some WWII Dutch East Indies stuff to post, too.
V/R,
Jack
Welcome back Jack
Brigadier Habanera & the lads are on fire :D
Lemmey - Thanks buddy!
TP - On fire? Nah, they're just heating up ;)
V/R,
Jack
Welcome back Jack :-h
Thanks Paul, hope all is well.
V/R,
Jack
Thanks Jack, all good, the Marines repulsed another Japanese assault on Guadalcanal :)
All,
And now for Operation Geronimo, which began right after Operation Currahee.
It's 0630 on 27 July 1990 and Operation Geronimo has kicked off. The goal of this operation is to parachute infantry into blocking positions to screen the landing beaches where Cuban Liberation Expeditionary Force (CLEF) forces will be landing later this morning in response to forces of the Fédération Socialiste Nationale de Leon (FSNL) invading South Leon three days ago. The CLEF, which already had a small Task Group (under Major Fulgencio) on the ground, assisting South Leon government forces in counterinsurgency operations and guarding the DMZ between South Leon and FSNL, is being reinforced in order to throw FSNL forces out of South Leon and end the insurgency carried out by the Communist "Free Leon Army" (FLA).
Earlier this morning, Lt Villagrosa's ODA 212 (Task Force Dusty, in Operation Currahee) parachuted in further north to secure a vital traffic hub and draw FSNL forces away from the actual amphibious landing site. Now Lt Espinale's E Company, 6th Para Bn (Task Force Hawk) is parachuting in to secure blocking positions screening the landing beaches. The parachute landing went nice and smooth owing to Lt Villagrosa's men doing an outstanding job; Lt Espinale's men quickly formed up and began moving on their objectives.
(https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eDy-WCNShis/WllcqkLiO-I/AAAAAAAAhVw/BLoEnxKOyhYFnNRguKeeD5jC-S7ms2vsQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0758.JPG)
Overview, north is up, with Cubans entering the table in the west (left). There's a crop field in the southwest, the northern edge of a local village at bottom center right, a dirt road running east-west, a small knoll at top center left, and a river that's only a few feet deep at bottom center running to right. Other than that there are only stands of trees and bushes breaking up the landscape.
Lt Espinale is with the forward elements of Task Force Hawk, moving west to east on the dirt road, looking to defeat any enemy forces encountered and clear the route for follow-on forces to continue movement east to the blocking positions. There are no FSNL regulars in the area, they've all been drawn north to deal with TF Dusty, but there are plenty of FLA insurgents around. Bad guy riflemen are at:
-bottom left, just right of the field and below the tree
-center left, on the edge of the river, just below a stand of three trees
-center, below a stand of four trees, with bushes below him and to his right
-top center, in the corner created by bushes running north-south and east-west
-bottom center right, just below the river, just right of a building and just above a tree with some pots
-the Technical is just to his left, between two huts
-the enemy machine gunner is at bottom center, in the corner created by two wooden post walls, just left of a hut
(https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TWObGTQibCM/WlletOAIvGI/AAAAAAAAhZ4/EamxATdQEGUz3z4KU1U1RmeLtDnu5BLaACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0799.JPG)
Cubans pinned down in the bottom left hand corner struggle to return fire on the insurgent positions in the village. To see how the fight went, please check the blog at:
http://cubalibrewargame.blogspot.com/2018/02/operation-geronimo-1.html
So a decent start to TF Hawk's campaign in South Leon. Lt Espinale quickly re-formed the company and got them on the road moving east towards their blocking positions. But on the way they came across a large farming compound that locals confirmed was occupied by FLA insurgents. Lt Espinale immediately grasped that bypassing the farm was not an option, it had to be dealt with, but before an assault on the farm could be made, a bit of high ground further east needed to be secured. Lt Espinale ordered Lt Gonzalez to ready his men to assault the farm compound as soon as Lt Candelario's men had secured the high ground; things wouldn't go quite as planned...
V/R,
Jack
Excellent, Jack.
Great pics, as always. :)
Cheers - Phil
Good report Jack
Great report
Take care
Andy
Thanks fellas, next one is on the way!
V/R,
Jack
All,
It's 0730 on 27 July 1990 and Operation Geronimo has kicked off. The parachute landing went smoothly and Lt Espinale's E Co, 6th Para, AKA Task Force Hawk, quickly formed up and began pushing east, clearing the area of enemy forces and moving to blocking positions to screen the amphibious landings scheduled for later this morning. An hour ago the TF Hawk commander, Lt Espinale, ran into enemy forces, insurgents of the Free Leon Army (FLA). The Cubans suffered two very serious casualties, but killed six FLA soldiers, captured one, and destroyed a Technical, thus opening the route east.
TF Hawk continues towards its blocking positions when the point man calls a halt; they'd come to their next objective, so the troops posted 360 degree security while the leaders huddled up. Just south of the road was a farm that needs to be cleared, but you can't clear the farm without first clearing the high ground to northeast of the farm. Lt Espinale's group would hold place in support while Lt Candelario led his group to the north to clear the high ground (this fight). Once the high ground is secured, Lt Gonzalez' group will take the farm from the south (next fight).
(https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_RCqf0U9rcs/WllkJhVKZ8I/AAAAAAAAheI/hTJgkVcG888Hq5Hv1G7ZoxWkhFlT6RXwgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0838.JPG)
Overview, north is up. The northern edge of the farm is at bottom center, while just right of it is a canal running north-south. At top right and far right is the troublesome high ground Lt Candelario's group must take. The dirt road runs from far left to top center right; there are a few cultivated fields throughout the area, as well as some boulder-strewn patches of rough ground, as well as a few stands of trees and plenty of bushes.
The Cubans are in two wedge formations (top center and top left), and again there are bad guys everywhere, a total of six riflemen, an RPG gunner, a Lieutenant, and a Technical. The riflemen are at:
-bottom left, where two of them are in the fields. Someone in the farm (bottom center) saw something and ordered some sentries out to check on things to the north
-bottom center right, just right of the canal and below a stand of three trees
-the RPG gunner is just right and above that guy
-at right, atop Point 2
-the enemy Lieutenant is just above and to the right of that guy
-two more riflemen are atop Point 1 at top center right
-the Technical is in the farm at bottom right. The Technical will not move, but it will engage the Cubans. The whole issue is that the Cubans need to clear Points 1 and 2 without becoming decisively engaged by enemy troops in/around the farm, which will be assaulted from the south by Lt Gonzalez' troops once Points 1 and 2 are secured.
(https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UkLYLnZAcTs/WlqMM5H6AsI/AAAAAAAAhfM/Re2luykUg_EXxSugE3mSRZuadn4jUZLKACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0850.JPG)
The Cubans are pushing forward under heavy fire...
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GfbNPNQl-QQ/WlqMOeaDiPI/AAAAAAAAhfQ/9z44ogmux00nSOMGOZC4tms5jgSQyvTVwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0851.JPG)
But bad guys (bottom center and right) have crept in behind them (top left) and are opening fire, plus the Technical (off camera to right) is hammering away with its heavy machine gun. It's gonna be a long day... To see how it started, please check the blog at:
http://cubalibrewargame.blogspot.com/2018/02/operation-geronimo-2.html
More to follow.
V/R,
Jack
Looks Excellent.
I am surprised thee has been no rude comment on the thread about "going into South Leon" :)
Always enjoyable.
Quote from: Orcs on 07 February 2018, 12:35:36 PM
I am surprised thee has been no rude comment on the thread about "going into South Leon" :)
We all thought it ... only you were brave enough to say it.
Uh-oh...
Hey, this wasn't my idea! If you recall, a couple years ago I posted here looking for help with campaign background, and I took what was provided. You know, South Leon, capital of Pendrakenville, bad guys are FSNL, etc..
V/R,
Jack
Sooo many innuendos, so little time!
Nice report Jack. ;D
Another goody ! :)
Cheers - Phil
Thanks fellars! Next fight coming right up.
V/R,
Jack
All,
It's 0750 on 27 July 1990 and Operation Geronimo has kicked off. The parachute landing went smoothly and Lt Espinale's E Co, 6th Para, AKA Task Force Hawk, quickly formed up and began pushing east, clearing the area of enemy forces and moving to blocking positions to screen the amphibious landings scheduled for later this morning. Earlier the TF Hawk commander, Lt Espinale, ran into enemy forces, insurgents of the Free Leon Army (FLA). The Cubans suffered two very serious casualties, but killed six FLA soldiers, captured one, and destroyed a Technical, thus opening the route east. Then TF Hawk continued east towards its blocking positions, coming across a farm south of the main route that needed to be cleared. Lt Espinale ordered Lt Gonzalez to prepare to clear the farm, but first Lt Candelario was tasked to continue further east to clear some high ground that would threaten Lt Gonzalez' assault on the farm. But Lt Candelario and his men ran into a buzz saw, taking heavy casualties from the high ground and a heavy machine gun mounted on a Technical on the north end of the farm. Lt Candelario and his few remaining men, shocked at the ferocity of the FLA insurgents' resistance, fell back into a hasty defensive perimeter and got on the radio to plead for help.
The commander, Lt Espinale, ordered Lt Gonzalez to assault the farm immediately. "But Sir, that high ground is still in enemy hands, we'll get torn to pieces." "I know, but Candelario is about to be overrun, we've got to do something now. You assault the farm, and as soon as you've got the compound under your control I'll push through on your right to secure the high ground and relieve Candelario and his men. If you can take the north end of the farm, great, if not, we'll handle it. But I need you moving as quickly as possible to take that compound." "Roger, Sir."
(https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AFM0P1eFdMs/WlqaQetwOjI/AAAAAAAAhuE/3VDascstV7A33MQVjNHMDbgJOpgoVzBlwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_1003.JPG)
Overview, north is RIGHT. The objective, the farm compound is at left/top left, with a small fish farming pond at top center, and the north end of the farm (with the Technical) at top center right. The southern high ground, known as Point 2, is at bottom right, with the canal running north-south (right-left) from the fish farm to the far right.
Lt Gonzalez' men will enter at bottom left, their mission to take the farm compound and, if possible, silence the Technical at the north end. The bad guys will have a group of riflemen (amount unknown) in the farming compound, but they'll also have a rifleman in north end of the farm (he can fire on Lt Gonzalez' men, but the Technical's HMG is firing off screen to the north -right-, keeping Lt Candelario's men pinned down), and the bad guys have a light machine gun atop Point 2. It will be exceedingly difficult, if not impossible, to kill the enemy soldiers on Point 2 and in the north end of the farm.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hBdP8RQGt7A/WlqaOv6jSqI/AAAAAAAAhuA/pTaA6Z8L3won5T1W4SHEYi9j3KjpgJ1XwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_1005.JPG)
Here is a new set of buildings I picked up for Christmas, from Crescent Root Studios. That's also where I got the trees and hedges; they're awesome!!!
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2s5VV_dQCmo/WlqeiBnekyI/AAAAAAAAh1w/EZc947DYGloXCIZd1OgZJpA9oImu65F8wCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_1085.JPG)
The Cuban assault element manages to push onto the objective (top right), but the base of fire element is getting its butt handed to it by flanking fire from Point 2 (off camera to bottom left) and the north end of the farm (bottom right). Can they do it? Can they take and hold the objective, relieving pressure on Lt Candelario's beleaguered force long enough for Lt Espinale to pass through and assault the high ground? Check the blog to find out:
http://cubalibrewargame.blogspot.com/2018/02/operation-geronimo-3.html
I'll do my best to get the fourth fight posted tomorrow night, but I'm a bit behind and can't promise...
V/R,
Jack
You've been stacking these up Jack! Nice report, great fun.
+1 8)
Cheers - Phil
Nice looking table Jack, the new terrain is good.
Thanks guys, it's been lots of fun for me too.
My issue now is whether to play some more of these this weekend, or kick off WWIII with my Wolverines.
V/R,
Jack
Excellent looking games and AARs as always Jack 8). What rules are you using because I've completely forgotten!!!
Steve,
Thanks, and I'm using a modified version of Ivan Sorensen's "Five Men at Kursk." I'm a big fan of the 5Core system, approaching 200 fights at skirmish, platoon, and company level.
V/R,
Jack
Hi Jack,
thanks for letting me know :).
Steve J.
Late to the party, but as always, Jack, your games have great visual appeal and snappy accompanying narrative. Well done. :-bd
Thanks guys, and always happy to see you Guy, whenever you show up! ;)
V/R,
Jack
All,
It's 0805 on 27 July 1990 and Operation Geronimo has kicked off. The parachute landing went smoothly and Lt Espinale's E Co, 6th Para, AKA Task Force Hawk, quickly formed up and began pushing east, clearing the area of enemy forces and moving to blocking positions to screen the amphibious landings scheduled for later this morning. So far this morning Lt Espinale was pushing east and ran into contact, clearing the route with a couple casualties. Then the Task Force approached a farm that needed to be cleared, and Lt Espinale detailed Lt Gonzalez to take the farm, but he was worried about some high ground a bit further east, so he sent Lt Candelario forward to take the high ground, and after that was done he'd send Lt Gonzalez to take the farm. But Lt Candelario's troops got shot to pieces and had to hole up and call for help, in danger of being overrun.
Lt Espinale immediately launched Lt Gonzalez' attack on the farm in order to relieve pressure on Lt Candelario's men; Lt Gonzalez' attack succeeded but, as predicted, with the high ground in enemy hands, they suffered mightily. But now the farm is in Cuban hands, Lt Espinale is leading his men forward to take the high ground and rescue Lt Candelario and his men.
(https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qQdytdRbo_o/WlqUj2UsX4I/AAAAAAAAhnk/XlIcWo4Y7pMcn_TbpHA3NxMNhDtgleWGgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0934.JPG)
Overview, north is up. The northern edge of the farm is at bottom center, while just right of it is a canal running north-south. At top right and far right is the troublesome high ground Lt Candelario's group was supposed to take (Point 1 at top right and Point 2 at far right). The dirt road runs from far left to top center right; there are a few cultivated fields throughout the area, as well as some boulder-strewn patches of rough ground, as well as a few stands of trees and plenty of bushes.
Lt Candelario's survivors are huddled at top center left, just left of the canal, while Lt Espinale's men are entering the table in the southeast (bottom right). Lt Gonzalez' men took the farm compound, just off camera to bottom center left, but that damn Technical (bottom center) is still hammering away from the north end of the farm, Lt Gonzalez' men were exhausted from their fight and simply couldn't get to the north end. Lt Espinale's men need to whack all the bad guys and save their comrades in the north.
(https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uFFtFPrKTUQ/WlqWmVdJYJI/AAAAAAAAhq0/9f0rUQ93jCQh5WfIk21Hs0lZEYUGwbozwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0969.JPG)
A Cuban rifleman (bottom center) catches a pair of insurgents crossing the road (top center) and opens fire. To see how the operation concluded, please check the blog at:
http://cubalibrewargame.blogspot.com/2018/02/operation-geronimo-4.html
So, that series of fights was a lot of fun for me. I kinda want to play more, but I've got too much other things going on, and this isn't the end of TF Hawk, just the beginning. This was simply to set the stage for some other stuff I want to do with them (this ties into the 10mm Modern French stuff I just bought and posted on Blackhawkhet: http://blackhawkhet.blogspot.com/2018/02/some-progress-but-not-there-yet.html ).
Hope you enjoyed it as much as I did, and stay tuned, more fights on the way.
V/R,
Jack
Excellent stuff once again Jack. It really makes me want to get some small skirmish games in just like this!
Wow, busy time!
Great, Steve, I hope you dive in and post them here!
Lemmey - Absolutely!
V/R,
Jack
Great, as always, Jack.
Cheers - Phil
Thanks Phil!
V/R,
Jack