The Dragon and the Bear redux

[Arrigo]

Dear all,

I have finally taken the pluneg and got ready to order some of the very nice PLA troopers from our own Colonel Stone, and while waiting I have decided that I will create a scenario just for them and keep you posted on it (hoping to draw suggestions comments and friendly criticism and to keep myself focused on the project, I will creat a sort of virtual convention table...  yes I miss the excitement of getting ready for a game con with a table of my own).

The scenario will be set o the mongolian border (So I can use my desert terrain and desert building). It will be made exploiting as far as possible my available collection.

Introduction:

May 2012 after several month of deteriorating relatons over the right to assist Mongolia and about supposedly illegal chinese immigration in Siberia Moscow has sent several motorized division in its former satellite state to protect it from "Chinese greed". After several hectic rounds in the Security Council and feverish diplomacy has not resulted in a russian withdrawal Beijing decided to increas readiness along its border to show is determination and concern. Several western nations have expressed support for Beijing and even hinted at a multinational force deployment in Mongolia ensure Russian withdrawal, if an agreement is reached.

Fearing that China and the West are indeed organizing an invasion of Mongolia, the Russians sent more troops in Mongolia and heightened their alert level along the entire border with China. Several russian generals are persauded that only a swift show of force would deter an attack. After heated debate in the Kremlin they are authorized to launch a limited attack to seize several small town across the border and test Beijing reactions, operations will be limited in time and scale and strictly conventional.

In the morning  of May 25th 2012 a small Motor Rifle column from the 453rd Motorized Rifle Regiment, 45th Motor Rifle Division is approaching the the cross  road at Non Chien, a small desolate grouping of several muddy building that guard the flank of the division advance.

The Cross road is reported to be lightly held. Unbeknowst to everyone involved world War III is about to begin...

The russian column will be composed of two elements: a Vanguard with a T72 and a squad of naval infantry (veteran) and a main body with a full BMP2 platoon and one T80U. The defender will have a full Chinese squad (with platoon command hopefully) and one American Light infantry unit in support with several Hummer and a TOW Hummer.

Arrigo
 

[Col.Stone]

Top story arrigo, very inspiring for me too =)
runs off to finish painting stuff 

[commissarmoody]

kool, what scale are you thinking of doing this in?

[Arrigo]

Scale will be 28mm to exploit the new Chinese Minis from Col Stone!

I have also revised the scenario a bit, I will set it in a "altnerate history universe" were 9/11 has not happened and the big thing is the outbreak of this conflict in 2004 (mainly to allow me to use my GB US forces painted in desert 3 color pattern, until someone will give us some proper contemporary US infantry...).

I plan to create a small series of linked scenarios for us with Force on force (and maybe a set of larger ones for Cold War Commander). The underlining tactical idea is to pit light infantry forces against conventional heavy mech ones in a barren environment.

Arrigo

[DFlynSqrl]

Sounds like a good scenario to me (and Con game).  Good luck getting it all going.  I look forward to seeing some painted mini's!

[Arrigo]

The first pictures will be from the PLA troops when I get them. The already painted stuff is in italy 

you can see some pics here

http://www.dminis.com/Arrigo/gallery/1848/

Probably I will repaint the T80.

here is the last picture we took of the terrain in action:

http://www.dadiepiombo.com/dc05c.html

Arrigo

[DFlynSqrl]

Very nice!  Some great looking mini's in there.   

[Arrigo]

New update...

the PLA is on my way from cold sweden (to cold London). Some more time to thinker about the scenario...

General warfare is not my cup of tea for this scenario (I feel the urge more and more, and again more when I think about general warfare). This is a budget driven project and in 28mm... do it with the troops I have from other projects with the bare minimum of additions.

So I have changed again the setting...

The Setting:

The Transmash Republic

History:
The Transmash Republic was once part of the powerful Soviet Union. It is located between the Russian Federation, Kazakhstan and the People Republic of China. Until late XIX century it has been ruled by China, as the Guaiat’eung province. After the end of the Boxer Rebellion it was ceded to Russian Empire as war reparations. In 1917, after the fall of the Tzar it has first been ruled by General Baron Pastempski on behalf of Admiral Kolchak, then after the fall of the admiral and the defeat of white forces in the region by Bolshevik troops it has been occupied by a British expeditionary force, then an Islamic uprising of the local Turkmeni minority brought on the scene first a detachment of Enver’s Army of Islam. Turkish forces were defeated by the British expedition that then witdraw after having reinstated the Baron who in turns was toppled again by Bolsheviks in 1920. An invasion from china by warlord troops in 1924 led by General Chow Low Fat prompted an additional series of disturbances, a return of both international and renegade white forces until by 1927 soviet control of the province was fully established and international forces finally withdrawn. The Area was then fully renamed Transmash People socialist Republic and fully incorporated in the USSR. 

Geopgraphy:

The country has been described by several XIX century European travellers as a barren desert interrupted only  by the big Transhmash (chong’ku in Chinese)  river that neatly divided the region in two halves. The river is flowing generally from west to east. It originated in  the western mountain range that separated Transmash from today Kazakhstan and then move south and east to  the Chinese border, where it then proceed until it reached the Yellow river.  The country is divided roughly in 4 provinces. There is the old Guiat province situated in the south-east along the Transmash.  Areas around the river are green and have always been cultivated. Several pleasant towns dotted its course. The ones near the Chinese border, and also part of the capital, Tanming, are of clear Chinese style and home of a large Han ethnic minority. The towns have mainly been built in the past on old caravan and river trade route and today they produce a large amount of vegetables, food and artisan products. If you move north from the river valley you enter the Atakova province. The more you move north the more the country become barren and hilly. The ground rise gently from the Transhamash valley, but sometime you encounter steep hills and low mountains ranges, like the Atakova range that gives the name to the province. Towns there are replaced by villages and herding replaces agriculture. The population in the province is a mix of Turkmens military colonists from Imperial times and people deported from Caucasus during Stalin’s reign. When the hilly and mountain country stop they gave to steppes in the northern part of the country there is the Kazzuk mine district. It has several iron, copper and gold mines and its denizens are for the majority Russians. Two large cities, Nonevantberezki and Distresburg, are nestled here, and have been built in Soviet times. The last province of Transmash is Sikazi. It comprise the western part of the country.  When someone move  upriver from Tanming the pleasant the large river valley become more and more narrow. The river still dominates the landscapes, but on its sides smaller valley and first hills then mountains dominate the view. The more you move upriver the less hills and more mountain you encounter until you find yourself in the middle of the Shikazi Mountains with their eternally snow covered peaks.  Economy here is a mix of herding and small farming and the population is mainly composed by the Pathajani, a tribe that seems to have reached the area from Afghanistan in XV century. The Pathajanis live in small villages even if in soviet time some district administrative centres have been built. The area is famous for its carpets, fruits and small artisan product plus its goat and sheep milk and cheese.

Recent history

Nothing happened until 1991. After the collapse and end of soviet union the Transmash republic gained full independence under President Pyotr Chan Ling, a former soviet Generalof mixed Russian and Han descent. He transitioned Transmash to a sort of parliamentarian democracy, granted autonomy to the various ethnic groups and established good relations with Western countries and China.
In 2000 Transmash economy, that until them seemed booming started to slow down. Productivity from the Kazzuk province dropped, and the Kazzuk provincial government started to complain about interference from the West and China. Chan Ling tried to mend the situation but without success, and in the next general election he was replaced by Jack Low Fat. Low Fat tried to get money from Western companies allowing them to take over the mines in Kazzuk, but the plan backfired and his parliamentarian allies deserted him in 2002 after a corruption scandal. Four coalition governments were formed until  in 2003 a new nationalist government took power via military coup. The new leader, Colonel Stoyan Stoyanov, claim to have replaced the previous, almost democratically, pro-western and pro Chinese elected government only to restore order, but soon it launched a terror campaign against any group opposing him. While is ethnic background is from the Turkmeni minority from the Kazzuk province his priority was to restore connection with Moscow.
Of course the change in direction was strongly appreciated in Moscow.
In 2004 the Islamic minority of the Sikazi province that had enjoyed a certain freedom under the previous administration revolted under the leadership of a local Mullah, Afad al Mofaz, who was formerly  a Major in the old Soviet Army during the Afghanistan war. Quickly the revolt spread out to the entire province forcing Stoyanov to ask Moscow for troops and equipment. A rapid reaction force, centred on the 34th Motor Rifle Division, was sent in Transhmash to support Stoyanov’s government.  After a bloody crackdown on the insurgents, order was restored, but the 34th MRD remained in Transmash. Emboldened by the presence of Russian forces Stoyanov launched a nation-wide campaign to reassert is authority. One of his is first move in his effort to strengthen is power basis was directed against the economically thriving Chinese Han minority. Claiming the Chinese were all corrupted, making fakes, and generally unsupportive of the national government he start first to remove Han officials everywhere, then to limit their rights.

Beijing was profoundly disappointed, especially after all his trading contract with Transmash were cancelled. The Italian freelance Journalist Lorenzo Sartori (famous also as the  publisher of a wargaming magazine in his spare time) was  able to were able to smuggle out of the country several shots of mass executions of Han people in the town of Nonevantberezki and Distresburg. Beijing, claiming this is a clear attempt of ethnic cleansing, asked for an United Nations resolution to stop the killing, otherwise "severe steps will be taken to protect ethnic Han people from what it clear an abuse of authority by the illegal Transmash government".

While the UN General Council resolution was blocked by Russia’s veto and more stories of atrocieties emerged  a strong blogging campaign in support of the Han minority appeared on the internet and it is reprised by several western mass media. Also Afad al Mofaz reappeared  with his own tales about Russian brutality in the Sikazi province.  Quietly, but firmly, China started to propose to several Nations the dispatch of an international force to restore order and stop the mass killings. Soon several Islamic countries seemed interested in the idea, so much that several Western Nations decide to step in to avoid an Islamic Crusade, especially after Theran offered to send a three divisons peacekeeping force. At first diplomatic pressure was exercised on Moscow to withdraw its support to Stoyanov. When diplomacy failed, NATO started to discuss the feasibility of an armed intervention to create safe zones for the Han population. Beijing welcome the discussion and propose that an eventual security force was to be lead by NATO, but supported by external countries, citing the successful examples of Bosnia and Kosovo.

With the rumours of western or Chinese intervention reached Transmash, the Sikazi revolt reignited as a series of riots in the area around Tanming. Several Transmash army units refused to obey Stoyanov orders. Stoyanov asked for more Russians peacekeepers and support from countries not wanting to see Transmash being swallowed by evil capitalist from the west and from the east. The Kremlin obliged as, surprinsingly Cuba and Syria. Also several volunteer units were formed around the world, under the banner of the Kazzuk People Defence Force. These units were a mix of mercenaries and other adventurers of disrepute, but were well equipped and financed. Soon Transmash was plunged in a full civil war. On 28th March 2005  when Russian airborne forces moved from their encampement near the Tanming International airport to the elite Tanming’s Guard Mechanized Brigade engaged them proclaiming to act on the behalf of the Transmash Provisional Government Council. The brigade was severely mauled, but the fact that Stoyanov grip on the country was not anymore total prompted Beijing to dispatch forces on the border, soon followed by several NATO countries. Using a clever diplomatic move, passing the resolution when the Russian ambassadors was distracted by a Ukrainian young journalist and late to the UNSC meeting, the UNSC, on April fool’s day,  passed a resolution authorizing the establishment of an International Peacekeeping Force under NATO lead to stop the bloodshed in Transmash. On April 2nd several Chinese motorized columns crossed the border, while two battalions of the 75th Ranger Regiment conducted a daring airborne drop straight from Fort Bragg to Transmash. With the entrance of Allied troops the Transmash army quickly disintegrated. In face of the UN resolution, rapid NATO intervention and collapse of Stoyanov government  Moscow was forced to adapt its strategy. The Russian peacekeepers were officially withdrawn on the border and on the major cities in the Kazzuk District, but suddenly a lot of their equipment was transferred to a newly created Transmash Army, including the full  34th Motor Rifle Division. Then several articles on Prabda appeared complaining about the inability  of the Russian government of stopping the flow of enraged Russian citizens volunteering in the Transmash army to stop the armed robbery made by several greedy multinational companies against the Transmash people. Soon the Multinational force found that stabilizing Transmash would be a difficult proposition. Soon Russia would find  itself involved in an undeclared war against NATO and People Republic of China.

Factions: (More to Follow)

TRANSFORM (TRANsmash Stabilization FORce Multinational)

TRANSFORM is the multinational force sent to stabilize Transmash. It led by An American General and it has a mix of Chinese, American, Japanese and other assorted forces. It is divided in 3 Commands, South, Central and North. The majority of forces are initially light, with several heavier units coming later during the campaign. Still the make up of the force is mainly based on light mechanized, light infantry and special forces. They control eastern Guiat and part of Atakova, currently they are trying to take Tanming and the rest of Guiat to link up with the SDF.
Transmash Provisional Government Council (TRAPGOC)
Based around the Tanming’s Guard Mechanized Brigade remnant and other former army units it is allied with TRANSFORM. The units provide local security in safe areas. A couple of quick reaction battalions are used to supplement lighter TRANSFORM units.

Sikazi Defence Force (SDF)

It is a mix of local Pathanjani tribesmen and allied special forces. It mainly provide for village security and harassment against smaller Stoyanov forces, it is also engaged in a village war against Al Quaeda in Transmash terrorists. When TRANSFORM troops operates in Sikazi province their mobile columns often include SDF personnel. Some SDF units have been also used to hunt guerrillas in Atakova.

Al Quaeda in Transmash (The Black Guys)

Exploiting the turmoil in Transmash Osama Bin Laden in person has moved there, it is rumoured that he is planning something big, like an attack on US soil… those are fanatic terrorist who are trying to create more bloodshed and further destabilize the region. They have also difficulties in working with the Pathanjanis because the majority of them are ethnic Arabs. Their advantage lies in better equipment and training.

Stoyanov’s forces (The Russians)

A large conventional army built around a core of Russian regulars and foreign mercenaries plus troops requited in Kazzuk region. At the moment it controls large areas of the capital, the Kazzuk province and the Sikazi province. They are trying to stop TRANSFORM encroachment in Atakova and they are building defensive lines in front of Tanming. They are also trying to suppress the Sikazi uprising. Stoyanov seems obsessed with Sikazi. The bulk of the forces is brovided by the 34th MRD “Volunteers of the Holy Russia”, the Pacific Fleet “Volunteers Sailors” (formerly Provisional Naval Brigade, Transmash, Far Eastern Direction) and the “Lions of Tula” Volunteers paratrooper regiment (former 51st Parachute Landing Regiment, 106th Guards airborne division). Beside those firs line units severa people defence group ave been organized from the old Transmash units that supported Stoyanov and the Kazzuk People Defence force. The latter units are a mix of poorly trained local conscripts and foreign mercenaries. A rather unusual units are the Syrian Composite Anti Tank Commando Battalion and the Patrice Lumumba Death Volunteers, made by African mercenaries (and rumoured to have committed several atrocities).

[commissarmoody]

Intersting imaga-nation and a nice way to use all the figs you all ready got. kind of remiends me AK-47 with all the crazy factions.
 

[Col.Stone]

Great backdrop, especially like the mixing of troops, cubans and syrian my oh my   

the Chinese have braved the snow and should be arriving next week

[commissarmoody]

Hey dont forget to toss some Venezuela  troops in there, fighting to keep the Evil corrupt american capitalist bastards out

[Arrigo]

just to keep you interested...

Notable units

Task Force Dragon Eagle
Task force Dragon eagle is one of the two units on which the campaign will be based. It is a mixed American and Chinese formation tasking to capture several important objectives with the aim to sever the supply corridor between Tanming and the Kazzuk province. It is based on TF 1-15 Infantry , TF 1-9 Infantry* and a Chinese Task force centred on 2nd Battalion, 2nd Brigade 21st Highland Mechanized Division. It also includes some British and Italian elements to provide additional mechanized forces. It has 11 infantry companies (3 Bradley equipped, 4 Stryker Equipped, 3 equipped with WZ551 APC, and one British with Warriors) , three tank companies (1 attached to 1-15 Inf with M1A2, one British with Challenger 2 and the last Chinese with Type 99) one Italian Cavalry with Centauro heavy armoured car and several supporting units.
IT regroup almost all the armour available to the  Center Multinational Division with the exception of some TRAPGOC T72 and Chinese tanks spread out to support the other units.

People Liberation Army, 21st Highland Mechanized Division, 2nd Brigade, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Company Team.

The 2nd Company has been in action from the start of Operation Assassin Mace, the Deployment of Multinational forces in Transmash. Usually equipped with Wz551 (Type 90) Wheeld APc, the company commander has often employed dismounted tactics in the drive toward Tanming. It’s more notable action has been in the forcing of Dulang pass in the second day of the operation. After that, the company has been in the lead of the battalion advance until it reached the outskirts of Objective Red Dragon where it make junction with C company, 2/75 Ranger. After the meeting of the ground force with the airdropped American spearhead it participated in the defense of Objective Red Dragon against the counterattack of the 341st Motor Rifle Regiment. Subsequently the unit participated in the capture of the town of Laileng occupying its airport and allowing the rapid deployment of an American M1A2 company at the airport. At the moment the battalion has been reinforced by several division assets and detached from the brigade and put under operation control of Task Force Dragon Eagle.

*Note: The 1-9 infantry was until its deactivation and reflagging in 2007 a Mechanized Unit, but I decided that in this slightly alternate version of history the battalion was striker equipped in 2004 and then used in Transmash in 2005. The reason is because both the 9th and 15th Regiments are the two “China” units in the US Army.



Also you will see some Cubans and Venezualeans advisors in the mercenary units...

[Arrigo]

By the way,

suggestion for Venezuelan minis?

Arrigo

[commissarmoody]

They use old amrican style BDU and Olive green jungle patern uniforms. From pics I have see, Patrol caps, Bandanas, redberates and Kevalar style helments.
They seem to be kited out with GMAGs and Saws for squad leavel support, and RPGs and AT-4s for light anti-armor.
And AK-103 and Ak-104s

Have lots of 70s and 80s ear US, Britsh, and French light armore and armored cars, but are trying to comvert over to all Russian kit, with BMPs and t-80s and other Russian Aircraft and helocopters.
i am just going to pant up my TAg MVD guys in some messed up looking Tiger-striped patern to use as Russians, former Sov imagination and south amrican contry with Russian.cuben leanings myself.
Pretty much they look like most south amrican armys do just mines the Fals, and M-16s

[Arrigo]

Game units:

Ok, I am still far far away from the bulk of my forces, but I will share with tu the organization of some units…
The first entries will be from the skirmish level forces.

I have just received the lovely PLA figures from our own Col. Stone. I will organize them as a standard infantry squad. According to the ToE the squad is composed of 3 elements: a command element with 1 Sergeant, 1 radio operator, 1 AT specialist and two identical 4 men fire teams (1 leader, 1 LMG, 1 grenadier, 1 AT riflemen).  The bag has 10 Chinese, only 1 LMG, only 2 AT rockets, nor radioman and only one Grenade launcher,  troops so:

1 Sgt and one riflemen (RT operator)
Team A: 1 Leader, 1 GL, AT, 1 Rifleman
Team B: 1 Leader, 1LMG, AT and one rifleman.

It is not bad, also because the unit will mainly operate in light mode after all and it will be a bit under strength.

The unit that will be followed in the skirmish campaign is an under strength provisional company operating between  the Guiat and Sikazi province. It has five components, the Company HQ and  Quick Reaction Force, the Light reconnaissance group and 3 infantry garrisons, garrisoning several local small villages and conducting foot operations.

Team Hammer
The HQ is provided by an American unit who contributes also 2 M2A2 and one M113A3 (lovely Imprint models) and a Mechanized Infantry Platoon with two squads. There is also a 3 M1A1 Tank Platoon Attached.  Probably I will add a Company B Stryker… I love the model.

Team Swift
Team Swift is the reconnaissance force. 2 Hummer with HMG and one (future buy) with TOW plus some Special forces (Empress SAS when it will get relased!) Often operating with local Pathanjani tribesmen. If the mission requires some muscles Team Swift.

Then there are the tree garrison teams:

Team Dragon:
1 Chinese Infantry Squad and 1 Japanese Squad, plus an USMC Liason team including a silly King’s College Ph.D… The HQ is provided by a PLA Platoon HQ (Tomas bring it on!). It has also a squad of Australian troops. (almost everything will be Col. Stone and Krigspiel to cather for smaller size). It is tasked to garrison the “friendly” village of Loshar.

Team Axis
HQ element will be provided by an Italian Bersaglieri Unit (D&P minis), and it has one Italian HQ, one Italian squad, one German and some specialists (K9 unit, grenade launcher). It garrisons the village of Mansher, very near Loshar.

Team Linbang
One HQ team, one infantry squad and support weapons from Royal Marines 42 Commando. Miniatures are Brooks and TAG. One local Pathanjani squad (Mongrel). Maybe it will get a WMIK in the future. At start I was contemplating some vehicles, but because I am doing a bigger RM unit will be made in 15mm (including a reinforced reconnaissance troops from the King’s Royal Hussars) no need of too many duplicates…

Sincerely for this project I am more keen in fleshing the PLA maybe with a vehicle rather than doing in 28mm what I already have in 15mm and 6mm. So probably I will not expand Team Linbang too much. Maybe a blister of TAG SAS, but not too big, just to get some nice minis.