"Sir. Does this mean that Ann-Margret's not coming?" - Sigur's Vietnam

[Battle Brush Sigur]

@Elk101: Thanks very much!

@CapnJim: Cheers!


Yeah, the gentleman who asked me to paint them for him was very happy as well. The bigger VC figures are Gringo40s, by the way.

I did a tiny bit more buying for my own Vietnam "project" (= I buy stuff, then toss it into that box over there): I bought another copy of Ambush Valley.



I used to own that book, but out of all my Force on Force books, this was the one that got lost in a house move a few years ago. Been eyeing this copy at a lovely wargames store in Salzburg for a while. So every year I saw it, this time I got it. For a very good price too, because the store owner is a gentleman (and a salesman, so he knows he probably won't get rid of it any time soon anyway). Not that I really intend to play Force on Force with Vietnam figures. Force on Force is an excellent rules set and "as close to war as you ever want to get" (to quote the back of the Operation Flashpoint PC game box). Loads of great things in there (the best handling of casualties in modern conflicts) and a very clever depiction of modern firefights. However, there's many other rules sets I'd like to try before that. Great rules though and I have nothing but respect for people who play them.

Anyway, this book is much more than a supplement for those rules though. It's surprisingly light on scenarios (and FoF is exclusively scenario-driven), but it's a treasure trove of the history and infos about the forces involved in the conflict, with a wargames-specific focus. Including of course ANZACs, Thai armed forces, South Korea, everybody who was around in Laos, etc.

As an overview, this is to be viewed almost as a big (180 pages) Osprey book and some interesting ideas for special rules and a bunch of random event cards in the back. Strong book for any Vietnam wargamer I'd say.

[CapnJim]

I did a tiny bit more buying for my own Vietnam "project" (= I buy stuff, then toss it into that box over there): I bought another copy of Ambush Valley.



I used to own that book, but out of all my Force on Force books, this was the one that got lost in a house move a few years ago. Been eyeing this copy at a lovely wargames store in Salzburg for a while. So every year I saw it, this time I got it. For a very good price too, because the store owner is a gentleman (and a salesman, so he knows he probably won't get rid of it any time soon anyway). Not that I really intend to play Force on Force with Vietnam figures. Force on Force is an excellent rules set and "as close to war as you ever want to get" (to quote the back of the Operation Flashpoint PC game box). Loads of great things in there (the best handling of casualties in modern conflicts) and a very clever depiction of modern firefights. However, there's many other rules sets I'd like to try before that. Great rules though and I have nothing but respect for people who play them.

Anyway, this book is much more than a supplement for those rules though. It's surprisingly light on scenarios (and FoF is exclusively scenario-driven), but it's a treasure trove of the history and infos about the forces involved in the conflict, with a wargames-specific focus. Including of course ANZACs, Thai armed forces, South Korea, everybody who was around in Laos, etc.

As an overview, this is to be viewed almost as a big (180 pages) Osprey book and some interesting ideas for special rules and a bunch of random event cards in the back. Strong book for any Vietnam wargamer I'd say.

I think all of the Force on Force supplements are handy resources, and can be adapted to other rulesets.  But my view here is biased....when we worked on Ambush Valley, we discussed the scenarios vs. other content issue quite a bit.  I've used the Fog of War cards to inspire other games' Special Event mechanics quite a bit...

[Battle Brush Sigur]

Oh yes, I think I got them all or nearly all of them. Played a few scenarios from Day of the Rangers with 6mm Epic40k figures.

Random events such as the FoW cards make any game better I think. I wrote a set of them for my 5150 campaign (set in my own slightly lower-intensity corner of the 40k universe) based on the FoW cards. As mentioned above, there's so much great stuff in FoF (and consequently Tomorrow's War). Again, the way casualties are handled is just great, and somehow another thing from Tomorrow's War will always stick with me: Technologically more advanced forces will have this all-encompassing battlefield communications system, which is super handy. BUT if enemy ECM turn it off these high-tech troops might lose their nerve, simply because that thing isn't there any more. Really liked that.

I just never played FoF/TW often enough to get my head around the reaction system proper. I even got a 20mm Cold War Gone Hot force for it, but we only played twice, I think.

[carlos marighela]

Just be careful with the stuff on unit organisation. It's OK for the US but defintely wrong for the Australians and suspect for the enemy and other Free World Forces.

Funnily enough, the Osprey on Vietnam Infantry Tactics manages to fuck up the Australian organisation before almost getting it right again a few pages on.

Must be the requirement to read our training pams upside down.

[Battle Brush Sigur]

Oh, thanks for the heads up. I got the Osprey about ANZACs in Vietnam. I'll have to compare what that says with what Ambush Valley says.

[carlos marighela]

I'll save you the bother.

On paper, it should be:

PHQ. Platoon Commander, Platoon Sergeant, 1 X Sig, I orderly/batman. Often a second radio carried.

3X Sections each of 10 OR. Broken into three groups for tactical movement. Scouts rifles and gun groups.

Scout group:

2 X Scouts. Typically lead scout with M16, Number 2 with SLR.

In most formations the Section Commander (Corporal) moved directly behind the scouts. Secco would carry an M16.

Rifle Group: Four rifleman, all with SLR. No 1. rifleman would carry the M79 in addition to his SLR. He was the tie in between the section commander and the rest of the rifle group and that meant the M79 could be fired at the direction of the section commander.

Gun Group. No1 with M60, No 2 with SLR, spare barrel and tools, Section 2IC (Lance corporal) with SLR.

The paper strengths were rarely achieved. When under strength usually it was the rifle group that was reduced first. When pepper potting in the final stages of the assault rifles and scouts tend to move as one group anyway.

Occasional variations: Some units had a preference for the M79 to be carried by the Sect 2IC to mark targets for the gun. Some platoons may have authorised a second automatic for the number two scout as this made it easier when rotating the scouts (this was done frequently as lead scout was a very stressful role). In 4 RAR in 1971 at least one platoon had aquired an extra 'floating' gun which was held at PHQ and used to increase supporting fire.

In 1965 through to about August 1966 some or all of the M16s can be substituted for Owen guns. These were progressively replaced in theory due to ammunition reliability issues but more likely due to the increased lethality of the M16. I'd note that this had started with 1 RAR on the first deployment in 1965 so by Long Tan, Owens are in the distinct minority.

Just as a note, despite appearing in the relevant training pams as an infantry weapon the F1 SMG (the Owen replacement) was not fielded by infantry platoons in Vietnam. A pool was held, principally for rear area defence but was on occasion doled out for cordon and search operations in villages.

Modified for typos.

[Battle Brush Sigur]

Thanks very much for the summary there! Much appreciated.

[mikedemana]

VERY useful...thank you!

Mike Demana