CapnJim's Modern Stuff - Mission Scrubbed, Black SUV, Signs - Pg 33 - 25 Sep 24

[carlos marighela]

"Thanks.  No drones, though.  In 1990, it was probably aerial photos from a low-flying fixed-wing..."

Twas thinking more the Vietnam era Ryan Firebee jet powered affairs or whatever replaced it in the 1980s rather than quad copters with a Ukrainian and a joy stick. Come to think of it by the end of the Cold War it was probably a satellite or SR-71, even the venerable old U-2. Low flying planes rather tend to advertise upcoming unpleasantness.

I see what you did there, calling the BFF the er, BFF.

[CapnJim]

Looking fun! Is the new recruit coming to be indoctrinated in the wacky world of Jim's modern games?

Looking forward to coming up for our visit at the end of this month!

Mike Demana

Yes - Johnny will be joining us.  We'll have to get him up to speed on events thus far...

As for the visit, I forgot to inquire with the boys Friday.  I will do so this Friday, and confirm details with you.  I, too, am looking forward to it...

"Thanks.  No drones, though.  In 1990, it was probably aerial photos from a low-flying fixed-wing..."

Twas thinking more the Vietnam era Ryan Firebee jet powered affairs or whatever replaced it in the 1980s rather than quad copters with a Ukrainian and a joy stick. Come to think of it by the end of the Cold War it was probably a satellite or SR-71, even the venerable old U-2. Low flying planes rather tend to advertise upcoming unpleasantness.

I see what you did there, calling the BFF the er, BFF.

It is Northern Gambola, after all.  Not a high priority at DoD....Balczakistan might get a higher priority, depending on now Friday's mission goes.

I'm quite pleased with myself, and my naming conventions.     I should note that PBR has a special meaning for Americans who like inexpensive beer - and it don't stand for Patrol Boat, Riverine...

And thanks!  I'm looking forward to see how their ambush on the Ambassador's convoy goes, myself...

[carlos marighela]

The pleasure is all ours. Keep 'em coming.

[CapnJim]

Fear not, my friend.   

Things are just heating up in Balczakistan.  When it's all said and done, US, Balczaki, BFF, PBR, and Russian units will have played a part in these proceedings, and maybe others...and then there'll be actions in El Perdomo after that... 

In order to get ready for all that, I got a few more 1/50 T55s (1 of the plain jane chinese ones), and 2 of the uparmored James Bond ones.  I've also ordered some 1/43 Uaz jeep-like vehicles from a chap in Ukraine - these just got shipped.  Photos will follow upon receipt.

Gotta make up some signs in Russian to put up at a base's front gate for a Balczakistan scenario I have planned for this fall...

[CapnJim]

Okay.  We're back from vacation, and it's time to see if the Ambassador is back in friendly hands.

I played the BFF Convoy.  Ted, Gene, and Johnny took the Spec Ops team and their Balczaki PBR guides.  AS previously mentioned, we used the core Fistful of Lead rules.

AAR:  Well, That Didn't Go As Planned...

The Spec Ops boys, with their 2 Balczaki guides, set up their ambush at the crossroads at the western end of the target area.  They moved in in such a manner as to not be noticed by the locals.  They "tactically acquired" some miscellaneous materials, and built a field-expedient roadblock immediately west of that cross roads.  They then set up their ambush, and waited.

The BFF convoy came on from the east, led and trailed by a technical....



Their first decision point, was at the first intersection.  They decided to turn left there.  That would prove to be a rather fortuitous decision...

   

They got to their 2nd decision point (the 2nd intersection), and the lead technical cut the corner and slammed on it's brakes.  They could clearly see the roadblock further down their intended route.  That roadblack was not supposed to be there...



Three of the BFF guys dismounted the lead technical, and headed into the woods as bush-beaters.  The driver of the sedan pulled up, so the convoy leader could see what was going on.



The BFF convoy continued west, slowly, as the lead technical gunner kept his eyes peeled, and the bush-beaters worked their way through the woods.  The ambushers held tight.



As they BFF convoy approached the intersection and the road block, the Spec Ops men and their Balczacki brethren sprang the ambush.  The lead technical gunner went down, and the lead technical tried to bull it's way through the roadblock.  It failed, and got hung up in it.  The ambushers also dropped the lead bush-beater.  But, some BFFs dismounted the trail technical, and BFF return fire managed to drop the Spec Ops leader.



This is when the wheels began to come off the Spec Ops bus.  The BFF leader ordered his driver to push the hung-up technical through the roadblock (which took some doing...), while the trail technical's MG gunner and their dismounts took out 2 more Spec Ops men and one of the Balczaki guides.  The Spec Ops men managed to drop the trail MG gunner, but just a bit late as it turned out.



As BFF men moved through the ambush site, a Spec Ops man and the other Balczaki guide moved to the sedan.  After a frantic exchange of fire, the driver shot down the Spec Ops man, while the Balczaki guide roughed up the BFF leader, and dragged him out of the car.



It was at this point, the 3 surviving Spec Ops team-members decided to try to get away.  They would leave 4 of their team-members there at the ambush site (out of action), unable to rescue them.  They also left the Ambassador, who, at some point in the fight, was wounded in the cross-fire (by a Spec Ops team member, as it turned out).  The remaining Balczaki guide stood his ground, killing the BFF leader and trying to keep the BFF at bay as the remaining Spec Ops boys made their get away.  The driver of the BFF sedan got out of the vehicle with his shotgun, intent on taking care of that Balczaki guide.



The Balczaki guide went down fighting, taking 2 BFF chaps with him before he took a shotgun blast from the BFF sedan driver.  His heroic stand bought just enough time for the 3 Spec ops boys to hoof it the hell on out of there.



Now, it was a race.  The Specs Ops men conducted a fighting retreat, keeping a step ahead of the BFFers.  One Spec Ops man went down just before he got away, but was able to recover himself, and make his escape.









Thus the ambush, such as it was, ended.  Not a banner day for our Spec Ops team.  We rolled on the relevant chart in the rulebook, to see how the various "Out of Action" Spec Ops and PBR men, and the Ambassador, fared.  Both Balczaki PBR guides were KIA (likely executed by the dastardly BFF fighters - who lost 6 of their 12 men, including their leader, by the way), as was the Spec Ops leader.  The 3 other Spec Ops team-members, as well as the Ambassador, were only WIA.  They are all now in the custody of the BFF, and appeared later on TV being roughed up and paraded around by the BFF.  Which did not sit well with US (or Balczaki) authorities.

It looks like another rescue mission is in order...   

[Digits]

Frantic…love it !

[mikedemana]

Yikes...bad day for the Special Forces! Sounds like Capn Jim was doing some great rolling there. Or wait...was it your tactical genius?? 

Looking forward to coming up your way at the end of the month and gaming with the boys! 

Mike Demana

[HESH]

Outstanding !

Terrific photos . Lots to inspire there. 👍

[carlos marighela]

Great AAR Jim! 

Rescue effort upon rescue effort. It's like Bat-21 all over again but minus Gene Hackman.

[has.been]

Another fun game it sounds like. Well done Capt.

[flatpack]

Not a good day for those Spec Ops boys…or the ambassador 
Great game, and great write up Capt.
Keep it going.

[Lord Raglan]

Another great batrep Jim, you are smashing it buddy

[CapnJim]

Frantic…love it !

It was indeed frantic.  And it sucks when the hunters become the hunted...

Yikes...bad day for the Special Forces! Sounds like Capn Jim was doing some great rolling there. Or wait...was it your tactical genius?? 

Looking forward to coming up your way at the end of the month and gaming with the boys! 

Mike Demana

It was both, Mike!     And looking forward to this weekend, as well.

Outstanding !

Terrific photos . Lots to inspire there. 👍

Thanks, HESH.  Appreciate that. 

Great AAR Jim! 

Rescue effort upon rescue effort. It's like Bat-21 all over again but minus Gene Hackman.

Yeah - that didn't go as planned.  We'll likely be playing the 2nd rescue attempt in a couple weeks.  And it will be a far more concerted effort by the Americans and their Balczaki friends...

Another fun game it sounds like. Well done Capt.

Thanks, has.been!

Not a good day for those Spec Ops boys…or the ambassador 
Great game, and great write up Capt.
Keep it going.

No, not a good day at all.  Not for the Americans.  I'm pretty sure the Ambassador didn't appreciate getting shot by one of his would-be rescuers...

Another great batrep Jim, you are smashing it buddy

Thanks, M'Lord.  The saga will surely continue...

[CapnJim]

Bought a few UAZs from a chap in the Ukraine.  They arrived last week, after only 2 weeks and 5 days in transit.  They are diecast 1/43 D'Agostini's.  I got 2 UAZ3171s (on the right - they look good, but never entered production, and I'm gonna use 'em anyway in Balczakistan), and a UAZ469 (on the left).  Here are a couple shots with 28mm figures (Tiny Terrain, Khurasan, and Eureka) for scale purposes.  As they are 1/43, they are a tad big, but, again, I'm gonna use 'em anyway...





They will be seeing action in Balczakistan not too far down the road...

[HESH]

They are terrific! 👍