CapnJim's Modern Stuff - Balczaki-Soviet Bridge Fight Full AAR - Pg 54-10 Aug 25

[Ultravanillasmurf]

Nice work.
Can you fix that shortened M16?

[carlos marighela]

Donor barrel from a spare Rubicon arm  should do the trick.

[CapnJim]

Well now, why didn't I think of that...earlier today, I just used a small section of metal rod and some Gorilla Glue.  It looks OK.  But if that doesn't hold, I'll do what carlos suggested...

And thanks, chaps, for the comments...4 more of the Caribbean fellas done today - the last 4 should get done Wednesday.  It'd be tomorrow but the lawn needs mowin', and the damn thing won't mow itself...

[CapnJim]

Here are the other 8 Carribean Infantry I just finished.  Again, all Mongrel Miniatures Congo Mercenaries.  As you can see, these chaps are sporting berets and toting FALs.

Here are 4 of them:





Here are the other 4:





Here are all 8:



And here are all 16 (both batches) I've done up:



That'll do for now.  Like I said, I might augment them with Eureka's Aden British troops.  We'll see.

Next up, figures-wise, are some officers, RTOs, dismounted tankers, and ATGM crews for both the Soviets and Balczakis in Balczakistan.  These guys I just got from Full Metal Miniatures.  Prepping is underway on them.

Game-wise, the Soviets are hitting back in Balczakistan next Friday (08 August).  I'll post scenario info, likely yet this weekend.

 

[carlos marighela]

I say
I don't like cricket, oh no
I love it
I don't like cricket, no no
I love it

Very nice!

[Ultravanillasmurf]

More great figures.

Has anyone mentioned https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_(1985_film) and to a lesser extent https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_in_Paradise.

[Ash]

Those Mongrel minis blokes really look the part. Very versatile packs of figures.

[mikedemana]

Game-wise, the Soviets are hitting back in Balczakistan next Friday (08 August).  I'll post scenario info, likely yet this weekend.

And I, for one, and am looking forward to it...! Yes, it is time for the Columbus crew's annual trip up to Blisffield, MI, for a gaming weekend at Jim's Toybox. It's going to be fun...! 

Mike Demana

[CapnJim]

I say
I don't like cricket, oh no
I love it
I don't like cricket, no no
I love it

Very nice!

Thanks!  Appreciate that.

More great figures.

Has anyone mentioned https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_(1985_film) and to a lesser extent https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_in_Paradise.

Thanks!  Interesting tips - I hadn't heard of either of those...

Those Mongrel minis blokes really look the part. Very versatile packs of figures.

They will certainly do the trick.  Thanks!

And I, for one, and am looking forward to it...! Yes, it is time for the Columbus crew's annual trip up to Blisffield, MI, for a gaming weekend at Jim's Toybox. It's going to be fun...! 

Mike Demana

Yep, we're looking forward to it too.  And speaking of Friday, here is the scenario info.

But first, a bit of background.  The Soviets have gotten tired of the PBR's insurgency.  Especially now that regular Balczaki troops have gotten involved.  The Provisional Balczaki Government has rebuffed and/or ignored Soviet back-channel diplomatic warnings and threats.  So, the Soviets ordered their troops in Balczakistan to go on a war footing, and began massing troops at the Balczaki border.  The Soviet Union was beginning to unravel, and the warsaw Pact was already well on its way to becoming a thing of the past.  Moscow hoped that they could teach Balczakistan (and maybe other Soviet republics by proxy) a lesson.  Balczaki intel (perhaps aided by third parties) caught wind of these activities, and scrambled to react.  They didn't have much time to do so.  On 14 September 1990, Soviet units already in Balczakistan began moving off their bases, to seize and secure lines of communication and movement for the Soviet units that would duly cross the border. 

This game (using Xenos Rampant again) will feature a reinforced Soviet Motor Rifle Platoon attacking a bridge over a local stream on one of those lines.  It is a mashup of the scenario included in Wargames, Soldiers, 7 Strategy, Issue #136, titled A Delaying Action at Uman, and the Bottleneck scenario in the Xenos Rampant rulebook, adapted to the situation in Balczakistan.  First up is the scenario map (used and adapted from the afore-mentioned issue of WS&S):



Here are the Soviet Scenario Info and Unit Sheets:





And here are the Balczaki Scenario Info and Unit Sheets:





The Empire Strikes Back this Friday at about 1830 hrs.  AAR to follow...

[mikedemana]

Looks fantastic, Jim! Do you want me to relay this info to the others?

One small note. The Soviet briefing says the scenario should last 10 turns, while the Balczaki says 15 turns. 

I made some little half-page, two-sided XR! Quick Reference Sheets. Do you want me to bring them? Or have you modified the rules a lot?

Mike Demana

[CapnJim]

Oops.  It's 15 turns.  I apparently missed the other scenario sheet...

And you can relay the info to the others.  Also, I did up QRSs too.  I didn't tweak that much...so don't worry about bringing yours.

[Rick]

I'm wondering if the Balczaki's need those 5 extra turns to get into place before the Soviets turn up. 

I believe I mentioned Water and Carlton-Browne of the F.O. as inspiration films on Cap'nJim's other post. Well worth a bit of a look.

[CapnJim]

I'm wondering if the Balczaki's need those 5 extra turns to get into place before the Soviets turn up. 

I believe I mentioned Water and Carlton-Browne of the F.O. as inspiration films on Cap'nJim's other post. Well worth a bit of a look.

You did mention them.  Haven't perused them yet, but they're on the list.

As for the turns, one would hope both sides deploy and move with alacrity, but gamers do use seemingly puzzling tactics sometimes.  I guess we'll all find out together...

[carlos marighela]

Guerillas are always fighting the 'long war'.

Meanwhile the Soviet CinC  will have said 'this limited military intervention (definitely not a war) will be over by turn three'. 

[CapnJim]

Guerillas are always fighting the 'long war'.

Meanwhile the Soviet CinC  will have said 'this limited military intervention (definitely not a war) will be over by turn three'. 

Yes - Limited Military Intervention to Restore Geopolitical Integrity of Soviet Union.

With that being said, I've got things set up for Friday.  Let's look at our battlefield first. It's just a tad bigger than 6' x 4'. Here is a view from the west board edge (from which the Soviets will be attacking), looking east.



Here is looking northwest, from the southeast corner.  The bridge is the objective.



And here is a view looking west from the east board edge.



Now that we've familiarized ourselves with the lay of the land, let's look to see who got invited to the party.  First up are the Soviets.  On the left is the Motor Rifle Platoon.  They are likely Cat B troops, as they are not up to 100% strength.  The truckload of Interior Ministry troops is on the right.



Here are the Balczakis.  On the left is the Balczaki infantry platoon.  The PBR cell/group/gaggle/cohort/assemblage/whatever you want to call it is on the right.



End of message.  More to follow...