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Author Topic: Something for the weekend sir? French Indo China BOHICA game.  (Read 1616 times)

Offline Paul @ Empress Miniatures

  • Scatterbrained Genius
  • Posts: 3091
Something for the weekend sir?

We have been planning on playing this game for ages but real life keeps getting in the way. This Sunday should see us finally roll some dice.

French Indo China Urban Game. Colonial Town of Man How 1953.

SCENARIO BACKGROUND.

This is a fictitious game based on the type of attacks that were carried out by the ever bolder Vietminh forces in the early 1950’s. Man How is a French Colonial Town 30 miles south of Hanoi. It has a small local defence militia made up of local French business men. The local Vietnamese population continue to appear loyal to the French however communist influence is silently taking hold and its been very noticeable that in recent weeks the local population have become noticeably quiet and reserved. FFL paratroopers patrol the area to help police the situation but are hard pushed to try and be in the right place at the right time.

The French have limited air support and no artillery within range. Military intelligence has concluded that an attack is likely by Vietminh regular troops.

SCENARIO.

The town is typical of the busy slightly shambolic old French colonial towns with a mix of French and local buildings. Communist activity has been minimal but developing. The local town militia has been warned of an impending attack by Vietminh regulars and has taken up positions to defend the town as best is can. The local Vietnamese population are not trusted. A plea for help has been sent to local French forces and a reinforced French FFL Paratroop squad has been sent in support.

The game starts with the French militia in defensive positions of its choice. It has one barricade that it can place on the table anywhere it wants. Must defend the town.

First move French regulars can enter on the western and northern sides of the town. Orders are to support the mayors militia and defend the town.

Local Vietnamese continue about their business but are subject to the Random Events Chart.

First move Vietminh troops can enter along the southern and eastern sides of the table. Capture the town. Kill any French population especially the mayor and priest. Capture the local population and hold courts to see who is loyal to the communist cause.

FORCES.

French Town Militia

Commander mayor, Priest and 6 other townspeople. Mission to defend the town. Various basic weapons SMG, Bolt action rifles, shotguns. S&D 3

French FFL Paratroop reinforced Squad.

Every French para has one grenade.
Sous-lieutenant Piere Thrulewindow. RTO, Sergent-Chef, Medic, 1 X 30 cal two crew. S&D 4
FIRE SQUAD: Squad Leader Sergeant – SMG, 1 x LMG, and No2 with carbine. 3 x Riflemen, 1 x SMG. S&D 4
SHOCK SQUAD: Fireteam 1 Leader Corporal – SMG, 2 X Riflegrenadiers, 2 x carbines, 1 x SMG. S&D 4
Fireteam 2 Leader Corporal – SMG, 1X LMG, and No2 with carbine. 1 x SMG, 4 x Riflemen/ carbines. S&D 3

French Town Militia.

8 men Assorted weapons ranging from pistols, rifles, SMG, shotguns. S&D 3

Local Vietnamese. If they become hostile assorted weapons. S&D 3

Vietminh Force. Weak platoon

HQ – CO, Medic, Bugler for comms, Standard bearer, runner. S&D 4
Support squads.
50mm mortar. 2 crew. S&D 3
MMG 2 crew. S&D 3
75mm RR 3 Crew. S&D4
Squad 1. 8 men. Mix of bolt action rifles and SMG’s 2 grenade per squad. S&D 4
Squad 2 8 men. Mix of bolt action rifles and SMG’s 2 grenade per squad. S&D 3
Squad 3 8 men. Mix of bolt action rifles and SMG’s 2 grenade per squad. S&D 3
Squad 4 8 men. Mix of bolt action rifles and SMG’s 2 grenade per squad. S&D 4
Squad 5 8 men. Mix of bolt action rifles and SMG’s 2 grenade per squad. S&D 4

French Indo China Urban Game. Random Events Chart.

1 - Local Vietnamese grab their guns. Roll D20. Result 1 – 10 Join the French forces. 11 – 20 Join the Vietminh.
2 – No Effect.
3 – French Militia panic and retreat to church and defend it for the rest of the game.
4 – No Effect.
5 – Vietminh squad nearest the enemy make full charge on French force.
6 – No Effect.
7 – French Radio stops working for 2 moves.
8 – No Effect.
9 – French Ground Bomber arrives over the table for up to 5 moves. Has two heavy bombs. Must be given target by ground force so cannot randomly attack. Move 10x 6” 2 x heavy bombs, 2 x HMG’s, S&D 4
10 – No Effect.
11 – Vietminh start to run out of ammunition. Can only fire once per move.
12 – No Effect.
13 – Petrol Station catches fire. Evacuate it immediately.
14 – No Effect.
15 – French Stuart 105mm Howitzer support tank arrives at the edge of the table. French player chooses where. Has 5 shots only. 3X 6” Medium Artillery pieces, 1 x HMG. S&D 3
16 – No Effect.
17 – French 30cal jams and is out of action for the rest of the game.
18 – No Effect.
19 – Random artillery shell land in the centre of the table. Roll D20 for inches and arrow die for direction.
20 – No Effect.
See you on the other side for a run through of how it went.
Cheers, Paul.

« Last Edit: May 06, 2022, 12:22:49 PM by Paul @ Empress Miniatures »

Offline Paul @ Empress Miniatures

  • Scatterbrained Genius
  • Posts: 3091
Re: Something for the weekend sir? French Indo China game.
« Reply #1 on: May 06, 2022, 12:22:28 PM »
 :)


Offline Dr Bogo

  • Librarian
  • Posts: 145
Re: Something for the weekend sir? French Indo China BOHICA game.
« Reply #2 on: May 06, 2022, 02:25:13 PM »
Great looking table! AAR soon please!

Offline has.been

  • Galactic Brain
  • Posts: 8227
Re: Something for the weekend sir? French Indo China BOHICA game.
« Reply #3 on: May 06, 2022, 04:43:03 PM »
Quote
Great looking table! AAR soon please!
Plus 1 to that.
Who makes the buildings?

Offline AKULA

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  • Galactic Brain
  • *
  • Posts: 6231
Re: Something for the weekend sir? French Indo China BOHICA game.
« Reply #4 on: May 06, 2022, 05:04:58 PM »
 :-* :-* :-* :-* :-*

Love the table - really creates the right sort of vibe

  8)

Offline Sparrow

  • Mastermind
  • Posts: 1302
Re: Something for the weekend sir? French Indo China BOHICA game.
« Reply #5 on: May 06, 2022, 08:18:50 PM »
Superb! Love the Tin Tin picture!
Put your trust in God and keep your powder dry!

Offline CapnJim

  • Scatterbrained Genius
  • Posts: 3658
  • Gainfully unemployed and lovng it!
Re: Something for the weekend sir? French Indo China BOHICA game.
« Reply #6 on: May 07, 2022, 01:23:32 AM »
Wow.  Positively beautiful terrain.  Sets the mood quite nicely.  Waiting for the AAR... :)
"Remember - Incoming Fire Has the Right-of-Way"

Offline AKULA

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  • Galactic Brain
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  • Posts: 6231
Re: Something for the weekend sir? French Indo China BOHICA game.
« Reply #7 on: May 07, 2022, 10:29:17 AM »
Wow.  Positively beautiful terrain.  Sets the mood quite nicely.  Waiting for the AAR... :)

Definitely…lots of photos required

Offline Paul @ Empress Miniatures

  • Scatterbrained Genius
  • Posts: 3091
Re: Something for the weekend sir? French Indo China BOHICA game.
« Reply #8 on: May 09, 2022, 12:08:28 PM »
GAME.

The table starts with the Vietnamese civilians scattered about their business around the table. If a 1 is thrown they will arm themselves and then we roll to see who they attack.

The French player opts to place his town militia, including the mayor and priest in two defensive positions. Half defending the Blue Angel Bar (yeah right!) the other half a barricade thrown across main street.

The initial moves show some seriously good initiative throws by the French and the FFL arrive first move from the market corner. The Vietminh are tardy, or is that careful and sneaky? no its tardy.  They arrive from the opposite corner and start to move along the edge of the table intent on getting to the church and petrol station as the main attack as well as sending two squads towards the bar.
For the first few moves there was no contact as troops manoeuvred into position and got closer to their opposition.  Move two the French gain a Stuart 105mm support tank. Move three and the French get air support. This needs radio communication to guide it to an attack and cannot just attack anything it wants. After all this is French property. Unfortunately move four the French radio fails for two moves and so the plane is left to carry out an air display for a few moves. This gives the Vietminh the chance to continue their advance without fear of an attack from above.

The Vietminh take up positions in the buildings opposite the bar and in the church and a fire fight begins between them and the town militia with the militia getting the worst of it, especially from the light mortar. Move five sees the militia make a run for it having suffered a few casualties but fear not the mayor runs to safety and future electoral victories. 

By now the French had taken up positions in the main street near the temple and sent the tank and two squads around the left flank to capture the petrol station and night club. These bumped  into the advance squad of Vietminh and in the ensuing firefight the French, supported by the tank pushed the Vietminh back and captured the nightclub.  However the French squad who moved into the club became the target of the following Vietminh supported by their recoilless rifle and were forced to retire having taken casualties.  This flank was to become stand off with pot shots being taken but little opportunity for one side to dominate. The tank held back due to the threat of the RR.

One the other flank the Vietminh chased the town militia from its positions defending the bar and began to move around that flank to attack the French defenders in the centre of the town. 

Move seven saw the petrol station burst into flames following the roll on the random events chart.

In the centre a carefully positioned Vietminh MMG (its had taken seven moves to get into position and set up.) took aim at the French 30 Cal. Having won the initiative it spotted and fired, rolling a 1. Bum! The French 30 Cal spotted and took carful aim and fired back,. Rolling a 1. Merde! But no matter the radio was now working and the pilot directed to bomb the MMG. However it failed to spot it and flew over the target. Next move the radio failed again and after flying around it did a victory roll and flew back to base for coffee and pastries.   

On move ten the French player decided to evacuate back towards his entre point. And moved through the market. Move 11 and the random events chart rolled the scary point 1 and the locals grabbed their weapons. The following roll to see which side they would support was tense.

They rolled in favour of the Vietminh and the French player found himself surrounded in the market place. An even bigger Merde! And the game ended.

Great fun and both sides saw success and failure swing back and fourth with the end only becoming obvious in the last two moves. Both sides suffered from good and bad dice but one of the best games yet.

Now to pack the scenery away.

Cheers,
Paul







   



Offline Paul @ Empress Miniatures

  • Scatterbrained Genius
  • Posts: 3091
Re: Something for the weekend sir? French Indo China BOHICA game.
« Reply #9 on: May 09, 2022, 12:11:23 PM »
 :)

Offline Paul @ Empress Miniatures

  • Scatterbrained Genius
  • Posts: 3091
Re: Something for the weekend sir? French Indo China BOHICA game.
« Reply #10 on: May 09, 2022, 12:13:58 PM »
 8)


Offline Paul @ Empress Miniatures

  • Scatterbrained Genius
  • Posts: 3091
Re: Something for the weekend sir? French Indo China BOHICA game.
« Reply #11 on: May 09, 2022, 12:17:08 PM »
 ::)


Offline Dags

  • Supporting Adventurer
  • Mastermind
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Re: Something for the weekend sir? French Indo China BOHICA game.
« Reply #12 on: May 09, 2022, 05:06:55 PM »
Great stuff all round  8)

But I hope whoever came up with name for the French Lieutenant is thoroughly ashamed of themselves  ;)

Offline diehard

  • Mad Scientist
  • Posts: 593
Re: Something for the weekend sir? French Indo China BOHICA game.
« Reply #13 on: May 09, 2022, 05:16:50 PM »
Beautiful looking table and miniatures and a well written and entertaining AAR. Thanks for sharing.
We haul ours to kick theirs.

Offline Sparrow

  • Mastermind
  • Posts: 1302
Re: Something for the weekend sir? French Indo China BOHICA game.
« Reply #14 on: May 09, 2022, 05:52:16 PM »
But I hope whoever came up with name for the French Lieutenant is thoroughly ashamed of themselves  ;)

It wasn’t me   ;)

 

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