Battle for Salem

With Schmilau under British control resources can be focused on retaking Salem. Soviet force have occupied the town and are pushing across the canal further into West Germany. The Irish Rangers have been assign to sweep and clear the East German forces crossing the canal, in preparation for the main assault on the town.

British forces set up in the local building.

While motorized support arrives from the west.

The East Germans have set up in some rocky out crops, while reinforcements arrive over the canal.

The opening exchanges see an already weakened British Fire Team go down. Now combat ineffective they quickly retreat from the field of battle.

An East German Fire Team is pinned, behind their destroyed BMP-40, by British fire.

The favour is returned, with the destruction of a British FV432 and the capture of 1 of its crew.

The British put heavy fire on East German forces dug into a hill, who are soon forced to retreat.

Both sides fighting in the hills disengage, leaving the British in control of the buildings with a clear view of the field of battle.

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I got an impossible mission, having to cross the halfway line of the board while preventing any enemy units retreating off their own side. In a campaign you are always going to retreat a unit at some point, making this and unachievable objective. I was at least able to prevent Dave from achieving his objective but again suffered more casualties so lost. The real question though is, can I rescue my captured soldier?

Battle for Schmilau

September 20th 1986

Soviet forces have crossed the Canal and captured the town of Schmilau, they have fortified there position to prevent NATO forces reinforcing Ratzeburg. A task force has been assembled to retake the town. The Irish Rangers have been assigned flanking duty, to push through the Soviet flank and support the main assault.

The British enter through the woods, 2 Sections with an APC.

2 Sections of East Germans are well fortified in nearby buildings.

The British command group moves up under cover of their APC but come under heavy fire.

East German force begin withdrawing as word comes in that there main position is under heavy attack.

British forces push up putting heavy fire into the remaining defenders.

East German forces move from the field with the British in hot pursuit.

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We got a silly mission from a game perspective but story-wise it makes a lot of sense. Dave had to retreat half his forces from the board, while I had to cross half my forces over his board edge. Dave withdraw too early which allowed me to achieve my objective as well. I suffered more casualties though so he got a minor victory. It was a fun game, I made a bad mistakes moving my command force up to far and getting it riddled, they spent the rest of the game inside the apc nursing their wounds.

Battle for Ratzebrug Canal

September 15th 1986

East German forces close in on the town of Ratzeburg. NATO forces come up from the south to relieve pressure on the city. The Irish Rangers are assigned blocking duty, holding the left flank as the main force advances.

While advancing contact is made with a dug in force of East German Infantry.

A lucky rocket strike immobilizes an enemy APC.

The British put heavy fire into an enemy controlled building.

The right flank does not have it so well coming under heavy E. German fire. A well placed mine destroys one of the FV432’s completely, stalling the British advance.

Night approaches as both forces begin to disengage. The British suffered heavier casualties but prevented the East Germans from taking advantage of it.

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This was the first game of the campaign. Dave edged it on casualties 3 to 4, we both had the same mission, Blocking Position, which meant we were both trying to push past and destroy each other. An amazing roll by Dave saw a whole unit I had put down stand back up uninjured. I suffered a string of Fog of War cards, killing one of my men and blowing up my FV432. It was a good close game.

Ratzeburg 1986, a Force on Force Campaign

The blog follows a Force on Force campaign between a Platoon of the British Army and a Platoon of the East German army during a Soviet invasion of western Europe in 1986. It takes place around the city of Ratzeburg, Germany. I am playing the British while my friend Dave plays the East Germans.

Platoon A "Irish Rangers", London Regiment.
Station: Ratzeburg.

Commanding Officer: Lt Finbar Brennan.
Strength: 28 Men, 3 AFVs

Composition:

HQ Section
1 Lt. armed with SLR
1 Sgt. armed with Light Mortar
1 Radioman armed with SLR
1 Medic armed with Sterling

Section A + FV432
1 Cpl. armed with SLR
1 LCpl. armed with Sterling
1 Pte. armed with GPMG
1 Pte. armed with LAW 80
4 Pte.'s armed with SLR

Section B + FV432
1 Cpl. armed with SLR
1 LCpl. armed with Sterling
1 Pte. armed with GPMG
1 Pte. armed with Blowpipe
4 Pte.'s armed with SLR

Section C + FV432
1 Cpl. armed with SLR
1 LCpl. armed with Sterling
1 Pte. armed with GPMG
1 Pte. armed with LAW 80
4 Pte.'s armed with SLR

Additional available support
2 Scimitar's
1 Spartan
3 Medic's