Battle for Bak

Soviet forces have taken the town of Bak, the last major settlement before Ratzeburg. NATO has dispatched a platoon to retake the town and push the enemy forces back.

East Germans occupy the town.

British forces entered through the woods with armoured support on the other side of the town.

A British fire team trade fire with some East Germans occupying a shop, they come out the worse of it.

East German reinforcements arrive on the right flank, putting the British under serious pressure.

British forces concentrate fire into a East German occupied house. The resulting damage to the house makes it an even more defendable position, and a stray rocket sets a nearby shop on fire.

East Germans quickly move there forces to the right flank and over run the British position.

British forces are eventually forced to retreat, carrying their casualties with them.

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Another game of complete failure for me, I'm still trying to get a handle on the tactics of this game. Again Dave got to start in the superior defensive position, but he also drew only good fog of war cards. Getting an extra light vehicle, a fire team, a superior defensive position, and setting any building on fire (unlucky I wasn't in any at the time). At this point I think even if I was playing well luck would just pull the rug from under me.

Battle for Mechow

NATO reconnaissance has reported an East German forward command centre in the town of Mechow. The Irish Rangers have been sent to take the command centre, transmit any important information back to HQ and extract themselves as quickly as possible.

British forces occupy a control tower on the outskirts of the town.

East German forces are on their way back to the town when they notice the British forces.

The British Fire team in the control tower put heavy fire into a unit of East Germans. The favour is returned however, as the rest of the enemy forces open up on the tower.

British forces come under heavy fire as one of the FV432's explode. Luckily the crew escape. A nearby fire team also goes down.

A British fire team trade fire with some East Germans in the wood. They eventually manage to flush them out and enter the enemy command centre.

With the intel successfully transmitted back to base, British force begin to disengage. A heavy price was paid but hopefully the intel will make up for it.

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I was a little out numbered in this game but managed to just achieve my objective. Dave also did and again I took a hammering in casualties so lost badly. It seems almost a guarantee at this point that, while I roll roughly only a few more casualty rolls then Dave, I get about 3 times as many deaths as him.

Battle for Mustin

After driving back the Soviets in a number of engagements, NATO make a daring push deep behind Soviet lines.

The Irish Rangers have been assigned to take the town of Mustin and if possible rescue any POWs in the nearby East German command centre. East German resistance is expected to be strong.

British forces move into the town and take up position in a tower block. Their movement is responded to with heavy enemy fire.

With medic support, the British reply by disabling an East German BTR-60P.

The near by East Germans fire team go down under coordinated British fire. The escaped BTR crew are forced to provide emergency first aid.

British forces move into the town but suffer lethal casualties.

East German forces surround the town as British forces lay down fire to cover their retreat.

Night begins to fall as British forces retreat under fire.

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Luck just wasn't with me, and I made a few mistakes in the opening turns. I rolled only a few more casualty rolls then Dave yet lost 4 guys to his 1. I didn't set up proper overwatches at the start which cost me a lot of momentum. Just as I was clinging on, Dave draws an off-field sniper that rolls 5D10 against any infantry unit at the start of each turn. Typical...

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