Malikastan Mission Briefing - A Tale of 2 City Fights

It was not the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was not the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of unquestioning belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it had been the spring of hope, it was now the winter of despair, we had had everything before us, we now knew we had nothing before us, they all thought they were going direct to Heaven, but they were merely turning to dust—in short, the period was so far back to jingoistic isolationism, that some of its noisiest authorities tweeted on it being finished by Christmas.

December 24 2019
The forces of the world, some under the umbrella of the UN, some under independent command and now encircled the garden city of Hotaki in Malikastan.  The fanatical followers of the long dead Hotaki saw that his prophecy of the "coming of the Franks" was upon them, and when the "Franks" entered the tomb of Hotaki all the warriors of Hotaki who had died over the last several hundred years would rise from their graves and bring on the final days.  Hotaki warriors sat in their prepared positions contemplating their rewards or contemplating on the joy of seeing their many fallen comrades join them once more with tales of Paradise.

A week ago, on a cold winter's morning, the pincer movement of the two vanguard armies entered the City of Hotaki.  The British had offered the name for the operation as Operation Put-In, a good rugby term.  The Americans changed it to Operation Tweet.  The Russians merely called it Operation Trump Card.  The US President tweeted how "clever" the Russians were, and how the Russian forces would put the efforts of the US, French and British armies to shame.

We are playing a Malikastan mission this Wednesday.  And, maybe Brisbane will play the other pincer.  The Russian pincer will involve the attempt to capture a hill overlooking Hotaki City, upon which sits a World Heritage ruin of the pre-Hotaki era.  During the capture of the ruin by the Hotakistanis they had been destroying portions of the ruins to bait the west in attacking the city and thereby bringing about the beginning of the Final Days.

For the last two days the Russians have been fighting through the IEDs and fortified positions to get to the base of the hill.  Their first assault on the hill was repulsed with heavy casualties.  They have now brought up heavy self-propelled artillery to "gently" remove resistance so from the ridge line so that their VDV (paratroopers) can gain a foothold on the hill.

Victory Points
Malikastani Terror Brigade & Hotakistani Regulars
+2 VP for each time the Russian player fires the 155mm at a position on the hill
+1 VP per Russian KIA or Seriously Wounded
+5VP per Russian Vehicle destroyed

Russian VDV (Paratroopers)
+5VP if the Russians hold the ridge line at game end or beyond
+5VP if the Russians have advanced to the edge of the board
+1VP for each MTB or HR fire team/crew destroyed.

+5VP for each armoured vehicle of the HR destroyed

Turns: 7
Russians start with initiative and automatically hold initiative for turn 1 and 2.
From the beginning of turn 3 roll for initiative as normal
Conditions: Clear.  At the beginning of each turn roll a D6, on a 4+ a wind picks up (see Dust special rule).  Roll a direction dice and a wind speed.  At the beginning of each turn reroll the wind speed dice.
Play Area: 4'x4'

Russian Paratrooper (VDV) (INI10, TC8, MOR10)
Full VDV Platoon (minus the weapons support section)
One 2S23 Nona w\120mm
One Tunguska
One 2S19 MTSA 155mm
One T-72 arrives at the beginning of Turn 3.

Malikastani Terror Brigade (INI D6, TC D6, MOR D12) REGULAR
Team 1 Leader w\AK, 3 w\AK, 1 w\RPG (AP3/AT3M), 1 Suicide Bomber (AP3/AT3L)
Team 2 Leader w\AK, 3 w\AK, 1 w\RPG (AP3/AT3M), 1 Suicide Bomber (AP3/AT3L)
Bunker (3 crew) with DShKa HMG (5D10)
VBIED (Sedan, Uparmoured Soft, FA2D6, SA2D6, RA1D6 AP6/AT2M)
AT Minefield (AP-/AT4D8H)
AP Minefield (AP4D8/AT1D8L)
Two IED (AP4D8/AT2D8M)

Hotakistani Remnant Armoured Brigade (INI D6, TC D8, MOR D8) REGULAR
Two T-55

Special Rules
DUST.  Place a dust cloud behind any vehicle that has moved.  Place a dust cloud in front of any 100mm gun or larger that fires.  Dust blocks LOS until it dissipates or moves.  Place a large dust cloud at the location where the 155mm shell explodes.  At the beginning of each turn roll a D6 for each dust cloud, on a 4+ it dissipates, otherwise it moves on the wind.
Medical.  The Russians have normal medical,  Malikastani/Hotakistani have Caveman Evacuation.
Prepared positions and ratlines.  The Malikastani/Hotakistani forces have well-prepared positions,
Mines.  The Malikastani/Hotakistani player may place three minefields, one of which is fake, one of which is AT and one of which is AP.  Any unit moving in a minefield will trigger a mine on a failed TC.
Remote Detonated IED.  The Malikastani player also places two IED anywhere in the 2/3 of the board away from the Russian edge.  The crew of the bunker must
Explosive Rule: All blasts have a diameter equal to their number of AP dice.
Loaded: The Russians are carrying unlimited supplies of RPG.

A victory of sorts

We tried another web-cam game, with our West Australian player taking the part of the insurgents, with good local knowledge, but poor command and control; and a local player playing the Australian (UNSAF) forces, who would have better communications and overview. However, we were thwarted to some extent by 'technical' issues; the web cam kept seizing up. We ended up using an iPad and skype. The board was set up as below; the road ran through a shallow valley, with a village in the centre. The main compound was just outside the village to the left. All woods were average, restricting line of sight to 3". There was a legacy minefield that the insurgent player was aware of - the large poppy field, surrounded by walls, between 2 woods and the compound - but was unknown to the UNSAF player. 10 turns were allowed on a 6 x 4 board.

The insurgent brief was as follows :- You've been informed that the westerners are going to search your compound for drugs and weapons, so you've moved everything out in advance, and decided to give them a little surprise... Your aim is to kill, wound or capture the westerners. Your men are hidden in ambush around the area, and ratlines enable them to move between positions without being spotted. Some other local groups have also promised to assist, including a mortar team. You, of course, are 'supervising' from a nearby hill (bottom right corner in the first photo); be aware that the westerners are likely to be monitoring your communications.

The UNSAF brief was simple :- Your platoon is to raid the compound of a suspected local drug lord, and confiscate any drugs or guns you find there. You are not expected to encounter anything but token resistance; the main suspect has shown pro-western sympathies in the past, but must be taught that poppy cultivation is not acceptable in the modern Malikastan. There are also believed to be civilians in the village, so be on your best behaviour. (UNSAF to enter from the top of the photo, and advance to the compound).

Here is one side's version of the events that followed...

The valley from the south

Ubadul Hin-D’most’s satellite phone rang, it was the interpreter from the local UNSAF base, the man earned his drugs by quickly saying, “Ubadul, they are coming to get your guns and opium.”  With that said the phone went dead.  Ubadul swore, the damnable drug-stealing crusaders had not been in his valley for months.  His latest lecture on the pro’s of Holy War [to ensure the crusaders stayed away from his compound] had put the new batch of international volunteers to sleep.  This bunch were even worse than the last batch, lazy drug-dealing thugs from Australia and across Europe.  All they did was steal his drugs and eat his food and kick his dog.  He sighed, “O, for the good old days.”… when he had well trained, well indoctrinated soldiers to protect his poppies from the Russians.

Ubadul's compound, with flag flying...

He shouted his Holy ‘Warriors’ awake; “Brothers, I need to head over to town to buy more…food.  While I am away please go to your rooms and make sure your weapons are in good order.” With that he mounted his donkey, called his dog, and with a few slaps of his fly-switch was off in the opposite direction.  He eventually reached his hide, well stocked with hashish, beer and literature (porn). He then phoned the idiot…his second in command…, “Hey, Rubesh bin-Sidni, bad news man, some soldiers are coming down the valley, there are only…hmm, 4 of them, get your boys into ambush.  I am riding as fast as my ass can carry me.”

Rubesh was over the Moon: he could fight the UNSAF without having to go to “El Stalingrad” and test his faith against a 2,000lbs JDAM. He ordered his men to take up positions around the village, and sniggered, this was way cooler than being arrested for selling drugs in King’s Cross! Rubesh ordered his PKM man to setup the machine-gun on the top storey and then sat back and had a smoke.  He did not even look over when the PKM gunner got his finger jammed in the feeder.

The Australian advances (blue) and the Insurgent responses (Black)

The first sign of trouble was when Rezikel bin-Brisbani, the brave fool, opened fire from his forward position on the advancing UNSAF only to be met with an accurate fusillade from the UNSAF troops.  Rubesh laughed, Rezikel was a fool, not like Rubesh himself who was way back from the fight.

Ubadul sat miles away from the fight munching on a Hershy bar.  Ah, contact! He got on his radio to some Hotakistani soldiers at the border post to the east, “Hey, can you send over some mortars?”, “Eh?”, “Send over some fncking mortars.”  “Hey, is that you Ubadul?”  “No, it's your bloody mother.”  “Hey Uba, the hashish you sent us is all finished.” “So, what, I want mortars…”  And so on, as the UNSAF advanced Ubadul spent the time arguing over how much a mortar was worth in hashish-dollars.

The international Holy Warriors held their fire as Rezikel took the hits.  But when targets appeared they fired, but were truly terrible, they exposed themselves, and even before they could fire were pummeled with a rain of bullets and mortars.  Ubadul watched the clown show through his binoculars.  He sighed.  He received a few calls from his men; they begged for help; he told them they were doing fine - "I can see the UNSAF falling like wheat before a [blunt] scythe". He phoned the mortar men again but the phone was engaged. By now UNSAF mortars began to pepper the town, a few of the buildings collapsed.

 

UNSAF mortars destroy the village. (Note Ubadul's Golden Holden)

Ubadul cursed; he could see UNSAF troops advancing in the open and the mortar men’s phone was still engaged. He was happy to see a UNSAF solider go down on the broken down wall, but cringed to see the heavy fire hit his men’s positions.  He watched with silent anticipation as the UNSAF advanced through the Russian-Italian minefield… Gah!  His sheep regularly blew up!  Not even a little smoke.

He phoned each of his teams, but found most were silent.  He heard an explosion as UNSAF breached his compound wall.  He phoned Rubesh, “Rubesh, keep them away from the dr…weapon cache.” Rubesh was frantic, “They are killing everything!” “Who is doing the killing? Us?” “No.”

An insurgent sniper team is spotted, and comes under punitive fire.

By now more mortars smashed into the town, and whenever Ubadul’s men tried to shoot they received x10 in return and soon the town was full of the dying and dead.

Then Ubdaul saw an amazing sight; six of his idiots were charging up a hill, in the open, bullets landing everywhere, somehow they made it to the woods at the top of the hill.  Moments later he saw them reappear, once again with UNSAF bullets landing all around them, but dragging an UNSAF prisoner.  “Sweet, that will keep my masters happy.”

Udadul watches helplessly as the Australians head into his compound. All defensive fire is met with withering overwatch

Rubesh looked out the window down into the colonnaded lean-to in the compound.  There, below were Australian soldiers.  He counted two of them trying to medicate two of their fallen comrades; he whooped!  But he then realized that meant his friends down stairs were no more.  He looked around and thought, two UNSAF…and he had 6 men and himself.  He pulled out his knife, and with much ululating ran down the stairs to finish off the two soldiers.  Unfortunately it was a gunfight.  And ululating sought of killed the advantage of surprise...

As Rubesh slumped to the ground his last thought was, “Damn...I thought I was...”

An Australian soldier walked up to the bodies, “Holy Shit mate, this dead fucka has a Manly shirt.” His mate looked over, “Ha, Manly always loses.  Fucker should have known better.”

Ubadul finally saw mortars raining down from his friends across the border, but instead of landing on the UNSAF troops crossing the street they landed amongst his herd of goats. Ubadul cracked a beer and sighed; these volunteers from Australia were crap; he had lost 29 “soldiers”, and the interpreter reported that amongst the Australians two were dead, a few wounded and one missing.  He asked himself what would having one warrior like old Ubadul be worth?  He laughed, “Hell, if there were two of me I would be sitting here sharing my shit.” All in all a good day. Though Ubadul had lost lots of AK’s and bags of opium he now had 29 fewer mouths to feed.  “Always look on the bri...”  

Then he cursed - he had a whole herd of goats to eat this evening.

Ubadul's goats...  :~(

Relearning to eat soup with a knife...from 5,600km away

The fate of Eastern Malikastan was not decided on the desperate battlefields around Malika City, but far to the south the Hotakistani's were defeated by a Rialian force, supported by a UN landing force.  Here follows a brief history explaining the transition from regular warfare back to an insurgency.

Why are we returning to an insurgent campaign?  Well, the main reason is I slipped 5,600km around the Australian coast as the seagull flies.  So playing the regular force battles is a little hard.  So, we decided to head back to an insurgent war, easier to plan and play for now.  Though the initial part of the campaign will be the pursuit and neutralization of the routing Hotakistan regular forces.  So, still some symmetrical battles.

The new campaign is designed to present players with more of the choices of being involved in COIN operations and the rebuilding of a country under the threat of an insurgency.  So, smaller units, lots of influence peddlers, shortages and the need to secure and rebuild.  We will see how the campaign goes.  Rules will be minimised, and most of what needs to be known will be on the new map (see end of this page for the new map, Western Malikastan.

So, first a little history lesson to move on the transition:

And the new VASSAL map.  Each of the district squares has four levels of insurgency which can be easily changed in the VASSAL module.

MISSION BRIEFING: Operation Democritus

Something Russian
Something United Nations
Something Hotakistani
Something Geiger
And a Holy Hand-grenade in her undercarriage

Malika City Airfield (LV-426) – Camp Acheron

Camp Acheron, once the model of what a UN base should be, was shattered and tense.  Russian paratroopers had landed without warning earlier in the week and had secured the eastern edge of the airport and sent flying columns into Malika City.  The UN wanted to start the construction of a refugee camp at the east edge of the airstrip.  The Russian duma had said they would not move, but a confrontation between the Russians and UN was averted when the Russian commander on the ground agreed to move to the north edge of the base saying, "We will move commander, we are not some out of time fascist bully boy who just takes what he wants."  With that the Russians moved to the north.

Early in the morning General Phil Graves was woken by his adjutant: the Russians had moved en masse from their allotted position in Camp Acheron to the MMW.  The lieutenant said the Russians were heading for the partially abandoned Main Maintenance Workshops on the western edge of the base.  A general alarm was sounded, General Phil Graves ordered his subordinates to put together a force from the many remnant UN units to intercept the Russians and stop them from reaching the MMW.  The rules of engagement: Fire if fired upon, but firmly stop the Russians move.  While the order group was still underway small arms fire erupted from the helipads to the east of the HQ.  General Phil Graves ordered his radioman to contact the guard HQ, but the radioman shook his head handing the receiver to the General, the general put it to his ear, all he could hear was rapid chirping sounds.  General Graves turned red, "The fnckiug Rnssiaus are jammiug ns!"

Earlier, two Hotakistani observers, secreted away in in the MMW spotted two men searching through the wreckage of the planes in the MMW.  The two Hotakistani's stealthy moved closer to the two men.  The men were Russians and were using a scintillometer.  Both the Russians and Hotakistanis dove for cover as a French Peugeot patrol vehicle drove past.  After the vehicle had passed the Hotakistanis could no longer see the Russians.  The Hotakistanis scouts fell back to their hide and radioed for support.  In the dark the two Russians sent an important message to their HQ in Russia.

The MMW includes several wrecked aircraft, including the jetliner which crashed at Malika City Airport on the first day of the Hotakistani Invasion (see LINK)

In the early light of dawn the conflict starts.

MISSION: 10 Turns

INITIATIVE: Russians start with initiative.  From turn 2 roll for initiative as normal.

VICTORY POINTS: See individual briefings for bonus VP, otherwise 2VP per KIA and 1VP per SW.

FORCES:

Russian VDV Paratroopers (INI10, TQ8, MOR10) 

UN Nations motley strengthened Platoon (INI8, TQ8, INI8) -1 INI dice (poor command) +1FP (good supplies)

Hotakistani Paratrooper Platoon (INI6, TQ8, MOR12) -1FP (low supplies)

NSA Agents (INI10, TQ10, MOR12)

Note to players: Only open the secret order link that has your initials next to it.

RUSSIAN ORDERS LINK (BC)

UN ORDERS LINK (SF)

HOTAKISTANI LINK (MM)

NSA LINK (ULTRA SECRET ACCESS IS DENIED, otherwise please contact Snowedin or Wikidrips)

The units from each force can be seen here.  Only look at your force!
RUSSIAN FORCE (BC)
UN FORCE (SF)
HOTAKISTANI FORCE (MM)
NSA FORCE (KP) (revealed for all by Snowedin!)

On turn 3 the UN commander receives this hand-written communique:
LINK (SF only on turn 3)

Special Mission Rules:

1) MMW – The workshop contain dozens of vehicles in various states of disrepair, a team using tactical movement may attempt to commandeer the vehicle on a successful TQ check (all sides suffer a -1DShift except for the UN force).  Only a vehicles secondary armaments can be used on commandeered vehicles, the primary armaments are not functional.  A non-successful commandeer results in the vehicle being classed a non-runner by all forces for the rest of the mission.

2) No side has access to artillery, reinforcements or air support

3) Initiative, only one side has initiative per turn.

4) Concrete buildings are +2D, warehouse is +1D, all internal are +1D.  All buildings are 4D10 STR.  The aircraft give a +1D

5) All doorways and gateways are considered closed and all windows locked.  To enter the unit must pass a breaching TQ +1DShift.

6) The aircraft can only be entered by passing a breach TQ.

The Russians must also capture a helicopter.  The helicopter is guarded by four UN soldiers.

RECON IMAGES

RECON IMAGE 1

RECON IMAGE 2

Washing Day in Azmakassar (AAR)

A jubilant mood swept through the frontier town of Azmakassar.  A change from the despondency of the days earlier in the week.  Several days ago a force of British armour and infantry had smashed into the invading Hotakistani force and roughly pushed the Hotaki's back into Azmakassar, the British had then advanced to the Azmakassar Ford to cut off the supply route to the Hotakistani's to the south of the river.

The British Armour and Mechanized Infantry must cross two bridges, run a gauntlet of Malikastani infantry and insurgents and exit to the west.

The Hotakistani MTLBs had been unable to resupply their southern forces while the British held the ford.  Unfortunately (or fortunately?) the British had over extended.  With the Hotakistani armour licking its wounds the infantry and insurgents pushed forward to cut-off the British and destroy them.

The British realizing their situation had become untenable departed their new defenses and headed west towards the road and onward to FOB Break-bone.  A force of UN Uruguayan and AUSAF US Special Forces hastily moved to keep the road open.  In the middle of the night with a new Moon rising the British left their laager to head down a road that would be known as Hell's Highway.  All that stood between them and freedom was a platoon of turncoat Malikastani soldiers and two bands of insurgents...and a lurking HIND gunship...and two batteries of 107mm Rockets.

The insurgents laughed that they were going down to the river to do the washing, to wash their land of the dirty westerners.

(see Mission Description) 

With the new Moon rising over the eastern horizon the British began their escape.

The British started their breakthrough with a light barrage of all the enemy units between themselves and safety, two enemy soldiers were wounded in the barrage.  The front Challenger now probed towards the bridge, spotting enemy troops in the scrub across the first stream they opened fire.

The Challenger was soon joined by two Warriors (with infantry on-board) and the second Challenger.

The initial British surge wounded hit the advance Malikastani hard, forcing them back.  In the rear the infantry in the third Warrior debussed to deal with insurgents to the rear.  And then the HIND arrived...  Mark has done an excellent job with the nice looking QRF HIND.

The two Warriors and second Challenger fired on the enemy forcing them back with a few wounds.  To the rear the infantry in the third Warrior debussed to  deal with the insurgent scourge in the rear.  The Malikastani Lieutenant jumped on his radio and called in the supporting HIND, the HIND swept in an fired an AT rocket at the lead Challenger.  The hit destroyed the Challenger's gun, the Malikastani's were a tad miffed at not seeing a fireball!

A bat's eye view of the HIND vs. Challenger.

With no AA the HIND was to enjoy the King of the Battle role through the battle, but in all its attacks it only managed to damage two vehicles and destroying a single Warrior.  The 107mm Artillery played no part in stopping the British, the British "forced" the Hotakistani side to burn most of its activations and thereby used his initiative to a 100% in controlling the battle.  Behind the British main line the Malikastani's moved onto the roof of a compound to bring RPG fire down on the British.

The British advance over the first bridge, the HIND returns to try destroy the Warrior on the bridge, but to no avail.

The British now began their crossing of the bridges.  The insurgents arriving at the battlefield hardly had a single RPG amongst them, and the Malikastani turncoats had only three.  Though many RPGs were fired only one ever did any damage (at the very end of the battle!).  The British slowly whittled away at both the insurgents and Malikastanis, and when the insurgents managed to contact a battery the 107mm rockets proved highly inaccurate and not one rocket found its target.

The British moved forward once more, with the second Challenger bogging twice during its attempt to cross the stream.  The HIND returned and immobilized the lead Challenger with a hit on its rear.  The Malikastanis and insurgents danced the Dance of Premature Joy.

The HIND returns and destroys the lead Challengers engine.  Its crew remain in their pillbox bringing fire to bear until the end of the fight.

The British continue to advance, one Warrior detouring around the immobilized Challenger.  The second Challenger escapes the faecal strewn canal and drives headlong into the Malikastanis

The British now pushed hard to bring fire to bear on the surviving Malikastanis, a Warrior shot up and bypassed the infantry while second Warrior and Challenger moved up.  Insurgents from Azmakassar started to arrive on the north side and all ran at top speed down the road to attack any infantry bailing from the tanks.

A close-up of the developing fight near the Golden Holden.

Insurgents in the building above the Challenger fired rocket of rocket into the British tanks without doing more than scouring a little armour from the vehicles.  The surviving Malikastani infantry started to feel like a sandwich as the British closed, surrounded and pummeled them in the stream.

The British squad and Warrior that remained as the rearguard destroyed the insurgents to the rear, though not without a few moments of danger.  An insanely advised assault on two British soldiers by four Malikastanis ended with 4-0 win for the British.  The rearguard mounted their vehicle and followed the now distant comrades.  They stopped and destroyed the insurgents advancing along the lateral road, but then the HIND returned and destroyed the Warrior, the crew and passengers bailed with two wounded.  The survivors then fired on the surviving insurgents in the lateral road and wiped them out and then the British fell back into the ruins and poppy fields and escaped on foot (though counted as VP to the Malikastanis)

The HIND returns to destroy a Warrior.

Back at the Golden Holden an RPG from the Malikastanis finally managed to destroy a Warrior, the crew and passenger bailed

A close-up of the final fight around the Golden Holden

The British managed to then move two of the surviving Warriors off board with their full crew and passenger compliment.

OUTCOME: British Decisive Win (Hotakistanis: 38 VP vs. British 77)

Mark played really well, burning our activations.  I think this was the best use of initiative I have seen.  The Fickle Finger of Fate also played a roll..role...  The AT rolls by the Hotakistani/Malikastani side were amazingly poor compared to the armour rolls of the British.  The HIND was a mean piece of equipment, and if I play the insurgents/Malikastani turncoats/Hotakistanis I hope to see that beast more often!  If the more attack helicopters arrive I think we will need the sides to start to obtain AA!  Or pick AA reinforcement cards.

An enjoyable day of gaming.

To top off the day, a surreal moment for me driving home when a Golden Holden appeared at the railway crossing!  The Golden Holden has been in nearly all our games, has been smashed by artillery, driven over by tanks, blown up on mines...but it still appears!  Spooky!

Washing Day in Azmakassar (Mission)

After the British mechanized infantry and armour performed a bold attack to cut the ford south of Azmakassar the UN realised they needed to rethink their posture.  They realised that they were over-extended and their lines of communication were threatened by advancing Hotakistanis to the north.

While the Uruguayans and US Special Forces try to keep the road to Patrol Base 55 open the British slip from their positions in the dark of night and race for safety through the narrow walled roads of southern Azmakassar.

Simultaneous with the British move masses of insurgents from Azmakassar swarm southward to overrun the British.  Dawn will reveal the outcome.  Burning Challenger and Warrior vehicles?  Dead insurgents?  Or insurgents standing about wondering where their prey has gone?

TURNS: 8 continues on a D6 4+ to 9 and then a D6 4+ to 10.

BOARD SIZE: 6' x 4'

VICTORY CONDITIONS:
Normal casualty VP apply.  Plus, any UN force left in the first 1/3 count as full VP, any UN force left in the middle 1/3 counts as 1/2VP and any unit left in the last 1/3 count as no VP to the Hotakistani player.  Any unit exited off the board by the UN counts as full VP for the UN..  Insurgents units are worth 1VP when destroyed (this may be a permanent change).  Card reinforcements do not count towards VP for either side.

The turn in which each unit leaves the UN Exit point is recorded, in the connected mission units which leave on turn 6 or earlier arrive on Turn 1, Turn 7 = Turn 2, Turn 8 = Turn 3 etc.  Units that do not exit by Turn 9 do not partake in the next mission but still count to the victory conditions.

GENERAL LAYOUT:

Primary insurgents enter via the five hotspots (marked in orange) and secondary insurgents (plus reinforcement cards enter at the two RED arrows.  UN reinforcement cards enter with 3" of the UN exit point (centre of road).  The Malikastanis setup in the green demarked zone, each team must be 4" from the other teams.  The UN setup within the blue circle.  

FORCES AVAILABLE:

UN Primary and Secondary units setup within blue setup zone on map.
UN Reinforcement card units enter within 3" along the edge of the UN Exit.

Regular Malikastanis setup within the green zone, but no team may be within 4" of another.  Malikastanis use the three squad - six fireteam + HQ OOB.
Regular Hotakistani reinforcements or delayed units enter within 3" along the edge of the two green arrows
Primary Hotakistani irregulars enter within 4" of a random hotspots (two reinforcements per turn)
Secondary Hotakistani irregulars enter within 3" along the edge of the two green arrows

SUPPORTING UNITS:
UN Support:
105mm Howitzers 1+ Fatigue
81mm Mortars 1+ Fatigue
Staff II

Hotakistani Support:
107mm Rocket Battery 2+ Fatigue
107mm Rocket Battery 3+ Fatigue
Staff II
HIND attack helicopters Fatigue 2+ (NVG)
(AA and tanks are close-by)
Area is covered by Hotakistani AA

MISSION SPECIAL RULES
1) Night with a New Moon.
a) Hidden units are spotted within optimum range by both NVG and non-NVG units.
b) Vehicles with NVG are assumed to have infinite optimum range.  Vehicles with thermal IR can attempt to spot hidden units beyond optimum.
c) Once any unit is engaged successfully in a turn all other units may fire upon the firer or the target without a spotting attempt for that turn.  In following turns the unit returns to “hidden” status.
d) Air assets can be directed onto a target by a ground unit, or can "prowl", but must then spot the target with a -1DShift on quality.
e) A unit may always return fire on a unit firing at it.

2) Insurgents may use out of sight movement unless the UN has an air asset.
3) The Hotakistani's have a HIND ground-attack helicopter.  It can search for targets of opportunity at TQ6 or be directed on target by Hotakistani commander's, JTAC, FO or insurgent FO at TQ8.
4) The two bridges, where the two streams cross the main road their are narrow culvert bridges.  If the two bridges are not crossed at Tactical Speed by a tracked vehicle roll a TQ.  A failed TQ results in the bridge suffering a point of damage.  The bridge has 3 points of strength and will break on the loss of the third point.  Bridges are 4D8 strength when attacked.  If a vehicle is destroyed on a bridge it may be cleared by another vehicle pushing the vehicle into the river by passing two TQs (can be carried over to following turns).
5) The streams require a TQ to enter and exit for vehicles and may only be forded at tactical speed and costs 4” of movement.  The stream costs double movement (each stream is only 1" across (so 2" of movement to cross).
6) Terrain: 1/3 of the fields are fallow, and are classed as SCRUB, +1 Cover to all units, no LOS through more than 4” of scrub; 1/3 of the fields are ploughed or grassy or lucerne, +1 cover to non-moving infantry unit, no LOS effect; Remaining fields are tall corn, +1 cover to all units,  no LOS through more than 2” of crop.  Vehicle to vehicle LOS unaffected, but +1 cover; Treelines block LOS, +1 cover for unit in treeline.

Players, please have a read and send in any modifications.

The mission was played on the 17/11/2013, here is the AAR: Here be the AAR

AAR - They are like zombies!

The hordes of insurgents surged through the now undefended legation district, like zombies they ran past an ODA group and a Malikastani platoon which were in the process of searching for civilians.  The ODA were also attempting to retrieve the body of their commander, while the Malikastani's were intent on rescuing their president.  The Russian consulate officer also needed rescuing.  It would prove a hard set of objectives.

Mission outline here: http://bigfof.blogspot.com.au/2013/07/mission-they-are-like-zombies.html

The reinforcement cards for the two forces:
UN1 ODA Team (so a 3rd team)
UN2 Convoy of three Light APC (VAB)

Hotakistani1 Squad of paratroopers
Hotakistani2 Flamethrower

The Field of Battle

Two groups of insurgents had passed the forward ODA and Malikastani positions before the sentries had realised that they were insurgents.

The celebrating voices of the advancing insurgents was interrupted by an insurgent rocket barrage.  Rockets crashed into the buildings and streets, collapsing roofs and throwing shrapnel across the streets.

It did not take long for the ODA and Malikastanis to recover, and both Haqiqa units were brought under fire, one destroyed in the chicane outside the Russian consular building, the other badly mauled in the street in front of the MOFUC building.

The opening dispositions

The opening salvo of insurgent rockets and the opening engagements

While the Malikastani commander and his radiomen repaired the two HUMVEES, his one squad finished off the insurgents in the road before the Russian consulate.  The ODA in the tall building fired down into the insurgents in front of the MOFUC building, causing a few injuries.  The Malikastani's in the blockhouse moved forward to save their president, but took fire and lost one man wounded before getting into the building and making contact with the president.

The ODA searched a floor in their building and found no civilians, all in all not many non-Malika civilians were left in the area.  Just then a convoy of French VAB's (manned by Malikastanis) arrived to rescue the president.  A squad of Hotakistani paratroopers hearing the gunfire also arrived, armed with a flame-thrower.

The paratroopers made haste towards the ODA building and fired their flamethrower, the ODA survived without injury, but they quickly fell back escaping the smouldering building.  A suicide bomber chased after the special force operators, he surprised the ODA team and  blew himself up...but it was more fizzle than bang (1,1,1,2!).  In the field north of the garage complex insurgents began to form and were shot down by the 2nd ODA team.  This field would contain scores of dead insurgents by the end of the day.

Out of the flame-thrower into the exploding insurgent

The convoy of VABs moved to the front of the MOFUC building.  They engaged the paratroopers with their HMGs, and were supported by the arrival of a third team of ODA at the roadblock.  The flame-thrower soon covered the first VAB with fire, but it survived.

The paratroopers take on the convoy and the ODA

The two HUMVEES also advanced, ready to pick up any civilians discovered by the ODA or Malikastani teams.  An insurgent technical now arrived in the open ground north of the garage.  This vehicle was to live a miraculous life, the ODA poured fire into the truck, but did nothing (turn after turn after bloody turn!).  By the end of the battle the swiss-cheese truck drove off on its rims, but it still drove.

The new terrain pieces: Marsh and wire fence.

A squad of Malikastani's moved to the top storey of the building overlooking the open lot and fired, giving and receiving.  

The ODA in the garage discovered two groups of civilians and called the Malikastani commander in his HUMVEE to come and extricate the civilians.

It was about now that insurgents broke into the rear of the MOFUC building, but were wiped out by the Malikastani soldiers protecting the President.

Meanwhile, the Malikastani President and his four bodyguards made a dash for the waiting VAB, they closed the doors just as flame enveloped the vehicle from the paratroopers flame-thrower.  The VAB survived.  But they were not safe, yet.  A two-man RPG team appeared from around the corner and fired, but failed to penetrate, then a mob of insurgents with Molotovs clambered onto the vehicle, but to no avail.

Insurgents clamber over the presidents VAB, while the gunner on the 2nd VAB is wounded.

The newly arrived ODA team and the VAB guns threw back the paratrooper RPG team with three casualties.

Two Malikastani soldiers now entered the Russian consulate and the Russians and Malikastani's headed to safety while the ODA and 3rd Malikastani squad covered them.

Russians head for safety.

Just as they ran a Frogfoot flew in and let loose a salvo of rockets, the rockets exploded down the street, wounding a Russian consular officer, a Malikastani overwatch soldier and a member of the ODA at the HESCO roadblock.

Rockets explode down the street

Just when things were looking good ... disaster struck, the VAB with the president rev'ed.  The supporting VAB cleaned the insurgents off the presidents vehicle, then the presidents VAB sped off.  An insurgent inside the MOFUC building fired a RPG which struck and destroyed the VAB.  The crew, bodyguards and president leapt from the burning VAB only to be struck by the paratroopers flame-thrower and a second RPG.  The whole Malikastani group went down and would remain in the street for a long time.

The president caught between two RPGs and a flame-thrower

Around the corner, near the golden Holden, insurgents were now moving through the parked cars, they engaged the HUMVEE manned by the radio operator, and were in turn engaged by the ODA who had entered the building.  Then the Russians tried to move but were brought under fire.

Insurgents fire on the Russians but then fall to the ODA from the building above them.

The civilians in the garage loaded into the HUMVEE and speed off, dodging any insurgent fire.  With the road through the back of the tall buildings blocked by the now burning HUMVEE the driver decides to drive across the marsh.  Just then a large bomb lands on the Russian consulate and is destroyed, showering all close by units with shrapnel.

The HUMVEE struggles through the marsh, while the Russian consulate vanishes in a bomb blast

The last two VABs are destroyed just as the insurgents are reinforced by a T-55.  The T-55 is soon hit by a Malikastani RPG, doing light damage, but the crew bailed.

VABs destroyed by RPG while a T-55 arrives, only to be hit and bailed.

Insurgents in the square tall building are engaged by the ODA, while insurgents march on the presidents body.

The ODA team in the southern tall building get ready to bring in artillery danger close as a last desperate [but UN player decides to clear out the HUMVEE first, and allow the civilians to escape...a bad mistake!].  The escaping HUMVEE is also ambushed and destroyed, in the process the UN loses contact to the artillery [card draw on Reaction roll of 1].

The ODA exchange fire with insurgents across the alleyway.  While Russian special forces arrive at the bunker.

THE END.  Insurgents descend on the president's body, he is found to be dead, but one of his bodyguards is found alive and captured.  And then disaster, a group of insurgents break into the tall ODA building, the ODA fire at the onslaught only wounding one enemy.  And then it is bayonet work.  The ODA fail completely, unable to even wound or kill a single insurgent, all but one ODA team member is killed, the last surviving ODA team member becomes a prisoner.

President down - HUMVEE down and ODA down - in one turn the turns have tided

[In three foul swoops the insurgents go from behind in points to way ahead, victory is beyond the UNs grasp.]

Insurgents: 39VP

UN: 16VP

Comments: Hmm, well the enemy does get a vote!  The ODA with MOR8 suffered, but the insurgents were patient and nasty and were willing to sacrifice.  What went wrong for the UN?  One major problem was not being able to give mutual support between units.

An interesting game, the moving hotspots proved a good idea.

The wire-mesh fences make an interesting terrain type, they give no cover but restrict movement.