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.

AAR: Americans vs. Russians vs. Germans vs. Americans

The US paratroopers ran towards the hamlet, when they got close they slowed and moved forward gingerly, the 101st on the right side of the road and Sergeant Trudeau's 82nd men on the left hand side.  Sergeant Trudeau had asked the 101st men to flank to the right or find a good overwatch position and give enfilading fire.

We played the three way mission yesterday (from: https://bigfof.blogspot.com.au/2016/12/mission-briefing-americans-vs-russians.html).  Please excuse the lack of painting, though luckily we played a moonlit
 night mission so not too bad.

The three Russian teams, the unconcious US Paratrooper McBride in the shadow, and the dead Fallschirmjäger sergeant against the low wall.

At the T-junction the Fallschirmjäger sprang into action, they would rescue their fallen commander (and take revenge) and capture the US paratrooper.

The four Fallschirmjäger units at the T-junction and at the bakery.  In the top middle you can see the seven Ost Truppen, and if you have good night eyes you may even be able to see the unconcious McBride.

The German paratrooper team of two and the three man team from down the road moved to gain LOS to the Ost Truppen behind the bakery, their combined fire bowled over the three closest Russians.

German paratroopers firing on the Ost Truppen.  In the distance (top right) the US Paratroopers slowly move forward, happy to let the German paratroopers and Ost Truppen slug it out.

The German team outside the front door of the bakery entered the bakery and moved to the rear door, each pulling out a grenade.  Two grenades went out the door, but, unfortunately for the attackers one grenade was fumbled injuring their own man.  Two Russians went down in the concussions.

Two Russian casualties outside the rear bakery door, and two Germans down on the inside, one self-inflicted wound.

The Russians around the unconscious US paratrooper galvanised into action and charged into the bakery, the last surviving German paratrooper was stunned by the sudden attack and went down in a flurry of rifle butts.

The US paratroopers deemed it what time to strike, they rushed up to the wall and sent a rain of grenades down on the Russians (10 DICE worth!).  The surviving Russians, who were still busy sorting themselves out from the casualties caused by the Germans, fell in the explosions.

The US paratroopers move into the yard and fire at the surviving Russians.  The 101st Airborne move up and pour in enfilading fire.

The US decide it will be easier to just annihilate all the enemy rather than grab the injured paratrooper (the local professional hand model joined us...sigh.)

The US paratroopers seeing the power of their SMG and grenade attacks decided it would be safer to annihilate the enemy than try grab their fallen comrade, they charged in hurling grenades, knocking out the Germans in the ditch across the road.  The 101st Airborne continued to pour fire into the Russians before moving up and spraying the Russians in the bakery.  Eventhough the Russians shouted, "Komeraad! Komeraad!"  The US were no mood to take prisoners, enemies were left to die without aid and some were helped along.

The small teams of German paratroopers melted away in front of the heavy US attack and Sergeant Trudeau was able to give Private McBride the aid he needed, the paratroopers formed a litter and headed back the way they had come.

The next morning Leutnant Merkel awoke.  With his head pounding from his night of "passion" he found Madame Sophie and her girls outside cleaning up the bodies from inside the goat pen.  All his squad lay dead.  And so did at least a squad of German paratroopers.  Madame Sophie was pestering him about her dead goats.  He rubbed his chin, then shrugged, when his head was clear he would need to fabricate an excuse.  He waved at Madame Sophie and trudged back to his camp.  He heard gunfire in the distance.  "Odd," he thought, shrugged and continued on his way.  Until he was shot by a US paratrooper.

Well.  Nasty.  The big US paratrooper team with SMG and optimum bonus (plus grenade bonus) proved extremely nasty vs. the small 3-4 man units.  Basic lesson: Do not get close to these big groups. The US lost no one to injury or death.  So good for the campaign.

Mission Briefing: Americans vs. Russians vs. Germans vs. Americans

A three way WW2 Force on Force mission in Normandy.  Is it balanced?  I have no clue.

Café Rouge Lumière

Briefing: Leutnant Axel Merkel did what he did most nights.  He followed orders.  His orders were to ensure the Ost Truppen (Russian) he was given were trained in night maneuver.  Merkel was 52 years old, he was proud of saying, "I am like the Fuhrer, I was a Corporal in France in 1918."  Back to his orders. Each night he selected one of the gruppe in his zug and took them on a night patrol to Café Rouge Lumière, Madame Sophie Allemands-pour-l'argent would take the good Leutnant upstairs, after a few bottles of Calvo' he was ready...to sleep.  Downstairs, the lucky gruppe would get to share a bottle of Calvo' with some home brewed Vodka.

By 11pm on the 5th of June Leutnant Merkel was snorning on Madame Sophie's bed and she was sitting on her sofa knitting, by midnight she had fallen asleep and the gruppe of Russians were outside wrestling the goats.

High above the Café, Private Horace McBride was the 4th man out the C-47's door.  He quickly fell the 400 feet, hit the Café's roof, slid off and landed in the yard, startling the goats and the Russian wrestlers.

The Russian's were soon upon the unconscious McBride.  At first they thought it was their Leutnant, but then they saw the parachute.  They decided the best thing to do was shoot the parachutist.

In the small lane outside the Café, Sergeant Joachim Sterballeine saw the parachute slide down the roof and into the garden.  The Sergeant was at the front of the lead element, on bicycles (the Reich's main mode of transportation after most their horses had died in Russia), of the 6th Fallschirmjäger Regiment   He told his men to fan out and went to investigate with one private.  He found a group of "shirtless" Russians gawking and about to shoot the unconscious American.  He ordered them away.  They shot him dead.  The private who was standing next to his now dead sergeant started running and screaming.  All pandemonium broke out.

One hundred yards away Sergeant Trudeau hit the dirt with the report of a single rifle shot.  Then they heard awful screams.  Having seen one of his men hit the roof of the building he feared the worst.  On landing he had quickly found five of his men, and a group of 101st Airborne joined him.  Ordering the men to follow, he ran towards the hamlet.

Leutnant Merkel slept on.

The bakery at the T-junction and in the back Café Rouge Lumière

TURNS: 6
INITIATIVE: US Airborne
CONDITIONS: Moonlit night (pass TQ to fire at enemy beyond double TQ range)
MAP: Small 3x3, three buildings, road, orchard and farmyard
Victory Conditions: Whoever holds the wounded US paratrooper wins at the end of Turn 6.  The wounded paratrooper cannot be killed.

US Airborne
INI D10
TQ D8
MOR D10
Sergeant Trudeau's team, Squad 1, Platoon 1, Kilo Company, 508th P.I.R., 82nd A.I. Division
1 Sergeant w\SMG
4 w\Self-Loading Rifle
1 w\Self-Loading Rifle + Rifle Grenade (+1)

101st Airborne team
1 Corporal w\Self-Loading Rifle
3 w\Self-Loading Rifle

Special Rules: "Loaded With Grenades" (at Optimum range add 2D instead of 1D).  Until fired upon US will not attack enemy beyond optimum range.

Ost Truppen (Russians in German service)
INI D6 (Calvados + Vodka)
TQ D6  (Calvados + Vodka)
MOR D12 (Calvados + Vodka)
Gruppe Team 1
1 w\SMG (Leader)
3 w\Bolt Action Rifle
Gruppe Team 2
1 w\SMG (Leader)
2 w\Bolt Action Rifle
1 w\Bolt Action Rifle & Demolition Charge (8D)
Gruppe Team 3
1 w\SMG (Leader)
1 w\MG38 (+1D)
2 w\Bolt Action Rifle

Special Rules: Demolition Charge 8D with a 4" blast radius.  As punishment Private Ivan Trumfekov has been hauling a DC around on his back.  To make a DC attack pass an Close combat assault, move, drop charge and move as far away as possible (maybe not far enough!)

German patrol, I Battalion, 6th Fallschirmjäger Regiment
INI D8
TQ D8
MOR D8 (seeing their leader die they are uncertain)
Gruppe 1 Team 1
1 Leader w\Self-loading rifle
1 w\Self-loading Rifle

Gruppe 1 Team 2
1 Leader w\SMG
2 w\Self-Loading Rifle

Gruppe 2 Team 1
1 Leader w\SMG
2 w\Self-Loading Rifle

Gruppe 2 Team 2
1 Leader w\SMG
1 w\Self-Loading Rifle
1 w\Self-Loading Rifle + Panzerfaust-30 (Medium AP3, max range 20")

Cards
1 One of your men in this team fumbles a grenade and becomes a casualty
2 Flare, a flare turns the map area to daylight for this turn
3 A plane crashes nearby - Distraction - Gain 2D extra defense in next Round of Fire
4 Good Position - The team gains +1D defense in this position for until it moves
5 Mad Minute - Gain +2D attack in next Round of Fire
6 Leutnant Merkel appears at window and will shoot at random target until dead or game ends.  INI6 TQ6

A lesson learnt - An introduction to Force on Force in Bunbury

I ran a platoon vs. platoon Force on Force game, for Mark&Son in Bunbury, as a second introduction to the game. Force on Force has a short learning curve with lots of tactical decisions.  The only complexity is the action-reaction system which unfortunately is not written that well in the rules.  But, once you write it out it is easier.  Mark&Son picked up the rules quickly.

With the 28mm WW2 still a work-in-progress we used modern 15mm miniatures for the teaching game.

UN convoy dismounted to inspect an abandoned T-55.  The attack commences with Russians moving through the fields and through the warehouse.

Mission: A UN convoy, on an approach march to an airport that has been captured by Russian paratroopers, has stopped to investigate an abandoned T-55.  The Russian force, had also spotted the tank and a platoon was tasked with destroying the tank.  The Russian platoon leader contacted his commander and reported he had eyes on a dismounted UN convoy.  The platoon leader was ordered to degrade the UN convoys mobility.  While the UN commander was questioning the civilians the Russians attacked.

VP:

T-55 Destroyed by Russians: 5

Per UN vehicle destroyed: 3

Dead: 2

Wound: 1

Mission Special Rules: Russians start with initiative and hold it automatically for first 3 turns.

Russian Force: VDV Platoon minus the Weapons squad.  TQ8/MOR10

UN Force: UN South African platoon mounted in wheeled IFV (Ratel): TQ8/MOR8

The UN force was set up dismounted, with one section in the sand-bag emplacement, and the rest in the road in and around the convoy.  The platoon leader was in the tall building with one fire team having moved to the top storey.  

The Russians advanced on the convoy from three sides, the first actions occurred when the Russians engaged the emplacement and the one fire team at the concrete chicane.  The Russians having surprise and good fire power wound 5 of the UN force.

The UN force reacts, but in the process lose an armoured vehicle.  The UN pour a lot of fire into the orchard which eventually knocks out a fire team.  A Ratel moved forward and the commander kept his head out to help get first reaction, unfortunately he lost and the Russian sniper seriously wounded him.  Serious wounds on the Russian and UN side caused a units on each side to delay.  

Eventually the Russians had destroyed or damaged all the UN vehicles.  In a bold move the Russians assaulted the sand bag emplacement and in a brutal hand-to-hand fight they killed all the UN soldiers.  The first RPG to hit the T-55 failed to kill it.

The Russian paratroopers charge into the sandbag emplacement, after a bitter fight, where both sides gave and received, the Russians are triumphant.

With the heavy losses of the vehicles and the lost fire team in the melee the Russians were triumphant.

With three burning Ratel's and one Ratel commander out of action the Russians have successfully fulfilled their mission.

Hopefully a fun and educational game.  Other than learning the rules, lessons learnt included the danger of staying unbuttoned and the vulnerability of IFV to man-portable anti-tank weapons.

Next mission will be asymmetrical, with a UN French platoon on a flower picking mission.  The Poppy pickers may have a rude reception when the flower-growers take exception to their guests.

So the next game will cover:

• Hotspots
• Irregulars
• VBIED/IED

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

AAR - The SMAFU prologue - The Russians smash through the roadblocks

We played an impromptu prologue to the SMAFU mission.  The mission was “designed” around the Russian paratrooper convoy heading into the city and their first contact with the insurgents at the city limits roadblock.  Basically any Russian unit destroyed in the mission would arrive on a TQ following turn 3 in the next mission (Mission: http://bigfof.blogspot.com.au/2013/11/smafu.html) .  All units exiting before Turn 7 in the prologue would arrive on Turn 1, others would arrive on Turn 2.

Units:

Russian VDV Paratroopers – 10/10, a platoon of VDV

Russian VDV Vehicle Crews – 8/10, three BMP-3

Russian Air support on TQ8 – HIND Gunship

Insurgents – Regular 6/10 (one primary and one secondary insurgent per turn, the insurgents start with three guarding units on board, each 1xleader, 2xAK, 1xRPK and 1xRPG(+1/+1M)) 

Russian hold initiative until Turn 3 from then on it is contested.

The Roadblock - The Russians advancing from the airport to the CBD

Two Russian BMP-3, fully loaded, headed up the main street.   A third turned left exiting the road and flanking through a truck-park.  The lead BMP approached a roadblock built of rubble and vehicles and opened fire on five insurgents it spotted behind the barricade.  Three went down in the opening fusillade.

 

The BMP's advance, while insurgents flank (taking advantage of Out of Sight movement

The second BMP moved to the right of the lead IFV and spotted a group of insurgents in the courtyard of a compound.  It fired on them, killing two.  The insurgents in the area now reacted to the threat and started moving around the right flank of the Russians.

The firefight hots up with two Russian paratrooper squads debussing and engaging the insurgent with deadly fire.

The two BMPs on the main road debussed their load and brought fire to bear on the flankers and on the survivors in the compounds.  Accurate fire whittled away the insurgents and any return fire was shrugged off.

The insurgents suffering under withering fire

The flanking BMP runs into growing resistance

The flanking BMP continued its march, and crossed the lateral load, seeing movement ahead it stopped and the troops debussed.  The Russian commander ordered his BMP driver to push through the roadblock, leaving two squads and the third BMP to clear away and surviving insurgents.

 

The insurgent T-55 advancing to cover the roadblock

The circling HIND warned the commander that a T-55 was approaching the area, but could not engage.  The Russian commander ordered a paratrooper with an RPG-27 to move up to the barricade and engage the tank.  The tank was destroyed before it could do any harm.  The commander continued his clearing of the roadblock.  By now the rear was cleared of opposition.  The flanking unit had however run into resistance that would continued to build, including a Hotakistani Scorpion.  The Russian shot down every insurgent they encountered and did not suffer in return.

 

The flanking Russians advance against opposition following the destruction of the T-55.  A brave technical swept in behind the Russians only to be destroyed.

A few RPGs were fired at the BMPs but with no effect.  The Russian commander received welcome support with the arrival of a "liberated" T-72 crewed by paratroopers.  With the destruction of the insurgent T-55 and the arrival of the T-72 the Russians now switched to full speed ahead.  The Russian commander moved to destroy the Scorpion which was holding up his flanking BMP.  Unfortunately, as he destroyed the Scorpion a second Malikastani turncoat T-55 arrived, at close range they fired at each other with no effect.  The second central BMP now moved ahead to support their commander, the T-55 fired on the second BMP and the BMP exploded killing all its crew.  The T-72 now surged through the barrier and smoke of the brewing BMP and destroyed the second T-55.  The road was now clear, the Russian commander ordered his men to now join up with him and move on out.

 

The Russian BMP push through the roadblock as insurgents attempt to knock them out with desultory fire.  In the top right a Russian paratrooper squad destroys a technical.

The roadblock rudely dismantled.

Just as the Russian had broken through an insurgent in an apartment building put an RPG through the flanking BMP,  which caught fire and injured its crew.

 

The second T-55 engages the lead BMP.  The first T-55 burns, while in the distance the exploding BMP is hidden in the smoke.  The Scorpion burns after being hit by a 100mm shell from the lead BMP.

The battle ended without a paratrooper injured, two BMPs destroyed, three Russian crew men dead and three wounded.  The insurgents had lost two T-55s, two technical’s, a Scorpion and a two score men.  However, their sacrifice at the roadblock had forewarned the insurgents at the prison, and they rallied to now meet the oncoming Russians. 

Effect: The insurgents receive a Turn 0 in the SMAFU mission, allowing them to receive one turn of extra reinforcements and have a free turn to move.  The Russians now arrive on Turn 1 with a full squad of paratroopers and only one BMP-3.  On turn four onwards the paratroopers can roll for a TQ for the arrival of a further two BMPs.

Comment: TQ10/MOR10 Russian Paratroopers are nasty.  I divided the squads into two fireteams.  With multiple UGL and SAW, plus the odd RPG, they spew a lot of lead.  And TQ10 in defense is a hard nut for TQ6 insurgents to harm.  The insurgents, however, were able to slow down the Russians enough to delay them and managed to destroy two of the IFV.  The insurgent commander was patient to setup positions and wait which made it painful for the Russians, having to slog through resistance line after resistance line.  The Russians never tried one to call in the HIND gunship, and after that failure no targets were available.  Maybe the squad leaders should have done something.   For an impromptu mission it proved to be fun and balanced.

This is the Russian Paratrooper organization we made and used for the mission (if anyone can give corrections on this they are most welcome):  

SMAFU (Mission)

Situation Malikastan AFU

After a long break we are back to the Malikastan campaign.  So a little sideshow which will also introduce the Russians to the campaign.  In an earlier mission (http://bigfof.blogspot.com.au/2013/07/aar-they-are-like-zombies.html ) the Russian ambassador was captured by the insurgents.  This mission will see the Russians arriving in the chaos which is Malika City to rescue the ambassador.  Players, review and send in any comments.  The game will see the debut of my Eureka Miniature Russians and Colonel D. Zaster's QRF BMP-3s.  This could be as balanced as a two-legged dog, but the narrative is what counts :)

Briefing

The leaking of General Phil Graves “off the record” comment: “I will flatten Malika City” has handed the insurgents in Malika City a propaganda gold mine.  Outrage has swept through the Malika City streets with the insurgents fanning the flames: the new AUSAF force will flatten the Azure Mosque.  In response the western prisoners in the insurgents hands have been herded into a park behind the mosque.  They have been locked in a stockade and a film has been spread across the cellphone network.  The footage shows that the Russian ambassador has been placed inside or near to the mosque itself.

In response, the Russians have moved.  Early in the morning the UN and AUSAF forces at the Malika Airport were woken by a low flying MiG fighter, the “bomb” was several thousand leaflets.

“Refrain from alarm, the vozdushno-desantnye voyska will shortly be landing at your airfield.  They will secure the hangars at the eastern edge.  We come in peace.  Do not interfere.  Interference will result in mortal danger.”

Ten minutes later a low flying Antonov dropped 300 paratroopers in an airdrop.  Several minutes later four large Antonov’s landed on the main runway and taxi’ed to the hangars.  One of the large aircraft veered off the damaged runway and burnt, another was damaged and would never fly again.  The UN commander at the airfield, still unsure of the new command structure failed to contact either General Phil Graves or Colonel D. Zaster.  He decided that he was not about to start WW3 and decided to leave the Russians alone.

The Russians unloaded several mechanised vehicles and a helicopter gunship.  They assembled and a company left the airfield heading to Malika City.  The UN base commander decided it was a good time to have a whiskey.  Though this turned into a vodka when a Russian VDV Captain arrived with a salutary bottle of vodka.  After a hug and kiss they became best of enemies.

The Russian convoy headed towards Malika City from the SW, driving in past the massive ruined fort complex to the south of Malika City.  They then headed towards the Azure Mosque.

Sitting on the 4^th floor of the ransacked Grand Vacation Tavern Hotel across the road from the Azure Mosque is a US special forces A-team.  The team is in Malika City to neutralize a HVT who attends the Azure Mosque.

Mission:

Russian VDV platoon (mech.): Rescue the ambassador, his family and staff.  Failure to rescue the ambassador is a defeat.  The ambassador is either in the mosque or in the stockade to the rear of the mosque. Casualties or lost vehicles are of no importance, the Russian President has said the ambassador will be rescued and he will be rescued.  The VDV gain 5VP for the ambassador and wife, and 1VP for other staff.  The Russians must either move the ambassador and staff of the south edge (roads) or fly them out with the HIND.

US ODA A-TEAM: Neutralize the insurgent leadership.  Victory points are gained for each insurgent leader neutralized (1VP), and 5VP for each HVT (even if the Russians do the dirty deed on the HVT).  The Russian ambassador has been disguised as an insurgent leader…

Insurgents: The insurgents gain VP for each enemy killed (2VP) or captured (4VP).

Time: 8 turns

Forces:

Russian VDV & Spetnatz (INI8/TQ10/MOR10) and (INI10/TQ10/MOR10)

The Russian player has a full mechanized Russian VDV platoon (mounted on BMP-3 or other), have a Nona (120mm) and a HIND on call.  The HIND contains a Spetnatz team of four.  The HIND will fast-rope the Spetnatz onto the Azure Mosque Roof on a D8 on a TQ 4+ (try from Turn 1).  If the helicopter is damaged it will land the team on a random building roof.

US ODA A-TEAM, a full 12-man team (INI10/TQ10/MOR10)

The team setups hidden on the 4^th floor of the hotel.  They have access to the heavy artillery.  They have two AT-3.

Insurgents

The insurgents start with four regular insurgent guard teams (INI6/TQ8/MOR12) onboard

1xLdr AK, 1xAK, 1xRPK, 1xRPG (AP2/AT2M)

And one sniper team

1xSpotter, 1xSniper (INI6/TQ10/MOR8)

Each time an ODA or VDV/Spetnatz team engages with automatic rifle fire roll a D6, on a 5+ a team of insurgents will arrive at the start of the next turn.  Each reinforcement is randomly selected from Primary or Secondary reinforcements.

Reinforcing insurgents are on a D6

1-2 Regular INI6/TQ8/MOR10

4-6 Irregular INI6/TQ6/MOR12

From turn 4 onwards roll a D6 4+, if successful the insurgents receive a T-55 (INI6/TQ8/MOR8)

Mobs

Each time an AP3 or AT3 weapon is used within 6” or fired at a target with 6” of the Mosque roll a D6, on a 5+ a mob of 10+D10 will arrive.  Mobs will attack all combatants within 12” of the mosque once they become violent.  They become violent on seeing an attack from or at a target within 6” of the mosque.  Mobs are game controlled, and will attack the target or firer, whoever is closest to the mosque.

Mission Special Rules:

Where is the ambassador, he is either in the stockade or mosque, one arriving at one of the other the VDV/Spetnatz roll a TQ, on a success roll a D6, on a 4+ the find the ambassador, if he fails to be at one location he is automatically at the other location.

Who is the ambassador, the ambassador is dressed as an insurgent leader.  If the ODA Sniper team has LOS to the ambassador at any time they roll a TQ, on a failure they will try shoot him.

Ivan Ivanovich?  The stockade and mosque each contain 6+D6 prisoners, each group contains 3 Russians, a successful TQ is required to obtain each of the Russians.

Who is a suicide bomber, at both locations the insurgents have planted an insurgent suicide bomber, AP5/AT1.  The bomber can be spotted by the VDV/Spetnatz on a successful TQ when activated, otherwise the bomber will explode on a TQ6 4+ without allowing an interruption.

HIND.  The HIND can be called in to attack or pick up the ambassador.  The three locations where the HIND can be landed are marked on the map.

Confusion.  Each time the ODA attack in LOS of the Russians the Russians will attempt to interrupt on a successful TQ.

HVT.  The HVT is in one of the guard teams, the insurgent player records which team he is in.  Each insurgent team which arrives may have a HVT on a D6 roll of 1.  The HVT will upgrade the TQ by +1DShift.

SMAFU - Situation Malikastan – AFU.  The streets of Malika City are full of traffic, like the mobs vehicles are moving.  If the insurgent player rolls a VBIED one of the cars in the city becomes the VBIED, randomly and secretly selected, all vehicles on the road (not parked) are moved.  A VBIED is difficult to spot and requires a successful TQ with a -1DShift.

Eureka! The day is saved - The Eureka 15mm Russians are ready to help the UN

The Russian president's spokesman has declared that Russian paratroopers have been in Malikastan for over a week to ascertain the situation.  His declaration comes a day after the Russian news program reported that 80% of the drugs on Moscow's streets originated in Malikastan.  On the news program it showed the UN supported organization Malikastain Organization For Upgrading the Community (MOFUC) had poppies growing in its very gardens.  The Russian spokesman added that the Russian road construction crews were in dire need of rescue, and as both the UN and Hotakistan had showed no regard for the Russian citizens the Russian president felt it necessary to come to the assistance of the overstretched UN and had ordered the landing of Russian VDV forces into Malikastan.

( I now have a platoon of Russian Paras and a platoon of Heavy weapons, and Mark now also has a platoon, so they will come to the rescue of the UN!)  My painting skills not up to the cool Eureka Miniatures 15mm Russians :-/ )

The Russians search for poppies.

Russian HMG teams support the search using their scopes.

"The VDV will land and alleviate the stress on the UN.  Our intervention will allow the UN to divert reinforcements to the beachhead on the Indian Ocean coast," declares the Russian president.

The camo, four colours did not come out as visible as I intended!

He added that Russia would remain neutral and he hoped he could land the independent peace broker from the UK in Malikastan and have invited the UN and Hotakistani commanders to come and discuss peace.

Eureka 15mm Russians take up position to save Malikastan.  I put a little too much dust, but it will wear off

Finally, he wrapped up the announcement, "We will not allow the UN or Hotakistan to profit from selling their drugs on the streets of Moscow!"

The Russians invite the UN and Hotakistan to come and take a knee in the Field of Peace.

The president was questioned on the fact that the UN alleged the crew of the S-300 AA systems were Russians ended the news conference.

The RPGs are for self-defence only

New Eureka 15mm Modern Russians arrive in Malikastan

UPDATE July 2013: Now available at:
http://eurekamin.com.au/index.php?cPath=87_102_820&sort=3a&page=1

Today I received Eureka Miniatures' Modern Russians in 15mm.  I was very glad to see they were the same size as the "Peter Pig 15mm".  The new Eureka range is huge with 56 (I think) different miniatures, including regular Russians and the MVD.  With Flytrap Factory about to release Russians as well we have suddenly become spoilt for choice.  And, it sounds like Eureka's Chechens are hot on the trail of the the Russians.  Russians presently for 300 Club supporters.

The figures have character, the helmets appear to have the cloth cover, they have nice stances.  Seems to be cold in Russia as some have nice furry collars.

Let the painting commence!  Where are my painting gnomes when I need them!  At least the large number of figure types mean I will not be painting too many duplicates.

Now we need people to pre-Order the 15mm Modern Australians.  Which I presume can be substituted for Irish and Austrians!  Go here:

Eureka Miniatures 300 Club

Here is a a selection of the miniatures compared to Peter Pig (a USMC and a Palestinian):

Regulars with AK-74

Officer and PKM Gunner

AGL and HMG

Sniper, PKM gunner and spotter

RPG-18, RPG-7 and yet another PKM gunner

Apologies for the focus, a rear-end and two MVD

For comparison, a Flashpoint Delta Force, a Khurasan Spec. Ops and a OG Gunner

When reporters asked the Russian foreign minister if Russia would be sending troops to Malikastan the reporters received a much deserved chortle.  But, things change.  A Russian road construction company received the contract to build the Malika City to Azmakassar highway.  These civilian contractors are now caught in the path of the advancing Hotakistanis.  Russia has ordered a VDV force to land and secure the civilians.  The Russians, against their own best advice, are once again tramping the dusty paths of Malikastan.

UPDATE: Here they are, painted (to a 2m away quality): http://bigfof.blogspot.com.au/2013/07/eureka-day-is-saved-eureka-15mm.html