Kicking off the New Year with our January Game Day West our attendees had a nice variety of games to choose from. Our featured game was presented by Dave Schaffner as he guided his players to the second installment of his Cold War Series pitting US/NATO forces against the Soviet led Warsaw Pact. Dave not only ran a superb game but was kind enough to send us a wonderful report with pictures of the action and we will turn it over to him…..
“This past Saturday I hosted a follow-on game to my “Hunfeld Sector” (Cold War Gone Hot! Fulda Gap) scenario. This found the Americans counterattacking into an enemy 2nd-echelon defense now holding the line, from what was the Soviet’s previous breakthrough route through the U.S. Armored Cavalry positions here, north of Eiterfeld.”
“Steve D. ably commanded the Reds, and was charged with arranging three defensive lines in depth, primarily being held by Recce, a dug-in Motor Rifle Company, and with a sector reserve of T-55 tanks”.
“On the other side of the hill, the Americans were ready to throw in an awaited counterattack, meant to sever the lines of communications to the Soviet spearhead still gaining ground westward”.
“Jon B. and Bob A. would lead the three American combat Teams assigned this mission, with a mechanized infantry-heavy approach team, supported by a tank-heavy team (M1s), all backed up by a Mechanized Infantry Company to help reinforce or consolidate any gains if the attack could take control of the roads and town objectives ahead.”
“The American mission looked daunting, and as gamers, Jon and Bob had to push right into a choke point nestled between forested hills, in order to break out into the better tank country ahead. The players went to!”
“Steve, commanding the Soviets, had time and ground to play with, but his tracked Recon Company out front needed to make a solid demonstration to disrupt the US coordination – he also played solid, throughout the game!”
“The hard-fought fighting eventually tipped in favor of the American attack – it was flawlessly executed, and did find US grunts fighting toe-to-toe with enemy riflemen in Oberweisenborn, as the possession of the town was clawed away from the Soviets””.
“As this fighting ranged in the sector’s central battle space, Steve launched his armored counterattack against the northern flank of the fight for Oberweisenborn – his command decision was flawless, but the T-55s needed better-than-average luck against the armor of one holding M1 platoon, stubbornly sitting astride the northern exit of the town – it was key ground, and this one Abrams tank platoon bought victory with its gallant demise.”
“The battle could have gone as easily to the Soviets.”
“In 50+ years of hosting armor games, this has to rank as one of my favorite GM experiences – the game played “real”, and the guys played “real good”, which just rolled it all up into one of those excellent moments.”
“Thanks goes out to Steve, Jon, Bob, and Kevin F. for letting this old gamer have his moment.”
Dave
Our Thanks to You, Dave for the magnificent scenario and the wonderful presentation that captured the attention of both the players and onlookers who stopped by to observe the game.
