Welcome to Platoon Forward!

Welcome to the site where the story of the battle is as important as the battle itself. Here we will focus on men thrust into extraordinary situations of life and death. They must lead other men with duty and honor to meet their countries objectives. Some will be blessed with great skill, some will carry great shortcomings. No matter what nation, no matter what war, no matter what theater, they are all called to move their Platoon or Squadron forward!

These are their individual stories as played out using my various campaign rules . Hopefully these stories will entertain and inspire you to use your own troops, airmen and sailors to accomplish your own great heroics.

Sunday, October 25, 2009

Saving Rev Chilton

Lt Timothy Rodgers was happy to finally get a command. His friend Capt "Pippy" Jones at Battalion had suggested to the Colonel that Rodgers could handle the platoon after Lt Whitherspoon's death. Rodgers had languished on staff for 8 months and was itching to put his leadership skills to the test. Now he had his chance. But his first assignment? Go rescue a minister and his family! Really? The minister was Rev Chilton, his wife and daughter. He was a personally friend of a general so the Colonel had given Timbo his personal staff car. He was also given a bren carrier and 2 lorries. He decided 1 section would be enough. He would take first section along with Cpl Longshore. He had heard about Longshore's fighting spirit and wanted to see the man up close.

Characters:
Lt Timbo Rodgers Condscending Gr III leader
Cpl Longshore Mecurical Gr II leader
Rev Chilton Pleasant
Deacon Tralal Optomist Gr I leader





Map view from the Japanese entrance. Red roofed
building is the church. White building is the rectory.
Huts to the left are the begining of the town. Road to the left
is the road towards british lines. Each hex represents 20 yards
which at 15mm is about 2 to 1 ground scale




Rev Chilton agreed to evacuate but he wanted to take his deacon's family and his cook's family with him. Lt Rodger's tried to impress upon him that they must leave immediately but the Rev was unmoved. " We go together or not at all. God will protect us." he said. 8 parishoners appeared with rusty rifles and said they would defend their priest from the enemy. Deacon Tralal had basic military training years ago and volunteered to lead this section.



8 members of the congregation pick up rifles to defend their
pastor and the families preparing to leave. Here Rev Chilton
(dressed for some reason as a tanker!) blesses them.




Lt Rodgers put Cpl Longshore up the road in the jungle in an ambush position (on the right side of the picture map above) placed the deacon's men in the rectory, the bren carrier behind a hut and he and his batman tried to help load the lorry with people and goods.

The rattle of Longshore's bren gun told Rodger's that this was not going to be an easy assignment. There appeared to be 2 squads of soldiers supported by a MMG advancing up the road towards the church. The bren carrier came out from hiding and also fired down the road.



The Japanese Lt leads a squad of soldiers towards
1st section. They would wipe them out.


As the sound of british rifles diminished Lt Rodger's pleaded with Rev Chilton that they had to leave now but he was adamant! Rodger's heard rifle fire from the rectory as he saw the bren carrier pull back from advancing japanese troops across the road. Cpl Longshore showed up supporting 2 men from his section. They had been wiped out by the combination of a japanese squad, MMG and an armored car!


As the Japanese crossed the road therby cutting it, Rev Chilton announced cheerily he was ready to leave. Rodger's wanted to shoot the man then and there but his training took over even as bullets began popping around the Reverand. "Right, here is the plan. Cpl Longshore, you and my batman will drive the truck around the japanese there while I and the deacon's men lay covering fire. After that, we will charge the blighter's and drive them back long enough to pile into the Colonel's car and drive away." Chilton did not want to leave the deacon but Tralal convinced him it was the only way.





The truck is finally loaded. Lt Rodgers speaks to the
Singapore men while the Reverand boards the truck with
the familes. Ahead you can see the Col's sedan surrounded
by enemy troops


The amazing thing is--- it worked!!

Cpl Longshore and Rev Chilton make their getaway as
Japanese soldiers attempt to block the road


The Japanese blocking the road were only 4. Lt Rodgers and Tralal closed on them with 7 locals losing only 1 man in the process and another wounded. Almost important; the Colonel's car was saved!

Rev Chilton was very grateful and Lt Rodger's stock has soared. In addition the platoon has accepted him since he made sure the wounded and Cpl Longshore got out before he did.


British Forces

1 section

1 bren carrier

1 section of militia

Japanese Forces

1.5 squads

1 MMG

1 Gr III leader

1 Gr I leader

1 armored car as reinforcement (this came in as a random reinforcement)


Special rules

Include in deck an event card. Every time card is drawn roll 1 die. When cumulative roll reaches 15 the truck is loaded and Rev Chilton is ready to go. 50% he will go early to save just the people but cumulative roll must be at least 8 and mission will be seen as a draw as he will complain.

Militia is untrained but highly motivated. Instead of 1 die per 2 rifles use 1 die per 3 rifles.

Tralal is a holy man but may not lead british forces



Please note, all posts on this website are of actual games I play. I know this was an exciting game but this is how it really played out. I thought they were done for. What a great game!






















































1 comment:

  1. Delighted that Rev Chilton survived. For obvious reasons, I'm always pleased to see the clergy figuring in wargames scenarios. Keep up the good work and blessings to your die rolls! MP+

    ReplyDelete