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.

Wednesday, May 15, 2019

The 8th Inf defends the Mittlekopf, 1988

Finally got in some game time and played something besides Cruel Seas.  Played my hybrid FoF/ CP.  Decided on a old fashion US Soviet confrontation.  Needed to roll up an american squad for Platoon Forward.  Always a big deal for me as I like to research the unit.  Wanted this unit to conceivably be able to fight the Russians, east Germans and Czechoslovakians.  The 8th infantry was fully mechanized and had a brigade down south near the czech border.  Perfect!

Welcome to my newest platoon! The Pathfinders.   I will focus on the 2nd squad.  
They are led by Sgt Jackson from outside of Detroit.  He is pragmatic and a good squad leader.  First fireteam responsible for the dragon is in the capable hands of Cpl Hanks; another small town boy but he is from Iowa. He is a generous soul and well liked by the squad. ( +1) Lastly, we have Cpl Reyes from the Philippines where he worked as a mechanic. He is a bit older at 29 and joined the army to get US citizenship.  As he has more life experience than everyone else in the squad. He has a haughty air about him which doesn't endear himself to the squad. (-1)  Probably because he grew up dirt poor he blows all his money living for the moment.  They are led by Lt Fitzworth.  A ROTC grad from Rutgers.  He did ROTC to pay for school but while he is in the army he is going to do the best he can.  He believes in the government but his optimistic outlook on all things, even the army BS has clicked with the platoon.  ( +1).
  
This will be there first test!  [ note I will only be using 2 US squads most of the time as they should be outnumbered and the game bogs down with more than 5 squads on the board.   Also for those of you using Platoon Forward for WW III  any infantry squad automatically comes with a track and I add 2 additional "c" blinds for russian armor.  In addition, to simulate the heavy russian use of tanks a 7+ on the C blind table is a tank. you of course can modify this for the situation.]  I rolled up defend hasty attack.  The US has been in position for hours.  Missed armor by 1 so I let it come in as reinforcements.  They missed a helo but did get artillery.  I gave them a 120mm mortar.  I rolled up the russians as per scenario.

This was it.  They had moved up to combat positions yesterday and word had comedown that Ivan had crossed the border today.   2 hours earlier the LT had moved them up to Mittlekopf to set up blocking positions should Ivan punch through.  Mittlekopf hill controlled the surrounding road network and Ivan would have to take it before he moved past. 

The battlefield.   Mittlekopf to the left.   Russians enter right and top.  Autobahn off the map below.  Stream is fordable but 50% chance wheeled of vehicles getting bogged.

Lt Fitzworth placed 1st squad on the hill with Sgt Jackson his best leader.  He placed 2nd squad with Sgt Hanks in the building lower left.  He stayed with Hanks.  He acted as F.O. for the mortars and pre registered on the building in the center in front of the hill.

1st squad on Mittlekopf.  Cpl Reyes lower with the LMG.  Jackson above with the dragon.  A vulcan waits nearby.  

2nd squad with the dragon team dug in near the wooden building.

A nosy Ivan comes by.  He spots Cpl Reyes on the hill and opens fire...

The vulcan next door answers! 

The first elements of the Soviet attack enter.  Amazingly no pre attack bombardment.  { soviets missed the roll so they automatically got a hind.  That rolled a 4 so came in as part of their reinforcements.} This column must have been moving fast!  Outstripped their arty and almost their aviation. 

As the first soviet tank comes over the bridge Cpl Hank's team lets loose a missile.  It misses.

Dragon accuracy for both squads is poor as the lead Soviet BMP stops in front of the Mittlekopf to unload.  


Forward to victory!

2nd squad's dragon team being shelled by a soviet tank.

Sgt Jackson was dismayed as the platoon's missiles scored no hits against the soviets.  They rolled right up to the hill and began shelling.  BMPs discharged infantry that began organizing.  " I hope the LT has a plan because this doesn't look good."  Then he heard rotors...

...and things got even worse!  

The vulcan had backed down off the hill already but opened up against this new threat.  A M901 had showed up but had it's tracks blown off by a soviet tank.  The hind fired several missiles but for some reason...

went after the squads track instead of the squad on the hill.  [ actually it fired at the hill and missed.]

Sgt Jackson didn't see but an Abrams showed up and the hind sent a missile...

that managed to disable it's main gun.  So much for US tank support! 

Meanwhile 2nd squad was having problems.  The dragon team had pulled back and was being rallied by Sgt Hanks. 

This hind did not want to leave!  As the soviet infantry moved towards Cpl Reyes and the hill the hind moved forward as if to strafe.  Sgt Jackson felt as if they were to be overrun but the helo fired a missile at the vulcan instead.    Cpl Reyes, with some crossfire from second squad, managed to keep the first soviet squad at bay.

   
First squad being shelled by 2 tanks as infantry try to advance.  The dragon team are now riflemen with the infantry so close.  With 3 lightly wounded and 1 WIA in the squad, Sgt Jackson moves down to Cpl Reyes position to steady them for the inevitable close combat. 

Close up of the squad.

Meanwhile I got a random event that sent Lt Fitzworth on a flanking maneuver.  So, he sees the dire position that Sgt Jackson is in, and despite the low odds of success, decides to go over to the hill to be with his men.  [ what a guy!]

The Lt moving towards Mittlekopf!

Not a good picture but Sgt Jackson down with Cpl Reyes as they continue to hold off not one but now a second soviet squad! 

Sgt Jackson has never seen so many Soviet soldiers in front of him as he keeps yelling for everyone to keep firering.  [ Okay, he had never seen any soviet soldiers but let him have his moment!]
Suddenly he hears footsteps and almost shoots as...

Lt Fitzworth shows up with the medic!  " You seem popular with the russians today Sgt Jackson." says the LT.    

As a second russian squad becomes pinned the russian attack falters.  They pull back behind the house.  Sgt Jackson can't believe it!


The Soviet Lt is quiet upset that his attack has failed! 


Great battle!  I thought for sure Jackson was going to lose the hill or at least get into some bloody hand to hand combat.  Amazingly the russian infantry kept getting pinned everytime they tried to get onto high ground.  Artillery was definitely needed.  Very cool that the Lt came over as well. 

Post battle I rolled to increase Cpl Reyes leadership as he did well but failed so he is poor.  In addition the fireteam was not impressed so they are still neutral to him.  The squad lost no men so are still at full strength.  The won the battle and gain an extra vehicle next mission. 
For those of you that want to try this battle Platoon Forward generated a soviet platoon and 3 tanks pus 1 recon vehicle.  I had the first 2 squads average and the last squad poor.

Pathfinders lead the way!

Joe 
















    

5 comments:

  1. Thanks. The pics didn't come out too well but it was fun

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  2. Love the report! I was certain that Jack[son] was going to lose that hill. Also, that Tank rolling in was so anti-climactic. lol

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  3. Agreed. I thought Jackson was going to be KIA or captured first battle. Yep, once the Russian infantry pulled back the tanks were left milling about.
    Thanks
    Joe

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