Patrol along the Kokoda Trail

This is the 3rd battle with my aussie platoon. Lt "Pinky" Seibert was wounded last battle and has not been replaced. He will miss 2 battles. This platoon has poor leadership with 2 Gr I leaders and the platoon sgt a gr II [McDonnel] who was just promoted to Sgt after last battle. The company commander has decided to send the Sergant Major out with 2 sections on a combat patrol.

Sergant Major, your map is below. You start at the bottom edge and must recce the whole board. Come up with your route and order of march. You have 2 sections plus a 2in mortar.
See what the Japs are up too and good God man, be careful!
Characters:
Sgt Maj Peters Gr IV
Cpl Tommy Higgins 1st section Gr I
Cpl Jeffrey Stokes 2nd section Gr I hesitant commander

Sgt Major decided to start along the left of the board, skiriting the jungle and make a clockwise circle of the board going around the rocky hill. 2nd section would lead and when contact was made he would move up to help Stokes who was the weaker of the 2 weak leaders.

Map depression is left and

rocky hill is left center

Cpl Higgins was glad to be on a mission with the Sergant Major. Hopefully he would see what an idiot Stokes was and how deserving he himself was of another stripe. Higgins was sadden when 3rd section's Cpl McDonnel was promoted to platoon Sgt. McDonnel was good, just not as good as himself. He was out to prove it to the Sergant Major today.

Unfortunalty for our heros, the japanese [also on patrol] saw them first and moved to set up an ambush...

Sgt Maj Peters sees Japs on the hill

and past the jungle

The Sgt Maj called out Japs on the hill and past the jungle! He ordered Higgins to take his section into the jungle and Stokes into the Kunai. 2in mortar was to start pounding the hill.

Japanese knee mortars in

my version of bamboo
Japanese squad on hill

Higgins got his folks into the jungle and started firing at advancing infantry. Unfortunatly a LMG from the hill and mortars pounded his position and the men waivered.

Meanwhile a second LMG opened up on first section from the hill.

Japanese advance on Cpl Higgins

Cpl Higgins had to pull back into a depression before they were overun!! Why wouldn't these bastards rally!!!! [ It is tough to be a Gr I leader]

Meanwhile, 2nd section had pinned the LMG on the hill. Sgt Maj screamed, up and at em boys!

Up and at em boys!

The aussies took out the LMG but before they did a final burst caught 2 men in the stomachs. Sgt Maj Peters hit the ground knowing it was bad. An IV was started; he refused morphine knowing he was the only competent leader but then he lapsed into uncounsouness. Cpl Stokes was at a loss at what to do next. [The hesitant commander card came up at the worst times] They had lost 4 of the section taking out the LMG. There was still a jap squad on the hill. They traded shots and even repeled an assault. Stokes could not get them rallied to charge and could not un hesitate enough to have them retreat.

Cpl Higgins in the depression

Meanwhile, Cpl Higgins could not get his section to rally! The japanese gathered for another charge.

The final charge
2in mortar shells try to halt the advance

12 Japanese led by a sword wielding NCO moved into the depression.Cpl Higgins managed to get extricate his folks without losing a man. He then went back and picked up the the 2in mortar and quitely snuck away.

Casualty wise it was a closer battle with the aussies sustaining 14 and the Japanese 8. Clearly the Aussies were driven from the field. With 2 poor leaders they could not rally their folks. 2nd section finally got away when Cpl Stokes was wounded. Had the Sgt Maj not been wounded it might have proved a very differnet game.

Japanese forces:

1 gr III leader 1 gr II leader 1 gr I leader

2 squads with LMGs

1 knee mortar squad [3 mortars and 6 riflemen]

Enter north edge of board on patrol Randomly determine edge and turn of entry

Cpl Higgins was unsuccessful in having Cpl Stokes removed from the platoon and he had a 50/50 chance of becoming a Gr II leader and missed. Sgt Major Peters lived but was invalided home to australia. The new Sgt Major is Joe Cook and he already dislikes the platoon. Lt Seibert is working at battalion was convilesing and had done some good stuff for the company that has earned the gratitute of the company commander. Cpl Stokes is out for 2 battles and Pvt Collins will have the section Gr I no hesitant commander card.

Can Sgt McDonnel whip these guys into shape? Will Cpl Higgins ever earn his Gr II?

Enjoy

Joe

First sortie for Adj Sef Ionescu

Traded in my playtest copy of Bag The Hun II for the final. Great artwork and some inspiring rules! Rivet counters won't like them but they reward good tactics and show why a veteran pilot is always dangerous. Needless to say did not play Platoon Forward this week but a bit a good news on that front. Rich of Too Fat Lardies has agreed to pubish it and stated he will do so right after he finishes Charlie Don't Surf. I expect to see it this summer. Soon you will be inspiring me with your tales of heroics!!

Still tinkering with Squadron Forward and my Romanian Air Force...
Adj Sef Ionescu had been in the AAR for 9 years and had finally wrangled a combat assignment when his friend (wingman) was posted as the wing commander of a fighter base at the start of the war to rid the world of Communism. If you read the last post you will remember the escadrille was down to 4 planes. The mission assignment today was a fighter sweep. Lt Macri would lead the mission along with the flight sergeant. The 2 wingmen would be Adj Stag Toma and Adj Baciu.
Characters:
Lt Marci Plesant
Adj Sef Ionescu Cultured Veteran pilot
Adj Stag Toma obnoxious
Adj Baciu cunning 1 kill

Shortly after takeoff Lt Macri had engine trouble and had to abort. (random event) There was discussion of cancelling the mission but Ionescu felt strongly that they should at least stay over Romanian lines and protect the troops. He was spoiling for a fight!

3 IAR-80s in a loose "V"

The blue stand denotes veteran pilot

(You can get away with that solitaire!)

"Bandits 4 o'clock low" Toma calls out. Obnoxious on the ground, Toma was a fine wingman in the air and his eyesight had prevented a bounce today! 5 I-16s. Ionescu pulled the V around right and allowed Baciu to detach as the battle was joined! (Toma had complained that he was senior but in the air performace counted and Baciu had downed a plane.) The battle is joined

A swirling dogfight ensued with the IARs using their speed to accelerate out of trouble when needed. Toma Lost Ionescu early on (on purpose?) as Ionescu dove and quickly turned hard to port to get on the tail of an apparently lost (sprog) I-16. As his machine guns rattled he saw hits in the cockpit of the small fighter. [ Using a modified version of my damage table that appeared in a Lardie Special a while back; the I-16 had back seat armor which turned the damage roll from a temporary loss of control to a cockpit glass smashed result; curses!] The startled pilot throttled down, flipped the agile rata into a left turn that Ionescu could not quite follow. He lost airspeed pulling Gs and dropped a level of altitude to aviod a stall.

Meanwhile...

3 I-153s show up to party

A random reinforcement brings 3 more russian aircraft into the battle. 3 against 8! Baciu is quickly shot down but bails out unharmed. Adj Sef has seen enough. He tells Toma they have to retreat!!

Sound retreat! Toma on the tail of a I-153 upper left

Adj Sef Ionescu swinging wide of his prey middle right

Adj Stag Toma pulls the trigger as the I-153 fills his sights. He sees hits on the engine and then the plane explodes in a ball of fire! Joyously he dives for the deck and heads for home. Adj Sef thinks, "There will be no living with him after this."

Enjoy

Joe

Aeronautica Regala Romana

I have wanted a Royal Romanina Air Force since I got into miniature aircraft about 2 years ago. Scotia does the IAR-80 aircraft but I could not find decals and did not feel I could free hand the Maltese Cross like markings. Enter Mike Grant Decals and I could see my quest becoming a reality! The following has nothing to do with Platoon Forward but thought it was too cool not to post. Hopefully you will agree...

Ready to Bag the Ivan!

59 Escadrile of 8 Grupul 22 June 1941 Time to take the Squadron Forward!

Capt Sandru Likeable Veteran CO

Lt Hapaianu agressive

Lt Macri Pleasant

SLT Alexiu Pessimistic (shys away from combat)

SLT Nicoara Cunning

Adj Sef Grecu

Adj Stag Fortu Glum Sprog

Adj Stag Toma Obnoxious

Adj Stag Chera Mecurical Dead eye Sprog

Adj Baciu Cunning Sprog

Did not roll up the first battle as I had worked too hard on these planes and pilots for them to get smoked their first time out. 6 plane patrol that would meet 6 I-16s Tip 10s. Capt Sandru takes the rookie Fortu as his wingman, Lt Macri takes Toma (even though he is obnoxious hopefully he will make a good wingman in combat) and the SLts take each other. No one knows that Alexiu shys away from the guns at times yet. Lt Hapainu and the Flight Sergant Grecu stay behind to provide leadership in case we do get smoked.

I do dice for spotting and postion and we bounce the I-16s!

SLT Alexiu gets the first shot in for the FAAR!

SLT Alexiu gets a good bounce in but manages only to damage an I-16. The russians break and a swrilling dogfight ensues. Alexiu's wingman's plane gets damaged so he stays on the fringe of the fight after that to protect his wingman. Capt Sandru, being a veteran, manages to down 2 I-16s and damage another!

Capt Sandru showing how it is done!

The next mission was as escort to a reconnassance aircraft. 4 IARs participate and encouter 5 I-153s. ( I did dice for this mission) The rookie Baciu bags an Ivan so elevates to average status. Adj Chera is shot down but is reovered by romanian troops. Unfortunatly Adj Sef Grecu's plane is seen to explode during the battle with no parachute seen. (The IAR-80A had no self sealing gas tanks)

The third battle again sees Capt Sandru on a free hunt. Unfortunatly due to combat losses and damaged planes (we started with 8) there are only 5 IARs available. This time we run into 10 SB-2 bombers escorted by 6 I-16s.

Third battle over a lake

Outnumbered by the escort the romanians fail to knock a single bomber down. Capt Sandru does add anther I 16 to his score but Adj Stag Chera (sprog) looses his leader and is shot down during the melee. Word is recieved that he is safe and should return to the unit in 1-2 days.

So our squadron has shot down 4 aircraft, damaged 4 and we have lost 3 aircraft of our own. We currently have only 4 planes ready and 8 pilots available. Capt Sandru has 3 kills and Adj Baciu has 1. A new Flight Sergant, Adj Sef Ionescu has just joined the squadron. He is a veteran flyer and use to be the wing commander's wingman when the old man was a Capt. Will he be an ally or spy?

Am formulating Squadron Forward campaign rules slowly and it seems to be coming together. Am figuring out how much in the weeds should the player be regarding fixing of aircraft. Am using Bag the Hun by Too Fat Lardies as the tactical rule set.

Just spray painted my ME-109Gs (from I-94 enterprises) yesterday but anxious to see how this new flight sergant is going to work out!

Enjoy

Joe

Hill 422 Greece 1940

Went to the Williamsburg Muster last week. Great little show. Picked up several greek NCOs to go with my greek platoon. Hence you know where the battle would take place... This is my 5th battle with this platoon. These guys have had it rough with one loss and 3 draws. Lt Sposito missed last battle recovering from wounds. In the hospital he met the division commander Gen Pitaccio who pinned on his wound badge personally.

Lt Sposito had had 4 quite days since the Italian offensive had run out of steam. His platoon was holding part of the battalion line. He had a small hill called 422 and the edge of a small village. His platoon was still a mess since returning from the hospital. Hellik was a drunk. Pitsikas was a good private but just did not think like an NCO. Basakidas was the only good one of the bunch and he liked to drink too much as well. He had complained to his CO but the Capt Makarezos only brushed him off and told him that a good officer would turn the NCOs into good leaders.

Characters
Lt Sposito Pleasant Gr III
Sgt Hellik 1st squad Alcoholic Gr I
Sgt Pitsikas 2nd sq Course peasant Gr II
Sgt Basakidas 3rd sq Generous who likes his wine Gr III

Board looking towards the Greeks positions

Hill 422 on the right with a trench and

several small buildings on the left.

Sposito was rotating the squads at night using a squad in the trench with a MMG and a squad

in the buildings but only half of that squad alerted. The rest of the men and he stayed in the village about 100 yards back. He had no reason to expect an attack tonight...

3rd squad with Sgt Basakidas mans hill 422

yes it is dark!

Lt Sposito was awaken by machine gun fire. He waited to see if it continued; it did. He gathered 2nd squad and moved up the road. 1st squad was in the buildings and 3rd squad was on the hill. They had no flares or starshells. This was the greek army in 1940 afterall!!

The Italians had launched a raid from their left flank. The object was to capture a prisoner from one of the buildings. A random event had 1st squad asleep (I am not making this up I told you I always report honestly!) so 3rd squad on the hill did notice the bulk of the force moving forward but not on the far edge where one squad cut the wire and slipped towards the unoccupied barn.

Lt Sposito had Sgt Pitsikas wait on the road while he entered the building. Sgt Hellik explained that there were 2 Italian squads forward of his positions. The Italians had probed but were driven back with some loss. It apeared another half hearted Italian effort. Sposito acknowledged and went to check on hill 422. As he passed Sgt Pitsikas he told him to take his squad to the barn and set up his LMG in case the Italians tried to flank the greek villiage and wire.

Italian squad through the wire and

approaching the barn undetected

1st squad has half a squad in each half of the building
2nd squad is behind the building moving towards the barn
Italian squad is moving up to assualt the building

As Lt Sposito learned of 1st squad's somulence from 3rd squad all hell broke loose at the building. Lt Spositio hurried back. Apparently some Italians had infitrated through the barn and were stopped by the timely arrival of Sgt Pitsikas' 2nd squad.

Timing is everything! Sgt Pitsikas arrives.
(One of my new NCO figures!)

During this firefight the Italians managed to move up another squad to assault the house!

Italian Lt leads the raiding party in

As Lt Sposito arrived close combat raged in the house. Lt Sposito wondered if the Greeks were still asleep as they were slaughtered. 9 Italians against 5 greeks/ 5 greek casualties and no Italian! Sgt Hellik tried to fight his way in to save his men but only managed to lose 3 additional greek soldiers. As Sposito sent a runner to pull men from the hill to defend the villiage the Italians left with 2 prisoners. A disaster!! Lt Sposito wanted to kill Hellik but decided a courts martial would be better.

The next morning Capt Makarezos was furious. When Sposito brought up Hellik's derilection of duty he was cut off. "How many times have I told you not to blame your failings on your NCOs! If he was asleep why were you not there checking on him. If YOUR court martial did not have to be approved by the General I would file it today! Get out of here."

Great battle. 1st squad asleep really made it interesting I thought the Greeks had it until horrendous die rolling allowed the Italians to waltz in and waltz out. Lt Sposito was downgraded to a Gr II leader and Sgt Hellik has had a command confusion card added.

Forces

3 squads (Greek squads were 10 men 5 rifles and 5 man LMG team) substitute a MMG for 1 LMG 1 of these squads starts off board in the village and arrives on the 4 turn or 4th turn of the reinforcement card.

1 salvo of 81mm fire pre registered

Italians

3 squads plus an additional LMG (can have additional SMGs as this is a raiding party)

2 Gr III leaders 2 Gr II leaders

Italians win by taking a prisoner. Can attack hill and/or buildings

Special rules

Scenario takes place at night.

1 greek squad is asleep. randomly determine which one. In a 2 player game obviously don't tell the Italian player!

Enjoy

Joe

A chapel named St Anne

This is yet another battle with my american platoon in the opening stages of the Battle of the Bulge. For more background see the last post from Jan 19.

Lt Brown was dreaming of Christmas at home when his platoon Sergeant SSgt Klug came in with SSgt Roth. Roth was the Plt Sgt from the Hvy Weapons platoon. Brown didn't particularly like him as he was a pushy New Yorker but Klug and he seemed to get along fine. "Sir, SSgt Roth's brand new Lt is lost with a bunch of his guys up the road. They were pulling back here when they ran onto some Germans. They are overdue by 3 hours! A frenchie [ ed note: This would be a Belgian who speaks french] says there are some americans trapped in a chapel 2 klicks from here. It has to be the Lt. Capt Lincoln is up at battalion and anyway sir he doesn't have the balls to go on a rescue mission. I think we gotta go sir. Those are americans up there." ended SSgt Klug.
Brown looked out the window and considered his options silently. Capt Lincoln was a decent fellow but was very cautious. He would not risk an unsupported platoon in the unknown for 10-15 americans. Brown was politically savy and was currently flying high but Brown also had a fierce loyalty to those on the front lines who did the fighting. He rang battalion and of course was not allowed to speak to Capt Lincoln. "Could you please tell Capt Lincoln that I have seen some Germans along my front and am sending out a patrol to gather some information please." he said with a grin.

Characters
Lt Brown Cunning Gr III
SSgt Klug 1st squad delightful Gr II
Sgt Claypool 2nd squad cautious Gr III
Sgt Gerrard 3rd squad cunning Gr II

Lt I got lost Gr II Hesitant commander
SSgt Roth Gr II

Board looking from the american entrance.

Trapped americans are in the Church and jeep in

the yard. Germans set up in the woods on the

right and along the hedge behind the church

Blown up halftrack on road

WHAT IS YOUR PLAN LT?

Lt Brown was going to lead with Klug on the right and Gerrard on the left. He would hold Claypool and Roth back until he determined where the enemy strength was. Roth would then set up to attack the strength while Claypool went around the strength into the church to rescue the machine gunners.

Germans in the woods pin the americans while their

commerades behind the hedge close assault

As Brown's forces advanced to contact they heard machine gun fire rage around the chapel and mortar shells hit the grey roof. A mortar off to the far left on a hill slowed 3rd squad's advance to the wall of the church. SSgt Klug advanced rapidly and entered the woods only to find a german squad there. Brown sent Roth's 50 cal up to support Klug and sent Claypool across the road into the churchyard

SSgt Klug in the woods to the right of St Anne's

Sgt Claypool discovered there was a Marder covering the road and several shells convinced him to bring his squad back to the safety of the woods.

Lt "I got lost" speaks with Sgt Gerrard behind

the church

(I know his helmet has a horizontal stripe; sorry!)

A wounded Lt came out crying to Sgt Gerrard and 2nd squad who had managed to make it into the chapel courtyard. The germans have taken the chapel! I have several wounded men in there. You must help me take it back; no I order you to take it back. Gerrard looked at Cpl Morgan his assistant squad leader, " It is what we came to do Sergant" he shrugged.

Sgt Gerrard told the Lt since he was wounded he should sit down and stay out of the way so he would not get "more injuried". 2nd squad worked there way into the church. Fortunatley there were only 5 germans left in there. After a short fight which did cost 2nd squad 2 KIAs St Anne's was liberated once more. There were 4 dead americans and 4 wounded besides the LT. The wounded were successfully evacuated while the rest of the platoon held the germans at bay.

Later that evening after Lt Brown had given his report to Capt Lincoln the Captain spoke. "Brown, that was a tactically unsound move you did today. But you destroyed a Marder and saved 5 trapped americans as well as raised the morale of the entire company. Thank you. That is all; DISMISSED!

Great game though I should have moved faster to save the folks in the chapel. At set up the american postion looked strong. Once the germans got into the chapel they chewed up the heavy weapons folks.

FORCES

3 squads

1 50 cal MG

1 60mm Mtr

Trapped in the chapel 1 3 man LMG and 1 5 man half squad plus 1 jeep with 30 cal

Germans

75% chance of Volks grenadier. I rolled a 4 on a d4 so used regualr wermacht

2 squads

2 Gr II leaders

1 Gr I leader

1 50 mm mtr

1 Marder III

offboard 81mm mtr

turn 4 reinforcements 1 gr II leader, 1 gr I leader 1 squad and 1 MMG

This is a variant of the couterattack scenario. To win the americans must control the church for 2 turns and evacuate the trapped troops then make their way off the south edge of the board.

Enjoy

Joe

Recon near the snow mountains 1944

Sorry for the delay in posting. Real world encroached as well as ACW Sharp Practice courtesy of Chris and more BTH II Squadron Forward. Still figuring out the Squadron thing but I think I will have to use a full squadron rather than a half. I keep losing pilots left and right! Below is Capt. "Bones" Stewart about to get his second kill while tailing a ME 109G.

"Bones" getting 1 of his 2 kills during an escort mission. The other mission

his squadron was spanked losing 3 planes without a victory

Received "winter" boards for christmas. Finally got a chance to use them. This is an american platoon that has had 4 missions previously. Lt Brown is well liked by both the company and battalion.

Lt Brown, battalion is not sure what is going on, Capt Lincoln started the conversation. It appears Jerry is launching a major winter attack and our troops in the snow mountains are in danger of being surrounded. We need to know where Jerry is and in what strength. I want you to personally lead a recon up towards Stornach. Find Jerry and get a sense of what he is up to. I have 2 halftracks and a greyhound to get you moving. Brown, LtCol Jackson needs some answers and personally asked for you. I know you can get us some. God speed!

Lt Brown cunning/ family Gr III

Sgt Claypool 2nd squad careful/ knowledge Gr III

Sgt Gerrard 3rd squad cunning/ arts Gr II

Americans enter along road from this edge

Hill in center, forest on left

WHAT IS YOUR PLAN LT?

Lt Brown's plan was to have the greyhound lead 50 yards ahead followed by 2nd squad in a halftrack followed by 3rd squad. He would accompany Sgt Gerrard who was the weaker of the 2 leaders. Upon any contact all infantry would dismount. If applicable, 2nd squad would go left and 3rd would go right.

Initial contact

Greyhound would not survive

As the greyhound rounded the curve around the hill it stopped and fired 2 shots before it burst into flame. " What the hell?" thought Brown as both squads spilled out of their halftracks. He did not wait long for an answer. A PSW 222 AC came around the hill and started to fire at the halftracks. A lucky shot knocked the 50 cal off the lead halftrack and it almost ran Brown over backing up out of the battle. Brown sent his bazooka up to where 2nd squad had formed a skirmish line and sent 3rd squad towards the hill on his left. Meanwhile the 50 cal on the second halftrack forced the armored car back around the hill.

Sgt Claypool sent his squad torwards the hill and Sgt Gerrard's squad ran into SMG armed volksgrenadiers moving through the forest around the hill.

VGs trying to flank the americans. You can see

Sgt Gerrard on the hill ready to fire

Brown, upon hearing fire in the forest, moved in that direction. Sgt Gerrard had moved his BAR team down the hill and into the huntsman's shack. With the German's pinned, Lt Brown gathered the rest of 3rd squad and led them into the forest to hunt Jerry.

Hand to hand combat outside of the huntsman's shack

3rd squad 1 WIA Germans 2 KIA 2 POW

The surviving VGs retreated to the edge of town.

Brown pushed 3rd squad through the woods to the edge of the town. There they found a very nasty surprise!

Very nasty surprise set up 40 yards from Lt Brown's position

Meanwhile back at the right side of the hill. Sgt Claypool looked into the town seeing nothing but the armored car and a LMG set up in the house closest to the woods. (the ATG came in as a random reinforcement and set up behind the building out of sight from the hill) As he pondered his next move from his right in the empty fields came clattering a stuart tank! Sgt McCanty had been separated from his platoon earlier in the day and had moved towards the sound of guns arriving on Sgt Claypools right. He quickly drove off the armored car and preceeded to move into the town (leadership check led him to charge the german positions!)

He drove past the building and turned, quickly setting alight the truck that had brought the ATG up when a lone VG appeared out of the building with a panzerfaust.

And the world held it's breath!

The panzerfaust fired with a roar and went wide right! The hull MG convinced the german to retreat into the house. Lt Brown charged the house with 3rd squad and lost 3 WIA before he pulled back.

At this point Brown reasoned he had accomplished his mission. He knew where Jerry was and that he was definetly on the attack. He decided he would take his 2 POWs back to company along with his brave stuart tank and let the brass decide the next move.

Great game that was quick as well taking about 2 hours solitaire. This was a meeting engagement which is fun as you don't know how it will turn out or what you will meet.

American forces

1 Greyhound AC

2 Halftrack

2 squads with 1 bazooka

1 stuart came in as random reinforcement but I think you have to include McCanty

Germans

1 PSW 222

2 trucks

1 SMG armed volks grenadier squad of 9 men.

1 LMG team of 4 men

2 Gr II NCOs

1 75mm ATG with gr II leader and truck as reinforcement on turn 4 (this also was random reinforcement but ended up saving the day)

Special rules

Both sides enter opposites sides of the road in column. Roll d4 for turn of entry

Check for bogging of trucks and halftracks if they move off road.

Sgt McCanty is very aggressive and will charge almost anything

Enjoy

Joe

Happy New Year!! Squadron Forward?!

Hope everyone had a great new years and that this year will bring with it hope that will be realized. Did not game much over the holidays. Had one game over a government HQ in Danzig with my Dad.

Russia steamrolls to victory!

Played several games of Bag the Hun by Too Fat Lardies. Fun games that emphasis men over hardware. Of course I have modified the rules! That got me thinking; could I do a Platoon Forward type of campaign for a squadron? Again it would not be tied to a set of rules but could be played with Check Six or any other plane to plane game. Parts of it would be easier (less people to worry about.) and parts would be more difficult ( less control over how you accomplish your missions) Have started tinkering around with a system. Will see what happens. Since I didn't play any platoon forward to report thought I would post this as a change of pace:

Flt Lt Thomas heard the briefer drone on. He was to patrol over the coast road with 4 Warhawks. Vital to protect the trucks... critical to the war effort... blah blah blah. He looked over at Sdr Ldr Workman. The man was an idiot but well connected. At least he wasn't flying today. Thomas would be in charge. No light brigade charges today!!

FLIGHT:

Flt Lt Austin Thomas Careful Veteran

Flt Officer Jessie Oldfield Jovial Veteran +1 leadership ability +1 on personality rolls

Sgt Ken Harrision Foolish Avg

Sgt Skip Harris Mercurical Avg -1 on personality rolls

Flying over a supply dump on the way to their check point they were fired on by friendly flak. Good thing the stupid bastards can't aim worth a darn! Need to drop off some recognition leaflets to those chaps.

Radar picked up 4 bogeys moving towards the road low and fast. Blast! Out of position. Throttle forward; scan the sky. Oldfield calls out bandits 12 o clock high! (He is a good chap and an excellent pilot.) Me 109s; no Me 110s! 2 climb and turn towards us while 2 make a run towards the road. "Jessie. You and Skip take the 2 climbing and I will go after the 2 running. Don't let those bastards dive down on us!

2 ME 110s pass over Thomas and Harrison

It soon becomes apparent that Thomas will not catch the 2 ME 110s before they get to the road. Flt Lt Thomas has already been fired on by friendly flak today so he eases up and tangles with the trailing ME 110s. He manages to smash the fore and aft cockpits of the leader but it refuses to go down. The leader turns to take on Thomas while his wingman races for the road. Jessie's element is in hot pursuit.

2 burning trucks on the road

ME 110 leaking fuel

Meanwhile the road is not pleaseant. 2 ME 110s each made 2 strafing passes and a 3rd plane made a single pass. Men spill out of our 4 trucks and our 2 MMGs fire madly. The lead ME 110 is hit on the first pass (fuel leak) but continues. When it is over, 2 trucks are burning and 2 trucks are disabled.

As the ME 110s streak 2oo ft off the deck for home the Warhawks engage. As Flt Lt Thomas moves in for a shot he passes across the front of a ME 110 for only a few seconds. The German pilots fires at the fleeting target. 20mm cannon shells hit the inline engine with explosive fury. It is doubtful wheither Flt Lt Thomas knew what happened before his warhawk exploded into the desert floor.

German forces

4 ME 110 C or Ds on a strafing mission 1 pilot Jr Ace, 2 veterans and 1 average.

It will take 3 missions for a replacement pilot and plane to appear. Meanwhile F/O Oldfield will run the flight. The only other thing that has happened is Skip Harris made ammends with his crew chief whom he had pissed off earlier.

The system has some merit. Who knows, maybe there will be a Squadron Forward some day.

Enjoy!

Joe