Well, we played the FoF book's Thunder Run scenario at Drums Along the Rapids (near Toledo, OH) yesterday. This time, it lived up to its name.
Here's the board:
Here are the US forces at the start (pretty straightforward - the infantry is actually mounted...):
Here are a couple of the Iraqi forces in their positions (they are actually hidden):
The US forces moved first. The M1's moved out up the highway, and engaged the Iraqi infatry and Fedayeen along the road and in the buildings with their MG's, killing several. The M2's ID'ed the Iraqi T55 and T72, and fired TOW missiles at both of them, KO'ing the T72 right off the bat.
US artillery fire also started to work over Iraqi positions near the crossroads.
Iraqi fire had no effect at first. They then moved the BMP's and the other T55 through the buildings to the right of the US forces, trying to flank them.
The US tanks continued to move up the road, and took out the T55, and some more infantry. To give them credit, though, the Iraqi infantry never wavered, no matter their casualties. They couldn't hit the broad side of a barn, but they were braver than hell.
Then, an AH64 appeared, and did a gun run up along the US right. The AH managed to kill some HMG gunners on the rooftops, and took out one of the BMP's as it moved up the US right.
The US infantry dismounted to clear the Fedayeen out of the buildings along the US right. Iraqi infantry and Fedayeen took exception to that move, and began slowly taking out some US infantry. Iraqi artillery fire also zeroed in on the US infantry, causing a couple more casualties. No KIA's but the medics were kept busy by the wounded (the US even got a 3rd medic by a FoW card).
One of the Bradleys fired its 2nd TOW missile into one of the nearby buldings (some Iraqis were seen going in the back door - turns out they were 3 suicide bombers). The TOW must have detonatd their vests, as the building disappeared in a cloud of smoke and rubble.
By now though, a constant fire by MG's and RPG's had rendered the 25mm's on both M2's inop, and they both had fired their TOW's. They were now mobile MG platforms.
The US tanks moved further up the road, taking out more Iragi infantry.
Then, the finale turned out to be quite grand, with the return engagement of the AH64. It finished off the Iraqi HMG team on the rooftops, but was actually shot down by a very lucky T55 TC working his AA MG!
The US infantry continued working the buildings along the road, taking out more Fedayeen and Iraqi infantry, but taking a couple more casualties themselves (all just wounded). US artillery worked over Iraqi positions at the crossroads. The M1's occupied the intersection, but had to respond to 2 civilian trucks speeding towards them. Both trucks were destroyed, but almost too close for comfort..
By this time, there were few Fedayeen or Iraqi infantry left on the field. The US had taken the crossroads on turn 4, and the Iraqis only had a handfull of troops (and a BMP and T55) left, so they decided to pull back.
Even though the US had achieved their objective (taking the crossroads), they managed to destroy a building and took seven infantry casualties (all "just" wounded). That meant the Iraqis won on points (US -25, Iraqis 0). But with the US in command of the field, 3 Iraqi AFVs and 2 pick-ups burning, and a bunch of Iraqi casualties, the Iragi players al felt their "victory" was a bit hollow.....
All in all, a good fun game. Enjoy.
Jim
