The VM 2nd Co charged the M8 HMC and four climbed on top. While two were shot down by defensive five, they inflicted one casualty on the crew. They also dropped another French trooper holding the line. The desperate crew backed up into French lines (what there were!), and one of the VM was cleaned off the tank while the other was Shaken.
At the head of the column, the French poured desperate fire into the jungle from which the 1RR was supposed and with the VM rolling a miserable 1 for defense, they did get one Shaken (upper right of photo). The RR returned fire and destroyed a 3/4 ton truck.
VM mortar fire destroyed a Scout Car and 3/4t truck while damaging a further truck and scout car! The RR and 4MMG in the south were not so successful. While the RR damaged s Scout Car, French return fire finally hit home (or was lucky depending on your point of view).
The 4MMG received a Shaken
But the RR was the real loser. (upper left of photo) Rolling yet another 1 as its defensive roll, the French took out two of the crew! Fighting on this sector was nearly over.
Turn 5 sees the 1VM Co get the initiative and it sweeps up the road shooting down 3 and Pinning one more. When the 3French Squad activates it pours a lot of fire into 1VM Co...but they throw 7 1s and 2s! Even with such horrendous luck, they are able to clear the last VM off the M8 HMC and an additional two VM.
The 2VM Co gets the next call, but they are not as effective, only getting a Shaken on a LMG. The French rolling a 6, and two 5s were helpful to say the least. French assistance is coming from the head of the column but they too only gain a Shaken. The VM mortars fire and again further damage a Scout Car. Two miss however, but bad luck then claims some friendly fire. The last mortar overshot an ambulance (left center) and it kills one VM, Shakes another, all the while missing the lone Frenchmen in the blast!
The 1French Squad is ineffective firing into the jungle, but the M8 AC does well again. It fires towards the suspected 1RR position, the VM obligingly rolls a 2 for its defense, and the French score
2 Shaken and a Pin. The VM MMG open up but only one scores hits (center right), taking down two French (upper left)
Losses for the VM heavy weapons were totally unexpected (luck for the French here), forces one MMG and a RR to retire, while the second RR was silenced. Recognizing the tide turning, the VM Battalion commander orders the bugles to sign the withdraw.
But before the VM can react, the 3FSquad gets the initiative and drops 5 and 1 Shaken. To make things worse, the 2FSquad gets the right card drawn and they add another 2 KIA and 1 Pin. Finally the VM gets their two Cos to withdraw
The VM heavy weapons then successfully withdraw, leaving 2 POWs to be grabbed (they had been shaken), and the French survivors breath a sigh of relief! The final view at the head of the column
and the rear:
Total losses show the cost:
French: 3Jeeps/9; 5 3/4T Trks/7; 8 Trks/14; 1SC/4; 2HT/3; 13/ForLeg/25; and 13 RIMC/32
VM: 34/80 men including 4 men from the Hvy Weapons. Was a great game
Here are some close-ups of the figs themselves; first, the VM. The MMG, Mortars, and RR crew are from Eureka (Highly recommended). The regular troops are from Peter Pig, VietCong with bolt rifles. This being 1949 and the full assistance from Red China had yet to arrive, the soldiers were a bit rough looking:
Next up are the Foreign Legionnaires who drove the convoy; they are all Eureka. The Jeep and 3/4T are Old Glory, Command Decision. The truck on right I believe if I remember correctly a very old Roskopf (?)
Finally the Moroccans of the RIMC, from Old Glory as well as the HT. The Scout Car, Jeep and M8 HMC are from Flames of War.
Hope you enjoyed, let me know what you think, as I can always try harder.
Well, the French did better than I thought given the situation at the game's beginning.
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