Defeat at Pho Lu

    Following the defeat of the premature attacks on the French post, 8-9 Feb, General Giap took the next few days to concentrate his 308th Division for an overwhelming assault. An entire regiment is drawn up within the cover of the jungle-covered slopes west and north of Pho Lu. Even with one battalion having lost about a third of its strength in those earlier attacks, the two new battalions meant the VM were deploying 8 companies to face down, the understrength company of Goumiers and platoon of Tai's partisans!
    The VM pounded the post with 82mm mortars (x3) and 57mm RR (x1) for an hour but it proved to be a bit disappointing. The only real effect was the destruction of the overhead cover of the eastern bunker! Well, this was their first real battle following training in China. The VM then launched all three battalions with x2 cos each. The Moroccans and Tai's laid down all the fire they could. (Missing two of their four automatic weapons destroyed earlier)

The French commander, a young lieutenant, did receive some good news...a company of the 3BCCP (some 115 paras of the 3 Colonial Parachute Btn), had been dropped to the west from their Toucan transports (originally German Ju-52s!). The VM commander thought initially, they might be bombers; however when a total of 6 flew by, it left him somewhat confused. (You can just make out the French post at the top of the photo)

During the second round as the VM sappers blew holes in the chevaux de frise, the Armee de l'Air made its appearance. A Spitfire Mark IX roared in, successfully dropping two 250lb bombs, and then raking VM troops with 20mm and MGs!

The VM by now had destroyed much of the barriers between them and the defenders, and in the NW bunker, they were already climbing up the steep slope to get at their enemies. But before the end of the round, the Armee de l'Air appeared again as two P-63 Kingcobras added more bombs, 37mm cannons and MGs! The heavy losses failed to slow down the VM assault:

A close up of the aircraft, and the VM assaulting the NW bunker (left-center):

With VM 82mm mortars, 57mm RR, MMGs, 60mm mortars, LMGs and rifles rifles raking the walls and the posts interior, the Goumiers still stand strong along the northern wall, although they only have one remaining moroccan left standing in the NW bunker. The Ta'is on the other hand have taken heavy losses on the west wall, only three remaining outside the SW bunker (although one has been shaken, shown with the yellow cap) .

During the succeeding rounds, the VM are now pouring into the post's interior and the defender's numbers are dwindling rapidly. By the time another Spitfire races by, it has no targets outside the post perimeter. To add make matters worse, the VM finally destroy the SW bunker along with the two remainder Ta'is inside.

And now making its belated appearance, the Paras of the 3 BCCP appear coming down a mountain trail to the SE of the post.

As two more Kingcobras make an appearance (and again, unfortunately for the French, with no recognizable targets), one remaining Goumier is left standing defending his position. (Spot him with the white tuban?) He charges and takes down his last VM.

As the VM take the post, (and the commander wisely leaves the Tricolor flag flying from its pole so the French won't bomb the post, the Paras reach the ford on the Red River only to realize the VM have left two additional battalions on the south bank to handle any possible reinforcements! Game over!

Tragically for the French, historically at this point, the Paras were hit by tremendous fire, killing their commanding officer and his exec almost immediately. Yet another young Lt (named Planey) found himself in command of a virtually hopeless situation. Retreat was the only option but could see masses of VM moving on each of his flanks to surround his command. In order to have a chance of saving any of his men, he was forced to leave behind his dead and wounded, Days later, after a grueling march through the jungle-covered mountains of the Ta'is region, he brought his men out safely to Lao Kay. However, High Command crucified him over his choice of leaving his men behind. He was unsuccessful to convince his superiors that the enemy were no longer the untrained guerrilla fighters, but men who maneuvered and fought as major units. 

"I never stopped telling my chiefs, 'The Viets aren't the same any longer: these are really tough ones,' but they never believed me. They said, 'Your nerve cracked.'"

The War in Indochina had entered a newer, more deadly phase!

Battle of Pho Lu, 1950 Indochina

    Following the fall of China to Mao Zhedong's Communist Revoution, General Giap's Viet Minh forces had been receiving equipment and importantly, training. The ex-history teacher now decided to test his new forces by sending the 308th Division into the Tai's Highlands in February 1950. The small post of Pho Lu was unfortunate to find itself the target of thousands of Viet Minh. Some 150-men made up the garrison, taken from a Moroccan Tabor, mountain goumiers alongside a handful of Tai's partisans. The post located in an isolated valley bisected by the Red River. There was no road or airstrip; only contact was via the river by dugouts or a 20 km hike via mountain tracks! The French certainly knew to to pick isolated garrisons!
    Using 15mm figures (mostly from Eureka Miniatures and Peter Pig) and a scratch built log and mud fort, the first unsuccessful assaults on the position were recreated recently.
   A single company was chosen to make the initial attack at night. creeping quietly from the jungle-covered hills, the leading sappers had nearly reached to cheval de frise when the French put up a flare and the action began:

The Viet Minh 60mm mortars place one of their first shots on the garrison hut while the surviving sappers blasted apart the outer barrier. The assault squad was close at hand with their ladders:

The ladders go up against the 'Japanese Palisade', as they called the woven bamboo fencing. (the French were shortchanged when it came to actual barriers like barbed wire!).

With the garrison hut burning behind them, the goumiers were thinning out the assault troops:

The Moroccans have taken numerous casualties by now as the ladders go up against the wall:

The Viet Minh are decimated leaving one final soldier standing. Viet Minh mortars had unsuccessfully been targeting the French mortar position:

On the final turn, the Viet Minh is taken down as the last VM shell lands in the mortar pit!

A Viet Minh company commander will have some tough questions to answer when his battalion commander arrives!

Cruel Seas in Norwegian waters

The gang has been playing through the various scenarios that cam out with this new set of reals. This highlighted game we set in Norway, 1940.

Here during the pre-dawn hours, two German E Boats are escorting two freighters loaded with troops. Their goal is to travel down the fjord in the upper right. The English however are lurking in the upper right

Three British MTBs searching through the gloom to spot the reported enemy force:

Following a couple of turns, the two forces have spotted each other and are moving to engage. First shot made by a German 37mm, but it misses. Note the second E Boat is using a small island to remain undetected:

With the second German Boat making it's appearance, numerous hits were scored on each other, but the Germans hit much harder, with one MTB exploding before it got to fire or launch torpedoes! Her cohort does get its 'fish' into the water.

While the E Boats pass the MTBs, the left-hand German has its steering damaged and it is forced into a left turn. The British command boat gets one torpedo launched as they close in on their targets. The first MTB is now simply a black smudge on the water. If they run straight and normal. they look like they will strike home!

While it's mate is out of the fight due to its damage, the remaining E Boat smashes another MTB; but the command boat gets its second fish into the fjord:

Success! Three torpedoes strike home, and the freighters are burning! The E Boat heavily damages the remaining MTB, but it survives.

Incredibly, the last MTB, despite its serious damage, escapes into the darkness while the E Boat attempted unsuccessfully to finish her off. The invasion, at least on this front, is stopped!

The Ambush Pt III

Getting the first card, the French 2nd RIMC squad counterattacked very successfully. 8 VM were dropped and one more were shaken. The VM response was just as deadly, inflicting 4 KIAs and 1 Pin.
                                                                         

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.

The Ambush RC 4 Part II

The VM cards come up twice to begin the turn and fire both RR and all mortars...and they all miss!  Fortunately their luck is a little better as two of the MMG caused two trucks to explode, while a third gets a 3/4T truck and its driver! There is ineffective French fire desperately seek out the enemy heavy weapons.

 

 The VM now launch their 1st Company towards the convoy and drop one of the Legionnaire drivers. The 2nd Company soon follows and they do even better, silencing two drivers. The French M8 HMC turns and fires long at the advancing Viet! The French RICM troops fall back slightly to consolidate.

Turn Three sees the VM gain the first card again, and the second Co continues to advance while laying down fire. They succeed in dropping the LMG in the Scout Car and one other Moroccan. The French return fire this time however, is deadly and six VM go down!

At the front of the convoy, the French luck continues as the M8 AC gets shots in on the 1MMG and kills one (The Viet rolled a 1 for their defense!), and pins the other. Under my scenario rules if a VM crew-served weapon loses half their crew, the remainder will withdraw saving the weapon)

VM mortars continue to fire, although the first two miss their marks. The last two do rub out two more trucks. The VM 2nd company charges towards the M8 HMC which fires short again this time!

As stated earlier, the VM RR were all misses this turn, close to the Scout car, but still a miss.

And finally, the French RIMC troops here are moving forward down the column to consolidate as well, leaving a LMG and two riflemen to hold the rear. They are banking on the fact that no VM troops have yet appeared. They better be correct or those three troopers will be in a world of hurt!

By the end of the Turn, French losses are mounting and there are numerous burning wrecks littering RC 4.

A Viking/Saxon SeaBattle

Tried out a new idea using SAGA II rules. W have one Viking Longship stalking two Saxon Cogs bearing a lucrative hostage that could be ransomed for a great deal of wealth. The Viking force is 4 pts strong; a Warlord with x2 4 fig Hearthguards, x1 x8 fig Warrior band, and x1 x12 fig Levy with bows. The Saxons have the same number of pts but are divided into two boats. The first contains a x12 fig Levy with bows and a x4 fig Hearthguard. On the second Cog is the Warlord, the Princess, another x4 fig Hearthguard and a x8 fig Warrior band.

The Saxons decided to attack and not attempt to run away (?) and so after three turns advancing towards each other (and a barrage of arrows from both sides doing little damage, the first Cog comes alongside. The Saxon Hearthguard attempt to board while downing some Levy and Warriors, losing one of their own.

Following a couple rounds of bloody slaughter, the Viking Warriors have been destroyed along with the Saxon Hearthguard. One of the Viking Hearthguard now boards the Cog and begins the slaughter of the Saxon Levy. Meanwhile the second Cog is bearing down.

After the second Saxon Cog comes alongside the Longship, it inially looks good for the Norse. The plan was to rest the exhausted hearth guard who had all but eliminated the Saxon Levy while the Viking Levy and second Hearthguard would deal with the new enemy...but it didn't quite work out that way. The Saxon Warriors and Hearthguard poured onto the Longship, and eventually destroyed not only the Viking Levy, but trapped and destroyed the exhausted Hearthguard as well. Now the Viking Warlord and his last remaining Hearthguards charged into the Saxons and incredibly destroyed the Saxon Hearthguard, Warriors and the enemy Saxon Warlord was killed in single combat by the Viking Warlord! The Viking Hearthguard joined their brothers in Valhalla, while their Chief looked over the bloodstained decks of the three vessels. And the Princess!!

All in all, a very enjoyable little fight! Used Blood and Plunder sailing rules and a few other minor alterations to take SAGA to sea, but it provided us with much enjoyment. Now where is that Mead?!

The Ambush is sprung!

Before the French even know the Viet Minh are there, I had the VM player roll a 6d to determine how many free shots he would get before the Card Activation Phase kicked in. Each unit, French (7) and VM (5), has a card in game deck which are drawn randomly to determine order. I love using this system rather than the old, 'You go-I go". Keeps the players involved. The VM were very well off by rolling a five! He chose to activate both 57mmRR, and three of his mortars. This in addition to two activated mines, one at the front and the other at the rear of the column (just as it happened in '49):

At the front of the column, the mine not only blew up the lead jeep, but took out driver as well. (rolled for both) The RR took out the Halftrack as well as one of the three men aboard. Fortunately for the French at this point of the column, a 60mmM was off target, missing the Scout Car behind the 'Track!

Towards the middle of the convoy, the second 60mmM was better operated as it destroyed the Radio Truck...No calling for support!

At the tail end, the second mine duplicated the first (bottom of photo) while the RR knocked out another 'Track, killing one. The third 60mmM targeted a Scout car but missed (middle top of photo)

Now the first turn officially begins with the VM MMG getting their first shots, but this one misses. The M8 AC turns and fires ineffectively into the jungle (A defender gets plus four on a defensive die roll, 6d, and if he gets above a seven, no effect. The Moroccans of the RCIM and a few drivers do get lucky when they score a Shaken (Yellow Cap) on one of the MMG. In my rules, the shooter rolls x1 6d for each fig firing. 2-6 at 1"; 3-6 at weapons medium range; and 4-6 at long. Moving lowers roll by one. If there are any scores on target, the defender rolls x1 6d, getting -1 if moving, 0 if stationary, +1 soft cover, +2 hard cover and the aforementioned +4 if in hard to spot jungle terrain. For every hit, the shooter then gets a 6d and needs to beat the defenders roll. If he does he gets a casualty. Equal die roll gets a Shaken (target cannot move or shoot next turn), and -1 gets a Pin (target may shoot next turn but not move. All targeted figs are randomized so if there were three figs in the target area, and three hits, there is a chance all the hits are on one fig. No Hollywood shooting here, all random.

The M8 HMC turns off the road and fires into the jungle hoping to suppress the mortar fire but fails. Drivers and RCIM are deploying along the road since there is no movement.

And at the tail of the column a VM MMG takes out a truck (but the driver successfully bails (right center of photo). French return fire is again very lucky as it scores another Shaken (Yellow Cap) on the same MMG crew. (top center). End of turn one.