Today's game was based on Bob Cordery's Battle of Arora Junction a Colonial action that was fought in 2013.
My version of the scenario is set on my fictional continent of Uqbal in the 1950s. A large chunk of Uqbal was a former colony of Albiona, however control has recently been handed over to the Democratic Party of Free Uqbal (DPFU) who represent the ethnic group that dominate North Uqbal. Other ethnic groups are aggrieved and want independence; fighting has broken out across the former colony.
Under pressure near the Capital, the DPFU is pulling troops back from the verdant South. At Aurora Junction, one such detachment has broken camp and is about to depart by rail.
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| The plan - light green represents impassable jungle plants |
A force from the People's Democratic Front (PDF), green figures, have been instructed to delay the departure of the DPFU, tan figures, while saboteurs destroy a rail bridge further up the line. To do this in game they must keep the enemy engaged until turn 12. Green get the benefit of surprise, appearing from behind two low ridges: Unfortunately they must attack across open ground.
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| Any excuse to get the toy trains out of storage |
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| The DPFU commander coordinates his troops withdrawal from the ruined building |
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| Army Green arrives and advances towards the two ridges |
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| Departing DPFU troops turn and take up positions |
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| Green troops on the Right Flank rush towards the enemy firing from cover |
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| On the Left, Green keeps the enemy busy whilst the machine gun strafes the building |
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| Despite being in cover the unit in the building is decimated |
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| By Turn 8 the DPFU are at EP - the PDF need to hold on for 4 more turns to delay the enemy |
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| The Game ends at Turn 10! |
The PDF were not able to stop the departure of the enemy force, however they inflicted a large number of casualties.
A great battle report!
ReplyDeleteI had never thought to refight this scenario during more modern times, but having seen what you have done, it’s really something that I ought to consider for this and other colonial scenarios I have devised.
All the best,
Bob
Thanks Bob - reading your 2013 post inspired a game that could have been set in a number of eras for which I have figures. Late 20th Century is best for my rolling-stock however!
DeleteI sure enjoyed this little action - and the background that gave it meaning. One gets a sense of limited forces operating in a vast theatre - an environment in which anything can happen.
ReplyDeleteThis posting has reminded me that I have a sadly neglected Army Men project doing nothing, despite there being plenty of kit to play with!
Cheers,
Ion
Cheers Ion. The setting is one that I have used on and off for years - it has a rather complicated history which I keep meaning to record in a blog post. The figures and some vehicles belonged to my son (before he got too old for toys!?!?) I find Cheap Army men are great for this sort of action and other bloggers (eg Mark Man of Tin and the Wargaming Pastor) are doing amazing stuff with them.
DeleteAnother lively game, and another potential mini campaign.
ReplyDeleteThanks Mark - I've played a few one-off games in this setting. A mini-campaign in this era would be interesting for sure!
DeleteGreat fun game which reminds me to stop procrastinating and painting and play a game!
ReplyDeleteAlan Tradgardland
Cheers Alan. It was a toss up between painting or a game yesterday! A chance to play a game could not be ignored.
DeleteA great report, MJT. Clever idea to a) find and b) rework and repurpose Bob’s old blog post battle ✔️✔️. Now you have me trawling through Wargaming Miscellany looking at the pre-PW games…an addictive process 🙃.
ReplyDeleteAnd good to see you squeezing a game in 🙂👍🏼
Thanks Martin! Bob had left a link to the scenario on his recent post regarding Railways, so I pounced on it!
DeleteHere’s a daft question, MJT —WHY were you looking through Bob’s posts of ten years ago. 🙂. It’s a great blog, and now you’ve highlighted some classic clashes in there…but what was it that drew you back that far? (Or had you ‘saved’ the post as kne you planned to refight a fair while back?).
ReplyDeleteThis post by Bob on 28/10/23 https://wargamingmiscellany.blogspot.com/2023/10/continuing-to-expand-my-collection-of.html contained a link (in the text below a picture) to the older one! 😁
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