Draco - Task Force Bravo

My game this week was against AJ’s East Germans – Bridgehead was rolled as the scenario, with me as the defender.

Unfortunately, due to my army makeup, I ended up with only the infantry on the board, with one tank platoon in Ambush. I was utterly dismayed by how many vehicles my opponent had, however, as his army was a T-72 HQ, 5 x T-72, 4 x T-72, 5 x T-55, 4 x Gaskin, 2 x Hind, and a short BMP-1 motor rifle company.

Luckily, though, it started out well…kinda. My two minefields were placed to funnel the enemy, and it actaually did work – the two wings of the enemy had to go wide out to avoid them. I didn’t get any reinforcements on my first turn, but my Ambushing Chieftains killed three T-72s and bailed one more on their opening salvo, before scooting behind cover. My Milans also did their job, taking out another two T-72s on the other flank. AJ expressed his shock at this, as he’s a veteran ANZAC player, and not used to losing vehicles so quickly – although he did like the league as it gave him an excuse to paint up his Germans.

It was this point, however, that the Hinds made their presence known. Their first shots managed to cripple the Chieftains, meaning they only got one salvo off in the entire game. I was then playing catch-up with them, dashing to my FV-432s into MG range even to have a chance of shooting them down – but the Mil Mi-24 isn’t known as a летающий танк for nothing…

Luckily, my remaining Cheiftains came on at the same table corner in Turns 3 and 4, finishing off the BMPs before their infantry could get into RPG range.

On turn 6, the remaining T-55s rushed the objective and tried to nail the Chieftains when their turrets were turned, but the shots bounced off. The Chieftains then returned fire (after a quick Blitz to clear the lanes of fire), brewing up three of the T-55s, and I had to take out one more to win the game. Luckily, one of my Milans was in range, and I just needed two 3+ rolls…which I managed. Total victory for me.

So, what did I learn? Helicopters, especially Hinds, suck/rock! Seriously, I really need to get some AA into my list at 75pts if I’m even going to try to survive – the only reason they didn’t really mess my tanks up was because they had a tendency to miss with their Spirals. A few better rolls, and my CO would have had three tanks blown out from under him.

Additionally, the inclusion of Carl Gustavs in the infantry platoons are quite a deterrent for the enemy. Even though they’re only AT17, its enough to force BMPs and other light vehicles to stay back far enough so I can only engage with my Milans. And that has the additional side effect of making my troops 6+ to hit even if they fire.

This list hits hard, but it does lack real staying power, compared to the Pact forces, however. And, as AJ noted, it will have problems taking objectives. I guess until I have a better striking force in my list, I’m sticking to defense as my battleplan.

And if I ever do a Pact force, I’m going to need even more destroyed markers.

*Looks sidelong at two Potecknov’s Bears boxes in pile…*