Bucha, Ukraine - 27 Feb 2022 - 15mm
1982 Falklands - Elessar2590 v Oriskany
Yes, yes … I realize we’re a little late on this one (most of the larger land engagements in this war took place June 11-13). But things have to be fit into the schedule, live opponents need to be found, maps drawn, armies “built.”
This game will take a look at 45th Royal Marine Commando’s assault on the Two Sisters Hill on West Falkland Island, night of Friday, 11-12 June, 1982.
The system we’ll be using is the Valor & Victory Modern Expansion of Barry Doyle’s original Valor & Victory classic.
In particular, we’ll be looking at NIGHT COMBAT, the importance of illumination, and how darkness effects approaches and assaults over terrain that might otherwise be suicide.
We hope to see you there! Join the comments and be part of the show!
Sunday – 4:30 East US / 9:30 UK
Sitrep Podcast YouTube
An overall map of the Falklands,showing the initial British landings at San Carlos Bay and the Sussex Hills. First came the famous / infamous engagement at Goose Green in the south, after which 3rd Commando Brigade had to cross East Falkland Island on foot (their helos had been destroyed with the sinking of SS Atlantic Conveyor).
The first round of engagements fought by 3rd CDO Bge for the hills overlooking Stanley, while 5th Infantry Brigade lands in the south (Scots Guards, Welsh Guards, and 1/7th Gurkhas). The GENERAL area of today's battle is in the green rectangle.
More detailed zoom-in of the battle area. The red rectangle shows the exact, scaled dimensions of our game table. I particularly like this map as it details not only British units and dispositions, but Argentinian as well. Objectivity is a big problem with most sources when it comes to the Falklands War.
An even tighter zoom-in. We'll be looking at "Z" Coy, 45th CDO RM at the "Summer Days" peak of Two Sisters Hill.
A little research into the exact weapons loadout of RM rifle sections in this war. This is important for determining the exact combat values for our VVME counters. Although the more modern, superior weapon, the L7A1 GPMG (FN MAG / M240) was found to have issues with the belt and the icy conditions. Many RM sections thus still carried at least one Bren Gun of WW2 vintage.
The map for today's game. It's four standard VV boards, 12 x 24 hexes, or about 360 by 720 yards. At 15mm this map would be about 22 feet across.
7, 8, and 9 troops, "Z" Coy, 45 Royal Marine Commando. The top commander is Capt. Cole, the actual commander on the day. Also featured is Lt. Dytor (commanding 8 Troop / 45 CDO RM), who would win a Military Cross for his actions in this engagement. Also note the flare marker. This game takes place in pitch darkness.
The Argentinians of "B" Coy, Regimiento de Infantería Mecanizado 6 (6th Mechanized Infantry Regiment). The top leader is Major Jaimet, the actual commander on the day. He'd be partly reinforced by elements of "D" Coy, 4th Regimiento de Infantería.
Leave a Reply