At the end of April, I attending RECON 2018, in Orlando, Florida. It was my first war game convention and I had a lot of fun. The game master was a friend I met through the GHQ web forum and I thoroughly enjoy the scenarios that he puts together. Really enjoyed my experience and it was great to be surrounded by like minded gamers and meeting new people. I will definitely be doing this again. Now to the good stuff, my after Action Report.
The Russian Bear Attacks
In the spring of 2018, Russian forces slammed into forward deployed German units. Badly mauled, the Germans fall back to a defensive position around three critical bridges. They quickly dig in and wait as the Russian forces advance in front of them. They know that the Russians are determined to capture the bridges intact and exploit the bridge head.
The Russian Bear Attacks
In the spring of 2018, Russian forces slammed into forward deployed German units. Badly mauled, the Germans fall back to a defensive position around three critical bridges. They quickly dig in and wait as the Russian forces advance in front of them. They know that the Russians are determined to capture the bridges intact and exploit the bridge head.
As shown above, there are two major roads leading up to the bridges. The Russians begin their push to their objectives
The initial push begins with a recon in force, with BMP-1s and T-90 Tanks. Not wanting to give away their position, they push forward cross country in an attempt conceal their advance. There progress is slow and uses up valuable time needed to hit the enemy before they can be reinforced. This leads to confusion and the Russian high command launches an airborne assault on bridge opposite of the main thrust.
The initial push begins with a recon in force, with BMP-1s and T-90 Tanks. Not wanting to give away their position, they push forward cross country in an attempt conceal their advance. There progress is slow and uses up valuable time needed to hit the enemy before they can be reinforced. This leads to confusion and the Russian high command launches an airborne assault on bridge opposite of the main thrust.
German Air defense units hit half of the transports before they can drop their payload. However, several infantry and armored units successfully land and deploy in the building on the far side of the river.
This move forces the Russian high command to order T-90 tanks, down the road, to exploit the gain and try to draw in any reinforcing units. However, the slow moving recon units are moving two slow and fail to get into place to call in artillery fire and direct follow on units.
This move forces the Russian high command to order T-90 tanks, down the road, to exploit the gain and try to draw in any reinforcing units. However, the slow moving recon units are moving two slow and fail to get into place to call in artillery fire and direct follow on units.
Pressured to consolidate early gains causes Russian tank formation rushing down the road in tight formation without any regard for the possibility of artillery fire.
German Marders engage the airborne troops trying to prevent further gains with some success.
German Marders engage the airborne troops trying to prevent further gains with some success.
Several hits were scored and on the enemy forces. US Forces were rushed to the drop zone in an attempt to expel the Russian from the town and close the hasty bridgehead that was created. M1s Raced to the village bridge while M3 Bradley’s took positions on thills overlooking the area.
The allies next move was an artillery borage to slow the advancing Russian armor. The artillery fire was not as accurate as hoped but did bloody the nose of the advancing tanks.
M1s started to take losses and from return fire with some good results.
This slowed the ability of the allies to crush the bridgehead and let the Russians hold on a little longer. As the right flank attempts to exploit its bridgehead and tie up more allied forces, the recon units finally get into place and BMPs race forward to deliver extra troops and additional IFV firepower.
A few BMPs take hits along the road, but due to good spacing, the artillery strikes have less of an impact. The one draw back comes from the reduced amount of units hitting the front line in a large enough force to push across the river.
At this point US M1s make it to the left side bridge and take up positions. The two side begin to exchange shots.
At this point US M1s make it to the left side bridge and take up positions. The two side begin to exchange shots.
In the distance, the Russian at the right side bridge are beginning to engage in force and more and more units poor into the fight.
Fire is exchanged and the Russians begin lighting up tanks along the rivers edge. Black smoke can be seen from one end of the battle field to the other.
Fire is exchanged and the Russians begin lighting up tanks along the rivers edge. Black smoke can be seen from one end of the battle field to the other.
Just as the US front line looks like its about to crumble, M1 Abrams rush to the river at full speed.
In the distance, Russian armor can barely be seen rolling down the road. For most of the battle, a single M901 AT has held the bridge taking pounding after pounding. The crew holding onto there position, taking out tank after tank and surviving hit after hit. The vehicle was struck at least 10 or more times with no effect. All this while vehicles all around them burst into flames.
Finally, after a long exchange, The commander of the Russian BMPs is killed and the units break formation and retreat into advancing Russian armor. The right side bridge has become a meat grinder and has slowly wittled down the attacking Russian forces.
Russian artillery lays down Smoke in an attempt for the remaining forces and attempt one final push.
This allows the Russians to regroup and begin one final push. Hind helicopters were seen in the area and fired from hilltops in an attempt to dislodge the defending forces. Sadly this was not enough to tip the tide in the Russians favor.
Hind helicopters were seen in the area and fired from hilltops in an attempt to dislodge the defending forces. Sadly this was not enough to tip the tide in the Russians favor.
In the confusion of the last push, The Brave and tenacious M901 AT vehicles is seen smoldering along the bridge.
The 13th hit was not there lucky number. The infuriated Russian general called on all remaining forces to single in on this one vehicle. The crew had long since abandoned this vehicle and escaped the battle. At this point, US reinforcements made it to the area and reinforced the bridges and were able to hold their ground.. Russians were forced to withdrawal.
Thank you for reading my fist attempt at an after action report. Hope you enjoyed it and as always, feel free to comment.
Thank you for reading my fist attempt at an after action report. Hope you enjoyed it and as always, feel free to comment.