Well we finally get a BATREP for a game played by a section of the Flashpoint Miniatures staff. Anton "Six Actual" Ducrot and Chris "Crunchie" Putan (2000 points NVA and VC including a MiG-17 for air interdiction) and Drew "Dragonfire" Birkmyre and Andrew "Foggy" Fogg (2000 points ANZAC's with a USMC Ready Reaction Force mounted in helo's), played a Free Fire Zone mission. Three allied VC cells held up the ANZAC left flank for several turns before finally being over run by the ANZAC's while the balance of the ANZAC's were face to face with two full strength NVA platoons. The NVA "popped" the recoiless rifles in an ambush on the unsuspecting ANZAC M113's on the ANZAC right flank leaving nothing but a pile of flaming wrecks. The ANZAC's never got a chance to call in the USMC as they could not get a clear LZ with all potential sites well covered by the NVA HMG's and AT-7 Saggers. It was a battle of attrition and a draw was called once resources, the beer, rum and pizza's, ran out. Kim "The Boss" Ducrot watched on in awe (yeah, right) supporting the communist forces while your intrepid reporter, Ken "TailEndCharlie" Cole, played scribe, photographer and waiter.
Left to Right: Anton 'Six Actual' Ducrot, Chris 'Crunchie' Putan, Drew 'Dragonfire' Birkmyre, Andrew 'Foggy' Fogg
The table, short edge to short edge, NVA/VC on the left, ANZAC's on the right.
The table, long edge to long edge, NVA/VC at the bottom, ANZAC's at the top.
The ANZAC left flank, using the river for flank protection move towards the VC centered around a single hootch near a small bridge. The VC turned out to be a fearsome foe holding up the ANZAC advance for many turns.
The ANZAC centre was looking to clear a LZ so that the USMC RRF could be called in to mop up any dwindling communist forces but instead made heavy contact and spent tthe entire game under constant harrasement and took heavy casualties.
The NVA center, hiding in wait for the unsuspecting ANZAC's. The cemetary proved a good defensive position givng the NVA good cover.
Wow, what a tenacious battle. Nobody thought the VC would hold out so long, can Chris roll a 10 when one is needed. The Mig-17 drove off the USN F4 just when it was about to clear out the last NVA near a potential LZ so that the USMC RRF could be brought into the battle. These were both crucial periods of the battle and saved the day for the communist forces. It was good to see 'Six Actual' with some dice in his hands, that was when we could get the Bundy rum and Coke out of his hands. The entire game can be sumed up with one statement from Anton, "Rum wasn't meant to be this smooth"!
