Here we are a solid 6 months after my last post. 2011 had many surprises in store for me...divorce, job relocation, increase of alcohol consumption. But now back to what is really important. Tiny metal soldiers.
Here today I offer you my after action review of the second battle in my Near Future ACW campaign. I had to abandon my game group so I've been playing with myself recently (get your mind out of the gutter) and I've been mildly satisfied with the system I've come up with to keep myself guessing at my own actions during play. Hint: Dark Beer
As you may recall, our first skirmish left the advanced elements of the Chicago Combine's 3rd Division short of their initial goals. Stymied by determined Indiana Free Republic defenders and poor command and control the 3rd has attempted to swing south of the well defended and fortified IFR positions. Just outside of the small Indiana town of St. Joseph lies a strategic intersection of major roads that would allow the northern and southern forks of the Combine's advance to link up.
 |
| The crossroad objective was randomized after the IFR deployment was finished. |
The Combine would need to secure this crossroad to keep its supply and communications lines open as it closed the net around Evansville.
To keep myself guessing a little, I had the IFR/Texan contingent set up first without knowing which of the 3 potential crossroads would be the real objective.
Both Commanders were also allowed 2 preset artillery bombardments within the first 5 turns of play.
After the first turn nothing much had happened. Some positioning for next turns fire runs and some sporadic reactive fire with no results.
Then came both commander's first artillery salvo. The IFR succeeded in scuffing up some farmland and creating a few new fishing holes. The Combine's artillery was far deadlier, knocking out several platoons worth of Infantry and Armor.
 |
| Impact area's for first artillery salvo. |
This cleared the way a bit for the Combine's assault at the beginning of turn 2.
The combine rushed all infantry and armor units into close combat inflicting and receiving high casualties.
A company of Combine infantry supported by a plused up armor company began forcing IFR defenders from the woods surrounding the objective.
On the IRF's right flank the Combine kept up steady pressure in order to prevent the Texan reinforcements from aiding the IFR in a significant way.
The IFR center was immobilized due to a combination of suppressing fire and poor command.
The aftermath of the Combine frontal assault was a near blood bath with both sides losing 1/3 of their total starting forces. Both commanders were forced into morale checks. The IFR center held, but both flanks were forced from their positions into a head long retreat. The combine commander had to pull back his left and center. But was able to follow up on the right with a crushing blow securing the necessary crossroads.
 |
| Pictured: Total Defeat |
Having lost the disputed crossroads, and now under threat of enfilade fire from Combine positions, the IFR/Texan command decided it was time to pull back, regroup, and make their stand on the outskirts of Evansville.
