I know, I know, playing solo with this game is not very straightforward, but it might work.
Every time a dummy comes into play (attack, defense), a die is rolled. 4-6 nothing happens, dummy goes to refit. 1-3 the comms get to swap the dummy with another unit in that military region that has not seen battle yet and the dummy goes to refit.
Kinda works...
Sorry about the images, they're not in BBG due to the "extreme$$" selection rules in place.
Anyway...
As you can see by the photo, this is the situation at start. US strategy will focus in keeping comms away from cities, and gathering force to steam roll VC's and NVA's out of corps regions in a controlled manner, while at the same time denying the communist player freedom of movement.
It will not be easy, but it might work.
As the communist, strategy will be to keep allied units on the move to put out small fires and by that denying them strong stacks. At the same time, focusing on the political front, with sieges and the occasional city capture. Protecting the CBA's will be the second strategical concern.
Turn 1
Some units decide to provoke the US Marines division in the B4 area, by sending two units to sit between the cities of Quang Tri and Hue. The allied forces at the firebase near A Shau CBA watch that bold move with some surprise, not knowing what forces are there. Divisions? Alert sounds in allied command. Response comes in the form of a Delta Force insertion, revealing a week brigade and a dummy, that is unable to resolve to anything else (4-6, eheehh). Situation is immediately dealt with by the marines, with the populace in the two cites cheering.
Down south, a large detachment of units moves towards Tam Ky, threatening all bases and cities there. A surprise attack eliminates a ARVN division, sending political waves of destruction to the free world. The garrison holds in position though. Allies see no way to resolve that problem for the time being.
Another attack down south, near An Loc results in some success. One less ARVN brigade.
(This is the 1st corps situation at the end of turn 1)
A full force attack across both Laos and Cambodia results in an SF camp being overrun. It was no match for two full NVA divisions, that are able to maintain a siege to Kontum.
Another detachment of NVA units in the Delta region moves into an unsuspecting South Saigon, putting it into siege, and making the headlines the next day.
All over South Vietnam sieges take place, putting the allied command into shock.
The allied forces take onto themselves to limit the political effects of the communist offensive.
Although not yet able to fully use their resources, like mobile movement or “proper” bombing, they move their units into better positions, trying to relieve sieges and at the same time start to reduce communist capability to gather forces or reinforce communist camps.
2 units from Da Lat decide to risk an assault on a communist unit near Bo Loc, as the 1st Air Cav will be able to defend Da Lat the next week if needed. Their assault proves effective, shattering the first communist brigade.
Defense in Tam Ky is increased to face the assault from the NVA division and trying to hold on until relief comes from the Marines division up North (hopefully).
The ARVN marines stationed in North Saigon move south to help defend the southern part of the capital, and they succeed in also making the headlines the next day with a brave counteroffensive.
To the west of Saigon, a full on attack attempt to eliminate communist base 359, will 7 units surrounding them. The attack proves to be successful but somewhat limited as only one VC unit is eliminated.
(Saigon area, as described above. "A" represents the Saigon siege, "B" is the target of the Allied offensive, CBA 359)
Up North, near Bong Son, the Korean division tries to relieve a siege and at the same time siege the communist camp. And succeeds with another VC unit chalked down as a military victory.
(Korean sucess!)
The bombing campaign, still plagued by major logistic issues, only manages to provide suppression in three hexes in Saigon and Delta military districts, not a bad result considering the odds. Mostly, they've focused on areas of clear terrain for maximum effect. No point in bombing CBA's at the time since the odds would be shifted to NE.
In the Delta region however, things didn't turn out as good for the allies, with the attack designed to relieve Soc Trang falling victim of an Ambush, thanks to a very effective dummy swap. Another ARVN bites the dust.
All in all, not a bad starting move for the communists, taking advantage of the initial deployment problems of the american logistics. 1st Air Cav just watched and wasn't able to do anything, as per rules.
Allies responded as possible, not wanting to move to far out from the bases and cities just yet.
Results in VP's at the time:
Comm Military Points: 4
Allied Military Points: 5
Comm Political Point: 9 (!!) Not too bad considering that if the allied player hadn't responded, it could have gone as far as 18 points!
Allied Political Point: 0
A cautious start for both sides, but with the report reaching President Johnson being one of concerned news. Sieges all over the country are a major problem. It must be dealt with.
More to come.....
Posted Wed Aug 20, 2008 12:35 pm
