GFM: Operation Jolly Woodsmen

Got in a few quick games during the Christmas break testing out my Navy Seals Vietnam module based on Ivan Sorenson's No End in Sight V2. Gamed a few missions and of those I recorded this game for a quick Battle Report. Codename Operation Jolly Woodsmen, Summer 1968.

SEAL OFFICER

In this operation the SEALS are attempting to take out a pesky sniper the "Woodsmen" who has been harassing allied troops for weeks. Just recently the Woodsmen shot a ARVN colonel mortally wounding him. This is a high value target. The Viet Cong can use three tunnels to traverse the map quickly, setting up ambushes or escaping heavy firepower. If firing more than once from the same position, they reveal their location. If a SEAL figure is equipped with a radio, they can call in artillery fire from nearby naval ships.

The SEALS gave away their position early after a lone VC riflemen took the tunnel system and ambushed Delta team. He was silenced after pinning one SEAL in the second turn. The SEALS quickly moved into cover and the firefight began. The Woodsmen took notice and fired at Alpha team first. One figure pinned but no hits otherwise. Not caring to give away their position the Woodsmen did not fire again until Turn 3, moving prone to better cover near Alpha's position. The SEALS turned the tide beginning in Turn 3 with Alpha team, rallying one pinned figure and Delta moving into assault position.

The Stoner LMG and Delta's heavy suppressive fire in the bottom half of Turn 4 being decisive. The Woodsmen turns out to be the Woodswomen! Heavily wounded after the top half of Turn 4, it's unlikely that she'll take up a rifle again. The SEALS retreated with no casualties, bagging three VC. It pays to be the winner. Next time I play this operation I'll being playing as the Viet Cong because it seemed a fun layout for old Mr. Charlie.

Happy New Year, Keep Rolling those Crits...
-15mm Dieter

Men With Green Faces: Flashpoint Vietnam Navy SEALS

Showcasing a finished batch of Flashpoint Miniatures Vietnam Navy Seals. Ready to duke it out over the river ways and brown waters of the Mekong Delta. I purchased a pack each of SEALS and Viet Cong from Flashpoint in Australia with the idea of wargaming small skirmish games at squad level. I've tested out the rules and once I refine/customize a bit more, will be writing up a battle report. In the meantime lets check out these awesome figures.

The ruleset which I'm using is a modified version No End in Sight Cold war & modern Platoon Combat v.2 by Ivan Sorensen. These rules place a heavy emphasize on moving cautiously into cover. You fire Shock Dice and Kill Dice hitting on 5-6 & 6 respectfully. The idea here being that most of your firefights would be chaotic with an unseen enemy in a tight quarters jungle environment. I've been calling this module, Green Faced Men: SEAL Operations in Vietnam.

I've added a few simple wrinkles to represent the clandestine nature of most of the SEAL missions. Sorensen's rules are very fluid, the author tells the gamer several times to make up their own rules depending on historical considerations or simply how the player would like to play. I particularly enjoyed the inclusion of some solo play tables and general ideas on how to play the game solitarily.

Codename Operation Poacher 1968

Flashpoint did a phenomenal job with these miniatures. Each figure is completely unique in the pack of twenty four. You can tell the sculptor took a lot of care and added plenty of flare to each miniature. Very good detail, rivaling the well known 15mm producers like Peter Pig and Old Glory. For my money, these are some of the best Vietnam special forces miniatures out there. The one quibble I have is that their is no SMG or grenade launcher figures included. Picture below shows the different backpacks on each figure.

The Men With Green Faces

Keep Rolling those Crits...

 -15mm Dieter