Firestorm: Red Thunder

After collecting TY since it's release, I finally got a chance to play my first game. I would be playing my British Armoured Squadron, representing the mighty Berlin Brigade. I would get to test my mettle against Hywel's Afgansty and T-64 battalion. It was going to be a great day.

Sensing a weakness in the Soviet Forces, the British hoped that a quick counter attack would not only break the offensive, but create an opportunity to push into East Germany and apply pressure on the Warsaw Pact reserves.

I hoped to dig the infantry into the buildings and hold firm while the Chieftains and Scorpions sweep in from behind and eliminate any enemy. With limited air defense, I held the Swingfires in reserve to ambush any action taken by the MI-24's. The plan was sound.

Hywel opened the engagement with a bold plan. He would fly the Hinds directly into the face of my Blowpipes, attempting to neutralize them before they could whittle away at his air elements. The blowpipes let loose, and connected eliminated two of the six hinds. The return fire was not so kind, as he managed to destroy one and bail out two.

Realizing their weapons were ineffective against the modern armor of the T-64 tanks, the Scorpions maneuvered to engage the dug in infantry with HESH and leaving their flanks exposed to the woods. Hywel seized the opportunity to move in his T-62's for a quick easy kill. However, luck today was on the side of the Scorpions, as the net result was one tank bailed out. It seems that the Communist needs better quality control in their munitions factories.

With the T-64's left exposed, I moved my Chieftains in to do what Chieftains do best. After a quick barrage of fire, two T-64's were left smoking and the other was heading east looking for a meeting with the political officer.

Surprised by their good fortune, the Scorpions realized that some Soviets took refuge in the nearby house and began to shell it with multiple salvos of HESH. The phrase "They build them good in Germany" seemed apt as the Infantry held firm after multiple salvos and never losing a solider.

And alas, despite giving the Soviets a good taste of British Steel, the commander was untested in battle and forgot to defend both of the objectives. This allowed Hywel to dash his Shilka's onto the board and sit on the objective till they became active. We have learned from our mistakes and will not allow a victory so easy next time.