× ATTENTION! New campaign Firestorm: Stripes has launched! Sign up @ firestormstripes.warconsole.com

Firestorm: Red Thunder

The Team Yankee Global Campaign

Holding a Leaky Line in Hamburg

View Linked Report - CLICK HERE 50 POINTS
British
M. Nisbet
VS Warsaw Pact
Comrade Crapinsky

A silent night in a valley

The British muster for battle

Captain Dogwood, a gruff, humourless Glaswegian, was camped with his command at the edge of a forest, about forty miles south of Hamburg. They had received word of an impending Soviet advance, and were rushed into position with a rag-tag force gathered from the Northern Irish Horse, with plenty of Scots in the mix just to give the formation the right amount of fire in their bellies. He scanned the pitch black with his binoculars, ears listening for any little sound that may indicated an armoured column heading their direction. Spread out in the tree-line to his left were a few Milan missiles "borrowed" from the stores for this one, while out in the long grass to his right were the first platoon, laying flat, small rises dug into the dirt in front of them to protect from enemy fire, they knew their task, he knew his, but his thoughts were interrupted by his Lieutenant, a nasally lad from the Home Counties, probably fresh out of Sandhurst or some other place, probably never fired a rifle at a target, never mind another man.

"What would you say to a nice cup of tea, Captain? I could get one going."

"Aye, that'd be grand pal... and how abouts when you're stoking that fire, you jump up and doon and shout loudly so the whole arseing Russian army can hear ye! Ya dunder-hieded twat."

He snapped back, shaking his head in amazement that the boy could be so stupid as to light a fire in a wood, in the pitch black, when they're waiting for the enemy at any moment.

"Sorry sir, I just thought-..."

"Less thinking... Just... hush up and keep yer eyes open."

The surly Scotsman growled as they went back to scanning the valley in front of them. There was a large stately manor overlooking a deep, fast flowing river, and a large wheat field directly in front of them, large hay-stacks showing the field had been seen to recently. They'd managed to plant some improvised mines earlier, before being ordered back to their positions to await the Soviet advance.
He knew that the second platoon was hanging back, waiting for a signal to be called forward, with the artillery, and some Rapiers on standby should the Soviets be canny enough to bring in those beastly Hinds, or even some of the lesser seen Frogfoots... or was it Frogfeet? He's never quite worked that one out. Suddenly, there was a low rumble of engines across the valley, and darkened shapes moved in the pale moonlight.

"Here they come lads, get ready"

"But sir! Where are the Tanks? Command said we had armoured support!"

The LT spoke up again, his voice trembling a little as the sound of armour rose a little louder.

"They'll be here, just you watch..."

Captain Dogwood assured him, less gruff, more amused now as they took positions and prepared to meet the Iron Spear.

The Battlefield, looking from the Soviet Advance edge, towards the British edge.

Turn 1 - The Soviets Advance

There was a very soft sound of harsh whispering nearby as the Milan section shuffled through the trees, moving into a better position as off in the distance a mass of armour began to roll through the valley. Down the other flank some BMP APCs trundled forward, supported by two 'Shilka' anti-air tractors. Their barrels scanned the sky, knowing that night didn't put off the RAF from strafing their armoured columns.

"Hold it steady lads... let them come to us."

Captain Dogwood muttered, mostly to himself, any radio chatter could end in them being found out. He looked off to the side, the Milans settled again in position and ready to fire. The rumbling continued.

Turn 2 - The first engagement

The Milans await the Soviet advance, watched closely by Captain Dogwood

Captain Dogwood shuffled closer to his radio operator and took the mic, knowing that things were about to get messy. Ahead of them, the T-72s had managed to swerve the minefield, but one of the Companies had managed to get bogged down in the river. They had found a crossing point, but the stones and scree were loose and soon that part of the column were floundering as shouts in Russian reached the British lines, they were in for a nasty surprise.
Off to the side, the other T-72 company were going full pelt towards them, obviously trying to get somewhere fast, but the Milans were covering, waiting for their moment. His attention was snapped to the other flank, however, as the Shilkas had closed on his line and had suddenly found targets. The multi-barrelled vehicles peppering the ground with shots, tracer rounds kicking up the dirt. This fire was followed by the BMP gunners opening up at the same position, but the long grass, night darkness and surprise meant their shots were landing short.

"Fire! Get intae them!"

Dogwood roared into the comm. His shout was met by the whistling and shrieking of 66mm AT missiles, and the larger Carl Gustavs smashing into the BMPs and Shilkas. His men had less difficulty finding targets. One Shilka losing it's lid as a missile exploded within, the ammunition catching and the tank flaring brightly, beside it the other tank took a good few hits, dark shapes scrambling out of it in fear, cries that couldn't be mistaken of panic drifting through the gun-fire.
The BMPs took hits as one 'brewed up', and another swerved wildly, a missile finding its track. Their rear doors slamming open as the men inside disembarked quickly, but some didn't quite make it, with one such poor soul coming out aflame and collapsing onto the grass, never to move again.

On the other flank, there was less success as the Milans streaked out of their tubes, only to find thick armour. The attack only seemed to spur the drivers onwards as they put pedal to the floor and raced off past them, into the darkness beyond.

"F***ing hell...! Aw'right! Get them, Wullie!"

Dogwood yelled, almost crushing the comm in his hand. Beside him, the young lieutenant's jaw dropped as three of the haystacks in the field suddenly roared to life. Large muzzle flares illuminating the hapless Soviet tankers who were trying to unditch their vehicle from the river. Five of them went up instantly [a roll of five 6's to hit, none the less], while the remaining crew stepped out of the river, hands raised as the haystacks collapsed and three Chieftain tanks rolled out, machine guns trained on the surviving crewmen.

"Didn't ah tell ye! Ah tolt ye!"

Dogwood's accent becoming thick in the excitement, before he turned back to his boys on the other flank. A cry of 'Urah' split the air, and he could see the BMPs and their infantry charging in.

"Oh, now ye've done it, Ivan."

He chuckled and settled in to watch

The Haystacks erupt in flames as the Chieftains make themselves known

Turn 3 - Mopping up the mess

The T-72s on the left flank had well gone off into the night, shadowed by the little recce BMPs, leaving the infantry to slog it out to try to make their way through the stubborn British line. The sight was one to behold, and Dogwood had to commend the bravery of the Russians, but also had to shake his head at the senseless waste as they crested the ridge of the road, straight into sight of the old reliable SLRs of his men. A few fell, before the survivors ducked back down. Then it was the turn of the BMPs, rolling into them, the Carl Gustav gunners unable to reload in time, and only managing to blow the tracks off one, before it got messy.
Machine guns rattled off the armour, men called out, rolling out of the way of the heavy vehicles, before some quick thinking by the 66mm AT gunners finally silenced the iron beasts.
But his boys weren't done, as they continued their onslaught into the cowering Russians over the road. Dogwood didn't hear much gunfire, a few stray shots, but it was over soon, as he saw his men forcing some Russians to their feet to march them towards his position for surrender.

"Rest easy now, lads, we've done our part... shame about yon tanks that got past, but nae doubt they'll just run intae someone doon the road. Now, aboot that tea.?"

The British roll into the remaining Russians, the fight ending quickly
The only good BMP is a burning BMP
The ones that got away. Sneaky little BMPs and T-72s

Army Lists Used In This Battle

Register or Login to see the Army Lists

Battle Report Average Rating



Log in to rate this battle.

Recommend Commander For Commendation

27 People Recommended M. Nisbet for commendation

Share this battle with friends

British
M. Nisbet
Wins

12 Comments

  • Oberst Hunts says:

    Nice report and photos. Congrats on the wins. You Brits are leading the way.

  • fingolfen says:

    Absolutely awesome write-up… Was a lot of fun to read! 😀

    Pity about the result… 😉 😛

  • AlohaRover says:

    Great write up!

  • Tgunner91 says:

    Wow! What an ambush! I have to say that I really enjoyed the narrative that you created for this report. Very well done. I also like the forces you and your opponent brought to the table. You had a very nice array for units for such a small points total. Great stuff.

  • M. Nisbet says:

    Klute: The river, as you saw delayed the advance of one company of T-72s, as two of their number bogged down in it, allowing me to spring my ambush, not only that, but it twisted in such a way that the units that managed to get off the table were pushed close to my Milan sections. It’s just a shame that those Milans failed to deal any real damage, bailing two out, only for the tanks to remount and scarper off table.
    The table was used for another battle before mine, with a different scenario. The battle report will be between K. Alexander and Comrade Crapinsky

  • General POTUS says:

    Hell of a mission scenario to have to defend – if anyone can do it, it’s the Brits!

  • Baron says:

    Nice battle report! 🙂
    And nice pictures of your army and the game!

  • Hawk02 says:

    Hey,
    Well done Command, the line was hold!
    Thanks for the report and stay tuned.
    The Brits need this victory.
    Best regards, Frank.

  • Klute says:

    Got a question. How did the river effect the game for both sides. I was tempted to lay mine out on the table.
    Thanks

  • Klute says:

    Great Report and great format. enjoyed reading… Go NATO 🙂

  • Red Alert says:

    How I would like to teach your Brits a lesson. I regret that we live so far apart.

    Great Battle report.

    You seem to have got hold of the layout 🙂

  • LTC Stewart says:

    Great report!

    Cheers mate

    Storm