AAR30: Resuming The Push

After a much longer break than expected, I fielded my first 6mm African imagi-nation battle.  The battle took place at the village at Objective B6 on the map in north-western Mugabia, and featured Uwandan Army forces attacking the defending Mugabians.

Link to the "Big Map"

Objective B6 is a Mugabian town roughly top center above

Mugabian forces consisted of the following:

1x Motorised infantry company in 11 trucks with 9 squads of troops
1x T34/85 company of 10 tanks
3x 120mm motars w/truck
2x ZPU4 AA gun w/truck
2x 85mm ATG w/truck
2x BRDM2 scout car
2x SU100 tank destroyer

Uwanda's attacking force consisted of two elements:

Task force 7
2x Saracen Command post
8x Centurion III
1x Mech infantry company with 11x Saracens and 10 squads
2x Wombat
3x Saladin

Task Force 8
8x Centurion III
1x infantry company with 13 Saracens and 12 infantry squads
2x Wombat
1x Universal Carrier (Arty HQ element)
4x M7 Priest


The land surrounding Objective B6 is flat and open (good tank country, bad for infantry), with few trees and bushes separating largely unproductive farm fields.

The battlefield generally looking east toward the Mugabian forces.

Mugabians blocking teh road into town.

The Battle

The battle started in the air (well, almost) with Uwanda's Air Force providing 4x F5A Freedom Fighters for top cover.  they quickly chased away a pair of Mig17s, and a single Mig 15 without incident, providing safe passage for a flight of G91 attack aircraft that were never called upon.

The land battle commenced at 0800 with Uwandan Saladins approaching the village and scouts dismounting, trying to make contact with the enemy, a process that took some time and concerned their HQ.

Almost as soon as the scouts found the Mugabians, a Mugabian SU100 found one of the Saladins,  began long range fire, chasing it from view.

Mugabian forces along the western (left) frnges of town(really, they are there).

Being aware of Uwanda's prior experiences with their tanks and Mugabian RPGs, the Uwandan commander decided to advance with his APCs, supported by the Centurions.  He wanted his infantry to thin out the Mugabian rockets, before getting shots at the tanks. 

Following the Uwandan advance. Mortars and M7s are landing rounds.

In time Mugabians sighted and engaged the oncoming Saracens,  first with an 85mm gun, then with the T34s, tracking one Saracen, and destroying another.  Artillery destroyed the tracked vehicle and killed one of the squads.  Centurions returned fire, destroying both the 85mm gun, and three T34/85s. 

At around 800 meters range, the Uwandan infantry deployed into cover, and began exchanging fire with the Mugabian infantry.  The Mugabian BRDM began firing its heavy machinegun, but was quickly dispatched by a Centurion.  

Uwanda's infantry dismounting (roughly center of the photo).

The infantry closed to inside 600 meters, exchanging fire all and the way, but only inflicted very light casualties on the Mugabians at this range.  Given the condition of the Mugabian forces, light casualties were enough to push them pass the breaking point, Mugabian morale failed and troops began to fall back.

Mugabian infantry falling back.

The Mugabian commander tried to employ his reserve, but it was simply too small, had too far to move, and could not save the flank.  Some T34s advanced near the road engaging Centurions, but were outnumbered and out-gunned, and quickly silenced.  As Mubabian infatry were overtaken, a small number of troops surrendered.

T34/85s other side of the road preparing to die.

The reserve wondering about pointlessly.

The Mugabian commander knew the cause was lost and had already ordered a withdrawal.  Objective B6 was now Uwanda territory.  And, unknown to the Mugabain commander, so was the objective to which his forced retreated.

The overall situation near the end.

Losses:

Uwanda:
2x   Saracen
1x   Landrover/Wombat
14x  KIA


Mugabia:
5x   T34/85
5x   trucks
2x   ZPU4
1x   BRDM
2x   85mm gun
15x  KIA
23x  WIA (Pow)
13x  POW

Captured by Uwanda:
1x  T34/85 (tracked)
4x  trucks
1x  GAZ69
1x  85mm gun
1x  ZPU4


Thoughts:

As I set up the game, I realized that this was quite the mis-match, and despite much anticipation, the game was a bit anti-climactic.  The T34/85s are no match for the Centurions, Mugabia didn't have enough infantry to cover the ground that needed covered, and pulling back into a tighter circle around the town would have made then a choice target for air attack.

It is probably well enough that the game was so lop-sided, as I got re-acquainted with 6mm scale, ranges and movement.  It was a little bit of an adjustment for me, and I'm glad that it didn't happen in a closely contested battle, where I might have erred with respect to scale, such that it skewed the outcome of the game.


The next battle at Objective B32, which is already in process,  is a very different creature, full of drama and surprises.