AAR: By The Belt-LZ Albany Big Ivan as USA (No peeking Crossroads)

[Big Ivan]

Crossroads and I are going to do a little AAR for you Campaign Series players using the soon to be released Campaign Series Vietnam.

The title of the scenario is By the Belt - Battle of Landing Zone Albany. I'll be playing the USA side and Crossroads will be the NVA side.

For this scenario we have Fog of War in effect. There is no advantage, and all Optional Rules are on except Variable Visibility.

My mission as the Americans is to secure LZ Albany then conduct a sweep of the surrounding area to clear it of any NVA that may be present. Basically, the NVA are going to try and stop me. I have generous ground forces in place and artillery fire support from Fire Support Base Falcon to the west. I also can get some reinforcements later on in the form of helo's and gunships.

Attached screenshot is the end of my Turn 1. North is to the top.

[Big Ivan]

Screenshot end my Turn 2.

I managed to get a couple of recon units into the LZ Albany hex. I took some fire from the "white" squared hex (39,23) but it was ineffective. The bulk of my ground forces continue to move towards LZ Albany. It's the waiting game now I guess to see what NVA forces show themselves. I decided not to target any artillery this turn waiting for the real fray to begin.

[Big Ivan]

Screenshot end of my Turn 3.

The (yellow arrow) denotes where I did an assault with one of infantry platoons. Whatever was there I took it out. It was 2 strength points worth 6 victory points via the victory status screen. Don't know the exact type of NVA unit due to enhanced reporting but I suspect it was probably a reconnaissance unit or other light infantry unit.

The (red lines to the north top middle) of LZ Albany denoted in the shot is where I suspect the NVA to be concentrated at. Unfortunately, to the south I have no idea or intelligence as to what the hell is there. I'm banking on it being empty of NVA units, but I've been wrong before! Time will tell, I guess.

[Big Ivan]

Screenshot end of my Turn 4.

Ouch! Lost a recon unit in the hex indicated by (yellow arrow) by assault. Seems the NVA are right in front of me but unseen. Time to plot one battery of 105mm right in front of me. Perhaps someone will walk into it. A long shot most likely...LOL!

[Big Ivan]

Screenshot end of my Turn 5.

Well as one can see from the screenshot, NVA across my whole front and in force. Exchanged some fire with them strength point losses on both sides. Time for some artillery concentrations in my next turn.

[Big Ivan]

Screenshot end of my Turn 6.

Well darn it! I lost a leader and 2 infantry platoons to an NVA assault (that will leave a mark!). Also, most of my artillery hit nothing except empty jungle. At least I assume it was empty.

My gunships and Sioux recon ships were released so they are currently in bound. Should be close to Albany next turn. They are flying in at low level.

[Big Ivan]

Screenshot end of my Turn 7.

Kind of a quiet turn and that scares me. My artillery did cause some damage but minimal I believe. My Scout ships and gunships did arrive in the vicinity off to the right of the screenshot. I'll have to press them into service next turn. Artillery plotted along my whole front again. Hopefully I hit something.

[Big Ivan]

Screenshot end of my Turn 8.

Well, I received some reinforcements in the form of a Huey Transport helicopter. Probably going to need that to transport ground troops to LZ Albany. I was successful in digging in at LZ Albany so now I have an improved position there.

Also, as one can see from the screenshot, I used my Sioux Recon Helo's to do a recon reveal. There is a sizable NVA force out there east of LZ Albany. I moved my 4 gunships in there taking 4 separate shots and got some kills plus retreats. My artillery did some nice work too!

I have 4 available aircraft, so I plotted 2 of them for airstrikes in my next turn. One with bombs the other rockets. One can see the airstrike markers on the 2 large stacks. I did lose another infantry platoon but I received 100 Event Points for holding LZ Albany for 3 turns. Score is still a draw at this point.

[Big Ivan]

Screenshot end of my Turn 9.

This is getting pretty hairy. He's right in my face and in force. Trying to balance direct fire attacks and op fire. That age old problem. Crossroads has ample MMG's available so that is a big concern with my helos. He starts shooting them down, that can get expensive fast. It's interesting to note that the American firepower is not as dominate as I thought. The NVA are still holding up pretty well against it.

[Big Ivan]

Screenshot end of my Turn 10.

Opps The NVA took LZ Albany. Now to try and get it back. It will not be easy. My American troops seem to be off on their shooting today and a few of them are also disrupted...LOL!