Smoke 'em Out

A small cadre of operators are securing the base of operations for the other ODA missions. Providing training and technical advice to the Baluchi rebels takes a hands-on turn when the rebels plan an attack on an isolated Iranian outpost near Nukabad.

The Iranian garrison stands fast - awaiting relief from outlying patrols



The tribesmen rush around the woods overlooking the outpost. Moving through the rough ground to outflank the defenders



A small piquet on the ridgetop overlooking the outpost fires on the advancing enemy



The tribesmen have manhandled a .50cal into a small copse of trees, directed by a special forces operative



The heavy machine gun puts the garrison under effective fire and Iranian morale begins to falter



A newly reinforced patrol returns and goes straight to work - they overwhelm the .50cal and ease the pressure on the garrison



The piquet moves down from the ridgeline and engages the large group moving into the wood - they lose that firefight, the tribesmen stand fast and return fire, driving them back to behind the slope



Two groups of tribesmen, backed up by the special ops fireteam, mass for an attack



The charge falters, but the Iranian garrison have been silenced and any survivors have hunkered down



An Iranian squad makes their way to reinforce the outpost, getting their just in time



A tribal technical arrives on the scene and adds that heavy support to the attack on the outpost



a group storm the outpost, but before they can exploit their victory they're shot down by a previously unseen Iranian .50cal on the small hillock southwards



A fierce firefight erupts over attempts to gain access to the outpost - the outlying patrol has made a real impact on the Baluchi attack




Eventually the Special Forces enter, taking three prisoners and the rest of the Iranians withdraw



A close-run affair, the Baluchi tribal forces resupply and bring in reinforcements

Wanted, Dead or Alive

The Venezuelan Government has sent an expert to Iran to help guide the enrichment process. He’s located in a secluded compound near Natanz. The ODA has been sent in to capture him in order to interrogate him on the progress of the Iranian programme.

Word comes down as the teams are crossing the start line that the plan is changed, and they are to assassinate him.



The fireteam and MG team advance to the woods, but as they do the sniper team opens fire on an Iranian security team near the compound. Inflicting several wounds on them the return fire is effective and the spotter goes down



The advance team makes contact with the Iranians in the small copse of trees and virtually wipes them out



The Iranians pull out before they can be overrun and the Operators continue



The Iranian garrison shifts position to meet the advancing special forces



Behind them the MG team loses out to the Iranians on a rooftop at the far side of the compound, both operators going down.



There's a standoff at the gates to the compound as the US team loses their nerve trying to close assault - they're still not sure where the Venezuelan is.



The hesitation gives the defenders a chance to shift positions to prepare - despite the pot-shots from the sniper keeping their heads down.



The fireteam goes on the rampage, reaching the wall and shooting down one of the Iranian squads



Irked that they've lost time and assault through the first and second house.



They finally spot the Venezuelan, and the sniper takes a shot (but misses!). They're caught in the crossfire between the two remaining Iranian squads



They grit their teeth and assault through the second house - the clock is ticking is not on their side and without any significant support from the weapons teams they don't have the time to engage in a measured firefight



They cross the alleyway to assault the third house, but the Iranian security team high-tail it with the Venezuelan in tow and escape.



The game is up and the Operators are forced to evade the rest of the security force

Known Unknowns

Electronic intercepts have indicated that a convoy carrying vital enrichment apparatus is making the journey from Bandar-e Abbas to the Fordow Facility outside Qom. A small ODA team has been tasked with intercepting the convoy, confirming the nature of the apparatus and destroying it.

The ODA team has set up in ambush positions with an IED to stop the convoy. Equipped with non-standard fatigues and ex-Soviet weaponry, they're completely deniable.



IED goes off but somehow 6D10 vs. 1D6 results in 1 hit and a suppressed vehicle. The crew bail out but are gunned down by the overwatching MG team ahead.



The entire convoy grinds to a halt and every debussed trying to overwhelm the MG team



But the MG team are very very good and pretty much take care of four entire fireteams for 1 casualty in return (who's just lightly wounded as it turns out!).



Two civilian vehicles muddy the waters, one lot are smart enough to get out and run for it, but the other guy (taxi driver we surmise) keeps on driving!)



Incredibly bad first aid rolls on the four Internal Security officers whose jeep was hit by the IED!



The HQ vehicle swerves to one side and the survivors of the rush towards the MG retreat back to the convoy



The ODA fireteam and technical team get some height on the convoy (that CIA officer must be ex-special forces himself as he's on fire!).



Next turn the Iranians switch tack and use the trucks to cover them against the MG concentrating on the teams advancing from the house nearby



The US advance across to the first truck, avoiding an oblivious civilian car which has kept on moving! The take a prisoner from the convoy HQ team and identify the apparatus.



Two attempts to set explosives end in failure! I guess someone forgot to pack a spare detonator. They let off a magazine and a grenade or two and scarper.

A Terrible Aspect

I received #30 of Battlegames in the post on Friday.

Despite it's old-school visage, Henry did me the honour of publishing an article by yours truly!

Therein, you'll find shenanigans in Azerbaijan as an arms dealer, protected by mercenaries, hands over a mysterious 'package' to rebel forces while government troops attempt to intervene. Written for Force on Force, but definitely usable in other places, eras and with whatever rules occupy your time.

Now officially chuffed!

A big thank you to our esteemed colleague (and erstwhile photographer) Conrad Kinch.

Tomorrow, I'll begin posting some more special forces mischief...

Decision at La Cambe

With the entirety of the British army now advancing towards the French things do not look good for the brave defenders of La Cambe...

In the centre the British artillery has done damage to the French at the fence, but now the infantry brigade marches into the French guns



The large British cavalry brigade's advance peters out just in line with the French Grenadiers, who lick their lips in anticipation - a quick wheel and the British are enfiladed



In front of the church, oblivious to the surging battle around them, two sets of light infantry duel at long range



The finest of British cavalry is enough to provoke some element of nervousness into even the bravest French commander. If they emulate the exploits of their brethren on the other flank the battle will soon be in the annals of famous British victories!



The order for the charge is made - bugles ring out and the French respond - but not without another fusilade from the Grenadiers



The cavalry lines charge into each other - it seems like all other action on the battlefield pauses to witness the clash



Meanwhile at the stone wall, the Guards Brigade charges the French defenders - the highlanders are in the lead and it's not long before the lonely French battalion falls back



The skirmishers on the flank, whose actions as yet have been far from effective try to make their mark on the flank of the British brigade



Both French commanders on that flank are exceedingly worried!



The French cavalry, with the loss of a single squadron have severely damaged their opponents, who recoil and try to reform their bloodied line



In the centre the two armies come into musket range, despite exhortations from others to charge in with the bayonet! One French regular battalion withdraws and the militiamen fill the gaps in the line



The British cavalry is smashed and driven from the field. The French cuirassiers proudly hold the field - they can now catch up with the Grenadiers to take the British battery in the centre



There is hard fighting across the fences at the field, but French valour wins out and the British retreat



The British Guards win the firefight at the wall, driving back more French defenders



Long range fire from the French guns knocks the British centre back and the brigade disintegrates



The Grenadiers and the Royal Guard set out on a sweeping advance towards the British guns - if they make it there they can threaten the rear of the main British force



The French centre is strong, but forces must be pulled off the line to reinforce the right. On the left, the weakened squadron which had been pulled back from the fight is enfiladed by a wandering British unit (by a favourable command blunder by the British!) and with the loss of that unit, the brigade is broken



On the right, the French are in disarray. Having rejoined the fight Dillon's Irish once more march away (another blunder by the French) causing that brigade to retreat - with the second British brigade at the wall, no one could have held the field



Victory for the British!

A great night down in Kildare (despite the final result) and many thanks to the whole gang there