Operation Snakepit - Scenarios

These scenarios allow you to play out actual engagements from late 2007 in Afghanistan. In most cases I have scaled down the scenarios to match my modest collection and for playability purposes.

I have used Stephen Grey's book Operation Snakebite / Into the Viper's Nest as my main source – doubtless you shall find inaccuracies and mistakes below; they are all mine.
The main effort to retake Musa Qala was undertaken by Task Force 1 Fury (comprising 1st Battalion of the 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment). The scenarios below represent the preparatory and peripheral missions of the operation.

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In time I will update this document with scenarios representing those core missions – but also updating the campaign outcomes affecting TF1 Fury's engagements.

Battle for the Wadi

As 1 Fury sweep round Musa Qala, taking the high ground in advance of the attack on the town itself, a Troop of the Scots Guards crosses the wadi to prevent any retreat southwards into the Green Zone…

Across the Wadi, Taliban wait guarding the crossing into Musa Qala



The Scot Guards exit the wadi to approach the village



Around the corner, a Taliban group stands and fights, taking losses but standing its ground to knock out the Warrior's cannon with a well-placed RPG round



The section from the lead Warrior has dismounted and climbed up the wadi's banks overlooking the village. The first fireteam descends into the fields. A Taliban group further up the wadi fires everything they have at it and the entire team goes down

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Their backup on the wadi bank couldn't see those Taliban and follows their mates down, suppressing them when they reach the fields. They hunker down alongside the first fireteam to provide medical attention. A second group of Taliban in the nearby orchard charges out into close assault



The British fail to put down any final defensive fire and are completely overrun!



Things go from bad to worse as the second Warrior intervenes in the struggle and is knocked out - the fireteam and GPMG team bail out



A motorbike RPG team rounds the corner and survives a hail of fire to put a round into the remaining warrior - knocking it out as well!



This scratch section is left occupying a house but isn't going anywhere.



Wow! This one went from pedestrian to nightmarish in a flash. While splitting up the Warriors (with one carrying half the squaddies) from the infantry section seemed risky; it was to take advantage of the infantry's ability to climb the wadi's bank (which the vehicles could not). The Taliban's fire into the first fireteam was highly unlikely to bring them all down, and then the wildly successful assault was a completely surprise.

The Patrol to Khevalabad

C Company of 40 Commando infiltrates along the Chinah Wadi during darkness. While the Afghan National Army clears Chinah they patrol into Khevalabad, where the forward line of enemy troops (FLET) is reckoned to be. As they move from compound to compound under the brightening sky all they find is empty buildings. Just as they think there will be no engagement, the Taliban open fire from the north and the west…

British patrol enters Khevalabad

Advance through poppy fields is tense, as there has been no contact with Taliban forces as yet

Taliban at top of Wadi rise up to strike at the British, but a fierce sandstorm blows up, preventing all long-range fire

Taliban group lurking in alleyway - they are hidden from the view of the British in the fields, but have struck an early blow by seriously wounding one of the roof-top soldiers
 
Reinforcements arrive from across open ground - they are shielded by the low-visibility and begin to make their way towards the action
 
A costly exchange of fire - while numerous Taliban are brought down, three British soldiers are shot
 
The British clear the large buidling, preventing any interference with the slow extraction of the wounded
 
The second fireteam up are caught in a crossfire by Taliban reinforcements
 
A Taliban machine gun team suppresses the British advance group

With the British going firm at the Taliban forward line, a previously unseen civilian sets off a large IED in an alleyway
 
The cost to the British is high, while some success was had in withdrawing early casualties, the effort to reach the Forward Line of Enemy Troops led to overstretch. Not helped by the sandstorm, the British are bloodied by the Taliban ambush.

Action at Sittangbad

Based on ‘The Battle of Sittangbad’ by Young & Lawford from Charge! or How to Play War Games. You'll recognise the scenario if you're a SOG member over at Ambush Alley (or indirectly if you're Old School!)

A major Taliban offensive in Helmand has been thwarted by British forces and the resulting counter-offensive has the group running for the hills.

The local leader is unwilling to loss his most valuable supplies and has set up a rear-guard operation in advance of the main bridge across the Sittang to give him time to evacuate his headquarters.



The Taliban supply dump is a hive of activity



The first echelon of the British raiders advance



The advance to Ishaghar is interrupted by the outlying Taliban groups



The Warrior targets the group inside Ishaghar at point blank



Civilians on the Front Line complicate matters



The medic renders aid to them, before long he's called over to help the sniper team



Taliban snipers are cornered by WMIK, which jumps ahead of the main body to prevent their withdrawal



The WMIK stays behind poppy fields, hoping that the cover will protect it



The drivers (well, some of them at least) spring into action



A driver getting onboard



The DShK team setting up a hot reception



The senior Taliban leader leaves his advanced position



Taliban set up firing position on the tomb



Technical's MG cuts out



Moving through the ravine - this Taliban team intends to cut off the advancing British at Ishaghar



Setting up on overwatch inside the village



Civilians in the line of fire - maybe the heavy machine gun next door is going to sour the goats' milk!



Fireteam feels confident that it's bringing enough firepower to the party



Warrior tries to get Technical, but the 4x4 speeds away just as it opens up



Leader gets back to Sittangbad to pick up a lift out of the town



WMIK driving around the poppy fields - it's hoping to slow down the withdrawal - its engine has been damaged in an exchange with the .50cal



Second batch of trucks gets ready to move out



Holed up in the town - the British snipers attempt to suppress these Taliban to cover the advance - but they come off second best



IED triggered, but somehow the WMIK is unscathed - it drives back the way it came, who knows how many IEDs are nearby?



IED goes off in the house a fireteam have chosen to set up in too - again they luck out and none are injured



GPMG team humping along behind Warrior (why did we get out of that again Herby?)



Fireteam moves around village, trusting the fireteam inside the village to cover its flank as it passes the ravines



The Mastiff roars into action, a fireteam is inside, due for a bumpy ride right into Sittangbad!



Demolitions team sets up with a view on the bridge, but very well hidden from other directions



Sticking to cover as it advances



MOnty, the Warrior commander licks his lips - his shot completely obliterates the truck



Traffic jam not helped by exploding truck, which must've been carrying ammunition



The first Taliban truck makes it across the Sittang



The Taliban's senior leader takes this opportunity to trash-talk - he's nearly safe and across the bridge



The fireteam inside Ishaghar takes more fire from the ravine



The action inside Sittangbad heats up



An RPG team shows up just beside the WMIK and Sniper team



Warrior's advance stopped by IED near bridge - it was intending to drive right up to the bridge, shooting at the 4x4 and the demolitions team



Technical knocked out by the Warrior - the leader, a bodyguard and the driver all bail out and run for the other side of the bridge



Mastiff trains MG on Taliban leader - wiping out the small group as it crosses the bridge



The bridge is blown after the leader is gunned down



The goat herder leaves the killing zone unharmed



You'll never guess what happened to my truck!



Fireteam disembarks from Mastiff, and starts taking control of Sittangbad



GPMG team runs across open ground - even though the battle may seem over, there are still plenty of Taliban on this side of the river



Lurking RPG team takes a shot at the WMIK



Sniper team takes punishment - again the snipers are beaten to the punch and take a casualty (and their return fire is entirely ineffective)



A groggy Taliban leader is taken prisoner outside the tomb



The aftermath - Sittangbad has survived the maelstrom



The British win this one 20-13, miraculously there were no serious casualties on their side. At the end the escape of the senior Taliban leader would've made it a marginal victory for the Taliban so pretty close all things considered.