SCENARIO: The Killing Grounds
 

I've taken this scenario about as far as I can so I've decided to post it. It's a WWIII WARSAW Pact V. NATO engagement in the summer of 1984, based on the books "The Red Effect", "The Black Effect" and "The Blue Effect" by Harvey Black.

This scenario is not in chronological order (for the books or for what I've been working on). I have four more that I have not reached a sense of parity with, so I'm posting this one first simply because this one is a simple assault/defend scenario and the others are delaying actions or involve chemical munitions (which I'm having problems adjusting to the game format).

This particular scenario is from the "Black Effect" and occurs in the third day of the conflict. The British 22nd Armoured Brigade occupies positions along the River Leine near Rossing. Delta Squadron of the 14/20th Royal Hussars is tasked to defend this line against elements of the 63rd Guards Tank Regiment and the 248th Guards MRR. As stated in the scenario description, that's 16 British MBT's against three battalions of Soviet MBT's.

I had to depart from the book in using Chieftain 10 MBT's rather than Challenger MBT's as in the novel. The play balance was too skewed to the British side with the Challengers due to the terrain. Also, I have included a platoon of British Mechanized Infantry, and SAM protection which is not detailed in the book. Again, a play balance decision.

I've limited the scenario to 26 turns. The mission for the Hussars in the book was to hit the attacking units, and then they fell back across the Leine. Due to the width restrictions of the game map, shortening the game (which in all my playtesting really isn't a factor)compensates for striking the attackers and conserving the defending forces in game results.

The map in the scenario was developed using the SPMBT Map Tool:

http://www.venhola.com/maps/

and backdating as best I could to 1984 using Soviet era military maps.

Since I've been jumping between my desktop and laptop, I've hopefully uploaded the final work files. If anyone has problems or sees blatant errors let me know and I'll check the files and resend them.

I have leave coming up in a few weeks and hope to get at least another two scenarios up to my liking to post.

Tom

Re: SCENARIO: The Killing Grounds
 

Btw, I suppose that Rossing is in Germany?

Re: SCENARIO: The Killing Grounds
 

My apologies. Yes it is, in Lower Saxony south of Hanover. It's listed correctly in the scenario description of the game file but I omitted that in the post.

Tom

Re: SCENARIO: The Killing Grounds
 

A few observations and suggestions.

Many Brits are in positions with limited visibility making a "kill box" impossible.

At least one VF not placed on map

Smoke fires are late often behind advance of Russian armor.

Mine clear tanks appear after MBTs on the Russian side.

Russian scout co attacked in open field without follow up forces. The scouts were attacking not scouting.

Insufficient ATGMs given the mission

Insufficient FA guns lacking range to perform counter battery fires and without lethality to slow or fix Russian armor.

I would consider making the defense in depth. At least three lines of defence entrenched in fighting positions with ATGM teams, vehicle mounted ATGMs, then tanks and inf-ATMs.

Additionally, mines ought to be laid to deny territory so as to drive Russians into "kill zones."

Please consider placing VF concentrated within one locality rather than scatterd over the map, or at least place highest value of VFs behind the defensive line.

I hope not to sound as a sour grape, just because I got "my hat handed to me," however, I offer these suggestions because you've authored many very good scenarios.
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Re: SCENARIO: The Killing Grounds
 

No sour grapes at all mate! I agree with your suggestions. This scenario was based on the engagement in the series of books The Black Effect, etc. My first observations of the book's description were similar to yours in how the British forces were deployed in what was an impossible mission. But, I'm sure it would have been much the same if the war would have gone hot.

My real world has gone from busy to frantic of late and it's taking away my leisure time with the game (and royally pi***ng me off in the process). But I'll put some thought into a more play balanced effort.

I truly appreciate the feedback!

Cheers.

Tom

Re: SCENARIO: The Killing Grounds
 

I corrected the V hex error but nothing else

Re: SCENARIO: The Killing Grounds
 

Thanks for doing that. I've been buried with work since August but hopefully will have leave time coming up in December. This will be one of my top projects to rework.

Tom

Re: SCENARIO: The Killing Grounds
 

If you do update it is scen 362 now