The Walking Dead Battle Notes
Date: September 19, 1967
Battle Location: A valley south of Da Nang
Battle Type: USMC defend vs. NVA/VC assault
Design by: Suhiir
Battle Date: 20-28 March 2016
Play Notes
I suggest making friends with the “R” and “N” keys to reduce unit suppression after NVA/VC advance.
When calling air strikes, inactivate munitions stores not required for the strike. Example, the F-4B Phantom has a munitions loadout of 1 x 500 lb napalm and 2 x 500 lb bombs x 2 (4 total). By activating only one store per sortie, the usefulness of the unit is extended at least 3 strike missions.
Design Notes
NVA forces attacking from the Ville, retreat towards the firebase. Suggest creating a rally point in The Ville. Additionally, forces inside the firebase ought to have rally points within the firebase to prevent units from retreating into the wire, especially 1st Pl Bravo 1/9.
I vaguely recall discussions about creating a scenario, saving it then changing the scenario from an assault to a meeting engagement so that one side could then purchase fortifications, mines, etc. I wonder, if a scenario could be designed and saved in a way so as to change sides. The NVA/VC forces are built from the left, but what if the units from the Ville were purchased first from the right side and saved as an advance. Then reopen the scenario change sides (NVA/VC on the left), and purchase the remaining force.
NVA/VC units. Suggest creating a few units, to recapture VFs, especially along Route Colonial 3. Furthermore, consider increasing VFs on Route Colonial 3.
To discourage using CH-43As as attack helos, increase their costs significantly.
The downed F-105 pilot, very nice touch. If he could be placed on a hex with a hidden VF (NVA/VC), or several, that would force the player to make the rescue or incur a penalty.
"I don’t underestimate the value of military knowledge, but if men make war in slavish obedience to rules, they will fail." General Ulysses S Grant, US (Personal Memoirs 1885)
Mission: Bravo Co 1st Btn 9th Marines will defend and hold Firebase Dragon. Lima Co 1st Btn 3rd Marines and Charlie Co 1st Btn 9th will reinforce Bravo 1/9.
Commander’s Intent: Bravo 1/9 will direct counter battery fires against NVA/VC mortars, while bunker units will target advancing NVA/VC infantry. Lima 1/3 will disembark in the firebase to reinforcement Bravo 1/9. Charlie 1/9 will use Lima 1/3’s CH-43A squadron to flank and attack VC units on Route Colonial 3 road from the west, while 3rd Pl Charlie 1/9 and armor will attack from the east.
Gameplay
Bravo 1/9 relied heavily on opportunity fire to pin down advancing NVA/VC units. Only bunker units were used to selectively target advancing NVA/VC units: sappers, rpg’s, and machine guns.
Turn 8. Moved F4 & K4 M60’s to 3rd Pl Bravo 1/9 sector due to the damaged suffered by 3rd Platoon. A Cobra section and a Huey, loaded with a Recon Section/Engineer took out AAMG near Hill 55. I tasked this group to take out mortars & AA in vicinity. I continued with this tactic hitting mortars with the copters.
Turn 13. Lima Co 1/3 disembarked within firebase by flying south to road to Cao Bang, then west following river to firebase. This tactic was important to keeping firebase as the south flank of the firebase, 3rd Platoon Bravo 1/9 was decimated by enemy mortars.
Turn 20. Charlie Company 1st Battalion 9th Marines arrived. HQs established in vicinity of 104,96 with mortars, and resupply area.
Turn 23. A squadron of CH-46A’s moved to HQs area. 3rd Pl Charlie 1/9 advanced along road with armor, while remainder of Charlie 1/9 was transported by CH-46A’z to Route Colonial 3, whereupon Charlie 1/9 assembled to assault enemy positions along the road east to Cao Bang.
Turn 26. VC breached wire at unit J0 2nd Pl Bravo 1/9.
Turn 30. Downed F-105 pilot was rescued.
Turn 33. Moved rescued down pilot to Hq 1st Btn 9th Marines.
Scenario ended at Turn 60 with a Marginal victory.
Interesting. A guy or gal has a lot to manage in this scenario. The beginning NVA advance phase with each turn takes awhile. Grab a coffee or some herb tea if you have issues with caffeine.
Lima 1/3 Disembarkation
Battle Report
Battle Result
Thanks suhiir.