Honoring Heroes in Korea - 1950 Part One

[WBWilder]

This one is ready and waiting at the Wargamer.

http://www.wargamer.com/gamesdepot/details.asp?sid=4163

SHEPHERDS IN THE SNOW
Meeting Engagement: USMC vs. China:
Defense Perimeter, Hagaru, Korea
December 2nd, 1950
Turns: 14

Scenario Size: Small
(Single man units)
Estimated Play Time: 1 Hour

Special: On the 55th Anniversay of the Marine fighting in Korea around the Chosin Reservoir, this is the

first of three scenarios to portray some of that tough action.

Design: Wild Bill Wilder
bwilder@bellsouth.net

Testers: Tom DeShetler, Andrew Weeble Weaver, Massimo Rocca, Sgt Walrus, Fabio Prado

Player Notes:

This battle is suitable for a 2 player game, but Chinese must be set at 80 percent efficiency. If played

solitaire, take the USMC side.

Under your command is a Marine Squad. They are all single man units except for one LMG team and a bazooka

team.

Your task as Squad Leader is to form a protective cordon for the US soldiers from the nearly annihilated

Task Force Smith.

(See historical article at Armchair General

http://www.armchairgeneral.com/ ).

These men need protecting. You'll need to escort them under fire to the safety of your lines. Each one is

worth 300 points so you will win or lose based on how many you save.

Some of them are wounded and move slowly. Even so, you must keep them alive.

The Chinese will try to take advantage of the moment so keep your wits about you.

Hypothetical Background:

This scenario is based on actual fact. During the first days of December, stragglers from the decimated

US Army Task Force Smith, part of the US 7th Division, had been trampled upon by overwhelming Chinese

attacks to the northeast of the Chosin Reservoir.

As they trickled in, Chinese surrounding the area, tried to finish them off. As a Squad Leader you have a

hard task ahead of you. You must preserve your lines and rescue these weary fellow warriors.

If you play the Chinese, your task is simple. Kill these men and take what objectives you can during the

time allotted.

[trip_1509]

WBW

Got it.

Trip

[trip_1509]

WBW

Damn! When you said "bring your Garand", you forgot to mention to bring along my close air support and mortars. Back to the line...

Trip

[WBWilder]

You are on your own Trip. Take care of those guys and rescue the tattered half-frozen remnants of TF Faith. You can do it. You are now a Marine, if only for an hour.

WB

[WBWilder]

Wow! Its tougher than I found in earlier play for some reason. I did get all but one of the GIs safe but lost a few Marines in the process...too many. See the attached picture.

A marginal victory. Make the wrong call, however, and you may end up with a disaster. Hard choices for you as a squad leader.

[trip_1509]

Got a draw this time. Hats off to the MG crew. Once I got them into position, they got ten of the 33 enemy dead. Marines Deshelter and Prado added a few of their own.

Damned good battle. You have to keep this up (by that, I mean Squad sized battles). Maybe a squad sized battle to set up or introduce any future series?

Awaiting the next installment while loading up clips. Any c-rats around?

Trip

[WBWilder]

Its a tough one Trip. The next two are slightly different. Yes, you'll need some .30 cal ammo, a lot of it.

And keep your buddys close by. You'll need them too. As to C-Rats, take these over to that fire by C Co HQ. They are frozen solid right now.

The shivering Kunel

[WBWilder]

Actually, this type of scenario can work well. Its not really a first person shooter, but one does feel that he is definitely part of a small unit action.

I like that feeling. It does require a LOT of work, because each unit has to be modified in so many ways. That means it takes a lot of time, including the careful testing to be sure that there is balance and actually the chance to do some small unit tactics and not get immediately blown away.

The work I don't mind. The time? I need more of it. But then we all do.

I've done two in this format, "Over There," and "Shepherds in the Snow." Since you are enjoying this and so am I, and hopefully so are others, I'll definitely be doing some more.

Even if its just me and you, Trip, its worth the effort!

WB