Firestorm: Stripes

Special orders could cover a multitude of sins. A general of Col. Brusilov's acquaintance, a man with excellent connections and a competent officer besides, had summoned him and explained the task at hand. Moscow had decided to help the army now engaged in Germany by providing additional officers off the retired list. Many had distinguished combat records and could hardly be expected to work in logistics or drill recalled reservists, tasks where they could do no great harm, but often their understanding of military advances after the Great Patriotic War was basic at best. Brusilov was one of several combat veterans hastily summoned to provide a brief refresher course. And indeed refreshments were available early and often because the last thing anyone wanted was to let these superannuated relics take charge of a modern combat formation. Instead, they were assigned to "evaluate and critique current armor doctrine" using the resources of the newly formed Solidarity Division.

The tanks for the test exercise were kitted out with the latest in (looted or stolen) laser training systems, with computers ready to signal hits and a variety of smoke and pyrotechnic soundmakers available to add to the fun. You could even have one tank act simulate another model, at least as far as firepower and armor protection values. For some reason, the training staff kept calling the system MILESki, but what mattered was the training cadre and advanced trainees could safely maneuver and fire at the discretion of the class of retreads who were now split into two teams, named Red-1 and Red-A. Some team members insisted in riding in the tanks as company or platoon commanders while others preferred to crowd around the mapboards at the referee's station and plot maneuvers. It was a surreal scene, since both sides were using the same map table and there were side bets being placed as well as drinking contests going on. Brusilov located the instructor in charge of the other Team Red and the two of them had a brief discussion about which team members had the strongest political connections. And then, with that bit of information firmly in mind, the games began...

Force size was 50 points each, all armor. The Soviet player went for quality with T-64s backed with some BMP-2s. The East German player went with a high-low mix of T-72M and T-55AM2 tanks supported by recon, AA and artillery. For specifics, consult the attached army lists.

The Annihilation mission was picked by mutual agreement. The Soviet player was the attacker, chose daylight for the time of day, and began placing units on his right flank in concealment. The East German player spearheaded into the board center with a recon unit and started building a T-72M cluster opposite the Soviet concentration and a blob of T-55AM2 tanks in the center to limit the Soviet maneuver options and cover some soft targets on the far corner of the board (where they would count for unit morale by staying alive).

The first mover die roll was won by the East Germans. The T-72Ms advanced to firing position while T-55AM2s moved into the village, trying for blitz moves but otherwise using tactical movement rates. (From the observation station, watching the T-55s swerve, brake and slowly inch forward Brusilov became convinced that the senior soldiers had taken over driving the tanks. And, by all appearances were doing it drunk.) The T-72s fired accurately and with effect which was good because no missiles or artillery did so (Meeting Engagement rule). (Brusilov chalked this up to his trainee's inability to work the radios for fire calls.)

Killed - 5 x T-64 (including a complete company of 3 tanks)

The T-64s then extracted a measure of revenge, killing 3 and bailing 2 T-72s. One T72 company failed morale, adding one more kill.

Killed - 4 x T-72M

With the T-55s still working to become relevant, the battle is being carried by the remaining T-72s with some assistance from AT missiles.

Killed - 3 x T-64, 1 x BMP-2

Resources are getting thin on the ground but the Soviets aren't giving up. They maneuver for advantageous shots and manage some kills, including the T-72M battalion commandeer.

Killed - 2 x T-72M

One company of 3 T-55s decides to ascent the butte behind the Soviets and deal death from above. Driving straight ahead, all get half way up then slide back. Lead by the BRDM-2 scouts some of the other T-55s start to become relevant by killing a BMP-2 while the BRDM-2s bail another. The BMP-2 unit evaporates on morale, the last two regular T-64s go down to missile and tank fire and the T-64 battalion commander stands alone.

Killed - 2 x T-64, 2 x BMP - 2

The lone T-64 kills a T-72M from the rear. But the T-72 battalion won't check morale because it has units untouched by enemy fire and in good spirits.

Killed - 1 x T-72M

Hill climbing training continues with no one passing the course. A storm of fire manages to bail the Soviet commander but nothing more.

Killed - nothing

The battalion commander is unable to persuade his elite crew to return to the tank. They cower behind the vehicle as if the lasers were drilling holes through the armor.

Killed - nothing

One T-55 finally manages to climb the butte and, given the status of the formerly retired officer now commanding, is granted the honor of the first shot. The senior gunner instructor aboard doesn't let his comrades down, a single shot dispatches the last tank. As cheers, boos and toasts erupt in the command post Bayankhan and Brusilov exchange significant glances with the divisional training staff and silently toast each other from across the room with vodka, some of the good stuff. Mission accomplished.

Killed - 1 x T64

This was a quick Red on Red battle to while away the some time while the other Team Yankee NATO players were locked in mortal combat elsewhere. "Brusilov" took advantage of the opportunity to play a pure East German list in place of his usual Soviet with East German allies mixture.

There was no actual fix, this was a straightforward annihilation battle. (But it makes a better narrative to have a back story.)

Given the set up, both players were hoping to be the first mover, since whoever scored the first kills would have a significant advantage thereafter. The East Germans, shooting first, grabbed an early lead and, having hemmed the Soviet tanks into half of the the table by spearheading the T55 battalion into the board's center zone, were able to prevent the T-64s from taking advantage of their superior tactical speed and higher armor values. The slow advance of the T55s was a mistake by the East German player which meant the T-72 battalion had to do most of the killing, but the T55s still preformed a useful role.