Re: GZGL DSII SGII OT - Saving Private Ryan.

At 08:35 PM 11/5/98 +1300, you wrote:
>Saving Private Ryan.
>    I've just been to see this. A great movie! The first WWII movie
I've
>seen where the German halftracks use the correct vehicle, instead of
using
>US M3 half-tracks repainted in German colours.
>    It also shows why tanks were needed with infantry assaults; to
break
>through barriers that slow down or stop infantry.
>    Has anyone done any DSII or SGII scenarios based on the actions in
this
>movie?
>

A few weeks back, my group played a game specifically based on the big
fight for the bridge scene at the end of the film.  We use a table appx
4'
x 6' or 7'.  We had a river set up running widthwise across the table
(the
4' dimension) about 18" in from one end.  Bridge in the middle, with a
whole bunch of the Armorcast resin ruined building models around either
end
of the bridge.	Hills and forrest/scrub in the open areas, road leading
through "country", between hills, up to town and the bridge.  Mission
was
simple - we have been playing a series of loosely linked games (less of
an
organized campaign than a continuing story line), and in this one the
attackers were trying to break out after they had been encircled.  The
attackers had to take and hold the bridge, in a limited time period (I
forget the turn limit).  The defenders had to prevent the taking of the
bridge, by any means necessary.  The attacking force was a reinforced
platoon of Legionaires, with several tanks, APC's, and a couple squads
of
power armour.  The defenders were an understrength platoon (of Japanese
mercenaries, I think) with an emplaced guided missile launcher, a jeep
with
a machinegun, two size one infantry walkers and a size three combat
walker.
 The defenders had a few mine and dummy counters to distribute, and
their
squads/vehicles started hidden under counters.	Attackers started at the
end of the table away from the "town".	The defenders were allowed to
deploy anywhere on the table, but chose to keep their forces on the
opposite side of the river from the attackers, so as not to spreat out
too
thinly.  They used mine and dummy counters as "spoilers" to force the
attackers to deploy prior to reaching the town and bridge...

Simple scenario, but fighting for a bridge (or other limited objective)
is
always challenging, so it was fun.  The attackers had about 2:1 odds in
strength, but played a bit too agressively and without real
consideration
to being careful - they tried to bull through fast.  The defenders were
very careful.  In the end, I think the game ended with about 2/3 of the
attackers being wiped out before they gave up and retreated.  The
defenders
had negligible casualties.  Very satisfying game (well, I was playing
defenders...)

This scenario showed the old truism about attacking a well-defended
position.  You need 2, 3 or even 4 times the strength of the defenders
to
successfully press the attack, and a careful plan.  The attackers had
the
strength, but did not develop or execute the good plan - and they got
chopped to dogmeat...

We do more complex games, and considerably larger (company size) games -
but it's good to play these kinds of simple scenarios sometimes.  Makes
for
immediately satisfying gaming.