Turkish Armoured Company vs Soviet Marine Tank Company, The Dardanelles, 1985
This was a 'Cold War Heated Up' action based on a 'Gallipoli in reverse' scenario 70 years on. We fancied a tank-heavy game featuring tanks that were of similar quality but with different capabilities. The game was also a test of one of the our suggested scenario types, a meeting engagement with one side being smaller than the other so arriving on the table earlier. All models are 1/300, the infantry and Turkish vehicles by Heroics & Ros and the Soviet AFVs from Scotia.
The Turkish Force (Morale - Regular, Training - Trained)
Company HQ - 2 x M48A5, one of which is the Commander
1st Platoon - 5 x M48A5
2nd Platoon - 5 x M48A5
3rd Platoon - 5 x M48A5
Attached Infantry Platoon - 4 x M113A1 with infantry
The Soviet Force (Morale - Professional, Training - Trained, Army Characteristic - Centralised)
Company HQ - 1 x T55AMV carrying the Commander
1st Platoon - 3 x T55AMV
2nd Platoon - 3 x T55AMV
3rd Platoon - 3 x T55AMV
Naval Infantry Platoon - 3 x BTR60PA carrying infantry
Here is a view of the table from the east - the Soviet entry edge - before any troops had entered. There were 2 woods and a wooded hill dividing the table with 4 gentle hills. The village in the centre was the objective.
The Soviets entered first and sent the infantry platoon to seize the village.
One tank platoon took up turret down positions on the hill in the north east to cover the advance.
The Turks entered in force to the north.
One Soviet platoon ambushed the Turks and inflicted the first casualties - a kill and a neutralisation.
The Soviet platoon beat a hasty retreat behind its exhaust-generated smokescreen.
Another Soviet tank platoon arrived at the village to reinforce the infantry.
The Turks were not deterred by their loss and advanced quickly in force through open ground screened by the wooded hill.
The Soviet tank platoon that had retreated earlier rendezvoused at the village. With 1 infantry and 2 tanks platoons in postion, the village represented a substantial strongpoint.
One Turkish platoon had moved into hull down on the hill in the west and commenced a long range firefight with the Soviet tanks across the table. The ATGMs fired from the Soviet guns proved deadly in this encounter.
The Soviet tanks did not get away unscathed.
The Soviet tanks around the village joined in the firing to finish off the the Turkish platoon.
While the Soviets are preoccupied with the Turkish tanks on the hill, the rest of the M48s continue their move to outflank the force in the village.
Turkish infantry dismounted from their M113s and took the wooded hill.
The Soviet commander realised the threat the Turkish moves posed and occupied the hill near the centre of the table.
The Turkish infantry reached the northern edge of the wooded hill and commenced a firefight with the Soviet infantry in the village, soon gaining the upper hand.
The Turks inflcited some crucial kills on the Soviets including the company commander, and the Soviet morale collapsed.
Verdict
The Turks were left in control of the table and therefore the village. It was not an easy or cheap victory, but a victory nevertheless. The ATGMs on the T55AMVs proved deadly in the long range firefights while the stablisation on the M48A5s was valuable as the Turks moved into the late decisive firefight. As ever it's a case of palying to one's strengths. The Soviets made a mistake in putting too many tanks to hold the village instead of manoeuvring against the Turkish advance, while the Turks should have backed away from the losing long-range firefight. All good fun though!