Chinese Mechanised Company vs Indian Infantry Company, near to the Chinese border in the state of Ladakh, 2014

This scenario was the first of a series of engagements we'll be fighting based on a contemporary conflict between India and China. The border between China and India has been the source of territorial disputed for decades and has resulted in 2 wars since Indian independence and the end of the Chinese Civil War. The Chinese PLA has nearly a quarter of a million troops, including an armoured division, in the Lazhou Military Region which faces Ladakh. In 2012 the Indian Army deployed an armoured brigade to Ladakh as part of a move to improve the defences of the state. Ladakh is mountainous but with valleys that are suitable for armoured warfare. It is sparsely populated with vegetation only near settlements. The wikkipedia article is here. In short there is plenty of scope for wargaming with Sabresquadron.

The Chinese Force (Morale - Regular, Training - Trained)

Company HQ - 1 x ZBD04 carrying 1 Commander.

1st Platoon - 3 x ZBD04 carrying 3 x Rifle Groups with grenade launcher and RPG and 3 x Rifle Groups with LMG and grenade launcher.

2nd Platoon - 3 x ZBD04 carrying 3 x Rifle Groups with grenade launcher and RPG and 3 x Rifle Groups with LMG and grenade launcher.

3rd Platoon - 3 x ZBD04 carrying 3 x Rifle Groups with grenade launcher and RPG and 3 x Rifle Groups with LMG and grenade launcher.

Attached Tank Platoon - 3 x ZTZ96A. This was split up to attach 1 tank to each mechanised platoon.

Attached Tank Platoon - 3 x ZTZ96A.

Artillery Support - 1 x jeep carrying an Artillery Observation Officer observing for a divisional battery of 6 152mm howitzers. The other 2 batteries in the battalion were availabe for pre-planned fire at the start of the game.

The Indian Force (Morale - Regular, Training - Trained)

Company HQ - 2 x Commander Rifle Groups and 1 x Rifle Groups.

1st Platoon - 4 x Rifle Groups with Carl Gustav and 4 x Rifle Groups with LMG.

2nd Platoon - 4 x Rifle Groups with Carl Gustav and 4 x Rifle Groups with LMG.

Anti-tank Platoon - 4 x Weapons Groups with Milan2.

Artillery Support - 1 x Artillery Observation Officer observing for a battalion of 6 81mm mortars

All the Indians were allowed to be dug-in

Here is the table from the north (the Chinese entry edge) before any units are deployed:

There are 6 hills, including one with a village, and a small wood.

The Chinese had the mission of breaking through the Indian defences and securing the road so as to advance off the table.

Pre-Game

The Indians dug in their 1st platoon in front of the village

The 2nd platoon was dug in to guard the right flank. The Indian commander figured that the wood would deter a Chinese move to the west but dug in the Milans in front of the wood with a good field of fire across the table to the east. The AOO hid at the edge of the wood in a fox hole with good vision of the battlefield.

The Indian commmander dug in on a hill at the rear.

The Chinese pre-planned artillery had no effect on the defenders.

Turn 1

The Chinese entered the table. The 1st platoon and the remaining tank platoon advanced along the eastern flank intending to swing around the Indian right.

The 2nd platoon advanced astride the road. The 3rd platoon held the right wing and advanced using one of the hills as cover from any Indians hiding in the wood.

The Indian Milans spotted the Chinese tanks across the table. These side shots were a perfect opportunity so each operator selected a target and fired a missile. As the missiles sped towards them the Chinese tried to take evasive action, but only the single IFV that had been targeted succeeded in escaping being hit. Two of the tanks immediately exploded. The third was very lucky to survive but was out of the action for a while, being both neutralised and having its morale badly dented.

Turn 2

The Chinese 2nd and 3rd platoons advanced within sight of the Indian 1st platoon deployed in front of the village as the Chinese 1st platoon diverted from its flanking move to join in the concentrated attack. The ZBDs and tanks opened fire to good effect killing 1 group, neutralising another and suppressing the rest as the infantry piled out of the IFVs. The Indians were shocked by the effect of the 100mm and 125mm guns raining high explosive rounds onto their foxholes and failed 2 morale tests. Another fail and they'd be retreating but at least they held their position.

The Indian Milans recognised the danger was in the centre and fired at the IFVs of the Chinese 1st and 2nd platoons, destroying 3 of them.

The Indian 1st platoon recovered from the inital shock of the Chinese fire and raised their weapons to shoot back. Two ZBD04s were hit by Carl Gustavs and knocked out, meaning that all the IFVs in the 1st platoon had been quickly destroyed. The platoon's morale dropped a level. The Chinese AOO called for artillery but the battery was not available to provide support. They were on their own for a bit.

Turn 3

The danger posed by the Milans was evident so the ZBDs of the Chinese 3rd platoon halted to fire their 100mm guns at the missile launchers while the attached tank moved into a hull down position before joining in the barrage of high explosive. The effect was to suppress 3 of the 4 operators. The Chinese infantry conducted a firing advance putting down enough firepower to suppress all of the Indan infantry.

The Indian AOO secured support and brought his mortars onto some of the Chinese 2nd and 3rd platoons but did little harm

The Indian NCOs who kicked butts to ensure their men dug well earned they stripes; despite the high explosive landing around their fox holes the Milans still found their targets and destroyed 2 ZBDs in platoon 3. The Indian infantry continued to fire small arms and Carl Gustavs to slow the advancing Chinese infantry. The Indian commander faced a dilemma; the 1st platoon could not hold under such an attack and should be reinforced by the 2nd platoon but the presence of just 1 ZTZ96A in front of them made him reluctant to order them to leave their fox holes so they stayed put.

The Chinese AOO received a positive response from his battery and called it in on the Milans with good effect, destroying 1 launcher and neutralising a second. There was a bonus in that the Indian AOO was also killed

Turn 4

The infantry of the Chinese 3rd platoon advanced firing at the Indian 1st platoon, while the Chinese 2nd platoon fired halted as they were nearly all suppressed. The Chinese 1st platoon advanced firing at the flank of the Indian 1st platoon too.

All this shooting resulted in the destruction of 2 rifle groups although morale just held.

The 2 Milans still operational - albeit suppressed - fired at platoon 2. One was evaded by a ZBD but the other neutralised a ZTZ. A Carl Gustav from 1st platoon destroyed the last ZBD in 2nd platoon; a rifle group that had remounted to escape the artillery went with it!

Small arms fire also removed a group in the Chinese 3rd platoon. The survivors in the Indian 1st platoon were putting up a gallant fight. The Indian commander bit the bullet and ordered the 2nd platoon to move towards the main fight.

Turn 5

Concentrated fire continued against the Indian 1st platoon but it held on. The Indian 2nd platoon suffered its first loss as it moved in the open to join the action.

The Indian company commander called for artillery without success.

Turn 6

The Indian 1st platoon finally succumbed to Chinese fire making the game as good as over.

Verdict

The Chinese forced their way through so could claim a victory. However the a cost of 2 tanks and 7 IFVs lost meant that the breakthrough would largely be on foot.

Tactical observations:

1. The high loss rates for the IFVs reflects their poor protection. Their armament was crucial in reducing the Indian positions but they would have been better used firing from distance out of Carl Gustav range

2. The Milan2s were very effective, especially firing at distance against the sides. However their lack of mobility eventually meant they could be taken out of the fight by artillery.

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