Bolt Action - Game Report 34

In Defence of the Motherland September 1949

Introduction

For the second round the scenario we were offered was “Top Secret – Meeting Engagement” deploying in the quarters. The enemies this time were Phil, from Tabletop Tommies’s, USMC force, and once again a desert setting. An opp force and terrain to give me an opportunity to stretch my imagination for a plausible post-battle narrative.

Situation

The Motherland exploded their first atomic device a week ago. Since then the US Imperialists have been launching waves of reconnaissance flights to capture data on the results of this test. One of these reconnaissance flights crash landed close to the north coast of the Black Sea near to Tuopse. Stavka has directed that the crash site is to be secured by the Tbilisi Military District Forces and valuable data recovered from the crash site. It is not clear whether the Imperialist Yankee forces will intervene.

Enemy Forces

The closest proximity US forces to the crash site is an embarked US Marine force on exercise of the north coast of Turkey.

Friendly Forces

1367th Rifle Regiment of the 414th Division has formed a task force from units conducting manoeuvres north of the Caucasus Mountains; this force will be commanded by Lt Pruskov. He has with him his Infantry Platoon and is supported by a Heavy Weapon Platoon of a mortar and a MMG, a tank platoon with a T34 and a T70, and an artillery observer with on call artillery support. A Scout squad has been flown forward from Tbilisi Military District HQ to provide on-site recon.

Mission

Lt Pruskov is to secure the crash site and secure the data stolen by the illegal Imperialist Yankee incursion into the Motherland. He is authorised to use all means at his disposal to secure the data.

Post Mission Report

The Scout Squad was able to deploy forward to provide overwatch, along with the FOO and the sniper team. However, there was strong evidence that the US Marines had landed and were trying to reach the objective.

Lt Pruskov advanced in force to the crash site with his platoon and the Heavy weapons in direct support.

The Scout Squad were immediately brought under fire by the US Marines who had landed with support from their own armour. The multiple barrels from their Air Defence halftrack forced the Scout Squad into cover. What was more of a concern was that the Scout Squad reported the sound of other armour approaching with the enemy infantry.

The enemy infantry were very aggressive and were determined to advance irrespective of the casualties we inflicted and the fire that Lt Pruskov’s platoon were able to bring to bear on them.

Fortunately, the Tank platoon arrived in support to destroy the enemy vehicles. However, it looked increasingly unlikely that the Scout Squad would survive long enough to benefit from their support.

The US Marines were trying to move around the buildings on both sides to try and reach the crash site. They were supported strongly by their mortars which zeroed in on the infantry squad moving forward to beat the Americans to the prize.

It was left to Lt Pruskov to lead the attack by himself and his aide. The rest of his infantry were increasingly pinned down by the enemy fire and unable to advance.

After the destruction of the Scout Squad it was left to the Tank Platoon to engage the enemy armour and to prevent them intervening in support of their infantry.

The Marines continued to press forward despite the casualties and the weight of fire being directed at them, but they still couldn’t reach the crash site.

Lt Pruskov perished in his attack, but the remains of his infantry platoon were able to prevent by fire the Americans from recovering their material from the crash site.

Outcome

Neither side were able to secure the crash site and we both suffered 3 units lost and hence a drawn game.

Honours and Awards

The death of Lt Pruskov prevented the NKVD from bringing charges of dereliction of duty against him for failing to destroy the Imperialist invaders and from securing the essential data from the crash site.