A Sandbox

 Apparently one of the keys to cracking the Enigma code was a helpful, lonely Afrika Korps outpost tasked with keeping an eye on the Qattara Depression in the Western Desert.  Day after today,  the bored radio operator would send the same message, which the boffins of Bletchley Park quickly surmised meant 'nothing to report' and so gave them a key to the cypher.   I have nothing to report.  Real life has kept me busy but I have done a bit of painting,  an online order- the first in a long time- and have been giving some mental space to the Invasion campaign and the next move. Further reports,  with more information will follow.   I do need to tidy my painting area though...

A short but brutal encounter. Both forces were racing to secure the town of Qisab, which sits astride the East - West highway. I gave the game a limit of 8 turns but didn't even get to half that. The forces were: Marines CO HQ 2 Abrams 2 Abrams  3 Delta Force Infantry 1 Delta Force Sniper  2 Infantry, 1 truck FAO & naval artillery FAC & AC130 Spectre Khemed CO HQ Mech Infantry - 2 BMP-2'S, 3 Infantry, 1 HMG (I allow them to carry two units, as tank riders) 3 T62s FAO & 2 BM21 rocket artillery The Special Forces race to occupy buildings, the sniper starts taking shots at some visible infantry but score no hits. The CO blundered in turn 1, which resulted in the 2 closest Delta being suppressed along with the Abrams moving down the alley in support. In response, the Khemed FAO successfully called in a barrage of rocket artillery. Clearly collateral damage means nothing in the Khemed rules of engagement. The buildings were rocked on their foundations, the sn

The good citizens of the town of Qisab have caught wind of something coming and have taken to the countryside.  The town sits astride the main East-West highway and is vital to the Marines advance on their left flank.

This encounter took place in Area 2 on the map and saw a US force of armour, Infantry and towed artillery seeking to advance inland, pushing any forces back from the coast. The Marines were advancing across country in a tactical formation and would then form up into a road march order once they had secured the junction and the road north. Marines   CO HQ 2 M1 Abrams  Mech Infantry company- 3 AAVP7, 5 Infantry, 1 81mm mortar 155mm battery- 3 trucks, 3 guns Recce platoon-1 LAV-25  Infantry company - 2 trucks 2 Infantry  Khemed   CO HQ FAO  Alert 4 scratch force - 4 Infantry, 4 trucks 11/15- 2 Infantry, 1 HMG, 2 trucks 20/15- 2 Infantry, 2 trucks Off table- 3 152mm guns They were to be met by a force of dug in infantry, with off table artillery support. The Khemed plan was to remain dug in and hidden, only exposing themselves to fire and then hopefully withdraw, causing as many casualties as possible before withdrawing to fight again, hopefully with reinforcements. the Hidden

Like a modern day Churchill, but more because I've been feeling achey from the covid jab, I decided against any painting or gaming this evening, but have managed to game out turn 3 in the campaign. A pretty eventful turn too. In summary: weather rolled Overcast so the Marines air support markers were limited from 5 to 3. Initially, the Marines started well- a force of armour moved in to area 4 to mop up the garrison of Infantry, anti tank guns and T55's that were preventing the port being opened. Supported by naval artillery and fast air, they took the area and the Khemed forces surrendered as they had nowhere to retreat to. The port facilities at Khemikhal were now open but the D6 roll showed that they had been badly damaged. A mix of saboteurs and Combat damage. It will be 4 turns before they can land the vital 3 units per turn. In the landing phase, 4 American units now made it to the shore. A mix of Infantry, a battery of 105mm and 155mm guns each and some LAV-25 light armo

I'd planned on a bit of painting this evening, but getting a covid jab, subsequent mild side effects and a day in a friend's garden, watching the kids get reacquainted after 10 months have sapped my energy. I plan to game out move 2 and 3 of the Invasion campaign tomorrow and then write them up. In the meantime, for anyone out there, have a safe and pleasant Easter weekend.  Pictured is one of my smaller painting projects, hopefully to add to the NATO air pool for the potential Grimsby games in October...