The Battle of Qisab

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 sniper team was knocked out and the Delta teams were suppressed. The BMP-2's were able to fire on the suppressed Abrams. The weight of autocannon fire must have destroyed the optics and started a fire as the Abrams was knocked out!

the T62s advanced and fired on the Delta teams in cover, causing one to Fall Back out of the building. The repeated tank rounds added to the artillery damage and the building collapsed with one Delta team inside.

at this point, the Marines had barely secured a toe hold in the town and taken a number of casualties. The FAC called in the AC130 and targeted the T62s. There was very little movement from the target point. The air strike wasn't as devastating as hoped however. A single T62 was suppressed a BMP-2 took 4 hits and was presumably made of Beskar steel as it saved 3 of them. 

The Marines HQ attempted to get the Abrams to move around the left flank but blundered, causing suppressing hits on the nearby Infantry. The CO took over and got the Abrams moving into a firing position where they suppressed a T62. Opportunity Fire bounced off their armour.

using the sheep as cover, the second Abrams moved into position

 In a brisk round of firing into the flanks of the T62s, all 3 were knocked out in quick succession. At this point, the Khemed CO decided that the town was lost.

the HQ made a series of commands and the remaining BMP-2 and Infantry withdrew and left Qisab to the Americans. 

A short but interesting game. It was nice to bring out the AC130 again and Andy T reminded me that I need to specify which unit the Belleau Wood is in. I shall do that tonight.