20-28mm Wargames

Men of the South

County Cork, Ireland: 1921 We played this scenario 6-7 years ago, and we used a friend's rule set.  Background: It is 5 months after the Kilmichael Ambush (November 28, 1920), and although the British Government has increased the number of Crown Forces in County Cork and declared martial law, the West Cork Brigade of the Irish Republican Army (IRA) is still causing chaos, and the Royal Irish Constabulary's (RIC) Auxiliary (Auxies) Divison and the Black and Tans are frustrated with their failure to engage their enemy in the open.  Commandant Tom Barry is leading the Flying Column and gets word that the Crown Forces are concentrating patrols on the Bandon - Cross Barry -Cork road.  Barry plans another ambush, but is unsure of his opposition . . . . The Flying Column hid in the fields and hills and waited patiently, as a Heavy British Army patrol passes on its way to Cross Barry.  Commandant Barry knew he did not have the means to knock out a...

We played this game twice with different results.  The first one (November 2014) was a play test using Force on Force rules.  It is D.Day, and Easy Company of the 504th Parachute Regiment of the 101st Airborne is tasked with finding and destroying German artillery that is harassing Utah Beach.  Five 10 man squads (including a HQ squad) will set up one foot in on the table, and search, discover the artillery position by the end of the fifth turn, and destroy the guns, to complete their objectives.  The Germans are in fixed positions, but their numbers are unknown.  The hedgerows (bocage) limit line of sight, and vehicles cannot traverse over them.  The game will last 15 turns, and Force on Force Rules are being used. American Objectives: Discover the artillery position by the end of the fifth turn.  10 points Destroy or capture a German artillery piece.             ...

Well two weeks turned into two months.  We had played the first night back in June, and due to scheduling conflicts we could not play until August and then three of the original players could not make it, and we played anyway.  The Russians had crossed the N1 and had secured the Government building, completing two of their objectives.  All markers had been withdrawn allowing the Russian BDM and Irish Panhard AML 90 to maneuver, )and at the end of Turn 9 visibility restrictions would be removed).  Turn 9 The Panhard APC and AML90 relocated, but the two remaining Irish infantry squads remained in the buildings straddling the N1.  The Russians solidified their position in the buildings they had captured, and their heavy weapons squad took position on the roof of the government building giving them control of the surrounding area.  The Irish were in a tough position and the remaining objective (small factory yard) was well within reach as the Rus...

I worked a while on this project, and did some research into the Irish Defense Forces in the 1980s.  I came across a book called Irish Army Orders of Battle: 1923-2004 by Adrian J. English that gave a break down of unit organization, weapons, and location of forces (unfortunately, the book needs to be edited for typos).   The rules were Force on Force " (Cold War Goes Hot).   Operation Green The Soviet Airborne Invasion of Ireland June 1982   In the summer of 1982, Soviet Airborne troops or VDV (Vozdushno-Desantnye Voyska) land in large numbers north and south of Dublin, at Cobh in County Cork, and at Shannon Airport.   One force of Soviet Paratroopers is to cut the Dublin to Belfast Road (the N1) north of Dundalk.   “A Company” of the 27 th Infantry Battalion is defending an industrial park north of Dundalk with orders to keep the road open.   Soviet forces are to cut the road and sufficient forces must occupy key building to meet v...