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 has moved from Shannon Airport and
their objective is to seize a bridge at Bunratty on the N 18. Soviet forces are to seize the bridge and cut
the road stopping Irish forces (based in Limerick) from retaking Shannon. As the Soviets approach they discover that
the Irish hold the bridge. The Soviets
have to take the position with 12 turns to declare victory. The Irish force are to deny the Soviets’
their objectives. Rules are Force on Force: "Cold War Gone Hot."
Forces:
The Soviets start with 3 (8 man) squads of Paratroopers,
1 HQ squad, 1 Spetnaz squad and 2 BDM1s, two commandeered trucks, and a Ford Transit mini van. :)
The Irish have 2 (8 man) infantry squads and a (8
man) Medium Weapons section, 1 Panhard M3 APC, and a Panhard 90 AML. On turn 5, a 4 man Irish Ranger Wing (IRW)
(Special Forces) arrive to assist the regular units.
Turn 1
The Russian advanced by road from Shannon in column with the mini van out in front, they passed by the hedge line and immediately took fire from a sniper, and pulled off the road behind a horse trailer. In the van was a Spetnaz squad that took cover behind a wall and the van.
Turn 2
The Russian tried to spot the sniper and did so, but the Irish player won the reaction roll and withdrew.
Turn 3
The AML 90 fired on the van and Spetnaz, and hit them, but the Russian player produced excellent saving rolls having received hard cover. The rest of the Russian forces continued to advance with a BDM1 in the lead, and as it cleared the hedge row was hit in the side from the AML 90, and brewed up. Fortunately the Paras being transported got off light with only one casualty. The Irish sniper having relocated fired an inflicted two hits on the Spetnaz squad and took out the figure carrying the RPG.
Turn 4
The Russian lost the initiative and the Irish pounced, with sniper fire and the AML 90 firing on the Paras, but failed to hit. The second BDM1 spotted the AML and hit it, but only inflicted a mobility hit (lost half its movement). The second Russian player deployed his troops in the hedge line, and fired on a Irish Fire team located in woods, behind a stone wall. Both sides exchanged fire, with little success as both players made good saving rolls. A Spetnaz Fire Team advanced using the hedge line as cover and advanced on the hill top where the AML 90 was located.
Turn 5
The Russians regained the initiative, and the player controlling the Spetnaz troops decided to assault the AML 90. The Irish player won the reaction roll and withdrew and the Spetnaz team made it top the hill top where it took fire from a MMG on the right flank and took five hits and the Irish captured them. A second Para fire team that was advancing to support the Spetnaz squad, was caught in the open by a Panhard M3 that had moved out of cover and it inflicted three hits. The Russian player returned fire with a under slung grenade launcher (in desperation), but the front armor on a Panhard M3 is 3D8!!!!! The rest of the remaining Russian forces fired on the Irish Fire team in the woods and forced them to retreat, allowing the Russians to advance, the BDM1 advanced into the field and fired on the Panhard M3 and destroyed it with a ATGM.
Turn 6
The Russian retained the initiative, and their HQ squad took to the trucks and advanced along the road, and the Irish MMG team reacted and hit the truck and inflicted a casualty. The Russian pursuing the Irish Fire Team caught up with them and with their backs to the river were forced to make a run for cover but were caught in the open and all were hit. The other Irish Fire Team of that squad withdrew to the farm ruins below the hill to make their stand. At that moment, a four man the Irish Ranger Wing (IRW) Fire Team moved into the farm ruins in a Land Rover with a 50 cal to assist (they had arrived the previous turn, but had stopped at the bridge to remove a 3 Tonner blocking the bridge).
Turn 7
The Russian continued with the initiative, and using the woods advanced up the hill overlooking the ruins, but remained in cover aware of the MMG. The second Russian truck continued to advance on the road but was stopped with a 84mm Carl Gustav, but it was empty (besides the driver). The BDM1 had continued to advance, and came around the hill, and the Irish Fire Team tried to opened up with its Carl Gustav, but failed its reaction roll. The Russian player once again spotted the AML (that had withdrew to the side of the farm ruins). Both players engaged, and the BDM1's 73mm knocked out the AML 90's gun, and the AML withdrew to the bridge to serve as a barricade.
Turn 8
The Russian Paras moved around the right side of the hill and using the woods, advanced on the ruins without the Irish seeing them. and no fire was exchanged.
Turn 9
The Irish won the initiative, and all units went on over watch. The Russians planned for an assault on the ruins, and the Russian commander had been gathering his heavy wounded, placing them in the mini van.
Turn 10
The Russians regained the initiative, and their wounded left the table for Shannon. The BDM1 tried to shell the ruins, but the Irish won the reaction roll and the Russian player rolled a one. The IRW opened up with the 50 cal and unbelievable knocked out the BDM1 because of its thin armor, and the crew bailed out. The Irish sniper having relocated again, created another casualty on the Russian close to the farm ruins.
Turn 11
The Russians kept the initiative launched their assault with a special rule that allowed them to prefire at the Irish as they advanced through the woods, and engaged the Irish in close assault. The Irish player blew his reaction roll, and when he tried to move additional troops to assist in the defense of the ruin, he failed to do so. The Russians moved into a ruined shed to seek cover, but were hit with the 50 Cal and a Carl Gustav round but inflicted one casualty.
Turn 12
The Irish player controlling the IRW launched a counter attack, but lost the reaction roll and 3 of the 4 IRW were hit. The 50 cal once again fired on the shed and hit two paras leaving one survivor who then failed morale. The other Irish player counter attacked, and utter chaos ensued, but, finally the Irish regained their luck and regained the position, leaving three Russians captured (two were heavily wounded). At this point, the game was called. The Russians were down to 6 men, and the Irish had 10.
The Irish held the bridge, but in the debrief it was decided that the Russians should have had another squad and BDM1, and the Irish medium weapons were too much, and gave a clear advantage to the defenders. It was a bloody fight with heavy losses for both sides.
Turn 10
The Russians regained the initiative, and their wounded left the table for Shannon. The BDM1 tried to shell the ruins, but the Irish won the reaction roll and the Russian player rolled a one. The IRW opened up with the 50 cal and unbelievable knocked out the BDM1 because of its thin armor, and the crew bailed out. The Irish sniper having relocated again, created another casualty on the Russian close to the farm ruins.
Turn 11
The Russians kept the initiative launched their assault with a special rule that allowed them to prefire at the Irish as they advanced through the woods, and engaged the Irish in close assault. The Irish player blew his reaction roll, and when he tried to move additional troops to assist in the defense of the ruin, he failed to do so. The Russians moved into a ruined shed to seek cover, but were hit with the 50 Cal and a Carl Gustav round but inflicted one casualty.
Turn 12
The Irish player controlling the IRW launched a counter attack, but lost the reaction roll and 3 of the 4 IRW were hit. The 50 cal once again fired on the shed and hit two paras leaving one survivor who then failed morale. The other Irish player counter attacked, and utter chaos ensued, but, finally the Irish regained their luck and regained the position, leaving three Russians captured (two were heavily wounded). At this point, the game was called. The Russians were down to 6 men, and the Irish had 10.
The Irish held the bridge, but in the debrief it was decided that the Russians should have had another squad and BDM1, and the Irish medium weapons were too much, and gave a clear advantage to the defenders. It was a bloody fight with heavy losses for both sides.
