The Battle of Rotburg – June 1986

This NBC (NATO Brigade Commander) game involved the lead regiment of a Soviet Motor Rifle Division racing to capture an airport near the small (and fictional) north German industrial town of Rotburg. The area was defended by two infantry battalions from a recently arrived British Territorial Army brigade.



Part of a TA Battalion takes up positions overlooking the east-west autobahn. Figures and Saxon APCs by GHQ. All toys from the collection of (and roughly daubed by) Tim Gow.



The Soviet Colonel (Martin Rapier) was told that he would be supported by the division’s tank regiment if he made sufficiently swift progress (units in Rotburg by turn 6). He also had hopes of help from an air assault brigade, most of which would need to be flown in to the airport.

As soon as they came under direct fire, the Brits (Wayne Thomas) could begin dicing for the arrival of an armoured battle group (2 tank squadrons, 2 mechanised companies plus AT and recce elements). There was also a flight of Lynx AT helicopters available on request.

In Rotburg itself, a Soviet Motor Rifle Battalion fails it's close assault morale test! It had been ordered to clear out the two TA Infantry Companies. (More GHQ toys)

In the event the reinforcement dice rolling was abysmal! While the Soviet tank regiment showed up quite early on, the British armour (under Nick Mitchell) only arrived in time to dispute control of the airport. Of the air assault brigade there was no sign. Clearly it was a poor day for flying because the Lynx flight didn’t turn up either, although as the game drew to a close there was a distant sound of rotor blades…

The final score was:
Soviets – 3 battalions lost
British – both TA battalions destroyed
Control of the airport was disputed, but the relative losses made this a clear (if not decisive) Soviet victory. Forward to the West!