Operation Vijay

This was Bob Cordery's game about the Indian invasion of Goa in 1961, played at COW earlier this month.  Bob did all the hard lifting while I provided the toys and helped run the game.  A team of five players represented various elevated personalities in the Indian army, navy and air force while a further three flew the flag for the Portuguese Empire.

Speaking of flags, Bob had provided a couple as a rather atmospheric table covering.

The Indian team hard at work arguing over who was in command.

The Portuguese Governor General (centre) trying to figure out where Goa is.

Plans made, the players assemble for the invasion.

The Indians sent columns from the north and west, and had large naval forces standing by in support.

For the land forces I used the toys I had already prepared for various Indo-Pakistani games.

Given that the Portuguese had only six battalions of light infantry the

 Indian divisional-level assault seemed unstoppable!

Several bridges were blown up in order to slow the attackers.

Sadly the relief flight which finally arrived didn't contain the hoped-for Para brigade!

The Indian Air Force was much in evidence....

...while not to be outdone, the Navy floated up and down bombarding things.

Soon the noose tightened around the capital.

And the Admiral arrived in person to be present for the surrender.  All in all an very interesting game about a little known campaign.  Bob very kindly lent me his maps and briefings (and flags!) after the game so I will be running it at the Sheffield club in a few weeks time.  Book now!