Friday 10 August 2018

Operation Gallic Grope - part 1

Back in 2017 - but still in 1979 if you see what I mean - there began the NATO counteroffensive through the Kakstadt Gap.  The outline and first stage of this series of games can be found here:
Kakstadt Gap part 1
Kakstadt Gap part 2
Kakstadt Gap part 3
Kakstadt Gap part 4
The US breach of the border defences was followed up by a British heli assault on the village of Kakstadt Ost:
Relief on the border part 1
Relief on the border part 2

Having secured a flank it was time for the exploitation attack to go in.  This took the form of two French Arnoured Regiments (battalion size) with French and West German sir support.  They were to take the railway line, establish contact with the Paras in Kakstadt Ost and secure the tractor factory, advancing as far as the canal.
Warpact forces were thought to be a very battered East German Motor Rifle Regiment and some scattered border guards.
I commanded the French while Bertrand led the Commies.  As usual I'll let the photos tell the tale.
Luftwaffe Tornado on a recce mission
 The French armour assembles
 French Jaguar on a recce mission
 The high-tech DDR rail yard
 It's the East, so there is of course a tractor factory...
 The DDR SAM site warms up
 The Stasi radio detection detachment continues to scour the airwaves for any NATO special forces
 The first French air strike - Mirage III and F-100D
Warpact air was also in action - this Czech L-39 has consistently been the only Warpact aircraft which hits anything.
 More worrying was the MiG-21 flying top cover
 This rather nice Allouette was keeping an eye on the left flank
 The French trundle briskly forward
 Kakstadt Ost was soon reached and a liaison team detached to chat to the Paras.
 The DDR Commissars skulked in their distant HQ.
MiGs await a new mission.  Or spare parts.

8 comments:

Archduke Piccolo said...

Already fascinating... Of course, the highly cultured generals and staffs commanding the WARPAC forces will establish their HQ is the picturesque castellan town and spa of Eigotta-Baditch.

Tim Gow said...

Archduke Piccolo
That name says much for the standards of housekeeping at the Schloss - apparently even the rabid border guard dogs are scared of the bedbugs.

Pete. said...

Cracking stuff Tim- extra marks for having a Jaguar in there too.

Cheers,

Pete.

Tim Gow said...

Pete
The Jag is always my first choice for French air recce missions.

Don M said...

Excellent start! Looking forward to the big armored clash!

Ken H said...

Splendid, and so apt to see a "scorched earth" policy deployed this summer. Very very nice Aloutte - delighted to see that hovering on a post. I would get out into our garden but I'd need some saving throws to avoid the evidence of a feline visit!

Tim Gow said...

Don M
So were the East Germans - until I reminded them about the attrition suffered in the previous games...

Tim Gow said...

Ken H
Alouette is a part die-cast model - a lovely thing. A careful 'poo recce' is always advise before an outdoor game. The scorched grass appears by courtesy of God.