Tuesday 2 October 2018

Gnuston Heights - part 5 - Last ditch defence?

 As we return to the action some Syrian M-8 are heading west.  As it turned out there was a mechanical failure and they weren't seen again.
 Meanwhile Syrian armour thundered across the AT ditch
  Israeli infantry forming a second defence line
 Kuneitra had been reinforced by a mech battalion and some elderly M-51 Isherman tanks.
The Syrian air attacks just kept coming... (this and next two photos by Ian)
 ...while Israeli tanks took casualties reinforcing the strongpoint line

 By now Israeli reinforcements were gathering in some strength, with M-48...
 ...and M-51 tanks gathering
 Incidentally, the lone figure on the roof of the large building is a senior officer with an eye patch....

Intriguingly, the Syrians spent a lot of time assaulting strongpoints
and only in the south was real progress made
 but by now the Israelis had deployed the best part of two brigades and were poised to put in an effective counterattack.
I think this photo (by Ian) says it all.  A mighty Centurion in a hull-down position.

On the ground the front ends of two Syrian divisions – two tank brigades and two motor rifle brigades confronted a thin crust of Israeli tanks and strongpoints.  Both sides were also well supplied with air support. The scenario was broadly historical but supposed that the Syrians had gone with their preferred option of attacking early in the day, rather than delaying until noon at the behest of their Egyptian allies.  Several crossings were made over the AT ditch although one of the Syrian bridgelayer companies had perished in an Israeli airstrike.  Syrian casualties were relatively light, reflecting their deliberate approach.  The flip side was that they didn’t push forward as aggressively as I’d have liked but that’s the joy of having real players!


The game proceeded at a healthy pace – it’s always pleasing when game time runs faster than real time.  Even the players who were new to LCW soon picked it up, such are the benefits of simple mechanisms. Despite the breaks for tea, coffee and lunch (this was Knuston, remember!) we made good progress and all present claimed to have enjoyed the experience.  Lunch-table conversation inevitably turned to other possible scenarios so it may be that the ‘big’ Little Cold Wars game at Knuston becomes an annual event.  Watch this space…

4 comments:

Archduke Piccolo said...

This looked like a whole lot of fun to play, but ... something of a 'torso' battle - having to quit just when it was getting interesting. Or should I say 'even more' interesting.

I just gotta have a lawn battle with my own Army Men this summer...

Pete. said...

Looks great tim - very nice to see the Ishermans got a look in too.

Cheers,

Pete.

Tim Gow said...

Archduke Piccolo
Yes and no. The game had reached a natural pause point. Carrying on wouldn't have altered the agreed outcome. As the weather here turns autumnal we pass the outdoor games baton to you chaps in the southern colonies.

Tim Gow said...

Pete
Ian and I each built three Shermans. Five were adapted from the Hobbyboss M4A3E8 kit and one of Ian's was the ancient Aurora kit with drawing pins standing in for some of the roadwheels...
If you like, I'll do some photos of mine once I remember which box they're in!