TOWing the line - part 2

Here is the finished M-151/TOW showing off it's cross country abilities in the garden.

Operation Dark Fumble - The Battle of Kakstadt, 1979 - part 2

After the DDR forces had crossed the canal - and the players had topped up with food and wine - we set up an indoor game an played through the night attack on Alte Kakstadt.

The DDR Motor Rifle Battalion opted to make a dismounted attack.  The figures were cobbled together at short notice and so reflect what came to hand on the day.

The noise of the 30+ BMPs soon attracted a French AT missile.

Esci Warpact infantry - lovely figures.

The French forces consisted of a Mechanised infantry battalion, with 2 infantry companies and ATGM, mortar and tank destroyer  platoons.

Infantry and ATGM plts in the churchyard.

The mighty AMX-13/90 tank destroyer plt. A lovely 1/50ish scale Solido model.

French APCs parked ready for a quick getaway.

The French mortar battery.  Mostly this fired illumination rounds.

PT-76 light tanks supported by an AT battery sneak round the French right flank.  By now the left was crumbling so the order was given to saddle up and move out under cover of darkness to the next defensive position.
Added 12/05/14:  This, the second phase of the battle for Kakstadt (which some might call a mini campaign) took about 90 minutes to set up and play through.  Following the French withdrawal the East Germans prepared for a further assault - this time on the adjacent town of Neu Kakstadt which all the time had been shelled by the Regimental Artillery Group.

Operation Damp Patch - The Battle of Kakstadt, 1979 - part 1

It's May 1979 and the forces of the Evil Empire have just trundled across the Inner German Border.  For those of you who missed it first time round, I offer this recreation  - played as part of the testing and development of Little Cold Wars at an undisclosed location 'somewhere in Southern England...'
In our sector an East German Motor Rifle Regiment has to cross a canal and secure the approaches to the small town of Alte Kakstadt.
The toys in use were 1/32ish plastic figures, the vehicles were a mix of die-casts and plastic tat in 1/50 to 1/43 scales.

 The main canal crossings - both road and rail.

Before battle commenced the Commies flew an air recce sortie.  Here is the initial film in the shape of a panoramic photo taken on my iPhone.

 After analysis the photo appeared to show parked AFVs...

...in the shape of French APCs.

 The western side of the canal had been mined.  Turns out that mines look a bit like golf tees.

 Spenatz units in Kakstadt were soon engaged by a couple of French infantry platoons...

 ...who saw off the nasties.

 The DDR forces comprised a Motor Rifle battalion...

 ...supporting a Recce company of PT-76...

 ...with traffic police and an AT battery.

 The French Mech Company in town was supported by a tank destroyer platoon in AMX-13/90.

As the Germans closed on the town we were overtaken by poor light and the impending readiness of food.  Phase 2 of the battle will follow shortly!
Added 12/05/14: my co-author and I see LCW as having 'depth' rather than 'frontage'.  That is, rather than trying to field a divisional assault, we'd rather focus - as in the game above - on a battalion to brigade sized battlegroup and see it through several stages of a battle.  This first game, for example, lasted about 90 minutes and dealt with recce,  an obstacle crossing and probing enemy defensive positions.  Having located the enemy, the next game deals with the assault on the town.

TOWing the line - part 1

I picked up this Tamiya kit as part of my Little Cold Wars project.  I know this may look a bit professional compared to most of my vehicles but I'd ask you to bear in mind that it was reasonably cheap.

Oh no - what a lot of parts!

The body tub comes together.

Dry-fitting the TOW launcher.