October War action with SabreSquadron

 Another Christmas bash with the guys, and a dusting off of the modern Sabre Squadron rules.

These were published a few years ago, have some echoes of WRG 80s sensibilities - combined with modern D10 systems, and still give a good game.

The scenario, prepped by Stephen, was roughly based on a Command Decision scenario for the Battle of Chinese Farm (which we've covered before), then bath-tubbed to the 1;1 armour scale of Sabre Squadron.

Some excellent terrain from Steve - as the sun goes down across the sands...

Another great game, and with superb 12mm models and kit from the guys' collections.

Israeli units on the start-line - a company of infantry and a company of armour

Lovely M48s

Egyptian units defend the ridgeline to the left of pic, the river represents the irrigation ditches at Chinese Farm; Israeli units will attack across the open ground, albeit with some cover for infantry due to folds in the ground.

...some lovely terrain on show for the BUA

T55s - in hull down position - not something we see a lot of...

Egptian units in the wadi/irrigation ditch

Though not particularly dangerous looking, these 4x Egyptian Sagger ATGW units would create absolute carnage. Lessons learned re. blinding them with smoke and/or suppressing them with MGs...

I mentioned the Sagger carnage, right?

T55s, at the ridgeline, will not last long - facing accurate Israeli long range fire

Infantry in the ditch - remember - these are 12mm scale

Israeli units take a lot of damage from the T55s however, before countering strongly

On the Egyptian left, Israeli units are being stymied by Sagger fire, while making some inroads on the right

The Israeli left - where a concerted attack goes in, but Recoiless Rifle fire, and surviving T55s firing at long range - with the addition of re-routed artillery missions, make a massive hole.

A lott of brewed up T55s

Though by the same token, Centurions are not faring well either, and now dismounted Israeli infantry comes under fierce artillery barrage, pining them for several desperate turns...

...will the same thing happen on the Israeli left?

30mm AA gun takes out infantry in the open...

Some Egyptian reserves, having a cigarette...it was 1973, it's allowed...

The attack on the Israeli right halted...

...and on the left, supressed harshly with artillery and RR fire

By game end, the Israeli attack had run out of steam, with some units stuck, and others withdrawing - though the Egyptians had also lost 75% of their tank force. Saggers had made a massive difference.

A very good scenario, and Sabre-Squadron gives a good game. It doesn't have the glitz perhaps of '7 days' but certainly covers all the bases that a modern set needs.

(I have been looking for an excuse to get 'Rock the Casbah' on a blog post for so long now...)

Sabre Squadron with 10mm

Your roving reporter attended a game with Stephen & John today, using Sabre Squadron and an absolutely superlative collection of 10mm moderns (Skytrex vehicles, which were always beautiful castings, with superb Timecast infantry).

 It was good to try these with vehicles, and being reasonably new to the set (I've only used them loosely once before), there were questions, but most of the issues resolved on the day such that another game is in the offing. Great fun and hospitality as usual.

 A nice turn sequence, well designed options for actions and intelligent design with regard to just enough 'tech' with just enough 'game'...(though they may have to change the term 'dodge' for vehicles vs ATGMs to 'evade' - just a preference).

The guys' vehicles and infantry is absolutely stunning - enjoy!!!

Also - I have purchased a large amount (600 vehicles+ ) of 1/300 GHQ and similar from Jack over at BlackHawkNet. These too are superb. Some pics at the end...expect more moderns soon :)

 

 We join the action as the Soviet attacking force (circa 1984) has laid down smoke across the British poistion at the junction, though Swingfires on the ridgeline to their left still very active, as the roar of guided missiles is deafening, behind the roll of dice of course.

 Chieftains lie in wait.

 British troops dug in with Carl Gustavs.

 Soviet armour exploitation moves on left and right.

 Soviet armour approaching on their right, determined to take the high ground before the Chieftains can engage at long range as the smoke clears.

 Swingfires poised to inflict damage.

 

Artillery barrage laid down, hits the Blowpipe position, but the Swingfires are still operational.

Fantastic detail on these guys.

 Some ZSU discipline in place for the odd Lynx or Gazelle.

 Political officers in Gaz - aren't going to be enough to stop a Chieftain or two.

British positions prove a tough nut to crack.

Soviet moves on the British left are bearing fruit however.

 ...as a protracted firefight begins on the right.

 

 Soviet dismounts move toward the ridgeline to take the British prepared positions.

  

 

 

 The Soviet attack goes in.

Though we didn't get finished, it was a much needed introduction to a solid ruleset. More to follow I think.

Only part of the tanks I got from Jack, before they were unpacked. These guys will see much arguing over the rules...errr fighting, in the  next few months...