TMOCB Firebase attack

With the interior of the firebase finished and the exterior produced from assorted old scenery it was time to try out the firebase scenario for TMOCB.

This scenario uses the US forces as normal with the NVA supported by some sappers attacking the base.

Lt. Donovan deploys his men to hold the base, attaching himself to the artillery battery. Sgt Rambo holds the ammunition bunker, Sgt Barnes the accommodation bunker and Sgt Elias the command bunker. the force is supported by a couple of M113's parked on the helipad:

NVA sappers appear at the perimeter and try to destroy the defences:

Some of the sappers are killed:

Others, however, break into the base:

Following up the sappers the NVA main force assaults. The mortar battery falls and Sgt Elias' men are under heavy pressure around the command bunker:

More NVA storm into the base though some of the perimeter defences hold out:

Several of Elias' men are down and the situation looks grim until Sgt Rambo leads a counter-attack:

Rambo's men shoot down several NVA around the captured mortar battery:

The other end of the base has just seen a few sporadic sapper attacks which have been repulsed. An NVA artillery strike hits the area and takes out one of the US gun crews:

Rambo assaults the NVA holding the mortar battery and drives them out wiping out the NVA section in the process. The casualty markers show where the fighting has been heaviest:

The other end of the firebase has been secured and Sgt Barnes starts to move his men up to engage the remaining NVA:

With few NVA left and the Americans in a strong position the NVA withdraw:

The final casualty count:

This was certainly different to the searching villages or rescuing downed aircrew scenarios. The action was fast and brutal from the start with casualties quickly mounting.

I think I need to read the rules again now I've had a trail game and pick up some of the differences for the scenario, for example in this one both sides have cache loops which cause events. Neither side used them but perhaps they should. Many of the events are artillery strikes though which are risky for both sides as they are in such close proximity! I also need to re-read the morale rules, one of the changes for the firebase game is that neither side can evacuate casualties which means that, together with the close proximity of the units, they can lose a lot of their action dice to morale failures.

It was interesting though and I can see that there are a few different ways you could approach it both as the NVA (concentrate the attackers or attack all around the base in weaker numbers?) and the US forces (defend the bunkers or try to defend the perimeter, emphasise shooting or add in some assaults as well?).

This was my 7th solo game of TMOCB so I think I've had a fair return on the investment as well as enjoying painting all the figures, vehicles and scenery for the project. I'm sure I'll play some more in the future!