Warlord US Infantry Box – Oriskany Jim Ventures Once More Into 28mm
Recommendations: 12488
About the Project
Lately, I've been running war games every weekend with members of the community via web conference. Players log on and play wargames with each other in real time, regardless of location, and we usually have at least a couple spectators as well. Many times it’s been Darkstar, but we’re also running wargames in Panzer Leader, Arab-Israeli Wars, and now Valor & Victory.
BoW/OTT community members @brucelea, @damon, @davehawes, and @rasmus have taken the plunge, leading battalions across thousands of meters of desert, starfleets in pitched battles across the heavens, or vicious firefights in the jungles of Vietnam, all without leaving the comfort of their home.
Hard-core, old-school command-tactical wargames can now be run (complete with spectators and recordings) in real time, with BOTH PLAYERS moving pieces across THE SAME virtual game board, thus maintaining player agency, speedy and instant results (no play by e-mail), interwoven turn sequences, any questions / feedback instantly received and addressed, and with the game being virtually recorded as it goes, a ready-made battle report can actually be created as we go.
All of this without the players having to install any new software on their computer, on any platform (PC or Mac). All that's needed is to agree on a time, a handful of dice, and a bellyful of courage!
Every weekend can now be a boot camp! All without costing me thousands of dollars in airfare, too!
Related Game: PanzerBlitz
Related Genre: Historical
This Project is Active
Getting set for 1956 Arab-Israeli Wars Game
Sunday we have an Arab-Israeli Wars game set up, recreating part of the opening Israeli drive against the southern wing of the Abu Agheila “hedgehog” (Egyptian 6th Brigade / 3rd Infantry Division). This was part of the opening of Operation Kadhesh, undertaken in conjunction with French paratroopers and British Royal Marines at the Suez Canal (Operation Musketeer) in response to Egyptian President Nasser’s nationalization of the Suez Canal.
The game is scheduled live for 5PM GMT / 12 Noon EST between myself and @damon.
Interested in joining in or checking it out, just chatting with some hard-core wargamers? Ping me with a PM and I’ll send a web address for our web conference.
Arab-Israeli Wars LIVE in 30 minutes
Israeli Assault on Kussiema – southern shoulder of the Abu Agheila “hedgehog.” October, 1956.
System: Arab-Israeli Wars (Avalon Hill)
Players: @oriskany and @damon
Ping me a PM if you’d like a link to this web conference. 😀 Hang out and chat, or check out a great game in progress!
Arab-Israeli Wars - 1956 Sinai War
Just a quick battle report for a Weekend Web Wargame between myself and community member @Damon. Using Avalon Hill’s The Arab Israeli Wars, we tried a home-built scenario depicting the opening day of Israel’s ground offensive of the 1956 Sinai War.
Using web conferencing and shared desktop, we were able to play across the ocean in real time, with each player moving their own pieces and always seeing the same board.
The Arab Israeli Wars is a command-tactical level game, where each piece is not an individual but a unit. This allows wargames of the proper scale, ranges, timescales, and “tactical geometries” – without playing on a golf course or a tennis court. 😀
So that’s the game. To be honest, I’m going to re-run this solitaire to see if I gave the Israelis enough time. I have a sneaking suspicion the game length should be increased to 12 turns. But even with 12 turns Damon would have not been able to take a third objective hex, much less fourth.
I probably won’t put up a FULL battle report for this solitaire game, but maybe an update.
Meanwhile, if you’re interested in joining in these web weekend wargames, we have people from three continents participating in a regular basis! Just drop me a PM and we’ll add you to the web conference!
Assault on Kussiema - Replay for Testing
Last weekend @damon and I played a wargame in Avalon Hill’s The Arab-Israeli Wars, recreating the assault on Kussiema. This was part of the IDF’s initial ground offensive that opened their invasion of the Egyptian Sinai on 30 October 1956. The battle report is below in this project thread.
Long story short, my Egyptians won this game, and pretty handily, too. So much so, in fact, that I was actually a little concerned whether the scenario I had designed was actually balanced.
The Israelis have, predictably, overpowering advantages in mobility and firepower. The will win this battle, ten times out of ten. The trick with asymmetrical wargaming is to design a scenario that challenges the Israelis to win quickly enough, cheaply enough, etc.
Historically this is a good fit as well, as this assault (4th Brigade), originally meant as a supporting flank assault, was abruptly upgraded to the “main” attack when the original main attack (10th Brigade further north) largely failed. So 7th Armored Brigade was chucked in to support 4th in a new combined thrust around the Egyptian southern wing. Standing in their way was this Egyptian outpost at Kussiema. The point is, the Israelis have to win and win fast in order to turn the Um-Katef defenses from the south and thus crack open the larger Egyptian defense in the Abu Agheila region.
So the game has five objective hexes, set on crossroads and road exit points. The Israeli player is challenged with taking at least four of these hexes within ten turns. It may not be clear on the maps, but control of four hexes basically means that the Israelis have opened at least one complete route from their entry zone on the northeast corner of the board, off the western end of the table. Again, to facilitate larger-scale operations against the south and rear flanks of Um Katef.
Now in the game with @damon, he got two of the five. Israeli tanks barely laid eyes on the third objective hex. Did I give the Israelis enough time in this scenario?
So I reset the game and ran it myself, seeing if I can go hell-for-leather with the 7th / 4th Brigades and crack this game in ten turns or less.
So is the game balanced? Eh … technically yes. I mean, I’ve been playing The Arab Israeli Wars on and off for almost 30 years, and I designed this scenario, and I played it once already, and I got some very hot rolls for the Israelis. And even with all those advantages, I barely got the required 4 objective hexes in 10 turns.
So honestly, against players of equal experience, I would probably give the Israelis 12 turns instead of 10. Maybe a few additional IPs for the Egyptians.
But all in all, this is a solid design. Ready for the portfolio! 😀
1967 Six Day War - Battle at Bir Lahfan
So with Episode 01 of the Ops Center up …
… going over the 1956 Arab-Israeli Sinai War, we’re now moving into the 1967 “Six Day” War. Again it was myself and Damon at a table of Avalon Hill’s The Arab Israeli Wars, with Damon playing the Israelis and myself playing the Egyptians.
The big difference here between this and previous TAIW games is that for once, the Israelis are on the defensive. Damon’s Centurions, TCM-20s, and infantry will try to hold a Sinai crossroads and the high ground flanking it against superior numbers of one of Egypt’s better tank and mechanized brigades.
Furthermore, the battle takes place (initially) at night, where the Egyptians actually have a slight advantage in Soviet IR sights. If they can hold out until morning, however, the Israeli Air force (IAF) arrives in force, undertaking more tactical strike missions on the second day of the way now that the strikes against Egyptian, Jordanian, and Syrian air forces and C3 networks have been completed.
Tinkering with New Counters - 1967 and 73 Arab-Israeli Wars - West Bank and Golan Heights
Meanwhile, the new Episode of the Ops Center is now live on On TableTop, YouTube, and Facebook!
Give it a watch, comment, or like if you enjoy the video!
And remember to ask questions if you’re curious about anything, we’ll try to feature a response in the next episode!
Preparing for LIVE WEB game, Golan Heights 1973 (6:00 PM GMT)
We’re preparing for another live web game of The Arab-Israeli Wars. This time it will be a “historically improved” rendition of what is probably the most epic single tank battle since the end of World War II, Lt. Col. Avidgor Kahalani’s 77th Tank Battalion at the “Valley of Tears” – Golan Heights, October 1973.
Outnumbered in places by up to 15:1, these 40 American-engined Centurions (Sho’t Cal) faced off against a combined total of 230+ Syrian T-55s and T-62s, plus perhaps 100+ more infantry carriers (BTR-50s and 60s).
We’ll see if Damon can hold the “Heights of Courage” (title of Kahalani’s book) against my Syrian onslaught.
So far, I’ve spent most of the day trying to piece together an accurate map of the battlefield, “translating” it into TAIW system, and getting the scenario ready for tomorrow’s game.
If anyone’s interested in stopping by and checking this out live as it is played, ping me a PM and I’ll send you a link.
Valley of Tears - Golan Heights, 1973
So we’ve finished the game. It took 6 hours and 43 minutes. It is posted in its entirety on Twitch for those that are interested. Needless to say, an entire blow-by-blow battle report would be a little too large to post here, so I’ll post some highlights and if anyone has any questions, I will certainly answer them either here or on the new Sitrep Modern Military Gaming thread.
Full Twitch Stream:
Valley of Tears - Golan Heights, 1973 - Conclusion
So here is the wrap up for the epic game of The Arab Israeli Wars between myself and @damon .
Golan Heights, Israel v. Syria, October 7, 1973.
1982 IDF in Valor & Victory
So we’ve been playing around with the idea of pushing Barry Doyle’s Valor & Victory system further into the modern era. We’ve already done WW2 into Vietnam (late 1960s), i thought an interesting next step might be early 80s with Operation Peace for Galilee – the 1982 Israeli invasion of Lebanon.
Just starting out here. This was one night. Other factions will include Syrian Army, various irregulars (Palestinian Liberation Army / Arab Liberation Army / Hezbollah), Phalange Christian militants, maybe even French and US Marine peacekeepers if this gets pushed into 1983 and beyond.
1982 PLO in Valor & Victory
Good afternoon ~ Expanding on the idea idea of pushing Barry Doyle’s Valor & Victory system further into 1982 Lebanon, I’ve put the first swing into the opposition, namely the PLO / ALA for a “modern war” asymmetric dynamic.
A few more leaders,maybe another couple support weapons and game function counters (casualties, civilians, POWs, etc), and then we should be on to a couple of gameplay maps!
Valor & Victory Vietnam v. Elessar2590 (Australians v. VC)
Good morning, everyone.
Well, we were able to run Valor & Victory Vietnam game this Sunday – pitting @elessar2590 and his two platoons of “A” Co, 7th Royal Australian Regiment against Oriskany’s company of 274th NLF / VC Main Force Regiment in Phuoc Tuy Province, South Vietnam, January 1968.
It was neat wargaming live with a player from Australia, playing Australian troops, in a historical Vietnam wargame. The dice gods also seemed to remember it was his birthday, judging by how those opening mortar barrages landed!
Okay we were supposed to live stream this game, but it didn’t really work out. But I did record someof the highlights, and post the video excerpts to Sitrep YouTube and Twitch channels.
Just a clip, of course. But might bring a chuckle. ?
Battle Report - Australians v. VC
Apologies to everyone – I’ve way behind in battle reports. Real fast, here is the recap for the Valor & Victory: Vietnam game played between myself and Elessar2590 last weekend, with Elessar playing Australians on defense (2 companies, “A”CO, 7th RAR, ATF) vs. attacking guerrillas of my 274th Main Force Regiment, National Liberation Front (Viet Cong).
Phuoc Tuy Province, South Vietnam, January 1968)
Obviously, the Australians have a ridiculous advantage in firepower, but my victory conditions are much easier. For instance, I get 10 points for each objective hex I take (he gets none or anything he holds). Also, he gets only 1 victory point for each casulaty inflicted on me, while I get 3 points for each casualty I inflict (knocked out officer, medic, or fireteam), make that 6 points if Elessar doesn’t manage to evacuate that casualty. He also can’t fire into civilian hexes, and if any casualties are killed by his incidental fire, that’s 6 more victory points for me.
So let’s see how this goes …
Valor & Victory 1982 Lebanon (IDF v. PLO)
Good afternoon, everyone
Community member Elessar2590 and I had a great stream Sunday (Monday morning for him) – recorded at www.twitch.tv/sitreppodcast/videos – where we play-tested my new 1982 IDF and PLO forces and first Lebanon board for Valor & Victory. He took the PLO (on defense) and I took the IDF.
This is squad based game – each piece on the map is either a single officer, squad, fire team (half squad), or support weapon.
Each hex is about 30 yards / meters across.
The game takes place during Israel’s “Peace for Galilee” invasion of Lebanon, June 1982.
This is only halfway through Turn 2, folks. Stay tuned, I’ll put up the rest of this battle report later today (I hope).
Valor & Victory 1982 Lebanon (IDF v. PLO) P2
Good afternoon, everyone ~
Okay, time to finish the game that Elessar2590 and I had a great stream Sunday (Monday morning for him) – recorded at http://www.twitch.tv/sitreppodcast/videos– where we play-tested my new 1982 IDF and PLO forces and first Lebanon board for Valor & Victory. He took the PLO (on defense) and I took the IDF.
This is squad based game – each piece on the map is either a single officer, squad, fire team (half squad), or support weapon.
Each hex is about 30 yards / meters across.
The game takes place during Israel’s “Peace for Galilee” invasion of Lebanon, June 1982.
The first two turns of the game are reported previously, here is the finish.
So this was a great game, thanks again to Elessar2590 and to everyone who watched us on Twitch. Technically I won with the IDF, but really this is because a ridiculous turn of fortune on Turn 3 saved my ass. Literally we had double 6s by Elessar, the worst roll for him, followed by two more 6s for me on sniper attacks, best possible rolls for me. That’s actually 6 x 6 x 6 x 6 = 1,296:1 odds in my favor on Turn 3 … and even with this, I barely belly-crawled out of that one with a “win.”
Hey, we all cry when the dice gods punish us, and they punish me plenty. They punished me pretty hard on Turn 1 and 2 (I still can’t believe that southern PLO assault). But when the dice gods favor us, we need to offer reciprocal gratitude.
The real win for me here was the successful playtest of Valor & Victory 1982. This means Falklands, Gulf War 1991, Somalia 1993 … all are potentially within reach.
Of course I’m not done with Lebanon yet. I want to draw up some counters in “The Arab Israeli Wars” (Israeli Merkava 1s, M109 Paladins, Syrian T-72s, Israeli AH-1 Cobras), etc. And I have the beginnings of technical / BMPs / Israeli M113 “Zelda” APCs in Valor & Victory.
So stay tuned! More to come!
New Units Designed: 1982 Lebanon in "The Arab Israeli Wars"
Been working today on 1982-era counters for a new Lebanon expansion of The Arab-Israeli Wars. Data’s been compiled from NE Atlanta Gaming Group (these guys do some very serious modern 1970s-80s Panzer Leader mods), Tosach Miniatures Tactical Combat Middle East (Panzer Leader for 1991-2003 Gulf Wars), and Shrapnel Games’ Steel Panthers: Main Battle Tank.
Still tweaking these of course, and there are a few more units I want to put together for 1982 “Peace for Galilee” Lebanon.
New WEC (Weapons Effectiveness Chart) for 1935-2015 Panzer Leader / AIW Games
Here’s a new WEC I’m putting together that combines / refines / reconciles data used in Panzer Leader, Panzer Blitz, The Arab-Israeli Wars, my 2014-15 “Putin’s War” update for Panzer Leader, and Tosach Miniatures “Tactical Combat Middle East” for 1991-2003 Wars against Iraq. I’m hoping to use it in the first try of a The Arab Israeli Wars playtest for Lebanon 1982.
I’m hoping to live-stream some of the playtest for this new Lebanon expansion for The Arab-Israeli Wars starting at around 3:00 ETZ / 7:00 GMT tonight (Sunday March 17). Hope to see some of you there! 😀
Twitch Stream Excerpts posted on YouTube!
Good afternoon, folks!
We had a great Sitrep Modern Military Gaming live-stream on Sunday, March 17. In this stream, we took a first swipe at playtesting the new 1982-era units, rules, weapons classes, and scenario conditions for Avalon Hill’s The Arab-Isreali Wars – which I’ve been working to expand beyond the published 1973 Yom Kippur War scenarios and into 1982 “Peace for Galilee” (Israeli Invasion of Lebanon).
Excerpts of this stream are now being posted on YouTube. ?
Do you have what it takes to wear colonel’s eagles? That first star for a brigadier-general? This are the kinds of games that let you really “take a seat at that table” – and command whole battalions, regiments, or brigades in full-sized tactical combat.
Air Phase Demo - 1982 "The Arab Israeli Wars"
Segments from our March 17 Twitch live stream, where we took a first swipe at playtesting home-expansion rules, units, and weapons for 1982 “Peace for Galilee”
In this video – AIR STRIKES! Syrian interceptors! SAMs! Ground fire!