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In the BXA Side B phase...

A fierce firefight rages around Xom Ong Keo, with little or no movement.

In the center, BXA mortars lob shells at the enemy riverines but score no hits.

To the north and northeast of Ap Do Hop and the Military Post, with the VNA marines having landed nearby, BXA reinforcements draw closer (green arrows).

TURN #9

In the VNA Side A phase, to the north:


A bit of a surprise, VNA artillery fires smoke into Xom Ong Keo.

Followed immediately by a successful VNA assault over the town stone wall (yellow ellipse & Damage Results box). Our defenses our penetrated!

A while later, the VNA paratroopers assault the other side of town from the north (green ellipse & Damage Results box), but make no headway.

In the center, more VNA riverines show up near Ap Do Hop and the Military Post there. We know that marines had earlier off-loaded, but what they are up to we know not.


At the center west, another surprise. Our sniper at Xom Ong Huong Giao fires at the approaching enemy:

In the BXA Side B phase...

In the northern sector, I have a decision: Do I continue to contest Xom Ong Keo, or do I withdraw?

The Tham Bao Recon Company northwest of Xom Ong Keo lurks there in reserve, ready to help defend Xom Ong Keo, else ride to the rescue of defenders at objectives (off map) to the west or northeast. But there is no sign of enemy movement towards those areas. I decide to commit the Tham Bao (green arrows, screenshot following) early (compared to the scripted Side B battle plan).


MMGs of the Tham Bao, also the C2/1st/3rd Rifle Company at Xom Ong Keo, trade direct fire and opfire with the enemy (left magenta circle) just north of the town. I withhold fire directed at the smoke filled hex in the town's southern quarter, the reasons being that direct fire into smoke has reduced effectiveness (targets cannot be seen), also friendlies there are at Low Ammo (also reduced effectiveness). AFAIK, no casualties or disruptions result from any of this.

But around the Suoi Nhum, enemy mortar fire does manage to disrupt the C3/1st/3rd there (right magenta circle, screenshot preceding).

At the Military Post, mortars of the C4/1st/3rd Dai Doi Hoa Luc target (arty cross hairs) the nearest foe to the west.

For now, the two units lurking, and presumably still hidden, to the south (yellow circles) continue to lurk.

In the center


the sniper at Xom Ong Hung Giao (left yellow circle) takes potshots at the enemy just north of the village without apparent effect.

At the eastern Military Post, the C1/1st/2nd mortars (right yellow circle) direct fire at the nearest VNA riverines, also with unknown effect.

Northeast of Ap Do Hop, the C2/1st/2nd Rifle Company moves into ambush position (green arrows).

[At this juncture, some SAI reflections.

It is only about next turn, Turn 10, where the VNA Side A SAI shifts into higher gear. Up until now, the VNA has been recovering from paradrops (happening up until around Turn 5), coursing down the rivers, and otherwise slogging through the swamps towards assigned objectives.

The VNA are not doing as well as expected (as well as in earlier AI vs. AI auto-tests) in the battle for Xom Ong Keo. With the Tham Bao advancing from the northwest, the VNA's situation around Xom Ong Keo is about to get much worse.

At least three ways where I, the human player, am deviating from the Side B SAI:

• The SAI has the Tham Bao lurk in the jungles northwest of Xom Ong Keo, only springing to action sometime after Turn 20. With them waiting that long, Xom Ong Keo is expected to fall to the VNA. In this playtest, the BXA is committing to defend the town staunchly, no abandoing it to the VNA.
• I have moved up reinforcements from the south (the yellow circled units two screenshots preceding). In the Side B SAI, there is no such reinforcement; those units remain in the center sector.
• I have trucked up units from Xom Ba Bong to defend the villages east of the Suoi Nhum. By contrast, the SAI concedes those to the enemy, rather holds back to defend Xom Ba Bong (and the Military Post).

Here to the north, compared to the SAI, the BXA is adopting a more forward, active defense. This is sure to mess up the SAI'ed VNA battle plan, which assumes a more passive, laid back BXA defense.

In the center, in the vicinity of Ap Do Hop and the Military Post, I have brought up reinforcements from the east and the south. In the AI vs. AI auto-tests, the Side A's toughest challenge was to attack OBJECTIVES[14], the Military Post. With augmented BXA defenses, that challenge is now a whole lot tougher.

To the south (generally not displayed in any recent screenshots), rather than remain passively defending the objectives and supply depots etc., I have been shifting forces around, loading units on junks and sailing them up river in anticipation of possible VNA attacks at the center, here or there. Contrast that with the SAI'ed Side B battle plan, which again is essentially a passive, even static defense everywhere.

After this current playtest, based on the possibilities I am seeing, I should review and take a second crack at scripting the BXA Side B.

As things are developing, at this point, I am playing the BXA Side B more competently than the SAI/EAI would. But that is to be expected, right?

Anyway, learning as I go (live playtest), I will do better in the next scripting review and go-around.]

TURN #10

In the VNA Side A phase, at Xom Ong Keo


VNA and BXA forces trade fire. In the exchange, the VNA platoon inside the town is destroyed (magenta circle). The (magenta box) Damage Results dialog says "Unknown effects...", but we observed the platoon disappear.

A while later, VNA assault Xom Ong Keo from the north (green boxed Damage Results dialog), but without effect.

In the center, the VNA assault the sniper(s) at Xom Ong Huong Giao, but are repulsed:


Such a weak showing. Timid much?

At the Military Post farther south, the "VM Engineer 48" -- BXA actually -- direct fire at the approaching VNA, scoring at least 1 SP hit.


The opposite of timid, two platoons of VNA assault the Post. In their impetuosity, 3 SP hits and a disruption. The Big Hurt! Maybe they should have waited?

At the end of the VNA Side A phase, the northern sector:


Fierce fighting in and around Xom Ong Keo. Note that another VNA unit has slipped into the town, at the west quarter (turquoise circle).

To the east, the two sides are starting to battle around the Suoi Nhum (white ellipse).

The rest of the VNA parachute battalion is slow to get its act together.

The southern sector:


The VNA and BXA are engaged in battle, or are about to engage, around Ap Do Hop and points to the southwest (white circles).

VNA river transports were observed to slip by the Ap Do Hop Military Post unopposed (green arrow). No opportunity fire at all from the Ap Do Hop MP contingent. Are they perhaps distracted by sounds of (still hidden) VNA ground activity just to the north (topmost white circle)?

In the BXA Side B phase...

In the northern sector, the battle in and around Xom Ong Keo rages:


The Tham Bao Recon Company approaches Xom Ong Keo from the north (green arrows). They fire (multiple shots) at the enemy (left magenta circle), scoring a 1 SP hit, then fire again, scoring more SP hits, reducing the VNA platoon down to 2 Strength Points, and forcing a retreat (green arrow).

The 1st/3rd Dac Cong Engineers move (green arrow) to occupy the Xom Ong Keo southern quarter, are opfired at, and suffer a 1 SP hit and a disruption.

Over to the east by the Suoi Nhum, the C3/1st/3rd Rifle Company 2nd Platoon fires at the nearby enemy, scores some SP hits, but is disrupted by return opfire. The 3rd Platoon advances (green arrow) from OBJECTIVES[24]. Direct fire at the same enemy (right magenta circle) reduces the enemy platoon down to 1 SP (as observed on the unit counter; the Damage Results dialogs again report "Unknown effects..."). Good shooting, guys!

Off to the side, the remainder of the C3/1st/3rd Rifle Company (yellow circle) stays put. Who's to say there are no VNA paratroopers etc. landing and operating off map to the east and northeast? [We are feigning ignorance of the VNA force dispositions and SAI, remember.]

To the south, direct and opportunity fire exchanges (white circles) with unknown effect around Xom Ong Huong Ciao and the Military Post.


We know that VNA river transports have sailed past Ap Do Hop (turquoise circle) to do what? Offload ground units south of Ap Do Hop? Sail further down the river to strike deep into BXA territory? [We pretend ignorance.] We reposition loaded transports (yellow ellipse) around the Rach Tac Roi. To offload passengers where needed, to fire at the approaching (?) VNA transports in any case.

[What about other BXA units scattered about the map? Pretending to be ignorant of the VNA battle plans, we can't assume anything. Might the VNA surprise attack from the southwest, south, or southeast? Maybe. One way or the other, how would we know? For now, best to stay put, be prepared for any eventuality. We lack sufficient number of junks and sampans to move forces around anyway.]

TURN #11

In the VNA Side A phase, at Xom Ong Keo:


VNA paratroops fire at BXA defenders in the town north quarter, scoring 1 SP hit, and forcing a retreat (yellow arrow).

The BXA fire right back, inducing an enemy withdrawal, but they subsequently move right back (turquoise arrows).

A while later, the VNA platoon north of the town assaults over the stone wall, but the C4/1st/3rd MMGs hold fast.

In the center west, the VNA again assault the sniper(s) at Xom Ong Huong Giao, and again they are stopped:


A reinforced company of VNA regulars stymied for a couple of turns by a few snipers! Timidity verging on cowardice?

Farther south, a second assault at the Military Post:


No timidity or cowardice there!

At long last, the VNA Marines show themselves around Ap Do Hop (yellow arrow). Ambushing BXA draw blood, and force a VNA retreat (magenta arrow):


Far back to the rear, a VNA riverine belatedly pushes forward. (No explanation for the delay. Probably they took a long time to recover from an earlier disruption.) The Military Post RCLR fires at the approaching rivercraft and misses:


Penetrating deep into enemy territory, VNA Marines sail far down the Nga Ba Dong Tranh. MMGs of Company 4, 1st/2nd Infantry Battalion fire several times, and score a SP hit. Strike one riverine!


With BXA junks and sampans nearby, things are shaping up for a naval battle!

In the BXA Side B phase...

In the northern sector, at Xom Ong Keo (white circle), direct fire induces the VNA to vacate the town northern quarter. The Tham Bao Recon Company fans out in and around the town:


Over by the Suoi Nhum, exchanges of fire cause casualties (magenta circles) on both sides.

At the Military Post, 81mm Mortars of Company 4, 1st/3rd target enemy paratroopers east of the Suoi Nhum (arty crosshairs). I had been forgetting to plot arty strikes!

The central mass of VNA paratroopers appear to be milling about, still slow to get their act together. They should probably send reinforcements to Xom Ong Keo. But who knows what they will do? Command confusion!

To the south:


BXA snipers at Xom Ong Huong Giao (leftmost white circle) continue to harass the enemy. Opfire disrupts the snipers.

The RCLR at the Military Post aims, fires, and misses yet again (white ellipse upper left). Whoever trained these sad sacks? Or maybe they are firing duds?

Around Ap Do Hop (white ellipse upper right), the ambushing C2/1st/2nd force the enemy to retreat. 3rd Platoon circles around (green arrows) to the southeast. For the VNA Marines, this is starting to look hopeless.

At the Rach Tac Roi (white ellipse lower right), no, no naval battle. After offloading their infantry passengers (yellow circle), the BXA junks beat a hasty retreat (green arrows). I belatedly realized: the junks are transport watercraft only, have no offensive combat capabilities. My command confusion! <cough cough> D'oh! Maybe better if I had offloaded those passengers at OBJECTIVES[20]. But anyway, the BXA infantry are at river's edge, ready to fire at the enemy riverines if they attempt passage.

Just to the west, BXA sampans and junks also withdraw (green arrows), off-map.

TURN #12

In the VNA Side A phase, in the northern sector:


More firefights at Xom Ong Keo. Later, two failed VNA assaults north of the town (left white circle).

To the east (large white ellipse), a clever (EAI) move by the VNA paratroopers (green arrows). The VNA have us surrounded! [Credit the EAI for that. That is not an explicitly SAI'ed tactical maneuver.]

And a surprise. To the north, VNA show up at the Military Post's doorstep (top white circle).

In the southeast sector:


East of Ap Do Hop, ignoring the firing at their flanks, the VNA marines cross the ford southward (white ellipse).

Along the Nga Ba Dong Tranh, the BXA C4/1st/2nd MMGs fire and miss, then fire again and score (lower white circle). Scratch another VNA rivercraft!

A bit further downstream, VNA riverines enter the inland waterway system (green arrows), heading towards Xom An Thit. Although the C2/1st/5th (yellow circle) refrain from opfiring, they are well positioned to cross the swamps and counterattack the enemy from the rear.

In the southwest sector:


At the upper right (white circle), VNA ground forces assault and capture the Military Post, eliminating the BXA RCLR there. Small loss.

At Ap Binh An (center white circle), the VNA overwhelm our snipers there. It's about time!

At the lower left Military Post (white ellipse), direct fire reduces the BXA Engineers. A failed assault nonetheless reduces the Engineers (and the Supply Cache) still more. At reduced strength and disrupted, both the Engineers and the Supply Cache are ripe to fall soon.

[Overall, the SAI'ed VNA forces did fairly well this phase. Things are looking up for the opposing side.]

In the BXA Side B phase...

In the northern sector, at Xom Ong Keo, the general firefight continues. The 1st/3rd Dac Cong Engineers suffer a 1 SP hit. But the BXA strikes right back, scoring SP hits on VNA units to the north and south of the town:


By the Suoi Nhum to the east, things go not quite so well. VNA paratroopers reduce by 1 SP the BXA C3/1st/3rd Rifle Company 3rd Platoon, then score 2 more SP hits, forcing the 2nd Platoon to retreat southward (green arrow). 2nd Platoon then occupies OBJECTIVES[24] to the northeast (green arrow).

BXA 50mm and 81mm Mortars at the Military Post target arty fire (crosshairs) at the VNA tormenters.

To the north, BXA units at the Military Posts direct fire at the approaching VNA (white ellipse), but without effect.

In the center, around Ap Do Hop, no movement, firing back and forth only, to no apparent effect:


To the southwest, at the Military Post (yellow circle), the 1st/5th Dac Cong Engineers are disrupted (as is the Supply Cache). When disrupted, units fire at reduced strength. Rather than shoot with unlikely effect and risk eliciting return opfire, the Engineers hold their fire.


To the east, the C4/1st/2nd MMGs fire at the nearby VNA rivercraft and cause a disruption (smaller white circle).

In the vicinity of Xom An Thit (larger white circle):

• The platoons of the C2/1st/5th Rifle Company follow (green arrow) the VNA Marines into the swamps.
• In and around the town, BXA forces off-load from junks and prepare for the imminent VNA attack (green arrows).
• Off to the side, BXA sampans move off-map (green arrows, turquoise Reach[H]able hex highlights) to go fetch reinforcements from the C3/1st/2nd Rifle Company.

The VNA regular infantry are doing generally well against light opposition in the western half. In the eastern half, the VNA Marines are about to blunder into a deadly trap. [Of course, with FOW, from its perspective, the enemy SAI would not know this.]

TURN #13

In the VNA Side A phase, at Xom Ong Keo, the VNA are pretty much stymied. More shooting, no apparent casualties, but one forced enemy retreat:


At the Suoi Nhum, two VNA assaults, two repulses (with just one of the two Damage Results shown):


Note where a VNA platoon (yellow circle) has blocked our escape route to the east. [Credit the EAI for that.]

At the map's north edge, an ill-advised VNA assault:


A lone platoon by itself attacking a fortified Military Post? Probably not a good idea.

To the southwest, a major VNA success:


The VNA capture another Objective, and eliminate an enemy Supply Cache in the bargain.

To the east, the VNA Marines are taking a beating:


"Watercraft unit Reduced by 1 [Disrupted]." But let's not forget their passengers. For every river transport blown out of the water, the Marines it carries are blown away too.

Back upriver, that lone VNA riverine (and passengers) did not move. I wonder why not?

In the BXA Side B phase...

In the northern sector, at Xom Ong Keo, the VNA position goes from bad to hopelessly worse:


The BXA Fire Support Company MMGs fire across the paddies, draw return opfire, forcing a retreat (green arrow; "VM MMG (S) Retreated").

Platoons of the BXA Tham Bao Recon Company then hit the VNA platoon north of the town wall with a murderous crossfire. First reducing the VNA platoon from 5 SP to 3 (magenta circle), then in one awful volley destroying it outright (top red circle). (Although it still shows in the screenshot, in fact it has now vanished from the map.)

At the town south quarter, the BXA C2/1st/3rd 3rd Platoon rake the VNA paratroopers cowering in fear just beyond the town wall, destroying another enemy platoon (bottom red circle).

To the east, around the Suoi Nhum, we destroy still another enemy platoon (red circle).

Note that in the case of every destroyed enemy unit, the Damage Results report "Unknown effects vs. unknown units". It is a mistake to think that generally means "No Effect". With Enhanced FOW, you don't know. If you are observant, and if the enemy SPs are not shown as '?', you might see the enemy SP figure go down, you might even see an enemy unit disappear entirely (in which case it is usually safe to assume unit destruction, if not retreat). When you see Damage Results "Unknown effects vs. unknown units", don't fret. It might obscure some very good news!

Those two hidden (to the enemy) BXA platoons lurking in the jungles to the south (yellow circles): I am itching to have them seize that undefended (?) VNA-won Objective to the north. But not just yet!

At and around Ap Do Hop, the VNA is faring a bit better. The BXA C2/1st/2nd fire at the passing enemy, but in each case return VNA opfire scores one then another SP hit, forcing both of the BXA platoons to retreat (green arrows).


At the Military Post, also at Ap Do Hop, the BXA defenders fire at the VNA Marines there. Repeated Damage Results of "Unknown effects vs. unknown units". Is that good or bad? With Enhanced FOW, and with the enemy platoon showing a Strength of '?', one way or the other, we simply don't know!

At the center west, the BXA 1st/5th Dac Cong Engineers fade away into the jungle (green arrow). In their weakened and Disrupted state, they are set to Weak Defend (yellow circle, Unit List sidebar), so they will more likely retreat if assaulted. Discretion is the better part of valor!


To the southeast, the battle is joined:


The BXA C1/1st/5th 2nd Platoon fires at the approaching VNA riverines, destroying one of them (including its passengers). The BXA Side B gains 10 EPs! (Right dialog box.)

The VNA riverines strike back, reducing 2nd Platoon by 1 SP (the magenta circled '5'), and disrupting it.

Upstream, the 1st & 3rd Platoons of the BXA C2/1st/5th blast the nearby VNA rivercraft, scoring 1 SP hit (magenta circle). "Watercraft unit Reduced by 1", 10 more BX Side EPs gained! (Left dialog box.)

At screenshot north edge, MMGs of the C4/1st/2nd Dai Doi Hoa Luc take aim at the crippled (?) VNA riverine, fire, and ... miss. "Watercraft unit No Effect" twice! How's that for good luck?!

Off to the northeast, the BXA C3/1st/2nd (yellow ellipse) is ready and waiting to reinforce. But not just yet!

Before we move on, I look around and observe:


A heretofore undetected battalion (?) sized force of VNA paratroopers (turquoise circle) has taken Ap Phuoc Hoa (OBJECTIVES[9], top green circle) and is poised to attack Ap Tay Khanh (OBJECTIVES[10] due south.

I also note where, on the other side of the Song Long Tau, some unseen enemy forces have captured Ap Binh Loi (OBJECTIVES[4]) and the Military Post (OBJECTIVES[12]) (bottom two green circles).

It seems that the VNA is having its way in the center west. Not much we can do about that, because our forces there are generally thin to nonexistent.

Those two hidden (to the enemy) BXA platoons lurking in the jungles to the south (yellow circles): I am itching to have them seize that undefended (?) VNA-won Objective to the north. But not just yet!

Those two platoons are detachments of the BXA C3/1st/1st Rifle Company (scattered yellow circles in the above screenshot). Shall I recall them, and redirect the 3rd Company to face this new threat coming from the west? Or should I pull back that westward most platoon, and have the entire company attack northward? I tend to think the latter, but we shall see.

In any case, I have reserve forces (C2/1st/1st) at Xom Man Hoa that I can sail down the Song Dong Tranh to fend off any VNA moves coming from the west. Apart from the VNA capturing Ap Tay Khanh, a foregone conclusion, there are no other high value or indeed any other objectives for the VNA to take in that sector, although our immobile supply dumps (dark blue circles) are concerning. The VNA path forward is tough going. Leave those VNA paratroopers be, let them get lost and wander about the swamps?

TURN #14

In the VNA Side A phase, at Xom Ong Keo, a bit of crossfire, nothing more.

To the north, at map's edge, a sideshow:


To the south, around the Suoi Nhum, two inconsequential failed assaults:


Our C3/1st/3rd Rifle Company is putting up a most valiant defense!

At Ap Tay Khanh:


Yup, looks like an entire VNA battalion for sure.

Elsewhere, further south, not much activity during this phase.

Our losses thus far:


But the VNA are suffering much worse:


Awful! Nine enemy rivercraft destroyed. Remember: Many of those riverines were passenger carrying. A rivercraft sinks, its passengers go down with it.

A terrible toll!

In the BXA Side B phase...

In the northern sector, at Xom Ong Keo, the battle is basically over. With two more platoons destroyed (red circles), the VNA paratroopers are virtually annihilated:


Elsewhere, lots of firing back and forth with uncertain effect.

Along the Song Dong Tranh, at Ap Tay Khanh, our snipers there twice aim, fire, and miss:


Over at Xom Man Hoa, I embark reinforcements and sail them down river (green arrows).

The C2/1st/1st (yellow circles) remain uncommitted.

In the vicinity of Ap Do Hop, we move to surround the enemy (green arrows). Terribly outnumbered, the enemy Marines don't stand a chance!


To the southeast, around Xom An Thit, much sound and fury apparently signifying nothing:


At the southwest, the 1st/5th Dac Cong Engineers, still disrupted and fatigued, rather than stand and fight and fire, drawing possible enemy opfire, they withdraw deeper into the swamp (green arrow).


Hopefully the VNA will ignore them.

TURN #15

In the VNA Side A phase, at Xom Ong Keo, the lone remaining VNA platoon fires into the town. What's the point of sticking around? The battle there is over. Run away!


To the north, at map's edge, the sideshow has become a main show. Note where the EAI has the VNA encircling the Military Post.


Over at the Suoi Nhum, superior force prevails.


At Ap Tay Khanh, another objective (OBJECTIVES[10]) falls to the VNA.


VNA Marines assault Ap Do Hop -- the town, not the Military Post. This is not SAI scripted. Credit the EAI for this. (The VNA are SAI scripted to attack the Military Post only.)


Down around Xom An Thit, BXA infantry then mortars fire at the approaching watercraft. Why those VNA river transports are not offloading their passengers, I can only guess.


Some successes for the VNA this turn, but some disasters await. All AOs considered, how well really are things going for the government side?

Acknowledging the obvious, this thread has not been updated in a very long time. There are other more pressing concerns, always.

Quite possibly bringing this thread to permanent closure, some parting reflections.

Here is the overall situation in the northern sector:


The BX Army has succeeded in busting the VNA attack on Xom Ong Keo (middle left turquoise ellipse). There are at least two appropriate responses to that setback.

One, the _3RD_5TH_PARACHUTE_COY_55_A_451 and _5TH_PARACHUTE_WEAPONS_COY_55_455 (upper turquoise ellipse) should abandon their assaults (iffy at best) on the northern Military Posts, OBJECTIVES[16] and OBJECTIVES[17], and backtrack to help defend Xom Ong Keo (upper green arrow).

Two, _1ST_PARACHUTE_BTN_55_A_169 (lower left green ellipse) should consider sending reinforcements to Xom Ong Keo (lower left green arrow). The attacks on Ap Phuoc Hoa and Ap Tay Khanh, OBJECTIVES[9] and OBJECTIVES[10], are going well enough. (Although, beforehand, how could we be confident of that?)

In the screenshot center, the _6TH_PARACHUTE_BTN_55_A_226 (middle right turquoise ellipse) will likely prevail around the Suoi Nhum and eventually take OBJECTIVES[24] there, then quite possibly go on to capture the Military Post, OBJECTIVES[25] to the near northeast. (OBJECTIVES[27] at Xom Ba Bong (2) is probably an objective too far.)

But there is a catch. At any time, the two BX Army platoons (yellow ellipse) can easily advance (small center green arrow) to recapture OBJECTIVES[15]. By the logic of the latest Side A VNA battle plan, this would force the _6TH_PARACHUTE_BTN_55_A_226 to call off its advance, and instead retreat to contest OBJECTIVES[15]. It is way too easy for the BX Army to upset the _6TH_PARACHUTE_BTN_55_A_226 attack sequence in this way. I really should have left behind one or two platoons garrisoning OBJECTIVES[15] to anticipate this obvious BX Army move.

The overall situation in the southern sector:


The current Side A VNA battle plan largely bases off the original text battle plan specified when this scenario was first created several years ago, when the CSEE/SAI was still a rough work-in-progress and its capabilities were untested. With actual scripting and testing, we can now see that, overall, the original and current Side A battle plan was/is way too ambitious.

It is way too ambitious to expect that a lone company, the _11TH_NAVAL_ASSAULT_GROUP_390, could hope to capture the Military Post at Ap do Hop (upper turquoise circle) singlehandedly.

It is madness to suppose that another lone company, the _10TH_NAVAL_ASSAULT_GROUP_379, could venture deep into the heart of enemy territory and capture, by itself, the Xom An Thit (Quang Xuyen) District Office complex and the collection of OBJECTIVES there.

No, better one or the other of these two alternatives:

One, detour west (lower green arrow) to assist in the attack on the Military Post.

Two, better still, only go so far as Ap Do Hop (upper green arrow; not a backtrack, just pointing to where the move should have stopped) to assist the _11TH_NAVAL_ASSAULT_GROUP_390 in assaulting that place. As is in this current playtest, we can see where the VNA taking the Ap Do Hop Military Post is next to hopeless. Indeed, the _11TH_NAVAL_ASSAULT_GROUP_390 is surrounded by two enemy companies and likely faces total destruction. 2:2 odds, two companies contesting two enemy companies, is much better odds than the current 1:2.

To the west, the VNA battle plan is well planned and well executed. Against light enemy opposition, the VNA is sweeping the field. (But how could we know that beforehand?)

My intention had been to let this playtest run to completion. Then back to the drawing board, revising the battle plans. Then playtest the Side A VNA vs. the SAI'ed Side B BX Army. Then back to the drawing board again, more revisions. Round and round it goes until we converge on, if not perfect, then good enough SAI'ed battle plans for both sides. This Rung Sat scenario is so rich with possibilities, the polishing could go on forever. When SAI'ing, you must know when to stop.

Stop here, pause here, we must. To be resumed again in future? Probably not, but never say never.

Even in its unfinished state, and together with the companion more technical thread

https://www.matrixgames.com/forums/view ... 0&t=383969

this AAR has been useful as an SAI primer. If you give all of this careful study, you have much material to get you started.

Thanks for reading.

Very gracious and thank you berto!!

Big Ivan (John)