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TURN #15

The VC fire at an ARVN unit defending just outside the Binh Gia town wall, forcing the Rangers to retreat back into town. The Enemy at the Gates! (Yellow circle, screenshot below.)

At the hotspot hex (green hex outline), the Viet Cong are setting up to capture the Objective at that place.

Taking advantage of gaps in the line and ARVN weakness in the area, the VC have sliced through the ARVN center (large yellow arrow). A clever AI move? Or suicidal? The VC might be wiser to deploy more units there.

Note that in the screenshot, I have selected Options > 3D Unit Bases > Standard. Not as fancy as the Alternate Bases, but it makes both sides' units easier to see.

The situation at the conclusion of the VC phase, at the start of the Turn #16, Side A ARVN phase (with the Highlight Low/Conserving Ammo highlights toggled ON; and with Options > Unit List > Display List, hotkey 'U', toggled OFF):

TURN #16

First, we deal with that Viet Cong incursion at our center. ARVN troops (yellow circles) assault, and ...



... no luck, the enemy are not dislodged.

We try our luck with the helicopter gunships. First one then the other circles around (yellow circle), fire (magenta circle), and ...



... score 2 SP hits. The Damage Results dialogs showed the usual "Unknown effects vs. unknown units". Still, by inspecting the game map we could see that the VC platoon's Strength was now reduced to 4.

Subsequent direct fire kills that damaged VC platoon outright.

Time now to do something about that VC "Enemy at the Gates" platoon just to the north of the Binh Gia town wall. We do a flanking assault from three different sides (yellow circles), and ...

... um, before we get to the results, in the map view two screenshots following, notice that the ARVN platoon assaulting from the southeast is Fatigued. Because Fatigued, its assault effectiveness is more or less cut in half, is around 50% of normal. Here is a snippet of game engine code (a peek inside the game's "black box"!):



As you can see, the AI_assault_attack_fatigued_effect defaults to 50. As an AAI parameter, it can be more or less than that default, depending on the quality of the nation's fighting forces etc. The ARVN are generally poor fighters, so (per the init.ai settings) their assault_attack_fatigued_effect value is likely less than 50. Conversely, given that the Viet Cong are generally excellent fighters, their assault_attack_fatigued_effect is likely greater than 50 (where the effect is the % of normal effectiveness; the higher the value, the closer it is to 100% effectiveness).

In other words, that Fatigued ARVN platoon assaulting from the southeast attacks at roughly half or less effectiveness. Too bad for that, but we need them to participate in order to attack from the other side, achieve the flanking effect, and add the bonus that provides.

(In the preceding code snippet, is that a lot of assault effects? You bet! Those are just a few of the over 150 AAI parameters set in the game's init.ai file, where each parameter is customized by nation, and more. In CSVN, there is lots going on under the hood! To mix metaphors, it's a very stuffed "black box"!)

Back to the action. The assault ...



... succeeds! Defenders captured, at no loss to the assaulting ARVN.

Elsewhere, the ARVN bolster their defense at the imperiled Objective east of town, direct fire at the enemy here and there, likely scoring some SP hits, and generally withdraw closer to Binh Gia.

It's time to commit a couple of airstrikes (yellow circles):



Finishing up: ARVN artillery target the VC at the Binh Gia north wall (crosshairs, screenshot following); and the Aviation HQ races south to the Binh Gia Airbase (off screen, not shown).

The situation at the conclusion of the Turn #16, Side A ARVN phase (with the Fired/Fought Units highlight toggled ON):



We haven't taken a peek at the Victory Dialog for quite a while. All of those successful ARVN assaults have taken their toll: 96 VC Side B SP losses (magenta highlight). We have to think the Viet Cong attack might be on the verge of petering out.

Our Total Points: 139. Currently a Draw, but in the end maybe we can eke out a Minor Victory (200 points)?

TURN #16

The Viet Cong probe Binh Gia's defenses, and to the northeast of the Cathedral breach the town wall (yellow circle, third screenshot following).

The main VC assault on their left (hotspot hex, screenshot following) fails to dislodge the ARVN defenders but does manage to Disrupt several of them:



After the conclusion of the VC phase, at the beginning of the ARVN phase, two ARVN A-1 Skyraiders pound the enemy (magenta circles). The second of the two airstrikes:



The situation at the start of the Turn #17, Side A ARVN phase:



At the hotspot hex (green hex outline), note where the three ARVN units Disrupted in the earlier assault have since then recovered, have undisrupted (see the Unit List).

The VC platoon isolated south of Binh Gia in the previous turn seem to have made their escape.

TURN #17

For the time being, I have switched to NATO style counters, and 2D. (This is actually my preferred style of game play.)

The ARVN and the VC trade fire along the Binh Gia north town wall. The VC are out in the open, while the ARVN are behind the walls, so the ARVN get the better of the exchanges.

The American Hogs (turquoise circle, screenshot following) fire one, then the other, at the VC just to their north (magenta circle). Although the Damage Results report "Unknown effects vs. unknown units", because the VC are out in the relative open (in Meadow hex), I can see where that VC platoon has been reduced by 3 SPs from Strength 4 down to 1.



To the east, the ARVN unleash a hail of bullets at the VC at their front with devastating effect (magenta circles):



Another volley finishes the job (magenta circle):



I commit another couple of airstrikes (two screenshots below). Note the use of [N]apalm.

You might be asking: Why is that aircraft list still so full? Didn't some of those aircraft already strike? Why are they not grayed out or removed from the list? It's because those Skyraiders are Multi-strike, can perform two missions rather than the usual one:



The situation at the end of the Turn #17, Side A ARVN phase (with the Fired/Fought Units highlights toggled ON):



Things are looking increasingly grim for the VC. Won't they ever quit? How much longer can they put up a fight?

TURN #17

The VC assail the ARVN Rangers north of the Cathedral but fail to dislodge them:



To the east, a second assault succeeds. The Viet Cong take another objective!



After conclusion of the Side B VC phase, at the start of the Turn #18, Side A ARVN phase, this Side A Command Report:



The American UH-1Cs are running low on fuel. I must get those Hogs back to base and refuel them.

Some welcome news:



Two more A-1 Skyraiders (only the second one shown, turquoise circle, screenshot following) drop napalm on the VC:



The situation at the beginning of the Turn #18, Side A ARVN phase (with Map Hints, hotkey '\', and Low/Conserving Ammo counter highlights, hotkey 'Y', toggled ON):



No, the VC show no sign of quitting!

TURN #18

Recall that in the turn's Side A Command Report (see preceding post), two aircraft units (green circle, screenshot following) were reported to be low on fuel. (The 'L' stands for Low flight zone, the '3' indicates turns until needed refueling.) I have moved the helicopters' resupply/refueling source(s) to the LZ hex at the Binh Gia Airfield (turquoise circle).



With resupply so near at hand, I can afford to keep the Gunship Hogs engaged at least one more turn. Which I do, shooting some VC just outside the Binh Gia north town wall. Fire mission accomplished, the helos retire and fly towards the Airfield.

To the east, the ARVN Marines pull back, but don't fire. Better to save their APs for possible opfire next phase.

The ARVN Rangers inside Binh Gia fire at, but do not assault, the VC inside the town.

All ARVN artillery are available this turn. I target their (delayed) indirect fire around the ARVN right of center.

The situation at the end of the Turn #18, Side A ARVN phase (with the Fired/Fought Units highlights toggled ON):



I summon the Victory Dialog. I have edged into Side A Minor Victory. The ARVN are doing fairly well.

Then I notice. What the heck?! That Objective hex at the west end of Binh Gia (yellow circle): How (and when) did the VC take it? There must be hidden enemy lurking about!

The predicament (with the on-map unit Concealment modifier #s toggled ON):



(-3 indicates high concealment, -1 is modest concealment, 0 is no effective extra concealment.)

Unnoticed by me, Ngai Giao (yellow circle) has fallen to the enemy.

High concealment terrain together with lack of friendly spotters in the area (and blocked LOS due to Villages) -- that explains how I would have missed observing Ngai Giao's earlier capture.

Is that other Objective to the east (turquoise circle) the next Objective to fall?

Worse, are there VC in the neighborhood ready to pounce on those weakly defending American supply trucks at Binh Gia Airfield?

I need to divert some ARVN Rangers to the defense of west Binh Gia pronto!

TURN #18

The Viet Cong are not finished with us, not by a long shot.

The VC assault and capture another neighborhood of Binh Gia town!



Surging forward, the VC attempt a second assault ...



... and fail to capture the Cathedral.

The VC shift units away from their left and towards the center.

After all Side B VC movement, the turn rolls over. ARVN artillery (turquoise circle, screenshot following) indirect fire, and ...



... hit their own guys! Friendly fire (at the magenta circle). Hey, who taught you how to shoot like that?

The situation at the start of the Turn #19, Side A ARVN phase:



The Viet Cong have captured another Objective hex (right yellow circle)!

I have to shift ARVN Rangers away from the stressed center and towards Binh Gia west. If I don't root out the infiltrating enemy, who knows what might happen? An attack at the Airfield? A collapsed center in any event?

TURN #19

Not knowing the size of the enemy forces there, I shift ARVN Rangers away from the center towards west Binh Gia.

It has been suggested that the ARVN Marines might try to advance on Quang Giao Plantation (fulfilling their original orders) and retake the Objectives there, perhaps even capture Ap Quang Giao. With this unexpected threat to Binh Gia, I give up any notion of heading eastward. No, protecting Binh Gia town is the highest priority. (Not to mention the ARVN cannot supply their forces that far away to the east.)

The American Gunship Hogs land at Binh Gia Airfield. None too soon, because at G1, they were within one turn of running out of fuel and forced landing wherever they happened to be. With VC in the vicinity, those at-ground helos, the supply trucks, and the Aviation Battalion HQ -- are they at risk? Yes, but what else can they do? Those helicopters must land and refuel, and there is nowhere else but there.

The ARVN direct fire at the enemy in the center. In one volley, they (turquoise circle) finish off a VC company (magenta circle), earning 25 EPs.

On their right, the ARVN Marines continue to retreat, but now with greater urgency.

The situation at the end of the Turn #19, Side A ARVN phase (with Map Hints, hotkey '\', toggled ON; and Fired/Fought Units highlights toggled ON):

TURN #19

West of the Hospital, the Viet Cong (yellow circle, screenshot following) fire at the approaching ARVN Rangers, thereby revealing their position:



At the center, the VC assault the Cathedral twice (yellow circles)



but fail to capture it.

The situation at the conclusion of the VC phase, at the start of the Turn #20, Side A ARVN phase:



Two VC platoons (yellow circles) are mucking about west Binh Gia, possibly more. Oh my!

TURN #20

The Gunship Hogs refuel at Binh Gia Airfield, and with 9 flight turns remaining are ready to re-enter the fray.



ARVN Rangers assault a VC platoon southwest of the Hospital, and despite a flanking attack and 4:1 odds in their favor ...



achieve nothing for their trouble (although we don't know the defender casualties, if any). (Note that the VC enjoy a +2 Morale boost for defending in that Village hex.) Subsequent direct fire also appears to have little effect.

The ARVN lay down a curtain of defensive fire in the center and force the enemy back.

On their right, the ARVN Marines continue their slow retreat.

Meanwhile, having supplied the American helicopters, the Supply Trucks and Aviation Battalion HQ retire northward, out of harm's way.

The situation at the conclusion of the Turn #20, Side A ARVN phase (with the Fired/Fought Units highlights toggled ON):

TURN #20

The surrounded VC platoon (yellow circle, screenshot following) makes its escape (green arrows). Clever SAI!

The Viet Cong reinforce around the Cathedral, but otherwise show little activity.

The situation at the conclusion of the VC phase, at the start of Turn #21, Side A ARVN phase (with the Low/Conserving Ammo Units highlights toggled ON):



Nightfall! Any new airstrikes are unavailable until dawn -- beyond the scope of this scenario, so effectively no more new airstrikes.

Can those American Gunship Hogs (turquoise circle) still fly around and engage? Why, yes they can!

TURN #21

ARVN Rangers assail the VC in the Objective hex west of the Hospital, and ...



Defenders overrun! Better still, we gain an additional 25 EPs for destroying another VC company!

ARVN Rangers trade fire with VC in the center. (It being night, notice all of the gun flashes.) One of our volleys gets lucky: Another VC company destroyed, another 25 EPs windfall.



After the earlier successful assault, leaving one platoon behind to garrison, the rest of the 4th/38th Rangers (turquoise circles, screenshot following) heads heads off to retake Ngai Giao.

On the ARVN right, Marines (green circle) move out to threaten a couple of VC held Objectives (yellow circles). The Gunship Hogs fire several volleys at the nearest of the two Objectives.

Better late than never, I order several platoons on the ARVN right to dig in.

The situation at the conclusion of the Turn #21, Side A ARVN phase (with the Fired/Fought Units highlights toggled ON):

TURN #21

In the Turn #21, Side B phase, the Viet Cong shift a couple of platoons towards the threatened Objective hex on their left (hotspot hex, screenshot following):



Note where I used Options > Map Contours > Widths to narrow the contours thickness. I also set Map Contours > Colors > Dark to soften their visual effect.

TURN #22

At Binh Gia's western district, ARVN Rangers retake Ngai Giao (turquoise circle, screenshot following).

The ARVN and VC trade fire back and forth all across the center. (Note all the gun flashes.)

ARVN Marines continue to edge eastward, threatening the two VC held Objectives (yellow circles) at the VC center left.

The Gunship Hogs get in a couple of shots.

The situation at the end of the Turn #22, Side A ARVN phase (with the Fired/Fought Units highlights toggled ON):



The Viet Cong are stymied. Not much more they can do.

TURN #22

Hidden Viet Cong mortars (yellow circle) indirect fire at ARVN Marines. A reminder that VC still lurk thereabouts and elsewhere.



That VC platoon at Binh Gia's western districts (left yellow circle, screenshot following) pesters the ARVN Rangers around Ngai Giao. The Rangers fire back.

And VC emerge from the jungles to the southeast (right yellow circle). Quite the surprise!

The situation at the conclusion of the Turn 22, Side B VC phase (and after any ARVN air/artillery strikes):

Thanks, I am enjoying your AAR, hope that you will do others.

Wait until you see the AAR that Jason plans to launch soon!

TURN #23

Despite it being night, an ARVN A-1 Skyraider slips in one final airstrike:



Ignoring the unexpected arrival of VC on the ARVN far right (bottom yellow circle, screenshot following), the 4th/4th Marines move boldly forward to take back the eastern Objective. Note how in so doing, the ARVN have now isolated the VC in that other Objective (upper yellow circle).



The American Gunship Hogs fire at the hidden enemy to the south (yellow circle following). Because it is night, the helicopters fire at half or so effectiveness. I later regret not having moved in to fire closer at one hex distance. Firing two hexes away in the darkness at an unseen enemy, probably those were wasted shots, most likely the helos didn't hit anything.



In Binh Gia, the firefights continue without apparent consequence.

The situation at the conclusion of the Turn #23, Side A ARVN phase (with the Fired/Fought Units highlights toggled ON):

Why am I getting fined EPs for not flying the attack helos off the board? It doesnt say anything about that in the mission statement...