Gary vs Timetanker The rematch

[Gary Tatro]

December 1948 India/SU (Timetanker) begins massive push inland to provide a buffer zone of defense for ongoing landings. Initial Landings in Western Australian in the Gascoyne Region take the Aussies by total surprise. Indeed the landings are almost totally unopposed. Landings occured at Carnarvon, Denham in Shark's Bay, and Kalbarri.

The Indian 251st Armored Brigade 1st Armored Division accompanied by the 14 Prince of Wales' Cavalry landed on a bright December 1st morning with ease. The 2/6 Ghurka Rifles of the 43 Lorry Brigade were also involved in this Amphibious Assault and in the push inland. After collecting the local weaponry and establishing a rear guard, Units of the 251st began to push inland towards Meekatharra.

Information was at first sketchy as to the prescence of Soviet Advisors amongst the Indian Units. But, it soon became apparent that there were more than a few Advisors. Soviet Artillery and Elite Units began to make their prescence known almost from the start. And, as the 251st approached Meekatharra on the main North South freeway of Western Australia; Australian and Allied RDF(Gary) forces came face to face for the first time.

Dawn, visibilty 20, 30 turns (might not need that long but, just to be safe), all realism except C&C. 2 A/C India, 250 Mines Allies. Special Forces allowed. Artillary 1200 max both sides.

[TimeTanker]

The map is a large map of North Africa with a few changes in the Editor to make it resemble the area around Meekatharra (GAscoyne Junction). This is the area just inland from the huge bay which I believe is called Shark's Bay. This is the Gascoyne Region of Western Australia which borders the Indian Ocean.

Just to forestall any of you Veterans out there. This is definitely NOT an original idea of mine. I saw this as a scenario on "Fabio's Site" and thought it to be very imaginative. So I thought I would use it for my self.

There is in reality a main north south highway that runs about 50 to 100 miles inland from the bay and from Carnarvan, which is on the coast. This highway runs through Gascoyne which from the pictures I saw is little more than a "Petrol Stop". There are a number of streams running through the area and it's climate is similar to what we have here in Northern California. Dry Summers and reasonable winters.

Gary's description came from an academic site on the web that was discussing the history of India's Armored Divisions. So the names are correct for 1948. The author of the article did not give the Indian Military leadership much credit for "Imagination".

Let's hope that I fare better......

[TimeTanker]

The forward recon elements of the combined Indian/Russian invasion force ran into US Rangers dug in to the Gascoyne countryside and sustained heavy casualties.

Lots of smoke precedes the massive combined might of the Great and Honorable Indian and Russian forces.

[Gary Tatro]

We have made contact with the enemy along a broad front. A tremendous abount of smoke and fast motorcyle units as lead elements. Not much to report. Will let you know how the situation breaks down in a minute.

[TimeTanker]

Have taken sporadic long distance pot shots in the center of the line. Moving quickly to get across the larger than I thought map.....

This portion of the Australian West Coast is particularly jumbled. There is a hodge podge of swamp and arid areas. Streams fight to make their way amongst asymetrical landforms. Which make for strange lines of sight.

The majority of VH's are in the Southeast portion of the map where most of the uneven terrain is. Which should make for an easily defensible area.

But, we shall see if Shiva will smile on our endeavor this day.

[Gary Tatro]

Situation report coming in. Enemy units continue to move forward along the fronts. More smoke with each move forward. Not much else to report except for one of our VAMPIRES located an artillary park in the back field of the enemy and droped oh a couple of 1000 pound BOOMS on it. He He Bet that will wake them up.

On another note. Timetanker I went looking for my reienfocement hexes and noticed that they are behind your forces. IE. they are on the left side of the map. Now I would really enjoy calling in about three companies of Rangers back there but I do not think that that would be fair play. So since calling in reinforcements is kind of out for me I would like to suggest that we play the game with only our starting forces. This kind of puts a little crimp in my strategy(was waiting to see what you were going to bring against me before I called reienforcements) but hey I am flexible.

[TimeTanker]

I put them behind your start lines.....

Very Strange.

Does anyone know why they named them Vampires?

Ok, it's just the starting forces. No problem. Next time perhaps we can play one of your scenarios. It will be most likely not as sloppily designed.

[TimeTanker]

So far this is an artillery duel. And, with that Vampire you seem to have the range pretty well.

Amazing the recon abilities of an Air Strike.

Turn was sent. Still only smoke and preparatory Arty.

[Gary Tatro]

Some poor 17 pound ATG and a couple of infantry decided to stay out in the open and a Quad 50 AAMG moved them down like Scicle cutting wheat. Rather neat and satisfing to watch.
In the orchard a Mine tank decided to stop close to a couple of Rangers so the Rangers went for a little stroll, walked up to the Mine tank and blew it to smitheriens.
In the Northern section of the map tanks and heavy troop concentrations continue to move forward. That is all to report so far.
Good work son. Keep at and we will have these Towel heads running for home soon enough.

[TimeTanker]

Watching your men get decimated like that on the replay is rough.

Moving ahead using as much smoke as possible to be in position to engage the allied forces that seem to have dug themselves in quite well.

Those Quad 50's are a horrible thing to run into out in the middle of a field with nothing to hide behind but the turban on your head. Actually saw a couple of soldiers trying to climb up inside their turbans when the mg rounds started impaciting around them.

Back to you.

[Gary Tatro]

Killed a tank. Shot some bad guys. Ploted artillary and air.

[Gary Tatro]

Killed another tank, destroyed some half tracks, shot some more bad guys and ploted more artillary.

[TimeTanker]

Some of my Ghurkas are questioning whether we are really in Australia. They have so far only fought American Rangers and the silhouettes of quad 50 AA emplacements.

Managed to drop my Airborne Company directly into a network of about 10 Quad 50 AA emplacements. Any one want to take bets on how many AB troops are still there when I get my turn back.

Hey Rokondo, how do I do one of those Poll thingy's?.....

[Gary Tatro]

Quad 50's ---- 20

Air Drops -------0

My Indian friend do not worry about though's AB troops they have all gone to Alah. Your air drop brings me back to the hay days of when I was fighting Commander Hellcat and he performed a 3 company air drop. Needless to say two turns latter all his AB troops were gone. I have the same feeling now as I did then.
Give up my friend. You should have gone north instead of south. You know your Russian friends have many more resources then we do. Your air drop is in ruins, your tank force is completly suppressed, your artillary parks are being bombarded each round. It is over. Go back to you overcroweded home land. Fight some other towel heads and leave the Outback to the real men in the world.

[Capt. Pixel]

Ouch!

[TimeTanker]

Not kidding. Out of an entire company of Indian Air Borne and two platoons of Soviet Para's there are only less than 10 squads left. The rest are all toast......er Sushi.

That has got to go on the record books somewhere for the most unfortunate choices to have an Air Drop.

[Gary Tatro]

Heavy tank movement and infantry movement all allong the front. It looks like they were trying to cordinate with the air drop.
Thank god for the good visibility today son or we would be up to our A** in Towel heads before we new it. At least now we can try to pick them off at a distace. Give me the report. Ahh I see we lost some Rangers but took out another 3 tanks and some more of there infantry.
Well keep concentrating our artillary on their two artillary parks and we will do ok. Good work son.

[Gary Tatro]

Your tanks seem to explode very well. Shall we continue our dance or shall you recognize my supperior forces and retreat with your tail between your legs. I am sorry to say you lost another platoon of tanks that round. I think the tally is AFV losses for you 12 to my 1 thats right 1 -- 17 pound gun.

[Gary Tatro]

about being an aggressor. Patience is a key to victory that I am afraid that you do not have. So come and fight on. We will show you what we can do.

[Gary Tatro]

Are you still out there? What happened? Busy? Vacation? Have not heard from you in a while? Timetanker? Anyone? Anyone?