Silver Lions Campaign - May 1985

[DoubleDeuce]

OK, I have played around in the Scenario Editor enough to consider myself slightly dangerous and decided to take the full campaign design plunge cause stand alone scenario's just don't do it for me. [:D]

So . . . the plan for this thread is to solicit feedback and design tips from those who have gone before me and help me get a better grip on this game engine. When I have questions on how to make something work or set something up I will try to post it here and then, anyone with recommendations or ideas is free to comment to include highly uninformed opinions which hopefully will further encourage me to test the limits of this game engine.

Also, I will try to leave out any spoiler information that may compromise the campaign for players once its all packaged up ad ready to go but I can't promise some things wont slip out.

For those of you WinSPMBT players out there who may recognize the campaign name, this campaign is intended to be based on the Silver Lions Campaign I created for that game BUT on a larger scale. Rather than focusing on D Co 2/68 Armor this one is expected to include the full 2nd Battalion, 68th Armor Battalion/Task Force. HOWEVER, since I am old, my mind is not what it once was, I will need to try and replicate the actual TF TO&E from memory, supplemented by contacting my old tanker buddies. [8D]


- - - -
PRELIMINARY CORE ORDER OF BATTLE

TASK FORCE 2/68 ARMOR
2nd Brigade, 8th Infantry Division
Baumholder, Federal Republic of Germany

Headquarters, 2nd Battalion, 68th Armor Regiment
[ol]HHC/2/68 AR
2x M60A3 (TTS)
4x M557A2 CSV
4x Headquarters
5x M151 Jeep 4x4[/ol]
Scout Platoon, 2nd Battalion, 68th Armor Regiment
[ol]HQ/SCT/2/68 AR
2x M113 ACAV
2x Cavalry Scout
A/SCT/2/68 AR
2x M113 ACAV
2x Cavalry Scout
B/SCT/2/68 AR
2x M113 ACAV
2x Cavalry Scout
AT/SCT/2/68 AR
2x M901[/ol]
Mortar Platoon, 2nd Battalion, 68th Armor Regiment
[ol]HQ/MTR/2/68 AR
1x M557A2 CSV
MTR/2/68 AR
6x M106A2[/ol]
Team Alpha, 2nd Battalion, 68th Armor Regiment (Tank Pure)
[ol]HQ/A/2/68 AR
2x M60A3 (TTS)
1x M113A1
1/A/2/68 AR
4x M60A3 (TTS)
2/A/2/68 AR
4x M60A3 (TTS)
3/A/2/68 AR
4x M60A3 (TTS)[/ol]
Team Bravo, 1st Battalion, 13th Infantry Regiment (Infantry Pure)
[ol]HQ/B/1/13 IN
4x M113A1 [m]
1x Headquarters
1x Heavy MG
1/B/1/13 IN
4x M113A1 [m]
4x Mechanized Rifle
1x Heavy MG
1x Dragon
2/B/1/13 IN
4x M113A1 [m]
4x Mechanized Rifle
1x Heavy MG
1x Dragon
3/B/1/13 IN
4x M113A1 [m]
4x Mechanized Rifle
1x Heavy MG
1x Dragon
AT/B/1/13 IN
2x M150 [m]
MTR/B/1/13 IN
2x M125A1[/ol]
Team Charlie, 1st Battalion, 13th Infantry Regiment (Infantry Heavy)
[ol]HQ/C/1/13 IN
4x M113A1 [m]
1x Headquarters
1x Heavy MG
1/D/2/68 AR
4x M60A3 (TTS)
2/C/1/13 IN
4x M113A1 [m]
4x Mechanized Rifle
1x Heavy MG
1x Dragon
3/C/1/13 IN
4x M113A1 [m]
4x Mechanized Rifle
1x Heavy MG
1x Dragon
AT/C/1/13 IN
2x M150 [m]
MTR/C/1/13 IN
2x M125A1[/ol]
Team Delta, 2nd Battalion, 68th Armor Regiment (Tank Heavy)
[ol]HQ/D/2/68 AR
2x M60A3 (TTS)
1x M113A1
1/C/1/13 IN
4x M113A1 [m]
4x Mechanized Rifle
1x Heavy MG
1x Dragon
2/D/2/68 AR
4x M60A3 (TTS)
3/D/2/68 AR
4x M60A3 (TTS)[/ol]
FIST Detachment, A Battery, 4th Battalion, 29th Field Artillery Regiment
[ol]FIST/A/4/29 FA
1x M981A1 FIST-V[/ol]
Detachment of C Battery, 1st Battalion, 59th Air Defense Artillery Regiment
[ol]VUL/2/C/1/59 ADA
2x M163A2 Vulcan
STI-A/2/C/1/59 ADA
1x M151 Jeep 4x4
1x Stinger
STI-B/2/C/1/59 ADA
1x M151 Jeep 4x4
1x Stinger[/ol]
3rd Platoon, B Company, 12th Combat Engineer Battalion
[ol]3/B/12 ENG
4x M113A2
3x Mechanized Rifle
1x Medium MG
1x Dragon[/ol]
GSR Detachment, C Company, 108th Military Intelligence Battalion
[ol]GSR/C/108 MI
1x M557 AOP GSR[/ol]

[DoubleDeuce]

First off will be a relatively small/easy scenario mainly for orientation and get things rolling. With ASP 4 near Baumholder having been vaporized by a missile strike, the Battalion Task Force will move east across the Main River and secure a large re-arming/staging area for the rest of 2nd Brigade, 8th ID. Enemy heliborne forces have been inserted deep in the FRG at key points along likely routes of advance to disrupt reinforcements from reaching the US troops trying to hold the line near Fulda.

[Mad Russian]

1)How many scenarios in the campaign?

2) Baumholder was neutralized by a nuclear strike or a chemical strike?

3) You will have to have in the first scenario all the core units you want the campaign to track and bring forward. Get those either on the map or have them arrive in a timely manner before the scenario ends. Sometimes that means playtesting the scenario to see how long it will 'normally' run before setting some of your units as reinforcements. If it is a death defying, have to have every man's rifle on board fight then not a problem. If it's a slower paced battle then you need to find out how much time you have. I would start with a 10 hour fight limit and see how long that works out for you.

Good Hunting.

MR

[DoubleDeuce]

ORIGINAL: Mad Russian

1)How many scenarios in the campaign?

I am hoping maybe 10-11.

2) Baumholder was neutralized by a nuclear strike or a chemical strike?

I am leaning towards conventional. ASP 4 where we had our ammo stored had a pretty good AA Defense setup (HAWK batteries) but nothing to really stop missiles, conventional or otherwise. The bunkers were not really well hardened IMHO, concrete, rebar and dirt but not underground, at least not for the majority of stuff. The concept will be to use conventional that far west so in case there are any 'overlines' they wont nuke or gas the French, at least not until it becomes necessary.

3) You will have to have in the first scenario all the core units you want the campaign to track and bring forward. Get those either on the map or have them arrive in a timely manner before the scenario ends. Sometimes that means playtesting the scenario to see how long it will 'normally' run before setting some of your units as reinforcements. If it is a death defying, have to have every man's rifle on board fight then not a problem. If it's a slower paced battle then you need to find out how much time you have. I would start with a 10 hour fight limit and see how long that works out for you.

I have most of the BN TF added in now and have been playtesting AI vs AI mainly to determine how long it takes them to get to all of the VL and have time to maneuver if needed. They have M113's and M60's so its not like they can make good time, even without being shot at. [:D]

[Mad Russian]

Good. For your first scenario pretty straight forward. No fall out or contamination issues.

Sounds like you are on the right track to me. If you need playtesting eyes on it let us know. We'll do what we can to help.

Good Hunting.

MR

[JohnOs]

Hi DD,

If you need any help, let me know.

JohnO

[DoubleDeuce]

Heya John. Will do. Been digging out some of the old info you sent me back when I was doing WinSPMBT stuff. Should save me a ton of time from having to research stuff all over gain.

What's great is, all but one of the locations I used in the scenarios for the WinSP campaign are covered by the maps in FC:RS so my briefing are pretty mush fleshed out except for the main force size. [:D]

[JohnOs]

I had at one time the program that Mad Russian used to make the maps, Hex Draw, long story short lost it. Had to buy a another copy of it. If need a map let me know and will try to make one.

[JohnOs]

Not sure at what all I sent to you a long time ago, not sure you have this. Take a look at it. I use this when building scenarios using Soviet forces.

Soviet Forces TO&E 1980 - 1989

[DoubleDeuce]

I think I have the demo (un-purchased) copy of HexDraw on my HD somwewhere. I may have to get it back out and see what I can do.

[DoubleDeuce]

Ok, I have updated the 1st post in this thread with my "DRAFT" Core Force for the campaign. I still need to confirm some research and tweak it but for the most part, it should be about set. At some point it may include the combat support units, medics and mechanics, but for now, its a start.

[Mad Russian]

DD, I didn't see anything about FPC on your blog. What am I missing?

Good Hunting.

MR

[DoubleDeuce]

ORIGINAL: Mad Russian

DD, I didn't see anything about FPC on your blog. What am I missing?

Haven't added anything yet. Been too busy playing, writing scenario briefs and messing with the editor. Guess I better get on it. [8D]

[Mad Russian]

ROFL....not a problem. Everything has it's own time.

Was just heading over there to look at what you have.

Good Hunting.

MR

[DoubleDeuce]

Posted the general FC:RS info and link on my blog. Hope to have some more material soon.

[DoubleDeuce]

I am pretty sure that the first scenario of the campaign is ready, less some last minute changes. I have played it so many times my eyes are crossed and I am not sure I can run through it another time without going crazy.

What I need are a couple people to playtest it for me and provide some feedback so I can get some other eyes on it before tweaking and moving to the next scenario (and finish up some playtesting I'm doing for others). The scenario is not too big, you can find the Player OOB (Battalion Task Force) in the first post of this thread.

Anyway, here is the Scenario Information . . . .

THE BALLOON GOES UP!

US vs Soviet
US Advance
Best Played: US vs AI

Near Alzenau, Federal Republic of Germany
May 9, 1985
Length: 9 Hours
Scenario Size: Medium

WW3 has finally erupted between NATO and the Warsaw Pact. As Pact aircraft begin the attack, NATO ground forces initiate their "General Defense Plans".

According to SOP many NATO units do not keep all their vehicles fully uploaded with fuel and ammunition while in garrison. This means they need to move to pre-positioned storage facilities where the fuel and ammunition are stored.

Unfortunately, this strategy is well know to Soviet warplanners and through the use of limited missile strikes, most of the facilities have been destroyed or severely damaged. This means that US Forces will need to finish resupply along the way forward to the front as the situation allows.


- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

And here is the abbreviated Mission Briefing . . . .

Your unit, 2nd Battalion, 68th Armor (Silver Lions) is currently organized as mixed Tank/Mechanized Infantry Task Force (TF 2/68 AR). For this operation, TF 2/68 AR has been assigned as the Advance Guard for 2nd Brigade, 8th Infantry Division. Your mission is to move to and secure the area to be used as the Brigade's forward resupply point in the vicinity of Neuces. Fortunately, your TF was able to fully upload prior to the Soviet missile strikes against ASP 4 outside of Baumholder, however, the rest of the Brigade was not so lucky. For this reason it is imperative that you are able to secure the wooded area South of Neuces to be used as a resupply point for the rest of the Brigade. You must also secure the routes leading into the resupply area at Gondsroth, Horbach and Niedersteinbach.

In addition to securing the resupply point and surrounding area, engage and destroy any enemy forces encountered.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

If interested, shoot me a PM and I will send you the file.

[Mad Russian]

I have to finish a project that is due before the 20th of the month. I have exactly 10 days left. After that I could playtest for you if you like.

Good Hunting.

MR

[Jamm]

Hey DD,
If you're making some new maps for your campaign, I can do up some .pngs.
Give me a shout.

[DoubleDeuce]

ORIGINAL: Jamm

Hey DD,
If you're making some new maps for your campaign, I can do up some .pngs.
Give me a shout.

Luckily all the areas I need are already covered. Not sure I'm up to doing any maps for this game just yet.

[DoubleDeuce]

ORIGINAL: Mad Russian

I have to finish a project that is due before the 20th of the month. I have exactly 10 days left. After that I could playtest for you if you like.

No rush yet, just throwing it out there so after the 20th would be ok. Hoping to get another set of eyes or two the look it over and run through it while I start working the structure of the other scenarios. I have changed this first one and played it so many times I'm getting burnt out.