Operation Utah

[Jason Petho]

https://ettubluto.wordpress.com/2023/08 ... d-tragedy/

An interesting article from Et Tu, Bruto about a couple scenarios included in Campaign Series Vietnam.

Jason Petho

[Jason Petho]

"This praise isn’t new but it may be worth reiterating – the more I’m in it the more I feel that CS: Vietnam may be the perfect match for Vietnam gaming, as hesitant as I was about that idea a couple of years ago. It’s small-scale enough to model reasonably-meaningful tactics and big enough to encompass the full scope of a multi-day operation. Looking at scenarios like Alabama Ticks/Tightening the Noose, I am amazed with the size of the “board” (despite it not being particularly unique among the scenarios I’ve already played). It brings onto its map (helicopter) airfields, fire support bases, and reinforcement staging areas in ways that have typically been abstracted in tactical-level games – and with that inclusion brings an increased level of engagement."

[MarechalJoffre]

"In Vietnam, support – from helicopter transport, gunships, fixed wing aircraft, and “off-board” artillery – was the critical factor in America’s/ South Vietnam’s lopsided victories in battle. CS: Vietnam continues to get this right. "

I think this is why (among other reasons!) CS:VN is the best Vietnam wargame I've played. Very rarely (if ever?) do digital wargames get this aspect of Vietnam War right.

As an example Squad Battles titles set in Vietnam, while making for a fun time, feel very lackluster in terms of battlefield support. Gunships and artillery are not the outcome deciding factors as they were during the actual war. So you get infantry slugfest in most scenarios and US/ARVN & VC/PAVN casualties end up being very close to each other. At least in my experience.

In CS:VN proper usage of gunships and artillery is absolutely essential and is often the deciding factor for whether you win or lose the scenario. Ever since I got better at managing my Hogs and Snakes, I've been getting more lopsided victories than ever before. Very enjoyable and historically accurate, indeed.