Sneak Peeks, Coming Attractions, Works-In-Progress

[Jason Petho]

Campaign Series Vietnam: ALPHA Graphics: SCENARIO DESIGN
New scenario:

The Tide Changes - Battle of My Tho, Day 2

1 February, 1968
[My Tho, Dinh Tuong Province, South Vietnam]: [H2H/SIDE A][HIS][CSL]: Even though My Tho was still occupied by the infiltrated Viet Cong units, the B/3rd/60th US Infantry did have some success during their counterattack and managed to secure the western edges of the city. The 2nd/11th ARVN Infantry had managed to secure the northern routes out of My Tho, trapping the Viet Cong within the city. The Viet Cong had taken the opportunity to dig into their positions throughout the night, securing as many city blocks as possible before the sun rose, where they knew they would be harassed by the gunships of the Seawolves. As Dong Tam was just to the west of My Tho, and also the home base of the Mobile Riverine Force, Task Force 117 transported the remainder of the 3rd/60th and 3rd/47th US Infantry along the My Tho River towards the battlefield. The tide of the battle changed as both battalions landed on the southern edge of My Tho, securing a beachhead with the support of the Seawolves gunships overhead. With beachheads secure, the two battalions began the tedious task of clearing the city. Bitter house to house fighting would befall the two battalions as they advanced from their bridgeheads, all the while the 2nd/11th ARVN Infantry was attempting to clear the city from the north. The fighting would continue all day before the city was finally back in allied hands, many Viet Cong were killed or captured although some were able to escape the encirclement. [ALL][CSEE, Variable Objectives][1.00]

[Jason Petho]

Campaign Series Vietnam: ALPHA Graphics: SCENARIO DESIGN
New scenario:

Upsetting the Peace - Battle of Ben Tre

31 January, 1968
[Ben Tre, Kien Hoa Province, South Vietnam]: [H2H/SIDE A][HIS][CSL]: The capital of the island province of Kien Hoa, Ben Tre was a small city nestled along the Ben Tre River. The province was surrounded by water, with no bridge links to any of the neighbouring provinces. With its isolation and excellent terrain, the province had been a hotbed for the insurgency since the early 1960’s, the countryside being dominated by Viet Cong forces. Despite the heavy VC presence in the Kien Hoa Province countryside, Ben Tre itself was relatively peaceful just months before Tet. The city had remained undamaged by the war, with many buildings with stucco facades and red tile roofs. The situation would change dramatically on 31 January, when the Viet Cong decided to seize this symbolically important city. Protecting the area was two ARVN Battalions from the 7th Infantry Division and U.S. Advisors and CIA personnel at the MACV compound, surrounded by a 10-foot masonry wall, in the middle of the city. At 0415, the D518 Main Force and D516 Local Force battalions began their attack on Ben Tre. By the end of the day, the Viet Cong would dominate the city, with only a few isolated pockets and the MACV Compound remaining in allied hands. It would be the heavy fire from PBR’s, naval gunfire support from the LST Harnett County, helicopter gunships and air support, including an AC47, that would hold the Viet Cong at bay, offering a chance of survival for the defenders. [ALL][CSEE, Variable Objectives][1.00]

[Jason Petho]

Campaign Series Vietnam: ALPHA Graphics: SCENARIO DESIGN
New scenario:

Destroying Ben Tre - Battle of Ben Tre, Day 2

1 February, 1968
[Ben Tre, Kien Hoa Province, South Vietnam]: [H2H/SIDE A][HIS][CSL]: Most of the city of Ben Tre under Viet Cong control while only a few isolated pockets of the remnants of the 4th/11th ARVN Battalion and the MACV Compound were waiting for relief after a day and night of defending their positions. Relief came at dawn with the arrival of the first reinforcements, the U.S. B/3rd/39th and B/2nd/39th Infantry combat assaulted on the western outskirts of Ben Tre and fought their way towards the MACV Compound. As the day progressed, the rest of the 3rd/39th Infantry was flown into the western side of Ben Tre while the 2nd/39th Infantry combat assaulted to the east. The plan was for both battalions to advance into the city and clear it of Viet Cong. Unfamiliar with urban warfare, the 3rd/39th Infantry fought a slow, house-by-house advance, until it stalled near the main highway on the eastern edge of the city unable to advance further and link up with its sister battalion. The 2nd/39th Infantry encountered a battalion-size force of Viet Cong, forcing it to move from its landing zones to the northern edge of the city. Air support was called in on the eastern portion of the city with seven sorties going into one eight-block area. These strikes broke up enemy formations and forced the Viet Cong to flee across open rice fields, where they were attacked by helicopter gunships, artillery, and fixed-wing strikes. During the course of the battle, 5,000 homes would eventually be destroyed by fires started from tracer rounds and the ravages of the battle. An Australian reporter working for the Associated Press claimed that in describing the battle, the Army officer said to him that “it became necessary to destroy the town to save it.” [ALL][CSEE, Variable Objectives][1.00]

[Jason Petho]

Campaign Series Vietnam: ALPHA Graphics: SCENARIO DESIGN
New scenario:

To Hit or Run - Battle of Tan An

10 February 1968
[Tan An, Long An Province, South Vietnam]: [H2H/SIDE A][HIS][CSL]: While fighting from the initial Tet Offensive attacks were still raging in some places, many of the areas had come back under control of the Allied forces. Forty-seven kilometres southwest of Saigon, Tan An was the political, cultural, economic, scientific and technological center of Long An province. It was also the gateway to the Mekong Delta with the main river and road traffic of Highway QL4 and TL22 passing through via the bridge that crossed the Vam Co Tay River. The U.S. 3rd Brigade established an artillery base to the west of Tan Am, while the remainder of the area was defended by a Regional Force Battalion and National Police. The combination of the above made Tan An a prime target for an attack and in the early hours of February 10th, the Viet Cong started their mortar barrage on the American base. The reinforced K-3 Viet Cong Local Force battalion began their assaults on the base and Tan An at 0330, with the Military Posts, District Office, Police Station and the QL4 bridge across the Vam Co Tay River as the primary targets. Fighting became bitter and intense, with reinforcements arriving from around the area, including a Troop from the ARVN 10th Armoured Cavalry Squadron, the Viet Cong forces needed to decide if they were going to stay or fight. [ALL][CSEE, Variable Objectives][1.00]

[Andrea G]

What's a Ruff-Puff Bn? [:D]

[Jason Petho]

Slang for a Regional Force Battalion [;)]

[Jason Petho]

Campaign Series Vietnam: ALPHA Graphics: SCENARIO DESIGN
New scenario:

At the End of a Barrel - Battle of Xuan Loc

1st February 1968
[Xuan Loc, Dong Nai Province, South Vietnam]: [H2H/SIDE A][HIS][CSL]: East of Bien Hoa and Long Binh along Highway 1 was the strategic crossroads town of Xuan Loc, the capital of Dong Nai Province. Due to its strategic location, the town was defended by the 1st/43rd and 2nd/43rd ARVN Battalions, two Regional Force companies and the 3rd/5th ARVN Cavalry Squadron. The U.S. 54th Artillery Group was also based north of the Xuan Loc Airfield, to the south of the town. While the battle for the Bien Hoa airfield and Long Binh Post were still raging the Viet Cong D440 battalion had finished their preparations for an attack on the facilities of Xuan Loc. Unfortunately, from the early morning hours of February 1st, numerous reports of enemy activity indicated that an attack on Xuan Loc was imminent. Reports of Viet Cong movement and actual sightings caused many local people to leave their rural homes and flock to Xuan Loc. By the mid-afternoon, all forces in Xuan Loc were placed on red alert status. At 1550 the first attacks were made on Xuan Loc from the southeast and southwest of the city. The D440 battalion attacks were directed at the Province Headquarters, 18th ARVN Division headquarters, the headquarters and base camps of the 43rd ARVN Regiment and against the 54th US Artillery Group and the 2/35th Artillery compounds. Mutual support between compounds, particularly by mortar and artillery fire, was highly effective in stopping the Viet Cong assaults. Howitzers of C/1st/83rd Artillery fired in close support to halt several attacks, direct fire by howitzers being used on numerous occasions. The fighting continued throughout the afternoon and evening, with a final assault attempted in the middle of the night. [ALL][CSEE, Variable Objectives][1.00]

[Jason Petho]

Campaign Series Vietnam: ALPHA Graphics: SCENARIO DESIGN
New scenario:

The Second Wave - Battle of Song Be

February 18, 1968
[Song Be, Phouc Long Province, South Vietnam]: [H2H/SIDE A][HIS][CSL]: While much of the initial Tet offensive fighting had subsided, COSVN had ordered a second wave of attacks to proceed on the night of February 17th/18th. Intended to be as strong as the first wave of attacks, the second wave consisted of ten ground attacks and fifty-seven attacks by fire; rocket, artillery or direct fire. The heaviest fighting of the second wave occurred in the northwest area of III Corps at Song Be. Five companies of the D211 and D212 Viet Cong Battalions launched an assault on the city in the early morning hours, attacking various targets throughout the city. The ARVN 2nd/8th Infantry was securing the city, and the various outposts around, when the attack started. To the west, at the military installation and military airfield was the ARVN 31st Ranger Battalion and an artillery battery. The ARVN 31st Ranger Battalion immediately counterattacked with a couple of companies, securing the western approaches to the city. The U.S. 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division was conducting security operations northeast of Song Be when the city came under attack and sent a reaction force to assist the ARVN Rangers. Consisting of B/2nd/17th Cavalry (Air) and B/1st/506th Infantry, the airmobile force set up blocking positions to the east of the city while the Rangers pushed into the city, sweeping the Viet Cong towards the U.S. reaction force. [ALL][CSEE, Variable Objectives][1.00]

[Jason Petho]

Campaign Series Vietnam: ALPHA Graphics: SCENARIO DESIGN
New scenario:

Tic Toc, Tic Toc - Battle of Quang Ngai

January 31, 1968
[Quang Ngai, Quang Ngai Province, South Vietnam]: [H2H/SIDE A][HIS][CSL]: The city of Quang Ngai is hemmed between the Tra Khuc and Ve Rivers. The old city had been demolished by the Viet Minh in the early months of the Indochina War in 1947, but was rebuilt in the wake of the Geneva Settlement in 1954. Astride Highway 1, connecting Hanoi and Saigon, the rebuilt city contained a large business section lined with offices and concrete shops lining highway, but was smaller than the original An airfield to the west of the city which could accommodate medium sized transport planes was also the location of the 2nd ARVN Division Training Centre. Defended by the battalions of the ARVN 4th Infantry Regiment, with Regional and Popular Force units and the 1st/4th APC Squadron, the units had learned from past experiences with the 1967 Christmas and 1968 New Year truce being blatantly violated. By the time the attacks came, most of the battalions were up to their full strength after the soldiers being granted leave being called back, with 2nd/4th at the airfield, 3rd/4th in Quang Ngai and 4th/4th to the north of the city. The people of the city were followers of the Vietnam Quac Dan Dan and Dai Viet Quoc Dang nationalist parties, while the remainder were either government employees or businessmen. Due to this demographic, the Viet Cong was unable to establish the cells to launch attacks from within Quang Ngai that were common in other areas for the Tet Offensive. This wouldn’t deter the 401st Sapper and 328th Regiment’s from attacking Quang Ngai City and airfield during the early hours of January 31st. Split into two attack forces, even though they were not fully positioned, with only a couples hours left until daylight, the assault began at 0400 after the last mortar round hit their targets. It turned into a race against time as the Viet Cong knew they wouldn’t be able to stand up against the airpower support of the ARVN. [ALL][CSEE, Variable Objectives][1.00]

[Jason Petho]

Campaign Series Vietnam: ALPHA Graphics: SCENARIO DESIGN
New scenario:

Up in Smoke - Battle of Bien Hoa and Long Binh

January 31, 1968
[Bien Hoa and Loch Binh, Dong Nai Province, South Vietnam]: [H2H/SIDE A][HIS][CSL]:. By 1968 the Bien Hoa-Long Binh complex was the largest US/South Vietnamese military base in South Vietnam. Bien Hoa Air Base was the largest air base in the country, home to over 500 United States Air Force (USAF) and Republic of Vietnam Air Force (RVNAF) aircraft, while Long Binh Post was the US Army's largest logistics base, headquarters of II Field Force, Vietnam, the 199th Light Infantry Brigade and home to over 20,000 US personnel. In addition to the US bases, the city of Bien Hoa was the headquarters of AVN III Corps and home to a large prisoner of war camp. The ARVN 53rd Regional Force Battalion was responsible for security in the countryside around Bien Hoa. In Bien Hoa, the ARVN 3rd Ranger Task Force consisting of the 35th and 36th Ranger Battalions, provided a rapid reaction force supported by two ARVN 155-mm howitzer battalions located on the northwest side of the city.[2]:347 Within Bien Hoa AB, the U.S.A.F. 3rd Police Squadron was responsible for security manning bunkers and operating mobile patrols within the base perimeter. The US 199th LIB was responsible for security in the towns and countryside around Long Binh, while the U.S. 720th Military Police Battalion was responsible for security within the base perimeter. The Tet ceasefire began on January 29th, but was cancelled on January 30th after the VC/PAVN prematurely launched attacks in II Corps, the 7th Air Force commander ordered all air bases in South Vietnam to security condition red. At 0300, rockets and mortar rounds hit Bien Hoa, followed by a two battalion attack from the Viet Cong 274th Regiment, who had detailed knowledge of the base from Viet Cong informants within the base. Supported by AH-1 Cobra gunships and ground staff from the 145th Aviation Battalion, the eastern bunker line would hold until reinforcements could arrive. To the south, the Viet Cong 275th Regiment, supported by sappers and the Viet Cong U-1 Local Force battalion, began their assault on the prison and on Long Binh. Even though defended by elements of the 720th Military Police Battalion, the Viet Cong Sappers managed to fight their way into the massive ammunition storage area at Long Binh and set off their explosives. Reinforcements would be on the way already in the form of mechanized units from Bear Cat as well as the U.S. 2nd/506th Airborne would arrive by C-130 to bolster the defences. [ALL][CSEE, Variable Objectives][1.00]

[Jason Petho]

Campaign Series Vietnam: Scenario Design.

Currently working on the Org file for the Saigon TET related scenarios. Slow and tedious, but progress nevertheless! I've considered five scenarios: 1 Large scenario covering all of Saigon, 1 covering the Tan Son Nhut Airbase, 1 covering Cholon, 1 covering newport bridge and radio station and 1 covering the fighting around Hoc Mon.

Thoughts?

[Jason Petho]

Campaign Series Vietnam: ALPHA Graphics: SCENARIO DESIGN
New scenario:

In the Nick of Time - Battle of Newport Bridge

February 3, 1968
[Newport Bridge, Dong Nai Province, South Vietnam]: [H2H/SIDE A][HIS][CSL]: The period between February 2nd and 5th was transitional between a predominance of Viet Cong initiated attacks and the regaining of the initiative by United States and ARVN forces. That being the case, there were still some offensive actions by the Viet Cong. In Saigon the Viet Cong concentrated their flagging offensive effort in Cholon. Meanwhile, the elements of the 273d VC Regiment, which had not been trapped in An My, launched an anticipated attack in the morning of February 2nd on Thu Due District Headquarters and the National Police Station. Having been warned that the Viet Cong planned to attack, the attacks were repulsed. The 273rd VC Regiment then attacked again in greater strength on the night of February 3rd, with the primary mission of destroying the large Newport Bridge linking Saigon and Bien Hoa. The bridge was a critical artery for military logistical and support traffic from the Newport and Saigon Docks as well as Vietnamese civilian commerce from the rice bowl Mekong Delta region of IV Corps Tactical Zone. One force attacked the Newport Bridge at 0100, while other elements of the 273rd made diversionary attacks in the districts. District forces, reinforced by a company from the U.S. 1st/18th Infantry and three Regional Force platoons, attempted to repulse the attack, putting up a stiff resistance. The Viet Cong and supporting Sappers had secured the southern bunkers and managed to get onto the bridge before the reinforcements from the 5th ARVN Cavalry and elements of the 720th Military Police Battalion would arrive. [ALL][CSEE, Variable Objectives][1.00]

[Jason Petho]

Campaign Series Vietnam: Scenario Design.

One of the advantages of the having the master maps that we are providing in the 1.00 release is the ability to cut them up as you need and use them for your own scenarios. Of course, I am using them the same way for scenario design for the 1.00 release. The map in the screenshot below is 160 hexes by 130 hexes.

It shouldn't be too difficult to guess what it is for, based on the posts as of late.

[Jason Petho]

Campaign Series Vietnam: Scenario Design.

Continuation on the large Saigon related scenario that portrays the first 24 hours of the Tet offensive and how it impacted the city. The screenshot shows the starting positions for the American and ARVN forces. All of these units will started fixed (with the exception of a patrol or two) until the subsequent turn or two after the Viet Cong start their attacks. There are ample reinforcements that will arrive throughout the morning and afternoon for the Allied player to attempt to retake the city. Now the allies are done, I'll start laying out the starting position of the Viet Cong units.

What a mess this will be....

[LN59]

Hi Jason,

It's too little to say how impatient I am to hear about the release of CSVN, while hoping that my PC which
is no longer very advanced (Windows 7) will support it. In any case, the graphic quality of maps, counters, icons, interface,
etc. is breathtaking! A special mention for the night effect nice rendering which perfectly preserves the map lisibility.
The whole is really beautiful. Just a suggestion: maybe a bit more contrast (contours) for the light & medium green tree vegetation?

The same great satisfaction applies to the scenarios' chronological or geographic variety. Are some campaigns planned too?
Frenchies, Allies or minors, even the paramilitary forces (sects ?) aren't left out at all!
I also imagine the usual great quality of the creation and editing tools, which have always been one of the strength
of CS since its origins. The other being respect for historical likelihood & playability. Congratulations to You All!
Reason for which I have been faithful to it for 25 years and a happy player of JTCS and CSME (Talonsoft, then Matrix).

As we say in French: "Nice Work, Ladies and Gentlemen!"
Take Care and Stay Safe!
[;)] Lilian (LN59)

[Jason Petho]

Good day, Lilian!

Thank you for your support! It is appreciated.

Just a suggestion: maybe a bit more contrast (contours) for the light & medium green tree vegetation?

Good point, thank you!

Are some campaigns planned too?

Yes, they are planned, but will NOT be included in the 1.00 release. Instead there will be a couple/few "A Week In..." scenarios that will cover 7 days of play with a certain theme.

Frenchies, Allies or minors, even the paramilitary forces (sects ?) aren't left out at all!

Yes, we tried to be very comprehensive as after Vietnam we will be turning out attention to World War 2, beginning with East Front III.

I also imagine the usual great quality of the creation and editing tools, which have always been one of the strength
of CS since its origins.

Yes, most certainly. All the tools are included with the game to design your own scenarios.

[LN59]

[:)] [:)] [:)]

NB My remark on the rendering of the tree vegetation only concerns 3D.
In 2D, it's perfect!

[Crossroads]

ORIGINAL: LN59

In 2D, it's perfect!

Thanks!

[Jason Petho]

Campaign Series Vietnam: ALPHA Graphics: SCENARIO DESIGN
New scenario:

City on Fire - Battle of Saigon

January 30, 1968
[Saigon, South Vietnam]: [H2H/SIDE A][HIS][CSL]: The General Offensive and Uprising of Tet Mau Than 1968, was one of the largest military campaigns of the Vietnam War, launched on January 30, 1968 by forces of the Viet Cong and North Vietnamese People's Army of Vietnam against the forces of the South Vietnamese Army of the Republic of Vietnam, the United States Armed Forces and their allies. It was a campaign of surprise attacks against military and civilian command and control centers throughout South Vietnam. The name of the offensive comes from the Tet holiday, the Vietnamese New Year, when the first major attacks took place. Although Saigon was the focal point of the offensive, the Viet Cong did not seek a total takeover of the city. They had six primary targets to strike in the downtown area: the headquarters of the ARVN Joint General Staff, Tan Son Nhut Air Base, the Independence Palace, the US Embassy in Saigon, the Republic of Vietnam Navy Headquarters and Radio Saigon. Elsewhere in the city or its outskirts, ten Viet Cong Local Force Battalions attacked the central police station and the Artillery Command and the Armored Command headquarters, both at Go Vap. The plan called for all these initial forces to capture and hold their positions for 48 hours, by which time reinforcements were to have arrived to relieve them. The attacks would start not long after midnight, the various targets throughout the city being assaulted while the Viet Cong forces attempted to gain the support of the civilian population to revolt against the South Vietnamese government. Bursts of rockets and the crack of small arms filled the streets as small squads of Viet Cong fanned out across the city to attack various officers and enlisted men's billets, homes of ARVN officers, and district police stations. As the initial attacks wore on, the ARVN and U.S. units in the city held their ground until reinforcements started to trickle in, with the hopes of taking back the city. [ALL][CSEE, Variable Objectives][1.00]

[Jason Petho]

Campaign Series Vietnam: ALPHA Graphics: SCENARIO DESIGN
New scenario:

High Priorities - Battle of Tan Son Nhut Air Base

January 31st, 1968
[Tan Son Nhut Air Base, Saigon, South Vietnam]: [H2H/SIDE A][HIS][CSL]: The General Offensive and Uprising of Tet Mau Than 1968, was one of the largest military campaigns of the Vietnam War, launched on January 30, 1968 by forces of the Viet Cong and North Vietnamese People's Army of Vietnam against the forces of the South Vietnamese Army of the Republic of Vietnam, the United States Armed Forces and their allies. It was a campaign of surprise attacks against military and civilian command and control centers throughout South Vietnam. The name of the offensive comes from the Tet holiday, the Vietnamese New Year, when the first major attacks took place. One of the primary targets was the Tan Son Nhut Air Base. Tan Son Nhut was eclipsed as the country's major air base by other large jet capable airfields, but it remained the primary international civilian airport and the Tan Son Nhut complex hosted a range of important military sites. On the west was the Tan Son Nhut Air Base the headquarters of the RVNAF and the USAF 7th Air Force, then there was the civilian air terminal and Air America terminal, to the east was the MACV headquarters and then the South Vietnamese Joint General Staff compound. Despite the December 4th, 1966 Viet Cong sapper attack on Tan Son Nhut Air Base, base security was little improved by 1968. The attitude within MACV was that any large-scale Viet Cong attack would be detected and defeated before the force reached the base and so the only threat came from small-scale guerrilla attacks of less than 200 men. The USAF 377th Security Police Squadron, with the RVNAF 2nd Service Battalion, was responsible for base defense. At approximately 03:20 on January 31st the Viet Cong launched a series of diversionary attacks by fire on the north-eastern perimeter of the base with tracer rounds aimed at the petroleum, oil and lubricants storage tanks northeast of the north runway. A short time later, Gate 051 in the west was attacked. To the south, the Joint General Staff compound was attacked as well as Main Gate 01. The 377th Security Police Squadron and 2nd Service Battalion coordinated their defence, holding onto positions until reinforcements could arrive. First to be sent were elements of the C/3rd/4th Cavalry as it raced down Highway 1 towards the city, skirting ambushes to attack the Textile Mill. [ALL][CSEE, Variable Objectives][1.00]