AAR: Nam'68 mission 2. Jungle scrub securit patrol

We played this game almost three weeks ago, but as the whole family have been enjoying a rather vigorous season flu for two of those weeks I’ve had to postpone writing this until now, and consequently with some loss of details.

I had two new players taking control of 3rd squad bringing the plt HQ and one M60 mg team as support on a local security patrol mission. So far so good, sweeping a jungle scrub area with an abandoned Montagnard village and a logger camp. This time though the threat level had risen to medium(Mike), with some reasonably well armed regional VC rather than the local guerillas encountered last mission.

Mission 2, part 1:
MISSION BRIEFING
Operation: Jungle Sweep – Pilot Recovery & VC Presence Recon
Date: 12 February 1968
Location: Vicinity of grid coordinates XT 123456, I Corps Tactical Zone, South Vietnam
Unit: 1st Platoon, Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Air Cavalry Division

OBJECTIVE
Conduct a reconnaissance patrol in the designated jungle area to:
Scout for signs of Viet Cong (VC) activity near a Montagnard settlement and an abandoned logging camp.
Locate and recover if possible, the missing U.S. helicopter pilot from a recently downed H-34 Choctaw.
Assess terrain and trails for future operations and potential LZs (Landing Zones).

TERRAIN & FEATURES
Dense jungle with limited visibility and movement.
Huong Tra village: Small Montagnard(Cor) settlement, likely abandoned, consisting of 1–3 structures.
Logger camp: Disused site with potential for VC use as a base or cache location.
Jungle trail: Narrow footpath, possibly used for VC movement or supply routes.
Limited radio transmission due to canopy and terrain interference.

ENEMY SITUATION
VC elements suspected in the area, possibly a local guerrilla cell or reconnaissance team.
Recent SIGINT and HUMINT reports indicate movement along jungle trails.
VC may be using abandoned structures for shelter or supply storage.
Potential for booby traps, punji stakes, and ambushes near trails and hooches.

COMMAND & SIGNAL
Callsigns:
Company HQ Call Sign: “Bravo Actual”
Plt HQ: “Bravo Six”
2. squad: “Bravo two”
MG team: “Bravo four”
Air support: “Big Bear One”
Frequencies:
Platoon net: PRC-25, Channel 3

 

The initial map

Fireteam 2 deployed on point.

Fireteam 1 deployed together with combat medic SP4 Ellis.

With VC getting the first turn, I had to deploy all my VC cells, i.e a 3-man bolt action rifle team, a 3-man AK47 team, and DP lmg team.

 

Probably swearing something about “having to do everything themselves” the DP gunner lay down a very effective suppressive burst of machinegun fire pinning all but CPL Wallace.

The LMG position.

CPL Wallace kept his cool and ordered his rattled men to fall back into cover, a very important move as fireteam 2 would get a lot of lead flying over their heads in the following turns. 

Fireteam 1 moving towards the logging camp search point.

 The US players ended the turn by successfully rallying all the pinned men. I think that will be all of part 1. Next time will feature one incredibly lucky american.