A modern combat game
The Next Three Blocks
On December 5, 2009 the Jackson Gamers played their second modern game of urban combat set in a dusty city, where western troops - various units of the British military - attempted to wrest control of an additional three blocks from the insurgents.
Ed Sansing was the game-master in this 28mm game. He controlled the appearance and the actions of the insurgents, allowing new units to be "created" at designated entry points for the city. The Western troops made up of sections of Paras, Scots, and Royal Marine Commandoes had to clear the buildings, neutralize any insurgents encountered, and elimiate the "entry points."
Friendly casualties had to be kept to a minimum - lest the civilians at home be disturbed at the news on the telly. There was a village headman's wife and child to be rescued and the insurgent district leader was hidden somewhere on the board. He was to be rendered harmless if found.
Photo by Jim Pitts
Platoon Hqs and 1st Section, 3rd Scotts carefully advance through the outskirts of the village. The 2nd Section is in the background.
Photo by Jim Pitts
2nd Section, 3rd Scots closes on an abandoned field fortification. You can just see the heads of some of the insurgents in the walled courtyard behind the Scots. And a fire team of the RM Commandos is visible in the background.
Photo by Jim Pitts
A fire team of the Paras passes by a wrecked car in their advance.
Photo by Jim Pitts
After passing one building, they penetrate a courtyard used by the insurgents as a mustering point. But an IED is triggered just over the wall from them! The result is one Para KIA and one WIA.
Photo by Jim Pitts
And just after that incident, as the Para platoon Hqs and another fire team are advancing, some errant mortar rounds impact on the fire team. The Paras lose another KIA, this time from the "friendly" fire.
Photo by Jim Pitts
Meanwhile the Scots platoon has stormed the hotel to rescue a hostage (the wife and daughter of the village headman. With three fire teams participating, covered by the fourth fire team and a heavy machine gun team, the Scots successfully rescue the hostage.
Photo by Jim Pitts
The Paras continue their streak of bad luck, triggering a second IED as they penetrate the courtyard of another insurgent mustering point. This time the Paras are luckier and only one man is slightly wounded.
Photo by Jim Pitts
On the other flank, the RM Commandoes penetrate the village market where they encounter and destroy an insurgent team. But more insurgents appear from the garage across the road. Although the insurgents are eventually killed in the resultant fire fight, one Marine is KIA and two are WIA.
Photo by Jim Pitts
The insurgent squad before it is clobbered by combined fire from the Marines (in background) and Scots (down the road to the right).
Who were the players in this game?
Phil Young commanded the Paras. Jim Pitts had the Platoon Hqs and 1st Section, 3rd Scots. Sean Pitts led the 2nd Section of the 3rd Scots. Bill Hamilton commanded the Royal Marine Commandoes. Jim Pitts wrote the text and took the photos for this battle report.
Photo by Jim Pitts
The 2nd Section, 3rd Scots, supported by an SAS gun Rover, approaches the village mosque.
Photo by Jim Pitts
In the firefight with the insurgents, a round from the Marines rocket launcher goes astray and hits the garage. KA-BOOM! The gasoline tank in the courtyard explodes, neutralizing yet another insurgent mustering point.
Photo by Jim Pitts
The SAS gun Rover and the Scots swarm the entrance to the mosque courtyard to overpower the last group of insurgents. One of the Para fire teams rushes in to help out also.
Photo by Jim Pitts
But the three insurgents have an RPG with an antitank warhead and get the drop on the SAS.
Photo by Jim Pitts
KA-BOOM! The rocket penetrates the armored grille and explodes in the engine compartment. The SAS driver and gunner bail out unscathed but the Rover is a total loss. The game is called at this point.
Photo by Jim Pitts
The insurgent district leader - rendered harmless!
What were the objectives in this game and were they attained?
The players were attempting to clear the town, building by building. Each "entry point" that was found would be "Safe" from that time on and could allow no more insurgents to enter the game board at that spot.
The game is called after the destruction of the SAS Land-Rover. At this point the Scots, Paras, and Marines will overwhelm the three remaining insurgents. A complete victory is declared for the British. They neutralized all the insurgent mustering points, killed or dispersed all the insurgents, rescued the village headman's wife and child, and killed the insurgent district leader.
Go to The Three Block War, our First game set in modern times.
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