Saving Private Ryan. I've just been to see this. A great movie! The first WWII
movie I've seen where the German halftracks use the correct vehicle, instead
of using
US M3 half-tracks repainted in German colours.
It also shows why tanks were needed with infantry assaults; to break through
barriers that slow down or stop infantry. Has anyone done any DSII or SGII
scenarios based on the actions in this movie?
> At 08:35 PM 11/5/98 +1300, you wrote:
A few weeks back, my group played a game specifically based on the big fight
for the bridge scene at the end of the film. We use a table appx
4'
x 6' or 7'. We had a river set up running widthwise across the table (the 4'
dimension) about 18" in from one end. Bridge in the middle, with a whole bunch
of the Armorcast resin ruined building models around either end
of the bridge. Hills and forrest/scrub in the open areas, road leading
through "country", between hills, up to town and the bridge. Mission was
simple - we have been playing a series of loosely linked games (less of
an organized campaign than a continuing story line), and in this one the
attackers were trying to break out after they had been encircled. The
attackers had to take and hold the bridge, in a limited time period (I forget
the turn limit). The defenders had to prevent the taking of the bridge, by any
means necessary. The attacking force was a reinforced platoon of Legionaires,
with several tanks, APC's, and a couple squads of power armour. The defenders
were an understrength platoon (of Japanese mercenaries, I think) with an
emplaced guided missile launcher, a jeep with a machinegun, two size one
infantry walkers and a size three combat walker. The defenders had a few mine
and dummy counters to distribute, and their
squads/vehicles started hidden under counters. Attackers started at the
end of the table away from the "town". The defenders were allowed to deploy
anywhere on the table, but chose to keep their forces on the opposite side of
the river from the attackers, so as not to spreat out too thinly. They used
mine and dummy counters as "spoilers" to force the attackers to deploy prior
to reaching the town and bridge...
Simple scenario, but fighting for a bridge (or other limited objective) is
always challenging, so it was fun. The attackers had about 2:1 odds in
strength, but played a bit too agressively and without real consideration
to being careful - they tried to bull through fast. The defenders were
very careful. In the end, I think the game ended with about 2/3 of the
attackers being wiped out before they gave up and retreated. The defenders had
negligible casualties. Very satisfying game (well, I was playing defenders...)
This scenario showed the old truism about attacking a well-defended
position. You need 2, 3 or even 4 times the strength of the defenders to
successfully press the attack, and a careful plan. The attackers had the
strength, but did not develop or execute the good plan - and they got
chopped to dogmeat...
We do more complex games, and considerably larger (company size) games -
but it's good to play these kinds of simple scenarios sometimes. Makes for
immediately satisfying gaming.
> At 08:35 PM 11/5/98 +1300, you wrote:
I created a DSII scenario that was inspired by the final battle. The main
limitation of it is that it requires a referee to ensure that there is no
arguments about things like hidden minefields, etc. I wouldn't say that the
end result of the inspiration could really be labelled as being "based" on the
movie, though.
I have it written up as three html files. There are the GM brief, the
defender's brief and the attackers brief. If you are interested, email