Black Hawk Down - Wyre Forest Club

Thanks to Andy from the Wyre Forest Club as guest blog writer this week and a HUGE Black Hawk Down game at our latest club all dayer.

This was only our 4th game with the rules so with a nod to Oriskany Jim of the Sitrep podcast and the QRS sheets he sent me and his two part video on you tube he posted up we were ready.

MISSION BRIEF.

DTG 03OCT93 1230L               
HUMINT  XXX Agency advises there is a EN Habr Gidr Clan Meet at possibly the Cultural Building (Code name MAIN TARGET BUILDING) on Hawaldig Road.

LAUNCH CODE WORD: IRENE valid till 2359L
Mission Template dictates a heliborne Delta Breaching team with 2 Ranger chalks acting as blocking force. Road convoy will pick up High Value Targets and Breaching teams and Blocking force and Exfil on road in the convoy back to MOB.

The Black Hawks Head into the Objective.

Tier 1 Breach Teams

2 MH6 Little Birds unarmed

2 DELTA teams, Delta team Leader TQ D12 Morale D12, 3 Deltas TQ D10 Morale D12

TASK FORCE RANGER

TWO CHALKS TQD8/ Morale D10

Chalk HQ, Off D10/D10, RTO, Medic, Pltn Sgt plus man

Aerial Support

2 MH60s with 2 Snipers each (can be set down if required) on constant orbital support)

1 CSAR MH60 Bird with 14 Men

4 Delta D10/D12, 6 Rangers D8/D10, 2 Parajumper advanced life saving medics  medics D8/D12

1 MH6 (with strafing attack) per turn TQ D12 check first to see if it arrives 

CONVOY

4 HUMVEE With 50cal 4 men each

1 HUMVEE with MK19 GLR 4 men

2 M939 5 ton Lorries 4 men each

The target building before the convoy arrives.

To add to the competition on the day both sides were provided with the following Victory Points.

Somali National Alliance KIA 1VP

Somali Warlord KIA 10 VP

Somali Technical Mission Kill 5VP

US Forces

Each HVT KIA -5VP

KIA TFR 10 VP

Serious wound TFR 5 vp

Lorry/ Hummer Mission Kill 5vp

The Convey sets off with it's prisoners

A slow start burning tyres and Black Smoke belched into the sky calling out across the city, Somalis were amassing and standing by awaiting the slow moving convoy.

First sign of trouble and the lead hummer blunders into a Somali technical, needing a high score, they rolled a 12, they knock out the lead vehicle. Disaster.....

The Convey rolls forward with Black Hawk and Little Bird Air Cover. Somalis we’re wiped out in droves, but every turn more we’re answering the call to the fight in reserve.

The reinforcements were hindered by the Air Support targeting the numerous technicals.

We have a Black Hawk Down....

The aircrew were jumped and wiped out less one pilot who was taken alive a national shame for the Americans.

A crew of 14 Deltas, Rangers and pars jumper paramedics were Set down away from the crash site on some sort of bizarre park and ride. The rushed to the crash site to find the crew gone.

Somalia militia rushed from the surrounding buildings a vicious fire fight took place where the search. And rescue team were. More American casualties were taken. The mass of fighters overwhelmed the defenders and another American was captured alive.

Mean while the convoy several blocks away took another wrong turn.

Another Hummer is taken out as Task Force Ranger lack of map reading proved fatal. By now we took stock of the game and called it. A bloodbath on both sides. 

If we had carried on I think the road convoy would have had to try and laager up and defend itself from a static place and call for external help to extricate themselves.

A great game on a great looking table with virtually all done from fresh since Christmas with a week to  go I made 52 foot of wall with foamboard.

Lessons learned as it was only the 4th game more rules questions rolled in which was inevitable, more civilian mobs we need on the table to create more uncertainty. The random choice of road direction made for a real challenge for the US Players.

By games end.

Somalis 106 KIA 

Two destroyed technicals.

 Task Force Ranger. 

5 KIA 

2 aircrew KIA 

2 Prisoners of war 1 Aircrew 1 Ranger 

3 Task Force Ranger seriously wounded

2 Hummers Destroyed 

Amercian War of Independance Month - Maryland Regiments with a little help from AI.

It's nice paint something else that's not in desert yellow.

This months focus is AWI and the backlog of 10mm items amassed over the past few months.

First up 4 units representing Maryland Regiments for Rebels and Patriots.

Short on time this week, I thought I would ask ChatGTP to write this blog, lets see if AI is any good :-)

It feels like it might have some way to go.....

Here you go.....

Painting the Brave Maryland Regiments in the American War of Independence As an artist and history enthusiast, my journey into painting the regiments from Maryland who fought in the American War of Independence has been both inspiring and enlightening. The stories of bravery, resilience, and sacrifice of these soldiers have deeply resonated with me, and I feel compelled to bring their legacy to life through my art. 

Now for the regimental history.

The 1st Maryland Regiment: Smallwood's Brave Soldiers The 1st Maryland Regiment, also known as Smallwood's Regiment, was formed in early 1776 under the command of Colonel William Smallwood. This regiment played a crucial role in several key battles, including the Battle of Long Island and the Battle of White Plains. Their distinctive dark blue coats with red facings, white waistcoats, and tricorn hats symbolize their unity and discipline. Painting these soldiers allows me to honour their courage and the pivotal role they played in the fight for independence. 

The 2nd Maryland Regiment: Resilient Warriors The 2nd Maryland Regiment, authorized in January 1776, was known for its resilience and effectiveness in battle. Commanded by Colonel Thomas Price and later Colonel John Gunby, this regiment fought valiantly in major engagements such as the Battle of Trenton, Princeton, Brandywine, and Germantown. Their contributions to the Continental Army's efforts are a testament to their unwavering dedication. Capturing their spirit on canvas is my way of preserving their legacy and sharing their story with future generations.

The 3rd Maryland Regiment, formed in September 1776, participated in significant battles like Brandywine, Germantown, Monmouth, and the Southern Campaigns, including Camden and Guilford Court House. Commanded by Colonel Mordecai Gist and Lieutenant-Colonel Nathaniel Ramsey, these soldiers demonstrated remarkable bravery and resilience. Painting the 3rd Maryland Regiment allows me to highlight their contributions to the war effort and honour their sacrifices. 

Why I Paint These Regiments Although no major battles of the American Revolutionary War occurred in Maryland, this did not prevent the state's soldiers from distinguishing themselves through their service. General George Washington was impressed with the Maryland regulars (the "Maryland Line") who fought in the Continental Army and, according to one tradition, this led him to bestow the name "Old Line State" on Maryland. 

Under the assumption that paid soldiers furnished with rations and suits of clothes would be better soldiers, on January 18, 1776, the Maryland Provincial Convention established the Maryland Line as a regiment of uniformed regulars. What distinguished the Maryland troops from other colonial levies was the time they spent drilling before joining the ranks of the Continental Army. This resulted in a disciplined, cohesive unit. Not all Continental infantry regiments raised in a state were part of a state quota. 

On December 27, 1776, the Second Continental Congress gave commanding General George Washington the authority to recruit and raise sixteen additional Continental infantry regiments at large. Forman’s, Gist’s, Grayson’s, and Hartley’s Regiments were partially drawn from Maryland. Other Continental infantry regiments and smaller units, also unrelated to a state quota, were raised as needed for special or temporary service. The "Maryland Line" was assigned a quota of eight regiments in 1777, which was reduced to five in 1781. The regiments of the line were: 1st Maryland Regiment 2nd Maryland Regiment 3rd Maryland Regiment 4th Maryland Regiment 5th Maryland Regiment 6th Maryland Regiment 7th Maryland Regiment German Battalion (counted as half a regiment against the quota) Maryland and Virginia Rifle Regiment (counted as half a regiment against the quota) 2nd Independent Maryland Company The Maryland Line protected the evacuation of Washington's troops across the East River to Manhattan at the Battle of Long Island. 

On August 27, 1776, members of the 1st Maryland Regiment under the command of Major Mordecai Gist repeatedly charged a numerically superior British force, allowing General Washington to successfully evacuate the bulk of his troops to Manhattan. Of the approximately 270 men of the so-called Maryland 400, fewer than a dozen made it back to the American lines. Two months later, at the Battle of White Plains, William Smallwood's 1st Maryland Regiment, along with regiments from New York and Delaware, reinforced Chatterton's Hill, covering the retreat of other troops across the Bronx River. According to popular tradition, Washington expressed his high esteem for the Maryland Line after their heroic stand at the Battle of Long Island. 

Because of the long service of the high-quality regiments, General Washington referred to the Maryland units as his "Old Line," giving the State of Maryland one of its nicknames as "The Old Line State." 

Next up buildings for Lexington and Concorde all written by myself..... Honest.