Ultramodern Wargaming – Ukraine 2024
Recommendations: 13004
About the Project
Lately, I've been running war games every weekend with members of the community via web conference. Players log on and play wargames with each other in real time, regardless of location, and we usually have at least a couple spectators as well. Many times it’s been Darkstar, but we’re also running wargames in Panzer Leader, Arab-Israeli Wars, and now Valor & Victory.
BoW/OTT community members @brucelea, @damon, @davehawes, and @rasmus have taken the plunge, leading battalions across thousands of meters of desert, starfleets in pitched battles across the heavens, or vicious firefights in the jungles of Vietnam, all without leaving the comfort of their home.
Hard-core, old-school command-tactical wargames can now be run (complete with spectators and recordings) in real time, with BOTH PLAYERS moving pieces across THE SAME virtual game board, thus maintaining player agency, speedy and instant results (no play by e-mail), interwoven turn sequences, any questions / feedback instantly received and addressed, and with the game being virtually recorded as it goes, a ready-made battle report can actually be created as we go.
All of this without the players having to install any new software on their computer, on any platform (PC or Mac). All that's needed is to agree on a time, a handful of dice, and a bellyful of courage!
Every weekend can now be a boot camp! All without costing me thousands of dollars in airfare, too!
Related Game: PanzerBlitz
Related Genre: Historical
This Project is Active
Highlights of Gulf War / Desert Storm 30th Anniversary - Ops Center Episodes
As we finally pass the end of February and the official end of the 1991 Persian Gulf War, I thought I would take a quick look back at some of the recent highlights of the recent wargaming, video coverage, and discussions that have been offered … all condensed in one or two project system posts.
More than a few of us in this community were actually around for this conflict, and yes … there are a handful of us on OTT that were actually in this war to one varying degree or another. It was for this reason above all that I wanted to make sure this coverage was done objectively, and try and cover all the nations that were involved.
Most of all, I wanted to try and show (in some small way) how historical wargaming really can be done with an eye toward respect, objectivity, and maybe even learning a little about how the world we live in was actually created. The Persian Gulf War was the first wide-scale use of what we would soon call “the Internet” and definitely the field large “field use” of GPS. So the very fact that we’re on this internet website, perhaps on a GPS-synced smartphone, shows how this war effects our everyday life.
First, the four OPS CENTER EPISODES presented on the Gulf War, discussing major aspects of the background, armies, equipment, tactics, and course of the Persian Gulf War, and how these can be reflected on the wargaming tabletop.
1. Background and Desert Shield – A look at the regional background of the Persian Gulf War, including the rise of Saddam Hussein, the Iran-Iaq War of 1980-88, and how the economic hardship this war brought to Iraq caused Hussein to gamble on the invasion of his the oil-rich neighbor, Kuwait. We look at possible wargames in the invasion of Kuwait, and how the US-led Coalition, unprecendented since World War II, built the force to liberate Kuwait.
2. Desert Storm: The Air War – The Gulf War breaks wide open first in the skies with one of the most devaststing air campaigns in history. Cruise missiles, stealth “fighters”, SAS and Delta force commandos, American F-15s and British Tornados, all were just some of the forces in play. We also look at Schewartzkopf’s “Jedi Knights” – and their implementation of two new technologies … “GPS” and this little thing the world would soon call “the Internet.”
3. Desert Storm: Opening the Ground War – Even after five weeks of aerial armegeddon, the Iraqi Army refuses to budge from occupied Kuwait. We look at the preliminary ground actions, including Iraq’s invasion of Saudi Arabia at al-Khafji, the artillery duels that ranged across the imminent battlefield, preliminary actions at Wadi al Batin, and finally the eruption of the full-scale ground war – “Desert Sabre” – on 24 Februrary 1991
4. Desert Storm: Conclusion – As Desert Sabre gets fully underway, we look at some of the biggest battles that took place, how and why they unfolded the way they did, and the best games that bring them to the tabletop. Of course there aren’t a lot of Desert Storm-specific titles out there, but there are lots of games many of us already own that can be used to bring these battles to your hobby. We also pause for a look at the after effects of Desert Storm, and acknowledge how this “clean, good war” was really nothing of the sort.
Battle of Medina Ridge - 1991 Gulf War (Game: Battle Carry Sabot v0.2)
Live Stream, Sunday 2 ET / 7 UK
Join us as we take the new “Battle Carry Sabot” modern armored warfare skirmish system out for a second spin, with updates and fixes identified from last week’s game at 73 Easting.
Our historical subject this week is the battle of Medina Ridge, where the US 1st Armored Division collided with Iraq’s best of the best, the elite Medina Armored Republican Guards.
Marines at Battle of Kuwait International Airport (Gulf War 30th Anniversary) 15mm Wargame Part Two
Today, we close out our 15mm Battlegroup game (informal, unofficially modernized for 1991 weapons and equipment) depicting part of the US Marine Corps’ drive into Kuwait International Airport.
Link to Part One: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYgD9…
This battle took place near the end of the 1991 Gulf War (Desert Storm), with 1st and 2nd Marine Divisions supported by the “Tiger” Brigade of US Army’s 2nd Armored Division.
Facing them were the remnants of at least ten Iraqi divisions, including their old friends from the 3rd Iraqi Armored Division and 5th Mechanized Division (Al Khafji and Al Jaber-Burqan Corridor).
This is the grand finale miniature game for our 30th Anniversary of the Gulf War and Desert Storm!
We hope you like it!
1:10,000 Scale Wargame - 1991 Desert Storm
The 12-hour game of Tactical Combat Middle East expansion for Panzer Leader (Toshach Miniatures), depicting 1st Marine Division’s vanguard at the Al-Jaber-Burqan Corridor on 25 February 1991, is complete.
This video boils that 12-hour game down to a 30 minute report.
At 1:10,000 (1-inch hex = 250 meters), the game board would be almost six feet across. In all it is 16 kilometers across and 10 kilometers deep.
Upon this arena we deploy the bulk of two reinforced regimental combat teams (Task Force “Ripper” and “Papa Bear,” screened by Task Force “Shepard”), accurate down to the platoon, against the remnants of three Iraqi brigades, two from 5th Mechanized Division and one from 3rd Armored.
In all, we have close to 9,000 men on this table, the leading half of two division sized forces, on a table that actually encompasses the maneuver spaces and engagement ranges that such battles witness.
It’s not all 1500+ meter “tank-and-TOW” matches, though … there are also desperately close street fights where 440 men and 20 tanks would be crammed into one 8-foot 15mm table (yes, those battles do happen in real war, too).
I would never ask my viewers to sit through a 12-hour game or video replay, of course, so I hope everyone enjoys a quick 30-minute summary.
Marines at Battle of Kuwait International Airport (Gulf War 30th Anniversary) 15mm Wargame Part One
For today’s Sitrep Podcast General Show, we open a 15mm Battlegroup game (informal, unofficially modernized for 1991 weapons and equipment) depicting part of the US Marine Corps’ drive into Kuwait International Airport.
This battle took place near the end of the 1991 Gulf War (Desert Storm), with 1st and 2nd Marine Divisions supported by the “Tiger” Brigade of US Army’s 2nd Armored Division. Facing them were the remnants of at least ten Iraqi divisions, including their old friends from the 3rd Iraqi Armored Division and 5th Mechanized Division (Al Khafji and Al Jaber-Burqan Corridor).
This game will be the grand finale miniature game for our 30th Anniversary of the Gulf War and Desert Storm! We hope you like it!
"Battle Carry Sabot" Video Replay
The replay video for Sunday’s stream of this game is now available. Probably not the most thrilling watch, but perhaps good to listen to while painting up modern armored vehicles. 😀
Battle Carry Sabot - V0.1 Playtest
Yesterday afternoon saw the first playtest of the new Battle Carry Sabot modern tank skirmish system. The battle chosen to emulate for this “maiden voyage” was 73 Easting, fought on 26 February 1991 during the Desert Storm and the Persian Gulf War of 1991.
Rasmus had the Americans (Eagle Troop, 2 Sq/2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Captain H.R. McMasters, commanding) while I took the Iraqis (elements, 18th Mechanized Brigade, Tawalkana Republican Guards Division, Major S. Mohamed commanding).
The scale of the system is about 1:2000 (1 inch = 50 meters). This would be about 0.75mm in wargaming terms, a large tank like an Abrams would measure about 1/4 inch (6mm) gun barrel included. Even then our 96″ x 60″ (8 foot by 5 foot virtual table) could barely contain some of the engagement ranges.
Nevertheless the playtest went pretty well. I think I plotted the Iraqi minefield a little too deep, and I’d like to tweak the to-hit and penetration numbers of the “silver bullet” APFDDS-DU rounds on the M256 120mm main guns on the Abrams a little, and completely overhaul the the ballistic values on the HE-AT rounds. But the TOWs on the M3 cavalry tracks performed perfectly, as did the predictably terrible Iraqi “Asad Babil” license-built T-72 clones and BMP-1 APCs.
The opening of the battle (grid is one inch, 8' by 5' table). Dark area is an Iraqi antipersonnel minefield, which poses little more than an annoyance to Rasmus American tanks. Turns are 30 seconds, so American tanks move at 11".
Captain H. R. McMaster's "Eagle" Troop, 2/2 ACR, complete with different "skill levels" in command and gunnery, and historical platoon commanders. Note that Lt. Tim Gauthier's 3rd Platoon is missing, detached south to maintain contact with "Iron" and "Killer" Troops, 3/2 ACR (Captain D. Miller and M. Haszard, commanding respectively). Also, two of 2Lt M. Petschek's M3 Cavalry tracks are missing (he should have six), detached north to maintain contact with Capt Joe Sartiano's "Ghost" Troop 2/2/ACR.
The initial eight T-72M1s "Asad Babil" (Lions of Babylon) encountered by Eagle Troop. Note they are dug into improved positions, practically buried up to their turrets and hull down behind a dune crest, just the first element in a larger battalion position of upwards of 30 armored vehicles. Overall, the Iraqi deployment (modeled on historical dispositions) was sound, it was a reverse slope defense with a minefield, solid reserve / counterattack force (Major S. Mohamed had actually trained at Fort Benning in the 1980s when the US and Iraq were allies during the 1980-88 Iran-Iraq War). But with no infantry or artillery support, and completely surprised by the American appearance, and the sheer speed, range, and accuracy of their gunfire and advance ... this battle would be one-sided as it would be unpleasant.
The first company of T-72s is destroyed in a single fire phase by Rasmus' Eagle Troop, exactly as took place historically. One tank has struck a mine, however, and even more lucky for my Iraqis, actually taken damage. So I'm actually 1/3 toward an Iraqi game victory here. This damage to the Iraqis was inflicted even though the Americans were advancing at "Battle Carry HEAT," because they had just engaged and destroyed an Iraqi infantry position three klicks further west at 67 Easting. So their first round HAD to be a HEAT round, then they could load SABOT at their option (watch those ammo loads, though, each tank only has so many of these "silver bullets." 
End of Turn 2, and Eagle Troop has more or less caved in most of the follow-on companies of Iraqi armor (battle is now 60 second in progress). However, One of my T-72s has scored a lucky activation roll (scneario rule: Iraqis units cannot activate on Turn 1, only activate on Turn 2 with a 50% roll, and on Turn 3 activate normally) and actually struck a M3 Bradley cavalry track at a range of 49" (1950 meters). The round glances off the turret and damages the Bradley's optics and targeting, but that's another victory point for the Iraqis (4 and counting). Of course the Iraqis will lose the battle but I'm actually getting close to winning the GAME.
Turn 3. The M3 Bradley cavalry tracks have fallen back for missile reload drill, covered by the advance tanks. Abrams 22 has now struck a mine as well (admittedly I drew this minefield too deep), but the butchry of T-72s is now almost complete. Hopwever, the reserve force of BMP-1s is now moving as well, activating around the north to hopefully take the American left wing under fire. Again, please note these vehicles are about FIVE TIMES too long, and 25 TIMES too large in area to be truly to scale with the map. The tan circle in the center of each vehicle shows its true positition (and approximate size). Modern mechanized and armored war is really spread out, and really impossible to capture in "WYSIWIG" visual scale on a physical miniatures table.
After four turns, two minutes, this FIRST PHASE of 73 Easting is over. The Iraqi tank / mechanized battalion is effectively shattered, with 16 T-72s destroyed, two cripples having fled the field, two more damaged, and five BMP-1 APCs wrecked as well. The Iraqis have been hitting the Abrams occasionally, but at ranges past 1500 meters they mathematically can't penetrate the Abrams' armor (note these Iraqis are not fighting with "true" T-72M1s, these are Iraqi-built tanks made under license that DON'T have the sabot or depleted uranium ammo other armies do). This is n ot a game design mistake, this is perfect and I was very pleased to see this disparity unfold organically on my table. I did score a hit on one M3 cavalry track with one of my BMPs withan AT-3 Sagger, crippling the Bradley's weapons. This gives me a score of 9 points and technically a narrow win. Which makes sense, Eagle Troop has now taken more damage they did historically, even more than Ghost Troop did eight klicks to the north. However, once again, I drew that minefield too deep, I'm not 100% happy with the sabot ballistic performance, and it's clear I got the HE-AT rounds way off, especially at longer range. So the Americans were robbed a *little* here, enough to adjust the result to a DRAW and call this a successulf v.0.1 playtest of the new BATTLE CARRY SABOT modern tank combat game system.Live Stream Community Wargame - Battle of 73 Easting (US Armored Cav vs. Iraqi Republican Guard)
Join us this Sunday for a live-stream community wargame commemorating the 30th Anniversary of the Battle of 73 Easting, where forward elements of the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment encountered a defensive belt of the 9th Brigade, Tawalkana Division of the Iraqi Republican Guard.
This was the first time the Republican Guard had been seriously encountered, and gave a fiery taste of just how intense the 1991 Persian Gulf War could get.
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2PM EAST US, 7PM UK
From the recent Ops Center Episode 20 - showing the location of the Battle of 73 Easting, starting about 1610 hours, 26 Feb 1991. 
Some of the fire charts for our new modern tank "skirmish" system, keeping it simple. Some light rules mechanics for different ammo types, ranges, blast effect and armor penetration values at different ranges (in inches, 1 inch = 50 meters).
Modifier tables, and a Vehicle Damage Table
Here's our map. 1 inch (grid) would make this table 8 feet by 5 feet. Each inch is 50 meters (Scale = 1:2000, or about 0.75mm). A tank would (in true scale) be a quarter inch long. This is to accomodate most engagement ranges for NATO 120mm guns and ATGWs.
Iraqi "Asad Babil" (Lions of Babylon) - locally produced T-72M1s dug into improved positions in a reverse slope line.
The Americans - some of Eagle Troop, 2nd Squadron, 2nd Armored Cavalry Squadron (Captain H. McMasters). His historical platoon commanders are also ready to go. Counters track vehicle facings, commander's skill, gunner's skill, and ammunition.
