Europe in Crisis

"Europe in Crisis" - A Modern Spearhead Themed Event

The following is a brief report on "Europe in Crisis" a Modern Spearhead themed event held in Christchurch New Zealand over three days during Easter 2008.

The games formed part of the New Zealand National Wargames Convention. This convention is held each year in a different New Zealand city over Easter. While the Modern Spearhead games were played in a competition format the aim was to generate a number of Cold War scenarios.

Ten players registered for the themed event. With three days available we were able to play two games per day for a total of thirty Modern Spearhead games.

Above, six players can be seen involved in round one. From left to right front to rear the games have Czechs vs British, Soviet vs American and Belgian vs Russian.

Each game was played on a table area which measured 1.8m x 1.2m. The the alternate ground scale of 1" = 125m was used resulting in the tables representing an area some 9km by 4km. The table and ground scale was, I feel, a success in that the tables were well covered with terrain, visually interesting, and provided an optimal force density.

Players were required to have a primary nationality with both an attack and defend list. They were encouraged to have a second nationality to prevent blue on blue games. The range of primary nationalities and types in play included Dutch, Belgian, US Marines, British, US Mechanised, Czechs and Russians. As there were an equal number of WARPAC and NATO primary armies the first two rounds comprised games between people using their primary nationalities.

For those interested the general rules of the event can be found here.

Above, a section of a game between Soviets and Dutch with the Dutch on the attack during the first round. The Soviet defence was based on a BTR equipped Motor Rifle Regiment. In the photo Dutch Leopard IIs attempt to redeploy behind a smoke screen while another Dutch battalion arrives on the left in a deep flank march. By this stage of the battle however the Soviets had already begun a counter attack. A small portion of a reserve Soviet Tank battalion, drawn from a Tank Regiment, can be seen moving forward on the left. Below, another section of the same game. While the Dutch YPR-765s attempt to clear the Soviets from a town sector a Soviet BTR regiment approaches in a counter attack from the right.

Games on the second and third days were generated using a modified swiss chess format. Where games between armies drawn from the same political alliance could occur one player would use his secondary nationality if available. These included more Americans, Russians, East Germans and French.

The mixture of armies therefore limited the number of blue on blue style games despite the competition format and Swiss Chess format. By the end of the weekend there had been three red on red games, including two between Soviets and Czechs, and one blue on blue game.

Variety is important in producucing different tactical problems for the player to solve. The format of secondary nationality enhanced this and the theme in general. My alternate army was French and while I had hoped to use it more frequently I was able to use it in one game.

Above, French forces on the attack. While one French Mechanised "Regiment" advanced from the bottom left a second regiment, this time a tank regiment, conducted a deep turning movement. Following the destruction of the Soviet defenders in this sector the pursuit continued in to the centre. A reserve French VAB "Regiment" is off table in reserve and not shown. In the top right the Soviet defenders can be seen repositioning their defence.

Below, another view of the same battle but more clearly showing the French mechanised Regiment advancing having cleared the first objective, a small village. Several additional villages can be seen in the distance, including another which is also an objective. On the right can be seen a portion of a larger town which dominates a further objective, a bridge. This was to be the limit of the French advance.

All games were generated using the Scenario Generation System and resulted in seventeen "Hasty Attack" scenarios, nine "Advance to Contact" scenarios and four "Meeting Engagements". Formations were generally of reinforced brigades ranging from three to five battalions with a range of supports.

Below, a different game, this time a Mutual Encounter between Soviets and Belgians. The Belgians conducted a successful flank march that arrived behind an advancing Soviet BTR battalion. Soviet casualties were significant until a Soviet Air Ground Controller stabilised the situation with an airstrike by Mig-23s equipped with ICMs. At the same time the divisional attack helicopters arrived and further disrupted this Belgian attack.

Terrain and figures was generally of a very high standard providing visually pleasing games. While each player providing their own scenery the terrain generally merged well. Where styles were significantly different one player would provide greater terrain in an attempt to provide a more visually consistent battlefield.

Below, another example of the table terrain style. This table was used for a Czech and Soviet engagement in round five. In this game the Czechs were defending, no doubt their Soviet "comrades" needing to ensure that the Czechs continued to follow Soviet foreign policy.

The final results are below. The number in brackets defining the number of games that a particular army was used in.

Name	Primary Army	Secondary Army	Total Points
Gerard Dale	British (5)	Soviet (1)	56
Andrew Taylor	Soviet (6)	-	48
Kevin Neilson	US Marines (6)	-	42
Luke Ueda-Sarson	Czechs (6)	-	38
Paul Reynolds	Belgian (4)	Soviet (2)	37
Rhys Batchelor	Soviet (3)	American (3)	28
Keith McNelly	Soviet (5)	French (1)	28
Michael Stewart	Soviet (6)	-	23
Peter Page	Dutch (3)	East German (3)	22
Joel McNelly	American (6)	-	19

Gerard Dale was awarded both the "National Moderns Trophy" and the "National Spearhead Trophy" for his efforts. Andrew and Kevin secured second and third place and their associated awards provided by the National Convention organisers. The "Spearhead Army Trophy" was awarded based on player scoring, rather than game points and players were awarded points by their peers for army presentation, terrain presentation and sportsmanship. This was awarded to Keith McNelly.

Across all NATO vs WARPAC games WARPAC forces managed to achieve a marginally higher number of points. NATO finished on 141 points slightly behind WARPAC with 151 points. Perhaps NATO will need to conduct some further attacks to regain lost ground.

Of course it wasn't all wargaming. After round six a number of players attended the convention dinner. Here seven of the players can be seen enjoying a drink prior to the dinner. They are pictured with the NZ National Moderns Trophy.

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