Korean War: Counter-Attack, scenario #28: Task Force Davidson

A nice mix of victory conditions but the North Koreans defend with four entrenchment counters but not to worry, the Americans bring some cool (M) weapons, in the form of: M16s, M19s and M26s vehicles to hopefully offset those North Korean entrenchments, which set on both 60 meter hill tops and one adjacent leaving the forth one to setup adjacent to the village on the west side of the river. The NKPA concede the village on the east side of the river. Each side gets one point for every eliminated step, tank steps count double, one point for each village and bridge hex controlled, two points for each 60 meter hexes controlled and the NKPA get four points for each entrenchment controlled while the Americans only get one point for each entrenchment controlled.

The American don’t have a huge force but enough if they organize their attacks but only 18 turns to do so. Task Force David leads with the (M) vehicles but find the M16 halftracks very vulnerable and lost both steps in two consecutive turns to the a 40mm AA gun, as zero is weak armored protection. Fighting it very heavy and the Americans are not strong enough to take all four entrenchment counters but manage two out of four but lose one step of M19s to adjacent North Korean ATR fire, that managed to roll a 12 on the dice.

In the end of 18 turns the Americans have 21 points, 14 for eliminated enemy steps, 3 for controlling both the villages and one bridge hex, 2 for controlling one 60 meter hex and 2 for controlling two entrenchment counters. The North Koreans have 19 points, 9 for eliminated enemy steps, 2 for controlling one 60 meter hill hex and 8 for controlling two entrenchment counters. The Americans lead by 2 points but a side needs to win by 6 or more points just to achieve a minor victory, so it is a Draw.

The key to this and when I try it again for the Americans is two assault those North Korean entrenchments with the M16s, M19s and M26s but suppressing the 40mm North Korean AA gun and the ATR before getting into their range. The American Infantry units cannot take too great of a beating as there is not enough of them to keep recovering to assault again and with only 18 turns, they are going to lose some steps. It is a delicate balance for each side and the NKPA need to setup with all units supporting each other and maybe to totally abandon the villages and bridge hexes below the hills. So I made couple mistakes with both sides. The entrenchments are the key to this battle/scenario.

Just like historically the North Koreans held off Task Force Davidson, if only for a day.