Korean War: Counter-Attack, scenario # 50: Service Politics

This scenario is a fast playing low unit count with the simple objective of the North Koreans escaping off the north edge of the map and the Americans stopping as many as possible in 12 turns. Though it may be simple, both sides have difficult choices. The Americans must setup with few units in the best possible way to use the map terrain and cover all the holes and with only three leaders as well. It isn’t easy for the North Koreans either as their morale is at an all-time low in their retreat north and some units are loaded on trucks and GAZ-67s but some are on foot but they do have one T34/85 unit to lead the way.

The American setup around the town and hill hexes towards the middle of the map with a few units stretched out east to block that route north. The NKPA make their first mistake by pushing their T34/85 tank unit right up to the town hex and open space hoping to create a hole in the American’s thin line, that their comrade can make it through in the rear of the column but the Americans assault with a INF, HMG, Bazooka Team and Leader totally destroying the T34/85s, one step with the Bazooka Team and the other in the assault. The rest of the NKPA column tries to avoid the town and cross the minor river but the Americans converge with their eastern covering force and the 81mm mortar is rolling some great dice hits on the loaded trucks and demoralized at least two in two consecutive turns, causing them to force unload and all the passengers to become demoralized.

By the end of 12 turns, naturally some North Koreans were able to exit the north edge of the map, as thing got kind of spread out when the NKPA foot units got into actions but only 6 total NKPA steps escaped north and they needed 9 steps to win, so an American victory. I think if the NKPA would have avoid contact with their T34/85 tank unit, they could possibly have won this scenario by a point but maybe not, as the Americans used a lot of resources on it but it would have been must closer, as the Tank steps count double to escape. I think this scenario could go either way depending on setup, terrain, movement strategies and the luck of the dice.