8 Aug 1985, Battle Group 'Dario', a combined NATO force of American, British and West German armored and mechanized units, was heavily engaged by the East German Panzer Regiment 'Helmut Lipschitz' and elements of the GSFG 369th Motor Rifle Regiment.
0600 Hours, Aug 8. A view of the battlefield from the North several hours before the engagement.
0600 Hours, Aug 8. A view of the battlefield from the South several hours before the engagement.
The 'Lipschitz' center ready to move out.
The 'Lipschitz' North flank ready to move.
Early in the day, a Leo 2 was destroyed by a Soviet Spandrel from a BRDM-2 AT. As the day progressed, the remaining Leos would score a high number of T-55 kills on the 'Helmut Lipschitz' regiment.
'Lipschitz' T-55s on the move and grabbing an objective early.
Leo 2s getting some 120mm smoothbore payback on their East German cousins.
Recon BMP-1s attempt to give Abbots some special consideration and miss with all 4 73mm shots.
American M1s preparing to counterattack.
American M1s boldly cut a swath through the East German regiment's T-55s, but 'Lipschitz' still holds the objective!
Bundeswehr Luchs drive up to the McPizza King and bail out 4 ZSUs in the Pact backfield.
These Chieftains had 16 AT-5 Spandrels shot at them without a single hit at 4+. Later an investigation uncovered that a defective shipment of ATGMs was sent to the 369th. All the workers from the factory that manufactured these missiles were later sent to Siberia.
In a final gesture of defiance, two brave Cobra pilots moved in for a pop-up rocket attack on a battery of SAU-152s. The entire Southern flank engaged the pair with AA fire. A lucky BMP-2 cannon shot downed one Cobra and the other fell victim to a the fire of a T-55 AA HMG.
Debrief: Warsaw Pact Victory
The battle concluded with Pact 8 VP and NATO 6 VP. Each side held 3 objectives within their respective zones and the Pact had control of one neutral objective, Both sides were bloodied but in overall good order. The short 2 turn game resulted in moderate losses on both sides. If the game were to go 4 or 5 turns, no doubt there would have been massive casualties across the battlefield.
I want to thank (in alphabetical order) Bill, Chris, Dan, Justin, Kel, Matt and Paul for a great game and a great day with old and new friends.
