Flashpoint Campaigns Germany Reforged - Escape from Beckeln

A new scenario pack/expansion and patch has been released for one of the greatest computer wargames ever made: Flashpoint Campaigns Germany Reforged. This blog entry is part of a multi-point of view narrative of one scenario that was part of the good old Flashpoint Germany and now had a huge facelift with the new engine.

The AO assigned to the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment. The mission was to stop the Soviets from securing a route north via the A84 highway. The pink lines are the schemes of maneuver for each unit and the blue area is the deployment zone.

This narrative is for the first two hours of action of a 3 platoon detachment from Troop C (one of the units highlighted in the south).

Separated from the M1 Abrams tanks by a few kilometers, we moved towards Beckeln to establish an observation post near the west crossing of the city. To our surprise, our orders changed into defending the crossroads within the city. Assisted by a 2 AH-1 Cobra attack helicopters and 2  KIOWA scout helicopters from the regiment, we established contact with an enemy tank force of 4 T-80Us just 15 minutes after reaching our destination.

Although not visible from our position, the engines of vehicles from Troops A, B and D could be heard. This shows their scheme of maneuver, conceived to establish a kill zone west of Grafschaft, between the river and the massive ridge near the highway.

We didn't spare time to start engaging the enemy vehicles moving northwest along the highway. Although most of our rounds didn't hit the enemy, we could get at least one of the tanks and a couple of support vehicles. The enemy fired at us with all fury, but our covered positions kept us alive for a while. The AH-1 Cobra attack helicopters scored far more hits until it withdrew, completely out of ammunition. One artillery mission called on the follow on enemy infantry forced them to dismount.

A downpour starts and the visibility goes down to 500 meters. The radio network blazes away that four enemy Hind attack helicopters did crest the hill at which troop A is located. These enemy helicopters wreck havoc among the less armored vehicles, like the M1062A2 mortar carriers. Several Stinger missiles are fired upon the intruders, but in the end is the 2 AH-1 Cobras hovering nearby who succeed in blunting the aerial attack.

But we have our own problems. Probably our long range fire poked a stick into the hornets' nest and now the enemy is attacking our position. With such a speed and determination that didn't allow us anything else than to remain and stand firm. Is close range street fighting. The enemy has no less that 10 tanks in our vicinity, and their armored infantry is following suit. 

They were just too strong. Their artillery support was murderous. One of our platoons attempted to escape north and was destroyed. My platoon escaped towards the southeast, thanks to the low visibility the heavy rains have brought again. 

Cheers,