Date: Fri, 31 Dec 1999 08:18:13 -0500
From: Mark S Walz
PBP #21 Raiders of the Chaco. This was an interesting setting. Bolivia and Paraguay apparently squared off in the thirties (it seems Bolivia didn't like being land locked.) The scenario features 13 squads and 2 crews with hmgs (axis minor) and reinforced by 5 conscript squads and a hero must protect there border outpost and the town just behind them. They are attacked by 12 squads and 2 crews mmg reinforced by 6 squads with leader and a couple of 75s which enter on horses/are pulled by wagons. The scenario takes place on boards 3 and 36 CVP are awarded for the capture of certain locations and elimination of roadblocks torching buildings as well as the usual way. ROAR had this one as 3 - 0 Pro Bolivian at the time I played it.
Half the victory points are contained in a small area around the victory buildings so the Paraguayans setup strong around the border out post. Then the Paraguayans formed a defensive perimeter that looked like a fish hook with the outpost as the barb.
From the Bolivian point of view. A direct attack over open ground with little or no rout terrain didn't look good. But board 36 was there for some reason. So the Bolivians decided to attack down board 36 (which the Paraguayan's couldn't even setup on) and throw a series of left hooks. The Bolivian mmgs managed to get into positions to support the attack while the Paraguayan hmgs stayed home to protect the border out post against the six squads assaulting it. The second left hook attacked the area just behind 3M2. This engaged more of the Paraguayan forces. Finally by using gallop the cavalry was able to roll the now overextended flank of the Paraguayans while the artillery actually managed to find firing positions outside the normal range of but with LOS to the Paraguayan hmgs.. By turn 6 a flame had been placed in the board 3 village and with gusts and moderate Ecs it was only a matter of time before the hole damned town was going to burn down so the Paraguayan's conceded. In the end the Bolivians had taken three squads prisoner and killed another six while losing nine of there own.
One note: The EC do not say which way the gusts are blowing. This matters when flicking your bic. My fix was to roll for direction before game start.
My final opinion: Play it with B2 Handicap. Paraguayan will probably lose the first time unless he does a better job protecting his right flank or the Bolivian is foolish enough to assault frontally. I give this one a 6.
Mark
