GOLAN: THE SYRIAN OFFENSIVE

Transcription

1 GOLAN: THE SYRIAN OFFENSIVE by E.R. Bickford Production: Callie Cummins 2011 Decision Games Bakersfield, CA. As the rules state, this is the opening phase of the Yom Kippur War and the Syrian invasion of the Golan Heights. The Syrian player has the burden of attack. The object is to get his units moving across the map from the eastern side of the DMZ and on to the western side, crossing the Jordan River. The idea is to cross more units than are destroyed by the Israelis. Turn 1 The first order of business is to get through the DMZ. On the Syrian northern flank, the 9 th Division advances into contact with the Israeli 21/19 Mechanized Battalion. The 1 st Airborne Brigade holds the flank, while the 9 th Brigade marches along the track to the north. This unit actually penetrates the DMZ, and crosses the ditch. The Syrian 3 rd Division advances along the Sasa- Naffak Road, halting just as it begins to enter the DMZ. A mobile SAM launcher is brought along in the rear. This unit will probably not see any action at this point. The Syrian 7 th Division remains on the southern side of the Sasa-Naffak Road. Three of its infantry brigades pass through the DMZ, and stop alongside the ditch. These units also are not in contact with the enemy. A mobile SAM launcher is kept in the division s rear LOC. The Syrian 1 st Division moves slowly forward. It is passing through mixed terrain, and this costs 2 MP per hex. The 1 st Tank Division also has a SAM unit deployed with it. This force cannot quite make the DMZ yet. On the southern end of the map, the Syrian 3 rd Division is marching into the Israeli position. The 13/4 Battalion is holding the fortified position at Rafid. A fortified hex represents the extensive network of field fortifications that were constructed by both combatants. The primary benefit is to avoid the retreat result. Meanwhile, the Syrian commander slips the 5/31 Mechanized Brigade around the enemy position at Rafid. This unit passes into the DMZ along the track and is set to cross the ditch and then capture Jukhadar. AFTER ACTION REPORT A1

2 Combat Phase The Syrian 9 th Division attacks the Israeli position along the road running parallel with the DMZ between Masada and Ahmediye. The Syrians call for artillery support. The Israeli commander matches move for move. Both sides use two support chits. This time, the attack is repulsed. The Syrian 8 th Brigade is reduced from casualties. Another battle erupts on the southern end of the map: The Syrian 3 rd Division has two brigades in contact with the Israelis at Rafid. Both sides employ two support chits. The combat results in a D2. Since the Israeli 13 th Battalion is defending in a fortified hex at Rafid, the Israeli player can ignore the retreat result. (which he does). Not a lot of progress is made in the opening rounds. The Syrians have casualties, and the Israelis continue to maintain their defenses. The Syrian Army is making a four-pronged attack against Israel. This is in the hope of dispersing their limited defensive units. The Israeli commander quickly surveys the battlefield; 71 st Tank Battalion is dispatched to deal with the enemy 9/9 Infantry Brigade, which is close to Masada. Then, the 91 st Tank Battalion shifts to the north near the town of Kuneitra. There, it holds the track in an attempt to stem the Syrian advance in that area. On the Israeli right flank, the 92 nd Tank Battalion moves to Jukhadar to prevent the Syrian 5/31 Mechanized from making too much progress in outflanking the position. Photo 3 first battle Although the 21/19 Battalion is not a strong unit, the Israeli commander would like to take a shot at the Syrian 8 th Brigade because it has been weakened by previous combat. An exchange result would eliminate it. This is valuable, because the Syrians can gain a victory by exiting a unit before taking any loses. The Israeli makes the attack and it does not go as well as it was hoped. Both sides use up two support chits, and the A2 AFTER ACTION REPORT

3 Photo 6 Syrian attack attack is repulsed. The 21 st Mechanized Battalion is reduced. Turn 2 The Syrian Airborne unit completes its flanking maneuver, and returns to the road between Masada and Ahmediye. The 9 th Brigade remains locked in contact with the 71 st Tank Battalion to the east of Masada. The 8 th Brigade, which was damaged from earlier combat, manages to pull away from the Israeli tanks. In the center, the Syrian 7 th Division pins down the Israeli 52 nd Tank Battalion at Ahmediye. This allows the 15/3 Tank Brigade to slip by on the Syrian right. The 7 th Division continues to advance. The 5 th and 7 th Brigades make contact with the Israeli 91 st Tank Battalion, which is deployed on the track to the south of the town of Kuneitra. The Syrian 1 st Tank Division has no resistance and elements cross the DMZ to the east of Kushniye. The 12 th and 102 nd Brigades successfully cross the ditch there. On the south fringe, the 1 st Mechanized Brigade outflanks the Israeli position at Rafid, and heads for the road west of the position. The 5/31 Mechanized Brigade enters contact with the Israeli unit at Jukhadar. Combat Phase The Syrian commander orders the 7th Division to attack the Israeli position near Kuneitra. The 91 st Battalion is defending in mixed terrain. Both sides employ artillery support. The combat is resolved at +2. This results in an exchange. Both sides units absorb casualties. The Syrian 7 th Infantry brigade is flipped, and the Israeli 91 st Tank Battalion is also flipped. The Israeli player receives his first round of reinforcements. These forces are entering from the west, and quickly make their way eastward. The units are positioned to absorb as much of the Syrian troops as possible. The Israeli 13 th Mechanized Battalion exits the fortification at Rafid, and enters the DMZ, crossing the ditch, and then gaining access to the track to the east. The 91 st Tank Battalion launches a counterattack. The focal point is the Syrian 7/7 Infantry Brigade, which is deployed east of Kuneitra. The Syrian unit has suffered heavy losses, and the Israeli commander would like to destroy it. Both sides expend two artillery support markers and the battle stalls. There is no effect. Note: The Israeli Air Force has not done much yet. The enemy is rife with SAMs, and these can gang up on air units. Also, the number of battles has been low enough for the Israelis to gain sufficient support from their artillery assets alone. Historically, the Israelis suffered a number of aircraft losses to SAMs, and thus the Israeli player is attempting to avoid the same result. Turn 3 The Syrian commander of the 1/3 Mechanized Brigade continues to race for the western areas. This unit advances well to the west of Jukhadar, and gains access to a track, which will facilitate movement. Then the 1 st Tank Division clears the DMZ. The 102 nd Brigade seizes Kushniye. The 12 th, 21 st and 22 nd Brigades capture the northsouth road across the DMZ. The commander of the Syrian 3 rd Tank Division advance west toward Wazit. His men manage to capture the fortified area along the crossroads. The 4/31 Tank Brigade gets through the DMZ, while a mobile SAM unit remains to its rear. On the northern flank, the 9 th Division breaks through and gains access to the road out of Masada. AFTER ACTION REPORT A3

4 Photo 7 Israeli counterattack Combat Phase The 1 st Tank Division makes an attempt to clear the western road to Naffak. It is currently blocked by the Israeli 12 th Tank Battalion. This unit is in mixed terrain, and so the Syrians and Israelis both call for artillery support. The combat produces heavy casualties, and the 22 nd Tank Brigade is reduced. The Israeli unit is also reduced. The Syrian commander of the 7 th Division orders an attack against the 52 nd Tank Battalion at Ahmediye. The Israelis are positioned in a network of field fortifications here. This unit is projecting ZOC into the road and track that cross over from the DMZ. The Syrians throw in +10 artillery assets, and the Israelis counter this. The result is an exchange. Both sides take losses: The Israeli 52 nd Battalion is reduced, and the Syrian 6 th Brigade is likewise flipped to its reduced side. At this point, the Syrians have some penetration of the Israeli line. The 3 rd Division sits outside of Wazit. The 9 th Infantry Division is pressing toward Masada. Israel has not used any air support yet. Perhaps the Syrians should initiate more attacks to dilute the Israeli support strength. Israel brings up more reinforcements. These include four tank battalions and a mechanized Photo 8 After Syrian Move] A4 AFTER ACTION REPORT

5 Combat Combat battalion. In the eastern sector, the Israeli 13 th Mechanized is roaming around, heading for a fortification. Meanwhile, it stumbles on a Syrian SAM launcher. Two units, which had just arrived as reinforcements, move into contact with the 1/3 Brigade. This unit has outflanked the eastern Israeli units, and was making a dash for the western map. Combat Phase The 13/4 Battalion attacks a lone SAM unit along the Namir-Rafid Road. Both sides expend artillery support assets. There is no effect. The rest of the forces are now tentative regarding their attack possibilities. Turn 4 The Syrian commander orders the 2/3 Brigade to take care of the Israeli infantry that is threatening the SAMs along the Namir-Rafid Road. The 1/3 Brigade is in a tenuous situation, surrounded by Israelis, so the commander decides to retreat to a safer position. side employ maximum artillery support. The combat result is in an exchange; The Israeli unit is eliminated, and the 12/1 Brigade is reduced. Along the Masada-Ahmediye Road, the Syrians have surrounded the Israeli 21/19 Battalion. Both commanders use maximum artillery support. This also results in a stalled attack. Both combatants remain locked. Combat The Israelis are out of artillery assets. Now, all they have is the Israeli Air Force. Testing the Israelis, the Syrian commander launches an attack with the 9 th Division against the 71 st Tank Battalion, which is defending the flank near Masada. The Syrians throw out some artillery support; The IAF sends an air mission to counter this. Six SAMs are fired and none hit! The Syrians now add a second artillery support chit. Then, the Israeli commander orders another air strike. Five more SAMs are fired, and again they do not hit the aircraft. The land combat result is an exchange. Both sides are taking heavy casualties. The 71 st Battalion is flipped to its reduced side. The 9 th Infantry Brigade is also reduced. The Syrians still have some unused artillery assets; The commander decides to launch one more attack against the 72/7 Tank Battalion, which is due east of Wazit. The Syrians have two tank brigades and artillery. The Israeli Air Force, flushed with success, flies in to provide close support. The mobile SAMs to the southeast of Kuneitra fire, as does the long range SAM launcher near Namir. Both miss the aircraft! A second air sortie is called in, and there are no more SAMs within range, so it bombards the attackers. Then, the Syrians attack, and this results in a D3. The Israeli forces fall back toward the Jordan River. The Israeli Army receives more reinforcements. These advance towards the east to create a net that will prevent the Syrians from getting to the western map. Meanwhile, the Israelis have a small advantage in combat support strength, al- Combat Phase The Syrian 2/3 Brigade launches an attack against the 13/4 Battalion near the SAM sites. The Syrian commander calls in 10 points of artillery fire, and the defenders do likewise. This results in an exchange. Both units are reduced in place. Next, the Syrians launch an assault against the 12/11 Battalion, which is positioned along the crossroads between Kushniye and Naffak. Both AFTER ACTION REPORT A5

6 Photo 13 Combat IAF Photo 15 Combat Kush result is D2. The Syrian general orders a stiff resistance, and the unit is reduced in place. This is the best option with no retreat path. though it is all from the air force. This leaves the aircraft susceptible to the surface-to-air missiles, which are potentially dangerous, despite their poor luck so far. One air point is sent to support an attack against the Syrian 102 nd Brigade near Kushniye. The air unit escapes three SAM attacks! But, the Syrians also employ artillery fire in defense. A second IAF unit is flown in, and it too escapes a massive SAM attack. The Syrian infantry decides to retreat, and it survives another round. The Israeli commander does not advance in order to maintain the integrity of his position. The Israeli 92 nd Tank Battalion is deployed at Jukhadar. Its commander decides to launch an assault against the 5/31 Infantry, which sits due east. Three SAM units fire at the aircraft to no effect yet again. The IAF sends in a second F-4 for support, and there are no longer any SAMs in range. Again, the attack fails to incur any casualties, and the Syrian troops fall back in retreat. The 92nd Tank advances through the DMZ. Near the village of Wazit, the Israeli commander orders two tank battalions to assault the Syrian 13/3 Tank Brigade. The Israelis have it surrounded, so it has no retreat path. The Israeli Air Force flies ground support and escapes the SAMs that are launched from the mobile launchers. The Another attack is launched against the 15/3 Tank Brigade at Wazit. The Israeli 51 st Tank Battalion is supported by the Air Force, which flies in uncontested. There is no effect. The Syrians still have not lost a complete unit, which makes the automatic victory look reasonably obtainable. Photo 16 Wazit, stiff Syrian resistance Turn 5 The Syrian commander cautiously makes his advance. The two tank brigades (13 th and 15 th ) from the 3 rd Division extricate themselves from the Israeli ZOC near Wazit. These make some headway towards the border. The flank near Masada is weakly held by the Israeli 71 st Battalion, which has been reduced from prior engagements. Photo 14 Combat Wazit The commander of the Syrian 9 th Division seeks to open up the Israeli left, and launches a threepronged frontal attack. The artillery is called for as support, and the Israeli commander responds with defensive support fire, too. This results in an exchange. The 71 st Battalion is wrecked. The commander of the Syrian troops sees the 17 th Tank Brigade take heavy damage as well. The flank is open, but the Syrians do not have any forces to exploit with. In the broken terrain to the south of Masada, the Syrian forces attempt to break through the Israeli A6 AFTER ACTION REPORT

7 Their support is then countered by Syrian artillery fire. The combat results in a D2, but the Syrian unit has no retreat path, and it is eliminated. Photo 19 Attack near Rafid infantry battalion, which is deployed just east of the Masada-Kuneitra road. Both commanders call in artillery support fires. The battle stalls and there is no effect. The Israeli 21 st Infantry Battalion reports a defensive victory. The Syrian 11 th Tank Brigade is deployed in Kuneitra. The commander decides to make a frontal attack against the Israeli 52 nd Tank Battalion, which holds a network of field fortifications to the west. The Syrian leader orders the 5 th Infantry to take the right in the two-pronged attack. Both sides employ artillery support, and the result is a D2, but the Israeli forces decide not to retreat from the fortifications. The Israelis receive the last of their reinforcements. The first area of attention is the left flank, which must be secured again. The 133 rd Mechanized is sent to Masada for this purpose. Both of the Syrian tank brigades there are surrounded by Israeli rear area forces. Hopefully, this will stem the tide of their advance. Only limited attacks are performed, as the Israeli commander is becoming more cautious, knowing that he has no more reinforcements. A major effort is launched against the Syrian 5th Infantry Brigade, east of the DMZ. The 92 nd Tank and 13 th Mechanized battalions have surrounded the Syrian troops, and two F-4 units from the Israeli Air Force get through for a close support mission. The Israelis launch another attack against the Syrian forces east of Kushniye. The enemy SAMs finally shoot down the first Israeli aircraft, but a second one gets through for close support. The Syrian defenders expend artillery support for the combat, and the battle results in an exchange. The Israeli 131 st Mechanized is reduced, while the Syrian unit is eliminated. Near the Jordan River, the Israeli forces launch another attack against the surrounded 13 th Tank Brigade. Air support is called in, but the SAMs get the first aircraft. A second F-4 shows up and provides close support for the attack. This results in a D2. The Syrian unit is surrounded, so the general orders it to give stiff resistance. It is reduced in place as a result. Photo 20 Attack on Jordan The Israelis launch one more attack against the 15 th Tank Brigade, which is surrounded in the area between Masada and Wazit. The Israeli Air Force gets by the last SAM unit, and two support markers are used. This also results in a D2. Again, the unit employs stiff resistance and avoids a retreat (but is thus reduced.) There are no further attacks at this time. AFTER ACTION REPORT A7

8 Turn 6 The Syrian commander continues to press his troops forward to the western map edge. The 15/3 Tank Brigade extricates itself from the Israeli 5 th Regiment s ZOC, and heads for the road. That is as far as it can go. The 13/3 Tank Brigade also pulls away from the enemy, and maneuvers towards the north. It picks up a well-worn track along the way. Although the Syrians have taken only two full unit losses, they have lost a lot of steps, and have a weakened attack force. Hence, not many attacks are initiated. Along the Masada-Kuneitra Road, the Syrians converge on the Israeli 20 th Mechanized Battalion. It is still at full strength. Both sides employ artillery support, which results in an exchange. The Israelis are defending in broken terrain; the 20/19 is therefore reduced. In the center, the Syrian 1 st Tank Division launches an assault against the Israeli 91/9 Tank Battalion. The units on both sides have already incurred been reduced from earlier fighting. Both sides use maximum artillery allotments. The result is D2, and the Israeli tanks simply fall back. Next, the Syrian troops at Kuneitra attack the Israeli position due west. It is well-defended, and has field fortifications. Nonetheless, the Israeli unit there is already reduced. Both sides expend one artillery support fire chit each: The battle stalls, and there is no effect. Near Kushniye, the Syrian 1/3 Tank Brigade attacks the Israeli 131st Battalion. The defending unit is reduced from prior engagements; The Syrians call in two artillery support missions, and the Israelis call in only one. The rest of the Israeli support only comes from their air force, which now has reasonable fear of SAM fire: The combat results in heavy casualties to both sides (both sides are reduced.) The Syrians still have plenty of artillery forces left, and these are conserved for the defense. The Israeli counterparts only have air support, and it remains to be seen how it is employed. The Israeli commander makes a few maneuvers, and then looks for targets of opportunity. The Syrians have three half-strength tank brigades that are close to exiting the map. Israeli forces are dispatched to address these. In the mixed terrain near Dan, the Israeli 51 st Tank Battalion attacks the half-strength 17 th Tank Brigade. The Israeli Air Force flies a sortie, and is greeted with fire from three SAMs. These miss. The Syrian defenders then call in mortar fire. The Israelis call for a second air strike, but the mission is met by more enemy SAMs, but they also miss; the Israeli player has been incredibly lucky so far. Nevertheless, the attack is turned back as the Syrians have superior combat support. The 51 st Tank Battalion is reduced. Near Naffak, the Israelis launch another assault. The 10 th and 91 st Tank Battalions lead this attack. Air support is called in and it manages to evade the enemy SAMs again. The Syrian 12 th Tank Brigade defends, and it has already incurred heavy damage. The Syrian commander therefore calls for artillery support, and so the Israeli player calls in more air support, although this time the Syrian SAMs shot down the Israeli air mission. The combat results in numerous casualties the Syrian 12 th Brigade is destroyed and the Israeli 10 th Battalion is reduced. The Israelis launch one more attack in the Syrian rear areas, east of the DMZ. A SAM launcher site is the target. The 92nd Tank and 13 th Infantry Battalion strike. The Israeli commander calls for air support. Three SAM launchers fire, but to no avail, and the aircraft get through. A second air mission is sent, but there are no more SAMs available for the defense in this area. The Syrians employ what remains of their artillery support. The SAM unit suffers a retreat, which it cannot perform, and it is destroyed instead. Turn 7 All told, the Israelis have lost four air missions to SAM attacks thus far, leaving them with 6 missions per turn. Both sides have taken losses, and the Syrians have lost three full units, as has the A8 AFTER ACTION REPORT

9 Israeli Army. Additionally, the Syrians have lost one SAM unit. The Syrian 3/13 Tank unit is able to exit the map across the Jordan River. But this unit is only at half-strength. The rest of the units make very little progress as they are ensnared in the web created by the Israeli defenders. The Syrian commander now attempts to open up the northern flank again with an attack against the Israeli 51 st Tank Battalion. The Israeli unit is already reduced, and it is now surrounded by the elements of the 9 th Division. Both sides employ artillery support. The Israeli unit holds a track in broken terrain. This results in a repulse, and the Syrian 9 th Infantry Brigade is destroyed. Next, the Syrians look at the track connecting the Masada Road to Wazit. A weak Israeli infantry battalion defends this position. Both sides use artillery to support the combat. Again, the Israeli unit is taking advantage of the defensive benefits of broken terrain. This time, the combat produces an exchange, with heavy losses to both sides. The Israeli 20 th Tank Battalion is destroyed, and the Syrian 4/31 Tank is reduced by one step. Another attack is performed against the fortified position near Kuneitra. The Syrians pit two infantry brigades and a tank brigade against the Israeli 52 nd Tank Battalion. Both sides call for maximum artillery fire. The battle results in an exchange. The Israeli unit is therefore eliminated, and the Syrian 5/7 Brigade is reduced by one step. This concludes the Syrian actions. The Israeli player does not make any attacks, now that the Syrians are pressing their advance. Their forces are re-positioned to improve the defensive network. The 5 th Tank Regiment moves around the Syrian ZOC near Dan in an attempt to block the two tank brigades (17/9 and 15/3). The Israeli right flank is quite strong. AFTER ACTION REPORT A9

10 Turn 8 The Syrian player is thankful to obtain some reinforcements. Two tank brigades and an infantry brigade as well as a Mechanized unit arrive along the Sasa-Ahmediye Road. These units all advance along the primary road towards the DMZ. A few other re-deployments are made, but there is no major action as the Syrian commander waits for his reinforcements. Near Dan, the 5/5 Tank Battalion attacks the Syrian 15 th Tank Brigade. One of the negative effects of the Syrian lull has been that none of the Israeli artillery support was burned off, so that the support is still available for counterattack operations. Both players expend two artillery chits. The attack stalls and has no effect. A second counterattack is launched against the 4 th Brigade which is deployed in the broken terrain north of Wazit. Again, both players commit artillery, but this time the Israelis have the advantage. This attack also stalls with no effect. On the eastern map, the Israelis continue to attack the Syrian rear area, as they find another SAM site. Both sides expend two artillery support markers, and the combat result is D2. Since the SAM cannot retreat it is eliminated. Turn 9 The Syrian reinforcements cross into the DMZ. Then, the 21 st Tank Brigade breaks through the Israeli line near Kushniye. Near Masada, the Syrian commander orders an attack against the Israeli 21 st Mechanized Battalion. Both sides employ maximum artillery support. The Israelis are forced to retreat with a D2 result, and this pushes the Israelis out of the defensible broken terrain. The Israeli commander becomes more aggressive and launches several more attacks. On the north flank, near Dan, the 5 th Regiment maneuvers to block the two tank brigades that are attempting to slip past the screen. Both of these brigades are reduced and vulnerable to exchange results. The Israeli 5 th Regiment makes a frontal assault against the 17 th Brigade. Both sides use artillery support, which cancel out. The result is an exchange. The 17 th Brigade is destroyed. To the south of this battle, the Israeli tanks have managed to surround the Syrian 21 st Tank Brigade. Again, both sides employ maximum artillery support, but the Israelis have a +2 advantage this time. This results in casualties on both sides. Both the Israeli 73 rd Tank Battalion and the Syrian 21 st Tank are reduced by one step. The Israeli commander also has the 1 st Mechanized surrounded near Kushniye. Unfortunately, the Israeli Army has no more artillery support and cannot counter the Syrians unless they send in the Air Force. Since the air force has already lost 40 percent of its strength, the Israeli commander doesn t want to risk any more aircraft by exposing them to SAM attacks (the Israelis are penalized in the victory conditions if they lose 51 percent of their air power). Turn 10 More Syrian reinforcements arrive. Four brigades enter near Nawa. These units head for Rafid. The 1 st Tank Brigade extricates itself from the Israeli units that had surrounded it. Along the track near Dan, the 8 th Infantry Brigade moves forward to provide cover for the 15 th Tank Brigade, which is subsequently pulled back. There is no combat as the Syrian commander is concerned about his current level of losses. Seeing the Syrian advance along the southern flank, the Israeli commander moves the 5/4 Mechanized Battalion to the field fortifications in Rafid. Then, the 9/61 Mech moves to the hills to the west of Boutmiye. A combined force of mech and tanks manage to surround the 21 st Tank Brigade which has found itself overextended to the west in an effort to get to the western map. The Israelis launch a flanking attack against the 21 st Tank Brigade. Both sides call for maximum artillery support. The result is an exchange. This eliminated the Syrian tanks unit and reduces the Israeli 7/61 Mech Battalion. Turn 11 The Syrian commander looks for a way to punch a hole through the Israeli defenses. Meanwhile, the reinforcements on the south flank make it to the DMZ, and the 52 nd Tank Brigade crosses through. Next, the Syrian paratroopers launch an attack, A10 AFTER ACTION REPORT

11 supported by the 4 th Tank Brigade against the 21 st Mechanized, which defends north of Wazit. Both sides employ maximum artillery support. The Israeli unit must retreat on the D2 result, and this opens a hole in the position. Mobile Movement Phase Three Syrian mobile units now exploit through the hole. They were not deployed in the optimal position, but the opportunity has arisen for an advance, and they take it. Additionally, two mobile SAM units advance behind. The Israeli force responds to the Syrian breakthrough. Just to the north of Kushniye, the Israeli 93 rd Tank battalion is joined in a two-pronged flank attack against the Syrian 1/3 Mech Brigade. The enemy unit is already damaged from prior combat. Both sides call for artillery support. The Syrian force is called on to retreat, but it is surrounded, and therefore destroyed in place. There are no further attacks Turn 12 The Syrian player charges forward with as much strength as he can muster. Two columns drive west to the map edge. There are no attacks. It looks like some units will make it off the map, but there are already nine Syrian units in the dead pile. The Israeli forces maneuver to stem the Syrian advance. Not much strength can reach the column headed for the Ben Jacov Bridge. Nonetheless, three brigades are engaged along the tracks between Kushniye and Jukhadar. The Syrian 52 nd Tank Brigade is surrounded by Israeli forces, and these launch an assault. Both sides use valuable artillery support. This combat results in casualties to both combatants. The 52 nd Tank is reduced, and the 19 th Battalion also loses a step. Photo 31 Escape AFTER ACTION REPORT A11

12 Photo 32 Attack along track Then, the Israelis attack the 101 st Mech Brigade, which is running along the escarpment, heading for the river. The Syrians do not gain benefits for the escarpment, as they are being flanked. Both players use artillery support, and so the assault bogs down and there is no effect. Next is a third attack along the track from Jukhadar. The Israeli commander orders three battalions to strike the Syrian 51 st Tank Brigade. It has been surrounded and has no retreat path. The Israelis call in artillery support, and the Syrian commander does the same. The result is D2. Since the Syrian unit cannot retreat, the commander calls for stiff resistance, and the unit is damaged in place. Turn 13 After a dozen game turns of fighting, the Syrian Army exits two full-strength tank brigades and a mechanized brigade across the Ben Jacov Bridge. Two mobile SAM units follow suit. Though these SAMs are not available for air defense anymore, they will count toward Syrian VP. More Syrian forces advance towards the map edge. At this point, only five more units are needed for a victory. This, of course, is assuming that there are no more losses. Thus, at this stage, the Syrians have no major advantage in attacking. The Israelis make a number of counterattacks aimed at eliminating Syrian units, which will require of them more units to exit for a victory. They have the 52 nd Tank Brigade surrounded along the track to the west of Jukhadar. Both sides use artillery support, canceling itself out. The battle result is an exchange: The 52 nd Tank is eliminated, and the Israeli 9 th Battalion takes a step loss. Next, the 72 nd Tank Battalion launches another attack against the 22nd Tank Brigade, which is on the banks of the Jordan River. Both commanders call for artillery support. This also results in an exchange. Hence, the Syrian unit is eliminated, and the Israeli 7 th Mechanized Battalion is also destroyed. Due west of Wazit, the Israeli forces have surrounded the 101 st Mechanized Brigade. Again, full artillery support is utilized. The result is a D2. The 101 st cannot retreat and is eliminated instead. The loss of these three units severely cripples the Syrian effort to exit enough units to achieve victory. Turn 14 Now, the Syrian commander attempts to punch a hole through the Israeli line along the Jordan River. The 1 st Para and the 8 th Infantry Brigade join in a frontal assault against the 51 st Tank Battalion, which is already damaged. Both sides employ artillery, but the Syrians use two +6 support fire chits. The result is an exchange. The Israeli unit is therefore eliminated, and the 1 st Parachute Brigade is reduced. This opens the necessary hole, which allows three Syrian units to cross the map edge during the mobile movement phase. The Syrians have exited seven and a half units, but have lost 12 units, so they are not at all close to victory. The Israeli commander looks for opportunities to block the advance, as well as potential counterattacks, of Syrian units. On the northwestern side of the Syrian advance, the 133 rd Mech and the 71 st Tank Battalions surround the Syrian 8 th Infantry Brigade. Both sides order artillery fire, and the result is an exchange. The 8 th Infantry is eliminated, and the Israeli 71 st Tank is reduced a step. Near Lake Tiberias, the Israeli forces conduct another attack against the Syrians. Three Israeli units surround the 11 th Mechanized Brigade. The Israeli commander attacks with full artillery support. The Syrian commander also orders artillery support fire. Both sides take heavy losses. The Syrian 11 th Mechanized is reduced by one step, whereas the Israeli 74 th Tank Battalion also takes a step loss. Turn 15 The 4 th Infantry Brigade, reduced, exits the map near the settlement of Dan. Then, a mobile SAM unit also exits near Dan. The Syrians also counterattack near Lake Tiberias. The Israelis therefore throw in two artillery support markers, and the Syrians expend two. Both sides incur damage. The Israeli 6 th Recon Battalion is eliminated, and the Syrian Special Forces Brigade is reduced as well. During the mobile movement phase, the reduced strength 11 th Mechanized Brigade exits the map across the Jordan River near Lake Tiberias. Up to now, the Syrians have exited seven fullstrength units and 5 reduced-strength units, for a total of nine and one half points. Unfortunately for them, they have lost a total of 13 units, which puts a victory out of reach unless they can exit more Syrian units off of the map. The Israelis have lost about eight units plus four air support chits. The Israelis organize three more attacks along the Jordan River. The Syrian 1 st Parachute Brigade is now surrounded near the track that runs A12 AFTER ACTION REPORT

13 Photo 35 Battle 51 Tank near Tiberias from north to south along the escarpment. The Israeli commander brings three battalion against it in a flanking maneuver. Both sides call for full artillery support, and the battle degrades to a costly exchange. The Syrian unit is eliminated. The Israeli 133 rd Mech is reduced. Two more Israeli units attack the mobile SAM unit west of Wazit. Another Syrian unit has already crossed the Jordan River, and both sides throw in full artillery support. However, the Israeli attack is turned back; The 132 nd Mechanized Battalion sustains heavy damage. Near Lake Tiberias, the Israelis launch another assault aimed at the Syrian 51 st Tank Brigade. The Syrian armor is surrounded, but its commander calls for artillery support knowing that the Israelis do not have any available, except air support; but, due to the SAMs, these are held back. The attack is thus repulsed. Turn 16 The Syrians continue to press towards the west. A full-strength infantry brigade exits the west map, followed by the mobile SAM unit escorting it, which escaped destruction last turn. The 5/7 Brigade also exits, along with the 11/7 Tank Brigade. This awards the Syrians 13 points, but they have 14 losses, so this is not enough for victory. The Israeli commander maneuvers his forces to the Ben Jacov Bridge where the Syrian 7 th Infantry Brigade has crossed. The 72 nd Tank and 11/11 Tank Battalions assault the 7 th Brigade. Both sides expend artillery to support the combat, and this battle results in an exchange. The Syrian unit is eliminated, while the 72 nd Tank Battalion suffers a step reduction. Then, in another area, near the lake, the Israelis surround the 51 st Tank Brigade. The enemy unit is already damaged. Both sides expend artillery support points. The battle ends with a D2, but the 51 st is surrounded and cannot retreat. It is destroyed instead. End Game The Syrians do not have the ability to pull out a win. They only have three mobile units left on the map, all of which are at half-strength. There is one unit due to arrive as reinforcements on turn 19, but this will not be enough to save the Syrian attack. The game ends with an Israeli Victory. AFTER ACTION REPORT A13

14 A14 AFTER ACTION REPORT