Where the Metal meets the Meat

This article discusses Wargaming Vietnam, taking a close look at the actions of the US 7th Cavalry in the Ia Drang Valley. It also announces a set of Vietnam rules that will be available to readers of Wargames Journal free of charge.

Introduction

Wargaming a period that is close to home or that can still be remembered by people around you can be intensely provocative. To a degree WWII still has such an impact; after all we can bump into a veteran on any high street and in many families.

Vietnam is one of those events in military history that for some people is highly emotive – even in a country that was not directly involved. Wargaming Vietnam is attractive to many due to the tactics and nature of the forces deployed and untouchable to others due to its more recent nature and the wider politics that were involved. That said, of late the amount of Vietnam related figures, vehicles, terrain and rules appearing in the marketplace has increased significantly.

Perhaps it's a sign that the memory of Vietnam is beginning to fade into the same blur that has consumed earlier 20th century conflicts. It may be that recent movies like 'We Were Soldiers' inspire designers and gamers alike. A similar rush of enthusiasm also existed after such WWII epics as Saving Private Ryan and Band of Brothers were shown in the cinema and on television.

Whatever the reason for the recent upsurge of interest in Vietnam I believe that it is an extremely interesting period to wargame and provides an excellent background for skirmish–based games involving modern squad level tactics set around platoon or company level games. In addition the whole panoply of modern hardware is available to the Americans and this must be deployed to combat an intelligent and resourceful enemy.

The film 'We Were Soldiers' centres on the events in the Ia Drang Valley during November 1965 in which around 450 men from the 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Hal Moore took on a numerically superior force of North Vietnamese Army (NVA) troops and the local Viet Cong. Something in the region of 2,000 NVA were believed to have been in the area and during three days a brutal fighting 79 Americans died and 121 were wounded with an estimated 1,000 NVA killed.

About 870 Vietnamese bodies were found, however the American artillery killed many and Napalm strikes also accounted for a number of the dead. The Hollywood version is pretty accurate only the bayonet charge at the end is total fantasy. It is also highly unlikely that General An, leader of the Communist Forces in the area, evacuated his position in the mountains immediately following the battle.

The NVA and Viet Cong forces demonstrated incredible bravery, battling intense air and artillery support and the ravages of Napalm strikes. The resolution of the American forces matched that of the Vietnamese and it was this determination to hold on that ultimately ensured the safe recovery of the US troops.

The actions of Americans, and the bravery and sheer doggedness of the Vietnamese, are synonymous with Vietnam as a whole. Re–fighting Vietnam is all about this type of action with the US forces sometimes engaging overwhelming NVA or Viet Cong forces or sometimes fighting an invisible enemy. The action taking place across an alien landscape that is purpose made for guerrilla tactics rather than the deployment of large troop formations.

The entire Ia Drang Valley engagement, credited as the first major clash between US forces and the NVA, is not easy to re–create. However the historical battle – and the movie – does provide us with the material needed to recreate the usual Vietnam fare of smaller 'Seek and destroy' or 'Rescue' type missions. Either way, big or small, Vietnam can provide an exciting game with lots of opportunity to insert fog of war and random elements into the game play.

Wargaming Rules for Vietnam Conflicts

In terms of modern conflicts Vietnam is well served by commercial rules sets. The trend is continuing with new releases appearing on the back of the recent surge in new figure releases. Britannia Miniatures, for example, is currently developing its set of Vietnam rules and a quick search of the Internet will find a number of free rules available for download. These include add–ons to convert existing popular systems such as Rapid Fire.

Wargames Journal is creating a set of skirmish level rules that is aimed at using the larger scale figures where individual figures or fire teams can be represented on a scale of 1 to 1. 15mm figures can be used although most people base these up in groups. The rules will provide a quick simple game and focus on an individuals' morale and their ability within the squad framework.

The main focus will be on ground level combat, but given the nature of Vietnam we cannot ignore the role of artillery, helicopters and ground attack aircraft with their delivery of HE and Napalm. The rules will also allow the use of vehicles.

These rules will be made available free to subscribers of Wargames Journal once completed and play tested.

Notes for wargaming the Ia Drang Valley Campaign

Although this is clearly an ambitious project if you wargame Vietnam using anything between 6mm or 15mm figures then you could think about doing the whole of the Ia Drang Valley as a single scenario. As a rule of thumb for the Americans you could count one base of figures as a platoon. This would give five bases per Company or Troop; One heavy weapons Platoon, three rifle Platoons and an HQ. To represent the enormous number of attacking NVA and Viet Cong troops you will probably need to recycle the NVA and Viet Cong bases that have been removed as casualties.

The Americans should be regular good quality troops with the Vietnamese not as good – otherwise it could turn into a very quick game! American Air and Artillery support should also be liberal. During the battle the Americans called in a massive air and artillery strike close to their own troops. This 'danger close' fire mission was necessary to drive of a large Vietnamese attack that was swamping the American Landing Zone.

If you use larger scale figures then you can recreate specific elements of the encounter, perhaps just the action involving A or B Troops of the 1st Battalion or specific parts of the attack on the perimeter of LZ X–ray

The following is an abridged history of the Ia Drang valley action that should give an idea of the confused nature of the fighting. It is intended to provide the inspiration for you to assemble your own scenarios using the narrative information provided and the map of LZ X–ray.

Day 1

At 08:30 hours the American assault on the NVA positions in the Ia Drang valley began with helicopter reconnaissance and artillery bombardment. At 10:30 hours Troop B of the 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry land without opposition at LZ X–ray.

Reconnaissance patrols move out from the LZ and meet no resistance. A single NVA deserter is captured and confirms the area is indeed a major communist base. He identifies the presence of the 66th and 33rd NVA Regiments who he says had planned to attack the nearby Plei Mei Special Forces camp but are now moving towards LZ X–ray.

By noon the two NVA Regiments are in place to attack the LZ. B Troop had moved across a dry creek with two platoons forward and one in reserve. They encounter NVA troops and its 2nd Platoon under Lieutenant Herrick's becomes separated from the rest of the Troop and is surrounded by the Vietnamese. The 1st and 3rd Platoons attempt a rescue but are forced back.

Meanwhile A Troop land at the LZ and deploy amid a shower of 60mm and 81mm mortar fire on the western side next to B Troop. Their 1st platoon is ordered to help B Troop but whilst approaching its position they became aware of a substantial Vietnamese force moving around their left flank, heading towards the LZ. Fortunately for the Americans the NVA Company tried to cross the dry creek that A Troop was using for cover and the Americans neutralized the threat.

C and D Troop land in the LZ and secure its perimeter. C Troop deploying on the south side and D Troop to the east of the LZ. This allows A Troop to support B Troop who again try and reach their isolated 2nd Platoon. B Troop is halted by sustained enemy fire, which prevents any further progress. Supporting artillery and air support is limited in effect due to the close nature of the terrain and the Americans begin to sustain increasing pressure on the LZ. Of the 27 men who had started the day in B Troops 2nd Platoon 8 had already been killed, including Lieutenant Herrick. Sergeant Clyde E. Savage is commanding the platoon and during the night it would repulse three major enemy assaults on its position.

As evening falls A and B Troop fall back to the LZ where C and D Troop are involved in a firefight with the encroaching Vietnamese forces. C Troop repulses an assault by two NVA Companies.

B Troop, 2nd battalion, 7th Cavalry are airlifted in to the LZ just before the intense Vietnamese pressure prevents any further airlift that day. Until further notice any more reinforcements will need to be landed at alternate LZ's, anything from 3–10 kilometers away from LZ x–ray

During the night the 8th battalion of the 66th NVA regiment move into the area and attacked the eastern side of the LZ, defended by D Troop. A Viet Cong battalion was ordered to attack the south side of the LZ, defended by C Troop. Vietnamese mortar and anti–aircraft support weapons are also moved towards the LZ and the 32nd NVA regiment is held in reserve. This time the American support fire is effective and both the NVA and Viet Cong positions are hit and the attacks are successfully disrupted.

Day 2

Around 08:00 hours on the second day another attack was made by the NVA against A Troops position on the west of the LZ. The Americans were now in a desperate situation and B Troop, 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry move to support the center of the LZ. The Americans hold on with the Vietnamese suffering terrible casualties.

At 09:00 hours the American helicopters manage to land A Troop, 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry in what had become a very 'hot' LZ. By now every officer in C Troop has been killed.

At LZ Victor 3km away the 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry are involved in a heavy firefight whilst moving towards LZ X–ray. Despite this the battalion arrive at the LZ at noon. A and C Troops from the 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry join with B Troop and successfully rescue its beleaguered 2nd Platoon.