Where The Hell Are We Fighting?: Street and Shop Signs

I’m a recent wargaming convert but in my wild and wooly youth I enjoyed building highly detailed models and dioramas. Nowadays, when I lay out an Afghan or Iraqi village for a game, the modeler part of me screams that it’s not done yet: There should be details that add authenticity and clues to location, such as shop signs, street trash, farm animals, and the ever-present spiderweb of overhead wiring that seems to grow of its own accord in the Middle East.

Most of these details won’t make a difference in a game. Some minutiae, such as wiring between buildings, will get in the way of moving figures and should be minimized or even avoided.

However, that doesn’t mean that a wargame board and terrain should be a bland, anonymous setting that could be anywhere from Basra to Birmingham. Some details are easy to add, such as street signs, flags, and logos.

I strongly recommend you check out 5682 Miniatures, a producer of excellent and easy-to-use decals and print-ready files that will add a range of color, depth, realism, and authenticity to your wargame scenery. 

These are inexpensive, come in 15mm, 20mm, and 28mm sizes, and add so much to a scene. 

In addition, I’ve found a number of images for shop and restaurant signs from the Middle East. Some are for chain stores and others are creations from people off the intertubes. I claim no copyright images for them but you should feel free to save and print them for your own use.

WIP: Afghan/Iraqi Buildings

It's Spring Break in my part of the world. For the Fat Bastard, it's a magical time when the Bastardess and the little Bastards go visit the in-laws and leave me to my own devices. I've spent the last few evenings adding to my collection of buildings (20mm scale) for wargames. Using foam core, spackle, and house paint samples, I put together an assortment of Middle-Eastern/Afphan houses, a garage, an apartment building, and a couple of shops. The one with the tower doubles as a dice tower.

I'm not terribly crafty (that's the Bastardess' department) but I am pleased with how these are turning out as they are reasonably square or rectangular, roughly to scale, and not glued together or worse, stuck to my body.

Once all of these are complete, I'll add signs, wiring, and other details.

Paris is Choking

“By September, the Intifada had been raging for nearly three months and the character of Europe had fundamentally changed. The nations of the EU had shifted to a footing more appropriate for a civil war and were aggressively engaging the Islamic State insurgents. Wartime security laws had been passed and enforced. The public generally accepted these new restrictions and security measures but there remained a vocal minority who demanded a peaceful solution with the Islamic State.

“On the morning of the twenty-first, the insurgents fighting in and around the Bellevue neighborhood of Paris launched an attack that shocked France and the world. At 2:57 GMT, three groups of trucks arrived at their destinations, secured their respective areas, and each set up launchers for crude locally manufactured missiles. The warheads of these missiles contained a sulfur-mustard compound, also manufactured locally and in complete secrecy. Only a few of the insurgents and those who handled the weapons knew what they carried, a fact that would increase the death toll considerably.”

“The missiles were fired into the southern Parisian suburbs and the launchers were quickly reloaded for more. The bright flashes and resounding noise were impossible to hide and within short order the French military pounced on the launch sites. One group was destroyed when a missile exploded on launch, a second fled under fire from a patrolling attack helicopter, and the third was engaged by squads of French soldiers deployed within the city.”

A History of the European Intifada by Manheim Frye

Scenario

The Islamic State is launching unguided rockets from a park in the north of Paris into the suburbs to the south. The rockets contain a lethal sulfur-mustard compound, but only the rocket launch crew know this during the game. The IS player tries to hold the French reaction force for as long as possible, launching as many rockets as possible, while the French force attempts to stop the launching as quickly as possible and kill or capture the insurgents.

Board

The board is approximately 3’ x 3’ and portrays a pleasant open park.

The park is bisected by a 1-meter deep canal. Because of the water’s depth and the hardened banks, the canal is considered Hard Cover. Movement within the canal is restricted 2” when walking and 4” when running. Exiting the canal requires 2 AP. Any character that falls unconscious in the canal will drown if not rescued within two combat phases and counts as a casualty for victory points. The canal is too wide for the VAB to cross.

The canal is crossed by a stone and concrete bridge. It is wide enough for the VAB to cross with some difficulty (Driving at -20%).

To the north (above) the canal is a brick public restroom (Hard Cover) and a drinking fountain (Soft Cover).

To the south of the canal are public seating (Soft Cover), a gazebo (Medium Cover), and a bronze statue on a stone pedestal (Hard Cover).

Victory Points & Setup

IS Victory Points

For every rocket launched, 50 pts

For every French soldier killed or wounded, 15 pts

If the VAB is destroyed, 50 pts

French Victory Points

For each Insurgent killed or wounded, 10 pts

For each rocket captured or destroyed, 50 pts

Setup

The IS player must set up the rocket launcher, the rocket launch crew, and the truck carrying the rockets to the north (above) the canal. The other IS figures and vehicles should be arranged in protective positions around the rocket launcher, crew, and truck.

Dismounted French figures enter the board from the south (bottom) portion of the board. The VAB and any mounted French figures enter the board from the south on Round 2.

Scenario Rules

A Night in the Park

The scenario takes place at night in a dimly lit park. All Spot attempts suffer from a -50% modifier.

Launching a Rocket

The rocket crew can launch one rocket every four Phases. The crew begins to unload (Phase 1) on the first Phase of the first Round of the game.

Phase 1, unload

Phase 2, place on launcher

Phase 3, prep for launch

Phase 4, Launch!

The crew must make successful Morale roll to move to the next launch phase. A Fumble means that the rocket detonates on the launch pad (6d10 KZ/3d10 DZ, KZ = 5'/DZ = 15'). Worse, the explosion spreads the mustard gas throughout the damage zone.

Homemade Insurgent Rockets

The IS forces have 10 rockets in their inventory (enough for at least 6 Rounds of play) Dangerous launch radius - anyone within 5” of the rockets when they launch is in danger from the backblast (damage 2d6). Any night-vision equipment being used on the board is rendered useless at the time of launch by the flash.

Damage to the Rockets

The Insurgent Player should decide in advance which vehicle is carrying the rockets. If that vehicle is struck by weapon doing more than 10 pts of damage, roll a d10. On a 1

or 2, a rocket had been damaged and begins leaking mustard gas.

Exposure to Mustard Gas

Popular culture portrays chemical weapons as clouds of yellow smoke that instantly kill anyone it comes in contact with. In reality, mustard gas is colorless and odorless and can have only a minimal effect on initial exposure (1d10 damage). However, the true extent of the burns make themselves known within 24 hours and those who have been exposed suffer tremendously (+1d10 damage for each subsequent Phase of exposure, manifesting 24 hours after exposure).

Any character who realizes the nature of the threat must immediately make a Morale roll at -50.

Use the rules for Laying Down Smoke in the Heavy Weapons section of Skirmish Sangin to identify size of the gas exposure and direction of drift.

Briefings

Paris Reaction Force Briefing

“The bastards are launching rockets from a nearby park into the suburbs without any regard for who they kill. Get there fast, dismount, and kill as many as possible. Those rockets must be stopped as soon as possible.”

Echo One Croissant, VAB, Average, (Driver, Gunner)

Body	Armour/IED	Morale	AP	Vehicle Type	Cbt Phases
13	3/4	55%	3	APC	3, 5, 7, 9

Primary Weapon 49%, Other Weapon 39%, Spot 100%, Drive 59%

7.62 mg, KZ4d10 (4x3”)

Robert Berger, Veteran Sergeant (125 pts)

Body	Armour	Morale	AP	Weapon	Cbt Phases
18(16)	1d10+4	85%	3	FAMAS	2, 4, 6, 8

Pistol 72%, Rifle 92%, Spot 100%, First Aid 40%, Heavy Weapons 54%, Throw 72%, Forward Observer 64%

300m Fire Team

Hercule Lavigne, Veteran Corporal, 115 pts.

Body	Armour	Morale	AP	Weapon	Cbt Phases
17(15)	1d10+4	75%	3	FAMAS	2, 4, 6, 8

Pistol 68%, Rifle 88%, Spot 100%, First Aid 40%, Heavy Weapons 51%, Throw 68%, Forward Observer 61%

Florence Travere, Veteran Soldier, 110 pts.

Body	Armour	Morale	AP	Weapon	Cbt Phases
18(16)	1d10+4	75%	3	FAMAS +  Anti Blinde Leger Launcher (AT-4)	2, 4, 6, 8

Pistol 72%, Rifle 82%, Spot 100%, First Aid 40%, Heavy Weapons 54%, Throw 72%, Forward Observer 54%

Samual Herriot, Veteran Soldier, 95 pts.

Body	Armour	Morale	AP	Weapon	Cbt Phases
12(10)	1d10+4	75%	3	FAMAS	3, 5, 7, 9

Pistol 48%, Rifle 58%, Spot 100%, First Aid 40%, Heavy Weapons 36%, Throw 48%, Forward Observer 36%

600m Fire Team

Fulbert Richelieu, Veteran Corporal, 115 pts.

Body	Armour	Morale	AP	Weapon	Cbt Phases
16(14)	1d10+4	75%	3	FAMAS	3, 5, 7, 9

Pistol 64%, Rifle 84%, Spot 100%, First Aid 40%, Heavy Weapons 48%, Throw 64%, Forward Observer 74%

Marcel Pelletier, Veteran Soldier, 110 pts.

Body	Armour	Morale	AP	Weapon	Cbt Phases
16(14)	1d10+4	75%	3	Minimi	3, 5, 7, 9

Pistol 64%, Rifle 74%, Spot 100%, First Aid 40%, Heavy Weapons 48%, Throw 64%, Forward Observer 64%

Alexis Favager, Veteran Soldier, 110 pts.

Body	Armour	Morale	AP	Weapon	Cbt Phases
19(17)	1d10+4	75%	3	FAMAS + Lance Grenade Individual	1, 3, 5, 7

Pistol 76%, Rifle 86%, Spot 100%, First Aid 40%, Heavy Weapons 57%, Throw 76%, Forward Observer 57%

The VAB may be deployed starting in the second combat round. Note that the VAB is considered an NBC-protected vehicle so long as it is buttoned up. If it is open, including

IS Briefing

“This is our moment to show the kafir that we will go to any length to destroy them. Allah has provided weapons that shall bring the infidels to their knees. You must provide security for the rockets and those trained to use them for as long as possible.”

Sheik Zakariyya Abdullah, IS Cell Leader, Veteran, 130 pts.

Body	Armour	Morale	AP	Weapon	Cbt Phases
13(12)	1d6+4	105%	3	AK-74	3, 5, 7, 9

Pistol 52%, Rifle 72%, Spot 100%, First Aid 40%, Heavy Weapons 39%, Throw 52%, Forward Observer 39%

Mustapha Samarra, Veteran Insurgent, 100 pts

Body	Armour	Morale	AP	Weapon	Cbt Phases
20	-	75%	3	RPK	1, 3, 5, 7

Pistol 80%, Rifle 90%, Spot 100%, First Aid 40%, Heavy Weapons 60%, Throw 80%, Forward Observer 60%

Usama Alfarsi, Average Insurgent, 60 pts.

Body	Armour	Morale	AP	Weapon	Cbt Phases
18	-	55%	3	AK-74	1, 3, 5, 7

Pistol 54%, Rifle 64%, Spot 100%, First Aid 40%, Heavy Weapons 36%, Throw 54%, Forward Observer 36%

Nasim Albaf, Novice Insurgent, 35 pts

Body	Armour	Morale	AP	Weapon	Cbt Phases
15	-	35%	3	AK-74	2, 4, 6, 8

Pistol 30%, Rifle 40%, Spot 100%, First Aid 40%, Heavy Weapons 15%, Throw 30%, Forward Observer 15%

Shafiq Ali, Novice Insurgent, 35 pts.

Body	Armour	Morale	AP	Weapon	Cbt Phases
16	-	35%	3	AK-74	2, 4, 6, 8

Pistol 32%, Rifle 42%, Spot 100%, First Aid 40%, Heavy Weapons 16%, Throw 32%, Forward Observer 16%

Kamal Mohammed, Novice Insurgent, 30 pts.

Body	Armour	Morale	AP	Weapon	Cbt Phases
19	-	35%	3	Bolt-Action Rifle	1, 3, 5, 7

Pistol 38%, Rifle 48%, Spot 100%, First Aid 40%, Heavy Weapons 19%, Throw 38%, Forward Observer 19%

Bakr Ab Al-Hamid Ahmed, Novice Insurgent, 30 pts.

Body	Armour	Morale	AP	Weapon	Cbt Phases
12	-	35%	3	Pistol	3, 5, 7, 9

Pistol 24%, Rifle 34%, Spot 100%, First Aid 40%, Heavy Weapons 12%, Throw 24%, Forward Observer 12%

Yusef Saqqaf, Veteran Warrior Imam, 105

Body	Armour	Morale	AP	Weapon	Cbt Phases
19	-	95%	3	AK-74	1, 3, 5, 7

Pistol 76%, Rifle 86%, Spot 100%, First Aid 40%, Heavy Weapons 57%, Throw 76%, Forward Observer 77%

Gabr Muhammed, Average Insurgent, 75 pts.

Body	Armour	Morale	AP	Weapon	Cbt Phases
15	-	55%	3	RPG-7	2, 4, 6, 8

Pistol 45%, Rifle 55%, Spot 100%, First Aid 40%, Heavy Weapons 30%, Throw 45%, Forward Observer 30%

Riad Abdulrashid, Average Insurgent, 60 pts.

Body	Armour	Morale	AP	Weapon	Cbt Phases
14	-	35%	3	AK-47	3, 5, 7, 9

Pistol 42%, Rifle 52%, Spot 100%, First Aid 40%, Heavy Weapons 28%, Throw 42%, Forward Observer 28%

Hadi Saqqaf, Novice Insurgent, 35 pts.

Body	Armour	Morale	AP	Weapon	Cbt Phases
14	-	35%	3	AK-47	3, 5, 7, 9

Pistol 28%, Rifle 38%, Spot 100%, First Aid 40%, Heavy Weapons 14%, Throw 28%, Forward Observer 14%

Halim Samara, Novice Insurgent, 35 pts.

Body	Armour	Morale	AP	Weapon	Cbt Phases
15	-	35%	3	AK-47	2, 4, 6, 8

Pistol 30%, Rifle 40%, Spot 100%, First Aid 40%, Heavy Weapons 15%, Throw 30%, Forward Observer 15%

Zaki Karimi, Novice Insurgent, 30 pts.

Body	Armour	Morale	AP	Weapon	Cbt Phases
19	-	35%	3	Bolt-Action Rifle	1, 3, 5, 7

Pistol 38%, Rifle 48%, Spot 100%, First Aid 40%, Heavy Weapons 19%, Throw 38%, Forward Observer 19%

Sa’id Kader, Novice Insurgent, 30 pts.

Body	Armour	Morale	AP	Weapon	Cbt Phases
15	-	35%	3	Pistol	2, 4, 6, 8

Pistol 30%, Rifle 40%, Spot 100%, First Aid 40%, Heavy Weapons 15%, Throw 30%, Forward Observer 15%

Missile Launch Crew (3), Average (Farah Nagi, Essa El-Mafty, Haroun Ahmed)

Body	Armour	Morale	AP	Weapon	Cbt Phases
13	-	55%	3	-	3, 5, 7, 9

Pistol 26%, Rifle 36%, Spot 100%, First Aid 40%, Heavy Weapons 13%, Throw 26%, Forward Observer 13%

Conclusion

"If the success of a military operation is measured by the reaction of the target, then it is fair to say that the insurgent use of chemical weapons on Parisian civilians was a resounding, albeit Pyrrhic, success. Some historians have argued that the French response was exactly what the apocalyptic Islamic State desired when it began the European Intifada. Others point to the fact that the IS leadership was largely caught by surprise by the Paris attacks. Indeed, it was a full six hours after the first news broadcast before the IS leadership publicly endorsed the actions of its jihadists.

"What is not in dispute is that three days after the attack, at 1:24 GMT, the French submarine Terrible launched a  single M51 SLBM. The missile rose from the Mediterranean Sea and began an arc that carried it to the Levant. Of the missile's six 107 kiloton warheads, one fell on Aleppo, two on the Al Bagdadi military base, and three detonated over Raqqa, the IS spiritual and administrative center.

"The European Intifada had become an atomic war and there was no going back."

A History of the European Intifada by Manheim Frye