This is a Rapid Fire game using 20mm models and figures (using the peace in war amendments) based on the books THE INDIAN ARMOUR by Sandhu, GUNNERS AT WAR by Janiit among others I also used info from the old SOTCW website on the 1965 war. The Indians began their offensive on Dec 5th 1971 from the north and the east of the bulge and drove south and west against Pakistani screening forces. The Indian forces made good time and were soon at what the Pakistanis designated the Line of No Penetration. A line partially delineated by the Basantar Nala (a nala is basically a dry or partially dry riverbed). This was a line beyond which the Pakistanis would not tolerate Indian intrusion.. So on the night of Dec 15/16, 1971when Indian infantry battalions infiltrated through Pakistani defenses and across the Basantar nala the Pakistanis were bound to react forcefully. The stage was set for one of the major armored battles of this conflict. Indian Players Briefing Sheet HQ 47 Infantry Brigade, 54 Division 0700 16 December 1971 To: GOC, 47 Infantry Brigade 1. Situation: During the night of 15-16 Dec. 47 Brigade effected a night crossing of the Basantar Nala (river) and breached the Pakistani defences there. This is part of the general offensive by Indian 1st Corps to capture the Sharkargarh Bulge area. The two assaulting infantry battalions have crossed the river and a protective minefield and taken up defensive positions in the villages of Saraj Chak and Jarpal. The Corps Mobile Combat Group was inducted into the bridgehead on the night of 15-16 Dec also, to provide anti-tank protection to the infantry who crossed withoutr their heavy weapons. Pak 8th Armoured Brigade is in the area, the battalion commanders have reported a great deal of heavy vehicle noises. Expect a counterattack at first light. 2. Opposing Forces: Saraj Chak and the Ghazipur Reserve Forest had been held by elements of Pakistani 24 Infantry Brigade including an infantry battalion and armoured elements. Expect counterattacks from Pak 8th Armoured Brigade. 3.Friendly Forces: 16 Madras located between Ghazipur Reserve Forest and Basantar Nala, north of Saraj Chak. 13 Grenadiers and two troops of B Squadron, Poona Horse hold Jarpal. The rest of the Corps Mobile Combat Group holds the Ghazipur Reserve Forest, with A Squadron in reserve at Saraj Chak. Two companies of engineers are widening breach in minefield and are available in an emergency. Two light AA troops are also positioned in the bridgehead. 4. Mission: 47 Infantry Brigade reinforced by the Mobile Combat Group will hold the bridgehead over the Basantar Nala. 74 Brigade will exploit the breach once Pak armoured counterattacks are defeated. 5.Units under command: (All Indian Elements: regular) 16th Madras SETUP: between Ghazipur Reserve Forest and the Basantar Nala north of the engineers lane through the minefield (no elements nearer than 12' to lane.) Battalion HQ 6 figures 1 3in mortar and 3 crew 4 Infantry Companies each with 8 figures 13th Grenadiers SETUP: In and around Jarpal village (within 10'.) units as 16 Madras Corps Mobile Combat Group SETUP: In Ghazipur Reserve Forest with 2 troops of B squadron in Jarpal and A squadron in Saraj Chak Mobile Combat Group HQ: 1 HQ Centurion Poona Horse Regimental HQ: 1 command Centurion 3 squadrons each with 3 centurions 18 Rajputana Rifles Regimental HQ: 4 figures and 1 OT-62 2 Infantry companies each with 8 figures and 2 OT-62 apc Divisional and Corps Artillery Elements On board and attached to Mobile Combat Group: 1 FOO group - 2 figures and 1 jeep On board and attached to any battalion of 47 Brigade: 1 FOO group - 2 figures and 1 jeep On board and located anywhere in the bridgehead: Two troops 45 Air Defence Regiment 1 40-mm L/70 and 3 crew 1 light truck Off board 2 regiments each with 3 batteries of 1 130-mm guns (1 assigned to Mobile Combat Group exclusively) 2 regiments each with 3 batteries 100-mm guns (1 assigned exclusively to infantry battalions of 47 Brigade) Pakistani Players Briefing Sheet (All Elements, regular) HQ 8th Independent Armoured Brigade 0700 16 December 1971 To: GOC, 8th Independent Armoured Brigade 1. Situation: During the night of 15-16 December Indian forces, including tanks, crossed the Basantar Nala designated as the 1st (Pak) Corps line of no penetration. The Zafarwal Brigade holding the nala, the Ghazipur Reserve Forest, and the adjacent towns of Saraj Chak and Jarpal was forced back. There are still some infantry and anti-tank elements remaining in the Ghazipur Reserve Forest. Indian forces have been contained in the Ghazipur Reserve Forest area but must be pushed back over the Basantar Nala to ensure integrity of the Corps line of no penetration. 2. Opposing forces: It is known that at least a squadron of tanks and a battalion of infantry have entered and are holding the bridgehead. 3. Friendly Forces: 8th Armoured Brigade with 2 armoured regiments and 1 armoured infantry regiment is concentrated around Bara Pind SW of the bridgehead. Remnants of 11 Baluch and 20th cavalry, from the Zafarwal Brigade, are located in woods to the west of the Ghazipur Reserve Forest. Elements of 11 Baluch are holding out concealed in the Ghazipur Reserve Forest. 4. Mission: The 8th Independent Armoured Brigade will counterattack the Indian bridgehead over the Basantar Nala. The goal is to destroy or push all Indian units out of the bridgehead. 5. Units under your command: 8th Independent Armoured Brigade SETUP: At least one regiment enters from SW corner of map and one or more regiments may enter from woods due west of Ghazipur Reserve Forest. Brigade HQ: 6 figures and 2 jeeps 13 Lancers: Regimental HQ 1 M-48 and 3 Tank squadrons each with 3 M48's 31 Cavalry: Regimental HQ 1 M-47 amd 3 Tank squadrons each with 3 M47 tanks Armoured Infantry Battalion Battalion HQ 6 figures 1 81-mm mortar and 3 crew 1 Cobra ATGW stand 3 M-113 4 Armoured Infantry Companies each with 8 figures and 4 M-113 11 Baluch (elements) SETUP: 3 infantry stands, 1 75-mm recoilless rifle stand located in concealed and entrenched positions in Ghazipur Reserve Forest. 1 command stand and 3 infantry stands located to west of Ghazipur Reserve Forest. Battalion HQ: 4 figures and 1 75-mm recoilless rifle and 2 crew 2 infantry companies each with 8 figures 20 Cavalry (elements) SETUP: In woods west of Ghazipur Reserve Forest. 1 M-36 tank destroyer Divisional and Brigade Artillery On board attached to 8th Independent Armoured Brigade: 1 FOO group - 2 figures and 1 jeep Off board: 1 battalion with 3 batteries with 1 105-mm howitzer each 1 battalion with 2 batteries with 1 155-mm howitzer each Air Support: 1 airstrike with 1 MiG-19 and 1 F-86 1 airstrike with 2 MiG-19 (Arrive 1d6 turns after Pakistani player calls for them, only one strike per turn, armed at Pakistani player discretion. They enter from the southern or western map edges.) Terrain Description The description is for a 9'x7' table. On the northern edge 4' from the eastern edge the nala begins running south in a rough arc that curves 2' east at its maximum to the southern edge. The nala has minefields on both sides extending 3" on either side. Indian engineers have breached the minefield and opened a lane located 3' from the northern edge and running WSW completely through the nala and the surrounding minefields. The Ghazipur Reserve Forest is located in an area 2.5' from the western edge and 2.5' from the southern edge. It is roughly kidney shaped and is approximately 5' long x 1.5' wide, these dimensions are an estimate. There are three villages : Lalial, 6" past the northern tip of the Ghazipur Reserve Forest, Saraj Chak 1' WSW of the engineers lane, and Jarpal 3.5' SSW of Saraj Chak. These are small villages of 1-2 buildings. The western edge of the board should be wooded extending from the northern edge to within 2' of the southern edge. There should be scrub placed throughout the board. Referee Notes 1. The 11 Baluch elements are setup by the Pakistani player first on a map. They may be placed anywhere in the Ghazipur Reserve Forest in any grouping. They remain concealed until they spot a Pakistani tank attacking the Ghazipur Reserve Forest position. Until then they remain concealed and in entrenchments. Once they spot a friendly tank they will attack the nearest Indian elements until destroyed or forced back. The Pakistani player should know the unit is there but has no control over it until it is activated. The Indian player should not know until 11 Baluch attack. 2. The arrival time of the Pakistani airstrikes should be rolled for by the referee. Do not inform the Pakistani player of the arrival time. The Pakistani player should designate a geographical position for attack by the airstrike. Roll again when each airstrike arrives, on a 1-2 the aircraft will attack the first unit they spot, on a 3-6 they will attack as designated by the Pakistani player. 3. Variations include adding the 4th Horse (same organization as the Poona Horse) to the Indian OOB. The AT elements of the infantry battalions could also be included by adding 1 jeep w/106-mm RR to each Indian infantry battalion. The Pakistani player could add the 31 Cavalry (same organization as the other Pakistani armored regiments). Back to Frontline Vol. 2 Iss. 2 Table of Contents Back to Frontline List of Issues Back to MagWeb Master Magazine List © Copyright 2001 by Rolfe Hedges This article appears in MagWeb (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other military history articles and gaming articles are available at http://www.magweb.com