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| The Big Red One (1st Infantry Division) patrols on a claustrophic trail in Vietnam |
As unlucky as 2nd Lt. Cooper's platoon was in its first month in Vietnam, they were actually fairly fortunate when I rolled for their replacements. My plan is for each squad (a "fire team" would be more accurate term for their unit size) to be allowed to go down 20% from five members to four before they receive reinforcements. However, since both the sergeant of 2nd Squad and his assistant, Cpl. Frey, wouldn't be reporting for duty next mission, I assumed that the company commander would tell Cooper to "suck it up" and lead 2nd Squad for a few weeks till Frey was back. I pulled up my draft of my Surviving 'Nam rules, grabbed a 20-sided die, and started rolling up poor Lt. Cooper's fate. This blog update is to give you a look at the campaign process -- a key part of which is replacing losses suffered by the platoon!
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| 1st Squad's roster -- will field 4 soldiers instead of five with Pfc. Tatum still wounded |
Sure enough, when Cooper showed up at the tent belonging to Capt. Meyer, CO of Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, he was given the hard news. "I'm not putting a PFC in charge of a squad -- 2nd is yours, for the time being." The captain glowered at him, sucking intensely on a cigarette. "Cpl. Kern can be trusted to take charge of 1st Squad. He's been with them since the States." Meyer insisted that the 1st squad knew Kern and trusted him. He also told Cooper to promote assistant gunner Boston to PFC and have him carry the M60. According to Sgt. Bruce's AAR, sent from the hospital in Saigon, Boston had been johnny-on-the-spot in his first action. He'd be fine carrying the "hog." "And by the way, Cooper, word is Sgt. Bruce lost his leg. Both he and Hayes won't be back. Tough luck, but there it is..."
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| Adding in Lt. Cooper & his radioman, 2nd Squad will field 5 soldiers |
The captain knew that still left holes in Cooper's platoon. At least two to fill in 1st Squad, an assistant M60 gunner, and scrounging up a new medic for the platoon. The captain got on the horn and pulled Cpl. Frank from his duties as medic at Firebase Ganesha. When Frank arrived on the chopper a couple hours later, he brought a surprise with him. Cpl. Hawk, who'd stepped on punji sticks the company's third day in the field, declared himself fit for duty and rode in with him. "Hot damn, Hawk! You just made my day!" Knowing Cooper was watching the exchange, he told Hawk he could help Kern in 1st Squad. He enjoyed the disappointed look on Lt. Cooper's face. That damned Butterbar still needed to prove himself! Exfiltrating and leaving his platoon in the field...he's lucky he wasn't facing a court martial!
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| After filling key openings, the platoon welcomes a new medic & assistant gunner |
Not expecting much, the captain requested another assistant M60 gunner and another man for 1st Squad. Somebody had a sense of humor back at base, though. They sent one of their clerk/typists, a terrified looking Pvt. Otis out, along with a cherry fresh from the States -- Pvt. Warfield. He assigned the FNG Warfield to help Boston, and the Pogue Otis to Kern and Hawk. With Hawk back, he told Cooper, they were still coming out ahead. "I've got another mission for you. We're making a sweep in a couple days. More details to follow, but don't screw this one up! You almost had more of your men ride home in Medevac birds than humped back on their own! Dismissed." Lt. Cooper swallowed hard, saluted, and left, glad to be out of the captain's menacing presence. * Butterbar = Second Lieutenant
* Pogue = People Other than Grunts
* FNG = F@$king New Guy
MINIATURES Acquired vs. Painted Tally for 2025
- Miniatures acquired in 2025: 288
- Miniatures painted in 2025: 167
TERRAIN Acquired vs. Painted Tally for 2025
- Terrain acquired in 2025: 36
- Terrain painted in 2025: 57
SCATTER Acquired vs. Painted Tally for 2025
- Scatter acquired in 2025: 115
- Scatter painted in 2025: 150
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