Team Yankee

by NDNG_Dane

The 1967 Arab-Israeli War is the third war between the Arabs and the Israelis. The first being the 1948–49 Arab-Israeli War and the second being the 1956 Suez War. When reading historical accounts of the 1967 war, there is often national bias on the part of the author. For example, the Israelis claim they were provoked by an imminent Arab attack. The Arabs claim they were reacting to Israeli aggression toward Syria.

Background
Ever since the start of the first Arab-Israeli war in 1948, Israel had existed in a continued state of war with all of its Arab neighbors, including Iraq and Saudi Arabia. The first two wars were ended with cease-fires, but not with lasting peace. Thus, when the military forces of Egypt, Syria, Jordan, and Iraq, began to mobilize and make obvious preparations for war, Israel felt forced to act, in self-defense.

By NDNG_Dane and Glenn Goddard

Everyone loves the Dutch! So says Austin Powers anyway.  Anyone who has been to the Netherlands knows that the Dutch language seems to be half German and half English.  Apparently, so is their military.  Want to have the power and armor of the Leo 2? You get ’em. Want the staying Gone to Ground while shooting TOW missiles that the American M-901 gets with the Hammerhead rule?  You get that too.

By Aussie Scott (Obsidian23)

Aussie! Aussie! Aussie!

A focus on the Australain Army as part of the ANZAC Brigade

(To all my Kiwi cousins, sorry you’ll have to do your own!)

Since my move from Australia to Canada, I have avoided doing Australians for Flames of War or any other of Battlefront’s game systems, NAM and Team Yankee. However, with the new release of NAM and now the Free Nations to include an ANZAC brigade, not to mention the continued hounding of Rob Kelly to do ‘Aussies” I have finally succumbed to peer pressure.

When I first looked at the Free Nations’ ANZAC Brigade, I was pleasantly surprised at the way it was introduced into the NATO construct under a British Division. Which in reality would make practical sense. Although, historically over the past 20 or so years, Australia has been more closely connected with the USMC in the Pacific (Hawaii) than any other nation.  That notwithstanding, our ties to mother England and the Commonwealth remain strong. So with the well-written introduction of an ANZAC formation into the world of Team Yankee I will relent and finally do Australians. Two key factors have helped me make this decision, firstly the thought of an ANZAC Brigade bounding around the European Countryside and the fact that I started serving in the Australian Defence Force in the mid 80s.

So Mates, let’s see what we have!

By NDNG_Dane and Robert Kelly

photos courtesy National Archives Canada & Bob McBride

History of the 4 CMBG

by NDNG_Dane

In 1951, Canada contributed to NATO by forward stationing a brigade in West Germany.  The brigade was originally stationed in Soest, and was composed of over 6,000 soldiers.  Additionally, there were two brigades in Canada identified as rapid deployment brigades to bring Canadian Forces in Germany to Division strength.  The 4^th Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group (4 CMBG), and it remained forward deployed in Germany until it was disbanded in 1993.

By NDNG_Dane and Christian Caron

History of the Free French in Germany by NDNG_Dane

Upon the defeat of Nazi Germany during World War II, the victorious Allies asserted their joint authority over Germany. The four major allied powers divided Germany into four occupation zones, creating what became collectively known as “Allied-occupied Germany”. This division was ratified at the Potsdam Conference (17 July – 2 August 1945).

The French zone of occupation, Troupes d’Occupation en Allemagne, was in the south-west of Germany, closest to the French border. The zone was defined as the southwest Länder of Württemberg, Baden, the Pfalz, and the Saar. Subsequently, on August 10, 1949. The French military forces stationed in Germany were renamed as Forces Françaises en Allemagne (FFA) with a new Headquarters in Baden-Baden.

While the membership NATO has grown since 1985 (15 members to 29 today) the mission and role of the alliance is just as relevant today as it was when first formed in 1949. So far has given us the forces of the major nations of the alliance and now it is time for the smaller nations to enter in the game. While these nation’s may have smaller and less well-equipped armies than the major players, their commitment to NATO should not be overlooked. They do play a major role supporting NATO’s mission.

By No_Dice_Dane

In January, NDNG looked at the “equalization” of the US Air Defense Artillery protective umbrella resulting from the release of Stripes. That Article :

Stripes has provided the US player with the agile M551 Sheridan. Not realized in the game, the Sheridan was actually deployable by parachute airdrop.

Background:- Post-Vietnam Era

The military had just been through a complete withdrawal from Viet Nam. In the late 70s, Military tacticians went down many dark paths and “learned” wrong lessons from its experience in South East Asia.

In the air, Operation Rolling Thunder bombing Campaign started in March 1965 was supposed to bring the North Vietnamese to the peace talks table.

Instead, it strengthened the resolve of the NVA. North Vietnam did not have much of an air force. As a result of Rolling Thunder, the NVA was able to mount an effective defense against the bombing raids. Using surface-to-air missiles and radar-controlled anti-aircraft artillery, the NVA shot down hundreds of American planes over the course of the bombing campaign. As a result, pilots and aircraft weapon systems operators accounted for the majority of the American prisoners of war who were captured and held by NVA.

 

By Dennis Campbell AKA Matt Varnish

Photos by the Author

Check out the Podcast from Mitch, Glenn and Dennis .

Hey guys, No Dice, No Glory hosted this year’s Cold Wars 2018 Team Yankee tournament.  Mitch ably organized the event, with generous support from Battlefront (and lovely scenery from them as well)   I was the ringer, and while we were able to fill the 14th slot with various players, it meant I could take lots of pictures and video (at the end of article) as well.   Enjoy!

No Dice, No Glory’s own Glenn Goddard getting flanked by Pete’s Spearheading East German BMPs

The Team Yankee tournament at Orccon in Los Angeles (Feb 17,18 2018) gathered 11 players (plus a ringer) for a five-round, two-day event. This event was sponsored by  who provided some awesome prize support for the winners.

Christian Sorenson took top player honors, while Igor Torgenson gathered accolades for his table design, and Alex H. wowed judges with his well-painted West German force. Below are some photos of the day, along with comments of the TO and players, as well as the top force lists.

The tourney was escalation based: Day One at 70 points. All missions were random (card draw) with all tables playing the same mission. Day Two was at 85 points. Players had to field the same type of force as Day One, but could redesign the force as they saw fit. Missions on day two were selected table by table using the More Missions Matrix.

By Dennis Campbell AKA Matt Varnish

Photos by the Author

Rob and I did a test game with the new Nam rules for Team Yankee (Team Yankee Early War?) but instead of using traditional lists, we decided that since Team Yankee the novel is a what-if scenario, then why not do a what-if of the Oil Crisis of the 1970s!  In our case, we did a Canadian Tank force (Aussie Centurions) vs some T-55s and Motor Rifles out in a desert oil facility.    As usual, video bat-rep at the end.  Thanks to Rob for hosting as usual, this time on his awesome AFG board where I added my 15mm terrain to good effect:View from the industrial center