‘Nam

by Dennis ‘Matt Varnish’ Campbell

“GOOOOOOOOD Morning, VIET-NAM!”

With the upcoming re-release of ‘Nam by Battlefront, Scott Roach and I decided it was high time to break out our ‘Nam armies.    We had painted up our forces this winter for the Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge, but we realised we just didn’t have enough jungle.  We had some of the ‘Nam jungle and paddies, but nowhere near enough.

We gathered up everything we had and one Saturday just laid out the drill, hot glue gun, and MDF and made a heap of jungle bases.  Once covered in AK ‘Jungle Earth’ we just added a bit of ground clutter and away we go. I think we still need a bit more, but this will be fine for our first game. We decided to (loosely) play the opening days of the Battle of Binh Ba.

By Ron Winkler

With the continued COVID 19 restrictions on gaming opportunities, I decided to try another solo game. This time it would be a modification of Team Yankee to represent a rescue operation in Somalia. For purposes of the game, I selected units and concepts from both Team Yankee and ‘Nam gamebooks. The scenario would be based on Hot LZ with US forces attempting to rescue Western newsmen held captive in a Somalia prison compound.

By Matt MacKenzie

The new(ish) ‘Nam 1965-1972 book is out and consider me excited! It is my absolute honor to bring you Marines in Vietnam, I grew up just after the last troops were pulled out of there. I’ve seen all the movies, documentaries and now it’s time to (re)launch Vietnam in 15mm with a revamped rules set based on V4 for Flames of War. It’s my intention to present the options and lists you are able to put together from a time when Marines were taking the fight to the NVA in the jungle and streets of South East Asia.

You’re an errand boy. Sent by grocery clerks. To collect a bill. -Col. Walter E. Kurtz

By NDNG_Dane

Lieutenant Dan here,
This past weekend, I was able to get in my third ‘Nam game. This game had a completely different feel from our first two games. Again I faced off against Comrade Paul, Fearless leader of the Local Forces. We played the “Fire Base Assault” mission at 60+ points each.

We both changed up the standard force list a little bit. Comrade Paul took a Special Tasks Battalion with the support options for a PAVN Infantry Battalion. I took the TO&E authorized, New Zealand 105mm Battery, that fought as part of the US 173rd Airborne Brigade in Vietnam.

By NDNG_Dane

Lieutenant Dan here,

This past weekend, I was able to get in my second ‘Nam game.  This game had a completely different feel than our first game.  Again I faced off against Comrade Paul, Fearless leader of the Local Force Battalion.  We played the Up River mission at 65 points each.

By NDNG_Dane

Lieutenant Dan here,
This past weekend, I was able to get in my first ‘ game against one of the Local Force Leaders – Comrade Paul. We played the “HOT LZ” mission at 45 points each.

Fielding the 173rd Airborne in Viet Nam

Airmobile Rifle Company HQ
Airmobile Rifle Platoon (x2)(short)
UH-1 Huey Aviation Platoon
Airmobile MG Platoon
Airmobile 81mm Mortar Platoon
Support:
Gunship Aeroweapons Platoon
OH-6 Aeroscout Platoon (2)
A4 Skyhawk Flight (2)

By NDNG_Dane

Feature photo from Wikicommons, by 

The Montagnards are a tribal population dwelling in the Central Highlands of Vietnam. The name “Montagna rd” was first used by the French Colonial Forces in Indochina, referring to the indigenous population of the Central Highland region of Vietnam.

The French Experience

During the Indochina War, which began on 19 December 1946, and lasted until 1 August 1954. Fighting between French forces and their Viet Minh opponents in the south, led by Ho Chi Minh and the People’s Army of Vietnam (PAVN) led by Vo Nguyen Giap.  On V-J Day, 2 Sep 1945, Ho Chi Minh had proclaimed the establishment of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (DRV).

By Tom Burgess

Excited to try out the new ‘Nam rules, my primary opponent for jungle rumbles, Charles Christy, and I were able to coordinate a test game. We immediately went to our old “go to’s.” For Charles, this would be his ARVN Cavalry Squadron, decked out with more M113s than anybody I know has. Due to the lower unit costs and new formation rules he was also bringing an M41 Walker Bulldog Tank Battalion. He had an amazing amount of tracks for just 50 points.

The new ‘Nam points levels and multi formation rules benefited my forces, as well as I, was able to get both a PAVN Battalion and a Local Forces Battalion in at 50 pts along with battalion weapons units like Recoilless Rifles and Anti-air machineguns.

by NDNG-Dane and Tom Burgess

Welcome back Comrades,
PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR BRIEFING

We have gone over the glorious and patriotic formations that we will use to vanquish the imperialist and their lackeys in South Vietnam. As strong as these formations are, they cannot succeed alone. They need support. Today’s briefing will explain what support units are available to our formations as they drive the dogs from the South.

We have gone over the glorious and patriotic formations that we will use to vanquish the imperialist and their lackeys in South Vietnam. As strong as these formations are, they cannot succeed alone. They need support. Today’s briefing will explain what support units are available to our formations as they drive the dogs from the South.