Modern Spear Head our Christmas 'club' game

Game using Modern Spear Head (which I have had unplayed since publication !) at Johns for our Christmas game.
Scenario arranged by John and Stephen both of whom supplied all the 6mm kit and terrain (with roads from me).
Game was set in 1984 with a West German Brigade defending against 3 Soviet Mechanized Brigades both sides with Artillery and Helicopter support.
Richard and I took the Germans whilst Stephen P, Darren and John commanded the Red hordes.
The dice demon umpired.
They also had a Soviet flag and furry hats much to the disgust of Richard :-)

Great game with a good set of rules (WW2 Spear Head outing now in my wee brain).
Germans set up in defence across narrow part of the table with Soviets appearing from eastern edge trying to take a town and bridge on western edge (Or to exit 3+ Bttns).
I had a Panzer Bttn equipped with Leopard IIs and a Pz Grendier Bttn in a mix of Marders and M113s with some Engineers a couple of Gepards and Luchs AC.
I had a battery of M109s in support off table.
Richard had a Pz Grenadier Bttn with a mixed Bttn with a Company of Leopard 1A3s some Jaguars and we allocated him support from M110s and a MLRS Battery and he had control of our Helicopter force (2 PAH anti-tank helos).

We were allowed 3 hidden stands and I used this to 'hide' a Coy of Leo IIs on a hill on my southern flank.
I deployed the rest of my Panzers on a central hill with my Pz Gren forward in a town to stymie the Soviets as my half of table contained the bridge/town objective.
Richard deployed in similar fashion with his Leo to rear on a wooded hill and Grenadiers in forward positions with Jaguars in support.

Both sides had a limited supply of Electronic Warfare missions and a possibility of some Aircraft if air superiority was ever achieved (did not happen in game)

As expected the Soviets arrived in a massive wave across the table led by Tanks on both flanks but in the center (Stephen P) by their Mech Infantry.

Opening exchanges saw our MLRS battery being destroyed by counter battery fire (Soviet artillery was lighter but more numerous than FRG types).
Richard deployed our Helos on turn 2 and they helped delay Soviets on his flank despite 1 being shot down by a SAM.

Shortly a flight of Hind helos appeared opposite my lot as John saw a Coy of Leo IIs advance from their hill to support the Pz Grenadiers.
Thankfully my Gepards were nearby and engaged the Hinds (in MSH the Helos have a priority target of enemy AA types) allowing unmolested progress of my Leos.

Pressure was mounting on both flanks and I performed a Tactical Break Off with my Pz Grenadiers (much to the surprise of the Soviets who it seemed expected me to launch an attack into their oncoming lines) to avoid a potentially disastrous Morale check.
This left my Leos and some Engineers to hold which they manfully did.
They were able to decimate the central Soviet thrust as BMPs were easy targets causing several Morale checks (and much confusion in Soviet ranks) which the buggers managed to pass !!
They also kept Johns force pinned in the town evacuated by the Pz Gr whilst forcing his supporting tanks to retire.
On Richard flank Darrens force was delayed greatly attacking a couple of town sector which took a few turns to grind down and capture.

Upon finish of the game we declared an honourable draw as the Soviets were well off approaching their objectives and had significant losses.
German forces were all close to Morale Check point but with only 2 Leo IIs lost they still had significant striking power especially as Soviet artillery had expended most of its ammo supply.

Great game in usual great company with might craic (I do enjoy winding opponents up) and excellent hospitality.
We went afterward to an Indian for meal and waffling session.

Think my fav part of proceedings was when the Soviets had to stand outside the room in garden whilst we were briefed by Stephen and despite their furry hats etc I could hear cries of "can we come in its freezing out here !" so much for the hardy Russian warriors..........

The 'role-players'

And what Richard thought of it all :-)