Post by mikedski on May 25, 2017 10:57:14 GMT
January 1910 , eastern Colorado
Background:
In a change of tactics, the Martians at the Gallup, New Mexico redoubt sent a force of a dozen tripods across the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in the dead of winter. Exploiting a gap between Funston's Second Army defending Albuquerque and Bullard's Second Army deployed north of Pueblo, Colorado the raiders completely incinerated the town of Trinidad, Colorado at the eastern foot of the Rockies. The tripods then split into groups with each group following a rail line radiating out from Trinidad while destroying track, rail infrastructure and the sparse settlements encountered. Three tripods headed northeast ( the Utnaferdus pod) meeting no meaningful resistance for 80 miles while destroying small ranching towns and whistle stops along their path.
La Junta, Colorado is the county seat of Otero County. Nestled on the south bank of the Arkansas River the city has major strategic significance as the Headquarters of the Sante Fe Railroad's Colorado Division. Prior to the second Martian invasion the La Junta train yard would form trains to cross the Raton Pass into the New Mexico, Arizona and eventually to California or west into the Colorado mining districts along the upper Arkansas River. With the invasion La Junta now is a major Army Group transportation and logistics hub serving both the 1st and 2nd Armies.
The city itself has grown along with the railroad and after 1900 replaced the typical western clapboard structures with brick buildings and brick roads. At the north end of town is the majestic El Otero train station and Harvey House/ Hotel that use to serve weary tourists making their way to the American southwest. Now the Harvey Girls feed hungry troops on the way to the front.
Order of Battle
Martian.
3 Assault Tripods
3 Command Tokens
Martian Special Rules.
1) Yes, Subcommander!
a. " Your mission is to cause confusion among the prey creatures and do as much damage as possible without risking pitched battle."
The Martians earn points for destroying infrastructure.
Rail line/ switch point - 5 points
Single dwelling. - 5 points
Multistory building in town - 10 point each
Hotel El Otero Freight stations/ warehouse
Railyard HQ/ Logistics HQ - 30 points
Train Shed - 50 points
Locomotive - 30 points
Rail car - 10 points each
Coal tower/ water towers/yard tower - 10 points
Cattle yard - 10 points
Supply trucks and supply cache - 2 points each
b. " If you encounter serious resistance you are to withdraw. Is that understood?"
During any turn a tripod suffers ANY damage the Martian player must roll for morale. A roll of 8 or higher will cause the Martians to withdraw and end the game. Add +1 to die roll for each previous damage point/ weapon/ mobility hit accumulated during the game. The Martian player can use a command token to re-roll a failed morale test. Destruction of a tripod will cause an immediate Martian withdrawal.
The Martian player will lose points for the following
Each damage point suffered - 10 points
Each mobility or firepower loss - 50 points
Loss of tripod - 200 points
Human Order of Battle.
Wake up you knuckleheads! Due to surprise , no human forces are deployed on the board . At the the start of turn 1, the human player will roll one die. The number rolled will determine where each human combat element will appear. Each die roll means only one unit can appear. At the start of turn 2, roll two die, at the start of turn 3 roll three die, etc.
The human force will not break . This is the high plains of Colorado in January. There is no where to run!
#1 - Mark II sections loaded on rail cars. The crews have rushed from the hotel to man their steamers while still rail loaded. They cannot move but can fire only within their current facing.
#2 and #3 - Regular US Army Infantry Company - billeted at the El Otero awaiting movement to 1st Army consisting of HQ, 6 infantry squads, 3 MG squads. No forlorn hope teams.
#4 - Quartermaster Field HQ with three order tokens - no orders token available until HQ arrives. Once available can use a token to add one die roll to reinforcement pool in addition to movement bonus or rallying . No industrial might.
#5 - Colorado Militia mobilizing at the armory . Two infantry squads and MG squad.
#6, 7, 8 - US Cavalry Troop consisting of 4 cavalry patrols ( fine miniatures from S2G) - Already on routine patrol west southwest of town and now converging on the approaching tripods.
#9 - Colorado Militia field gun battery arrives by truck.
#10 - Military police machine gun jalopy patrol arrives from the east side.