S&S Models 122-mm howitzer D-30

Recently I completed a trio of D-30s from S&S models. D-30s are a very useful artillery piece for gaming the modern era and the S&S model is a nice representation of the weapon system.

In CD terms each one of these models represents a battery of guns, so with the addition of  vehicles and personnel stands to represent transport and supply vehicles, gun crew, forward observers, and command elements, I can table an artillery battalion.

In CD terms this could look like the following (based on the organisation in GDW's Combined Arms and several real world ORBATs):

Artillery Battalion

    Headquarters:

        1 Command stand

        1 Forward Observer stand

        2 UAZ 467 (or similar light vehicles)

    Supply Company:

        2 Heavy Ammo trucks with trailers

    3 Batteries each with:

        1 D-30 122mm Howitzer

        1 Gun crew stand

        1 Medium Truck

 

Note that the above organisation could easily be downgraded by the removal of the Forward Observer, or upgraded by adding in additional elements that increase the capability of the unit.   

In order to maximise the utility of these guns I plan to create a number of vehicles and personnel stands representing a range of different forces. This would let me field the D-30s as part of Soviet, WarPac, USSR successor state, Middle Eastern, and Imagi-nation artillery units.

By doing this I should be able to provide artillery support to a wider range of forces without having to make a large number of  model D-30s.

News from the Bosnian Front Pt. IIV

The Republican spoiler attack into the Noddist rear was a success, despite costing a full company of T-55s. The attack destroyed a battery of Nod 122mm SPGs, and drew a company of Nod T-72s back from the frontlines.

A Republican T-34/85 company mounts a flank attack on Nod APCs in the woods.

The Civilian Militia hold off an attack by a company of Nod infantry.

Nod T-55s await orders before advancing further

Republican T-34/85s engage Nod APCs - destroying a platoon. A platoon of T-34/85s is lost to fire from a Nod auto cannon battery.

Nod ZU-23-2 battery, supported by two platoons of Nod APCs.

The Islamic volunteers die hard for the Republic....

...but are forced back deeper into the BUA, fortunately a company of of Republican regulars arrive to reinforce the defense.

Nod APC lossses mount as the Republican T-34/85s press home their attack.

However, the company is destroyed by a determined Nod counterattack.

Republican reinforcements secure the BUA.

Elsewhere the Civilian Militia repel the Nod assault...

...and purse the surviving Nod infantry into the woods....

....where Republican forces capture a company of Nod trucks.

Meanwhile Nod launches an armoured thrust up the left flank.

Republican regulars expel Nod from the BUA.

Republican resistance on the heights is spirited, but is overwhelmed by Noddist armour.

A company of Nod T-72s pours into the lowlands.

A company of Nod T-55s gets mauled by Republican anti tank fire.

Other Nod units join the advance.

Republican artillery units start shelling the heights.

Elsewhere, the HQ elements of Nod infantry units live up to their reputation for toughness.

A platoon of Nod T-55s is destroyed by fire from Republican T-55s.

Which in turn are destroyed by...

Noddist infantry armed with AT-4s.

Nod armour still attempts to advance through the burning wrecks on the heights.

Civilian Militia continue their rampage through the woods.

A Republican Motorcycle RPG team destroys a platoon of Nod APCs. Nods advance is halted in the centre.

Nod HQ elements remain defiant.

The Nod FAC element has been hit hard. No MiGs today.

Nod armour burning on the heights...

...burning in the lowlands...

...and burning in the woods.

 The forces of the Republic managed to halt the Noddist advance, and destroy a great deal of Noddist war material.

News from the Bosnian Front Pt. II

Flushed with success from knocking out a Nod BRDM platoon, Republican forces await the advancing Nod forces.

A company of Republican T-55s advance, intent on making a spoiling attack in the Nod staging area.

A company of Republican volunteers advance in support of the T-55s.

Nod infantry and armour  prepare to assault Republican forces.

Nod attacks the Islamic volunteers.....

While the Citizen Militia companies await the coming Nod onslaught.

Republican armour moves up to support the hard pressed Islamic volunteers.

Republican troops await the reinforcements.

The Islamic Volunteers engage Nod at the edge of the BUA.

And suffer for their bravery.

The T-55 company swings left to engage Nod forces.

...such as a battery of Nod 122mm SPGs

...which is eliminated, causing alarm in the Noddist rear.

A company of Nod T-72s is pulled back from the front to solve this problem.

The Republican T-55 company is destroyed by the Noddist T-72s, however the spoiling attack is a success, despite the high cost in Republican lives.

The battle is far from over - fortunately my next blog post has more information!