On February 2, 2019, the Jackson Gamers played a "Third World War" game set around 1986 at Jay Stribling's home. The Third World War which devastated much of Germany but had surprisingly little impact on the rest of the world was the subject of our game played on February 2nd 2019.
The first five photos were taken by Jim Pitts, while the last two were taken by Ed Sansing. Ed was also the game-master and rules teacher. The Jackson gamers had very limited previous experience with theseCold War Commanderrules and that contributed to a long time for questioning and cogitation for each turn.
An American infantry company with an attached M1 Abrams tank platoon has "seen off" a Soviet push by a similar sized Motor Rifle company. The photo was taken from the top of the hill occupied by the U.S. troops.
On the left center of the U.S. line, a Czech Motor Rifle battalion (less one company) moves menacingly toward a lightly held patch of woods. Fire from the left and right of the woods later damaged this Czech unit but it remained powerful, but slow to move, during the game.
On the extreme right of the line, a troop of U.S. cavalry surprises the Russian Motor Rifle battalion. The ambush did not go as planned and both sides suffered casualties. Note the light vehicle being driven recklessly down the hillside.
A broad view of the right center part of the American lines.
Another view of the left center of the U.S. line with the extreme left in view on the right side of the image.
The attacking Warsaw Pact Czech players, on the attack, from the left, were Bryan Green, Jay Stribling, Sean Pitts. To their left were the Soviet players: John Murdaugh, Jay Ainsworth, and Steve Haller.
The Americans who were on the defense were (left to right) Jim Pitts, Mark Gilbert and Phil Young.
So, who won this game? Well that has not exactly been decided. Both sides had bad luck with command response die rolls. At critical times orders were not delivered to appropriate units–wrong die number rolled. On the Soviet's left flank, there was even a "command blunder" with units moving in the opposite direction from that which their commander (Steve Haller) wanted.
Ed Sansing, who ran the game, stated "Each side could (kinda) claim victory." So both sides will!