From BGG – Jakub shares [(kubaman)] :
And on to turn 2!
As the first week of the invasion continues the weather remains clear. Meanwhile, China and Russia remain neutral as they continue to monitor events.
Allied special forces concentrate on recon and targeting missions, for the most part with little success (and a few ROC teams killed), with the exception with Haeju which is now ripe for some strikes.
Haeju is well targeted:
The air superiority phase of turns 2 is a pretty one-sides affair. Most of the DPRK’s airforce is still recovering from being thrashed last turn, and only a few fighters are available to oppose the Allied juggernaut. Not surprisingly, the Allies have complete air supremacy!
Pre and post air superiority combat:
Once again, North Korean commandos wreck havoc on US helo units (despite that fact most of those have been paired up with ROC infantry divisions), but suffer two-thirds casualties themselves, decimating most of their forces. However they still have access to a large pool of eager suicide squads ready to take the place of the fallen.
DPRK suicide squads continue their campaign again US helos, at great cost to their ranks:
With US naval units taking full control of Korea’s coastal waters, large amounts of cruise missiles are thrown at the DPRK’s air detection network of radars, causing considerable damage. Wild weasel attacks then finish the job and reduce the north’s detection level to 1!
Tomahawks are inbound!
The Allies then follow-up with their airstrikes on North Korean HQs and ground units. They manage to completely obliterate light infantry units guarding the flat coastal terrain west of the Yesong river. They also severely damage an infantry division and its associated HQ stationed in Haeju. Finally several other HQs located in the rough terrain north of Kaesong are neutralized! Overall a very successful air strike phase for the Allies!
The USAF rains death on North Korea:
As before the DPRK sends several suicide bomber missions which are quickly dispatched by USAF and USN F15s and F/A-18s interceptions.
Turkey shoot over the DMZ:
The Allies find themselves in a very good position as the coastal road to Haeju is completely open and undefended. With the exception of a couple mechanized brigades guarding the airfield north of Kaesong, the DPRK troops in the vicinity are all 1SP units and don’t project any EZOCs upon the coastal route.
Turn 2 at the end of the Allied exploitation combat phase, and the DMZ has been assaulted on all fronts:
(West) Kaesong to Haeju Sector: The 101st airmobile division continues its tour of North Korea by landing north and west of Haeju. Meanwhile a USMC amphibious landing takes place south of the city, supported by a ROK mechanized division, surrounding the location, and subsequently destroying all DPRK units, including the IV corps HQ. ROK and USMC elements invest the city and begin clearing operations. Later, during the exploitation phases, ROK mechanized divisions of the 4th Army occupy the coastal road and continue to push back the token DPRK forces sent to check the advance.
(Central) Kaesong to Pyonggang Sector: A general assault is conducted on the DMZ by ROK, US Army, and USMC forces. Gains are made by Allied troops, but every inch of ground is paid for in blood on both sides. In the end the DPRK’s defenses are shattered throughout the sector, especially around Pyonggang, however a lot of the forward Allied units are heavily battered and exhausted. Desperate DPRK counterattacks are feared by the Allied Brass, especially due to North Korea’s eagerness to use chemical weapons.
(East) Kosong Sector: The progress along the mountainous eastern coastline is more modest, however Allied troops are pushing forward, again at great cost in casualties. Kosong is once again occupied by a USMC task force, which is intent on standing its ground.
Turn 2, end of Allied exploitation phase:
DPRK forces mount three major counteroffensives, supported by massive chemical attacks. The main effort is concentrated on relatively week Allied units along the western banks of the Yesong river, in hopes of a breakthrough which would cut the Allied forces in two. However, despite terrible loses, the remnants of a 82 airborne brigade manage to hold off the assault and remains in control of the vital junction! Further west, another chemical assault is initiated against several USMC battalions guarding the northern flank of a ROC mechanized division. Once again US forces prevail and stand their ground. Finally, in a effort to isolate an overextended USMC taskforce along the Imjin river, and also to allow several DPRK mechanized brigades to escape their untenable position, a third chemical assault is started against a weakened US mechanized brigade. The assault succeeds, surrounding the USMC troops, however supplies are airdropped on their positions and they lose none of their combat effectiveness.
Kaesong to Haeju, after DRPK counterattacks:
The end of the turns is fairly “quiet” as both sides lick their wounds, there are however a few modest Allied gains along the Imjin river, isolating a DPRK outpost, which refuses to surrender. In Haeju clearing operations are still underway as street-fighting with guerillas continue. Meanwhile, the rest of the 1st US cavalry division lands in South Korea, badly needed reinforcements for the Allies. The US manages to send some fresh replacements to the 101st airborne positions north of Haeju. Several major airports and airfields in South Korea become operational again. North Korea continues to call-up its reserves, and is desperately pleading for Chinese intervention.
Situation of the end of Turn 2:
Turn 2 casualties:
